Where were you in '22? (1922)

[Marcus Vaughn]

Thank you gentlemen, I'm glad you guys like the grouping and find it, and the history surrounding it, of interest. So few of these badges were awarded (436 1st patterns) that many TR collectors are not familiar with them at all.

I am glad that the political side of militaria collecting seems to be gaining ground and coming into its own.
I can remember asking a dealer at a gun show in Albuquerque around twenty years ago if he had any political or SA items. I was looking for a SA Kepi at the time. He laughed and said something like "Heck no. No one in this part of the country collects that 'Nazi' stuff, only Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS...political items are something that only a few collectors on the East Coast are interested in"

Concerning the Coburg Badge, Erich S. pointed out that if the National Socialists had lost the "battle" it's quite possible that Hitler, the Nazis, and WW2 in general, might have never taken place. Had Hitler lost in Coburg, he probably would have faded into history as just another of the many failed Volkish leaders to come and go. The Coburg battle had lingering affects too. In 1929, Coburg was the first city in Germany to have a completely National Socialist local government. It's been said that the town hall in Coburg was the first government building in Germany to fly the swastika flag.

The Coburg Badge developed an almost mystical reverence, begging the question of the the Alte Kaempfer "yes... but were you with Hitler in Coburg?"


Ade, thanks for the well wishes too, I'm feeling much better. A word to the wise, if you 40 yrs. old or older, get a Shingles vaccination. It will save you a lot of pain, misery and down time.


Marcus


Pics of Carl Eduard Sachsen-Coburg u. Gotha proudly wearing his Coburg Badge. He and his wife became National Socialist supporters immediately after the 1922 German Day event in Coburg. A member of the German and British Royal family, Carl became a NSKK General.

Thanks for having a look








Unknown SA General and traeger of the
"Big Three" CB, Blood Order, GPB


Veste Coburg at night

SA troops marching into Coburg


Sister Pia, Coburg Traeger, one of several
females who was with Hitler at Coburg,
surrounded by Alte Kaempfer

[Erich S]

A great article on Coburg entitled, " In Coburg I Made History" by Jeff Hanson in The Military Advisor a year or so ago is a must read for anyone interested in the Battle of Coburg.

[Erich S]

On a side note, Carl Eduard Sachsen U. Gotha and Franz Schwede Coburg were both later awarded the 2nd parttern badge by Hitler because they didn't qualify for the 1st pattern badge.

[Marcus Vaughn]

A great article on Coburg entitled, " In Coburg I Made History" by Jeff Hanson in The Military Advisor a year or so ago is a must read for anyone interested in the Battle of Coburg.

Thanks for the lead to Jeff's article, "In Coburg I Made History." I wll definitely order a copy if they have any in stock.


It makes sense that Carl Eduard Sachsen-Coburg u. Gotha and Franz Schwede Coburg would only receive the 2nd pattern badge as they were not really active participants of the battle, though Carl met with Hitler and attended A.H.'s speeches during the affair.

Erich, do you know if the organizer of the "German Day 1922", Hans Dietrich received the first or second pattern badge. He was not a NSDAP member at the time, but was the Gauleiter of DVSuTB. I would guess he had the second pattern badge.

[Erich S]

Marcus, Dietrich most likely received the 2nd pattern. It's also thought that like the Blood Order and GPB, Hitler made honorary awards of the CB as well, so it's possible in some rare cases to have a guy who had not been at Coburg and still received the badge. Hey, it was Hitlers party and he could do what ever he wanted when awarding decorations.

[Erich S]

A couple more pics of the CB in wear.

HJ leader Emil Klein and Julius Schreck.

[Marcus Vaughn]

Thank you for sharing these photos Erich!

Emil Klein was an interesting fellow and was the last and longest living Pg. that had participated in Coburg and the BH Putsch. Emil died in 2010 and the very ripe old age of 104! I've seen him in several documentaries: "The Nazis- A Warning From History" and "The Fatal Attraction of Adolf Hitler" He spoke only of the Putsch and in glowing exaltation.

Emil again wearing his Coburg Badge.

[Erich S]

I was in Munich back in 09 and he would have been great to meet and interview if I had known that he lived there and was in reasonable health about the Kampfzeit.

[Marcus Vaughn]

Between Julius Schreck, Julius Schaub and Julius Streicher, it's easy to get a bit mixed up.

Schaub, Hitler and Schreck



Schreck wearing CB

[Marcus Vaughn]

I was in Munich back in 09 and he would have been great to meet and interview if I had known that he lived there and was in reasonable health about the Kampfzeit.

Who would have thought that he was still alive at the time?