Write a letter to RK receiver

[Paul D]

Hi there Joe, Its strange having no replies on the other forum but could be nobody really knew how to suggest helping you. From experience id say most of the old veterans are well aware of their near celebrity status these days and know that there are people genuinely interested in their careers etc and so are not surprised to receive fan mail and requests for signed photographs. Many have picture postcards made up specially for the purpose of signing. But for Luftwaffe aircrews of which there are still a number of RK holders still living i would write to the Deutscher Luftwaffenring at their address of : DEUTSCHER LUFTWAFFENRING eV
RHEINALLEE 55
53173 BONN
GERMANY.

I did try writing to the Gemeinschaft De Jagdflieger which is the German Fighter Pilots association but they will only reply to you if you write letters to them in German, as i cant read or write German i have just used the Luftwaffenring which is a very helpful organisation. They may be able to tell you who to write to regarding Army RK holders. I do have the address of RK holder Hermann Hogeback somewhere and will try and find it out as he is one you could start with to get collection off the ground-thats if he hasnt passed away-an internet search can confirm this usually as im sure there will be information on him on the net. Lastly, its no problem helping you at all and this is what Warelics Forum is all about, helping eachother out where possible and its no problem at all Joe. Also thanks for the friends request which i have accepted! Will try and find that letter from Hermann with his address on for you. Also if you would like to add Gunther Rall to your collection i do have a spare handwritten note with full signature on personalised card stationary regarding a meeting between us a few years ago but havent a clue as to what it might be valued at???? I will be in touch again soon and best regards, Tim.

Hogeback died in 2004 !

[JoeLiao]

Joe,

I have written to over 800 RKT and other German veterans , the best thing to do is just write a simple letter introducing yourself , expressing your interest in them and the History of WW2 and asking for a signed photograph . Keep it simple most of them are no longer prepared to answer lots of questions as this has all been done before so many will send a prepared history of themselves instead . Do not ask political questions or ask for some souvenir from them this is a complete no no and you will probably get no reply and remember that many are old and frail and recieve many such requests so it may be months before you get a reply.

It is better to write in German but English will do as many have younger family members who help with their correspondance who are fluent in English.

Always send some money 5 or 10 euros to cover their postage back to you and the cost of printing photos etc it shows a great disrespect to expect something for nothing from them.

You may not have got replies from other forums as a lot of signature collectors are reluctant to give out addresses to those they do not know or who have posted very little of a forum , many like myself have spent years building up the trust of German veterans and this can be spolit by giving an address to someone who them writes abusing the RKT or veteran , calling them a Nazi or asking to by any items they still have etc etc, unfortunately this does occur and has in the past when addresses have been given out . The signature world is not a closed shop but addresses are not usually bandied about on the net as i'm sure you will have realised.

regards

Paul

Dear Paul:

Thanks for the kind advice and valuable experience.

Wow 800 veterans!? That’s a big number! Must be take you lot of time to do that.

I will try to write as simple as possible and avoided to ask any political question or souvenir from them (Totally agree it’s just not a right thing to do), also will write both in German and English as well, guess I just need to seeking help from the lecture who lecturing German in my college to help me with the translation and grammar...

Yea, about the money I thought that too, will put together as when I send out the letters.

Do you think if that’s necessary I have to prepare their Portraits and military career for them to sign? Or they will have their own to sign? If I have to prepare, if it’s or for you to recommend me any link or web page that have provide their detail Portraits and military career description so that I can print out...

I only began my TR collection since from last year, and join the various forums after I star to collect, that’s why my post rate is low, and you are right, it’s not easy to get those veterans detail now’s day, it does require lot of time to build a good self reputation in order to get their contact detail, for now I will use the advise that Tim have just give me to write the letter to Deutscher Luftwaffenring inform them that I will like to get contact with those veterans and see what happen after that.

Don’t really understand why people write letter to abusing the veterans? Personal I believe those men were fight for their country not necessary for the Nazi, and I really show my respect to those who are the “true soldier” no matters which side they are.

Best regards
Joe