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1959, the Potsdamer Stadtschloß still stood. Shortly after this film was made, it was finally demolished and cleared away.
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This was an outrageous and criminal act of the government, which breaks the laws of the land it is supposed to rule. The grave of all deceased members of the entire family Hess has gone. Is this the act of a so-called democracy? It is nothing other than an act of despotism. They are also attempting to blot out all evidence of the past, which might exonerate any so-called guilt on the part of Hess and of others. I was thoroughly disgusted, and the Federal Government has lost all respect on my part.
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Kürassier-Regiment "Königin" (Pommersches) Nr. 2, Pasewalk, II. A.K. Peaked cap for other ranks, Gefreiten, Unteroffizier and Sergeant for walking out dress. Manufactured after 1915. White uniform cloth with karmesin (crimson) coloured facings. Illegible maker's mark from the city of Pasewalk, which was also the garrison of the regiment. Normal peacetime constellation, peak inner and liner are in greygreen, a definite indication that the cap was produced after September 1915. Peak is outwardly black, although the regulations stated that the peak was to be matt greygreen, this regulation was seldom followed, as seen on surviving examples. The quality of the material is not comparable with peacetime examples, the capband is of relatively poor quality material in comparison, piping is of good quality, the basic off-white material is also of slightly poorer quality. Inner head band is of grey waxcloth, with a ribbon bow to the rear, again, wartime quality. The colours of the crown piping have run slightly, probably due to rain, and the lesser quality of wartime dyes. Has probably been worn post-WW1 for traditional reunions. The original Reichskokarde was missing, due to the revolution of November 1918 and the ensuing new laws, here, an original replacement of lesser wartime quality, the white has turned yellowish due to the inferior quality of the colours. Kronprinz Wilhelm in the uniform of the Regiment, ca. 1907
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It looks like the doppelgänger conspiracy has just been disproved. New Scientist 22 January 2019 By Rowan Hooper Exclusive: DNA solves Rudolf Hess doppelgänger conspiracy theory Adolf Hitler's deputy flew to Scotland in 1941 and was imprisoned for the rest of his life. But was the man in Spandau really Rudolf Hess? Now a DNA test has revealed the truth It is one of the greatest remaining conspiracy theories of the second world war. In May 1941, Adolf Hitler’s deputy führer, Rudolf Hess, flew solo from Germany to Scotland in an apparent attempt to broker a peace deal between Britain and Germany. Hess’s plan failed, and he was arrested in the UK. He was eventually tried at the military tribunals in Nuremberg and incarcerated in Spandau prison in Berlin, where he died in 1987. But from the start, there were doubts over whether the prisoner designated “Spandau #7” really was Hess. The wartime president of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was one of the leading subscribers to the theory that the man in Spandau was an imposter, an idea perpetuated by a British doctor who worked at Spandau, W. Hugh Thomas. The UK government commissioned four investigations into the claims, but the “doppelgänger conspiracy” has persisted for 70 years. Had the real Rudolf Hess escaped justice and settled abroad? When the German government cremated Hess’s remains in 2011, it was thought the last chance to pursue DNA analysis of the body had been lost. Now the mystery has finally been solved by a piece of DNA detective work by a retired military doctor from the US Army and forensic scientists from Austria. They conclude that the prisoner known as Spandau #7 was indeed the Nazi criminal Rudolf Hess. The front and back of the blood sample, labelled “Spandau #7 PATHOLOGY SVC HEIDELBERG MEDDAC 1139” Hess has continued to generate historical interest. He was one of Hitler’s close friends and a leading Nazi politician, and then there’s the extraordinary manner of his attempted peace deal with the UK. After his death, his grave in the town of Wunsiedel became a Neo-Nazi rallying site, which in 2011 led the German authorities to exhume and cremate Hess’s body, scatter the ashes at sea, and destroy the grave. But not all of Hess’s DNA had been destroyed. During his incarceration in Spandau, Hess was monitored and cared for as was any other prisoner. Spandau was run by officials from the UK, France, the United States and the Soviet Union, who rotated duties each month. In 1982, a blood sample was taken from Hess by a US army doctor, Phillip Pittman, as part of a routine health check. A pathologist, Rick Wahl, mounted some of the blood on a microscope slide to perform a cell count. The slide was labelled “Spandau #7” and hermetically sealed, and kept by Wahl for teaching purposes at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC. In the mid-1990s, another US military doctor, Sherman McCall, was resident at the army hospital when he heard about the blood sample. “I first became aware of the existence of the Hess blood smear from a chance remark during my pathology residency at Walter Reed,” McCall told New Scientist. “I only became aware of the historical controversy a few years later.” McCall, who is trained in molecular pathology, immediately realised the slide’s potential for solving the Hess controversy. “Making it happen,” he says, “was another matter entirely.” McCall contacted Jan Cemper-Kiesslich, a molecular biologist in the DNA Unit at the department of legal medicine, University of Salzburg, Austria, and told him about the slide and the dried blood. Working under standard forensic DNA protocols, Cemper-Kiesslich’s team extracted DNA from the dried blood. Now they had to find a living male relative of Rudolf Hess to make a comparison. They got in touch with David Irving, a discredited British historian who has denied the Holocaust took place. Irving provided the phone number of Hess’s son, Wolf Rüdiger Hess. “In the event, this number was disconnected,” says McCall. “Unbeknownst to us, he had recently died.” Rudolf Hess photographed inside Spandau Prison Tracking down living Hess relatives took yet more time. “The family is very private,” says McCall. “The name is also rather common in Germany, so finding them was difficult.” But in the end, they managed it, and obtained DNA samples from a living male relative. The forensic DNA analysis centred on the Y chromosome, which is inherited only down the male line, and on a range of genetic markers across other parts of the genome. The male relative and another member of the Hess family have seen and approved of the publication of the DNA results, but do not want to take part in any further discussion of the findings. “It is already a matter of public record that Hess’s wife, Ilse, did not believe this story,” says McCall – she didn’t believe Spandau #7 was an imposter. When she met the British governor of Spandau on a visit, she joked: “How is the doppelgänger today?” Statistical analysis of the results suggests a 99.99 per cent likelihood that the blood sample on the slide comes from a close family member of the living relative of Hess, “strongly supporting the hypothesis”, Cemper-Kiesslich’s team report, “that prisoner ‘Spandau #7’ indeed was Rudolf Hess, the Deputy Führer of the Third Reich”. Citing the privacy of the Hess family, Cemper-Kiesslich declined to comment on their response to the results. We don’t know how the Hess family feels about the closure of the final chapter on the story of their infamous relative. “The conspiracy theory claiming that prisoner ‘Spandau #7’ was an impostor is extremely unlikely and therefore disproved,” the scientists write. In the paper, published in Forensic Science International Genetics, the authors go on to note: “Due to the lucky event of the presence of a biological trace sample originating from prisoner ‘Spandau #7’ the authors got the unique chance to shed new light on one of the most persistent historical memes of World War II history.” An assessment of the Hess DNA results is made more difficult by the ethical issues concerning his relatives, says Turi King, a geneticist at the University of Leicester, UK, who led the forensic examination of the last Plantagenet king of England, Richard III. The paper omits DNA details of Hess’s relative to prevent him being identified, but on the face of it, she says, it appears that the scientists have disproved the conspiracy theory. “They’ve got a perfect match with the Y chromosome and a living male Hess relative,” King says. “If this person was a doppelgänger, you wouldn’t get that match, so from that point of view it’s a good sign.” And Walther Parson, a forensic molecular biologist at Innsbruck Medical University in Austria, says: “The manuscript underwent review by two anonymous reviewers. I have no reason to assume that the data and science are not sound. I know the scientists are great.”
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Bundesmarine after 1956 Early Bundeswehr photo, 1950s or 1960s - "Minensuchgeschwader" (Atelier Mercedes Riedel, Wandsbek)
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x Studio photo of an unknown Leutnant of the Kriegsmarine. Illegible inscription "...gest., 1940" (gestorben, possibly a Narvik casualty) (Atelier Mercedes Riedel, Wandsbek) A Hauptgefreiter of Marineflugabwehrabteilung with his wife, pre-war studio photo (Atelier Mercedes Riedel, Wandsbek) Kriegsmarine, unknown, purchased in Hamburg, 2006
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An other ranks peaked cap for walking out dress of the Prussian Jäger-Bataillone or Garde-Jäger-Bataillon ca. 1897 or therafter. Reichskokarde has been added after 1897. Fine dark green cloth with red facings, small pressed leather peak, leather headband, interior handwritten markings, Name illegible, 1. Compagnie, no makers mark.
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British Royal Navy officers cap badge, quality gold bullion with King's Crown, either WW1 or WW2, edges have been trimmed / cut away at some stage. Naval other ranks cap, 1939-45. Dark blue regular top, silk cap tally tied with a bow to the front left, H.M.S. lettering with some wear, some smaller moth holes to top and under the ribbon, woven mohair woolen chinband. Cap tallies, Royal Navy H.M. Submarine E11, 1914-18, fine gilt copper wire woven on black silk, darkened with age, unresearched. H.M.S. 1939-45, unissued
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Kaiserliche Marine, officer's full dress bicorne cocked hat (fore and aft hat) for all naval officer's full dress below the rank of Admiral. Crushed felt covered cardboard base, the edged in wide black mohair moirée braid. Gold bullion agraffe over folded silk black-white-red Reichskokarde, held with a gilt naval officers button. Liner complete with leather head band and folded silk crown lining. Hat ends each with a silber bullion cordon tasslle, age darkened. Reasonable condition, with some light fraying to the black braid on corners. Detail of gold bullion agraffe with folded silk Reichskokarde and gilt retainer button. Interior Hat crown Detail of bullion tassles to hat ends. Cap emblem for officers of the Kaiserliche Marine, fine quality gold bullion, crown in gilt metal with bullion applications An officer's dress belt. Small size, braid mounted on white silk moirée backing, finely gilded buckle wth Imperial Crown over W and anchor, both decorative sliders present. Type without loops for dagger suspension. Buckle detail. Naval Officer's dagger, older long pattern, total length 52 cm. Scabbard with decorative engraving of maritime motifs, blade with etching Crown over anchor, various maritime motifs and foliage, knight's helmet maker mark, with original wool felt buffer, scabbard with retaining spring. Ivory grips with silver wire binding, Imperial Crown as pommel, crossguard with central anchor symbol. Detail of grip, pommel and crossguard Scabbard with engraving, ring bands formed as roping. Lower scabbard engravings. Knights helmet makers logo. Cap tally for S.M.S. "Kaiser Wilhelm II.", fine gold wire woven Buttons for other ranks. Large button from a greatcoat or overjacket, the smaller version is for the short parade jacket, gold coloured for naval general service, silver for technical personnel. Trade badge for the rank of Maat / Unteroffizier. Possibly engine room or stoker personnel, white for Summer uniform blouse.
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A later war Minesweeper badge / Minensucherabzeichen by Otto Placzek, Ausf. Schwerin, Berlin. Zinc with no gilding.
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Lippe-Detmold and Schaumburg-Lippe, Decorations
Fritz posted a topic in Imperial German and other Nations Medals and Badges
Fürstentum Schaumburg-Lippe Decoration for distinguished war service, 2nd class, 1914, finely gilded bronze on shortened original ribbon, plain reverse. Fürstentum Lippe-Detmold Decoration for war service, 2nd class, 1914, bronze with fine guilding on original ribbon -
Very nice, still an affordable subject. There are still some bargains to be had.
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Herzogtum Nassau-Oranien, 1806-1866 Medal for the war of 1866 against Prussia, this was the very last decoration of the state of Nassau, the Duchy was annexed by Prussia after the war of 1866. Light bronze, monogram A for Adolf, Herzog von Nassau, with a modern replacement ribbon. Decoration has now become scarce in recent years.
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Very nice Paul I have a few stamps myself, here are just a few.
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Königreich Hannover This was the very last decoration awarded by the Kingdom of Hannover, which was dissolved in 1866 Known as the Langensalza Medaille, was awarded to all, who took part in the battle of that name on 27. June 1866. The battle of Langensalza was a victory for the Hannoverian troops, but the general situation thereafter forced the Hannoverian army under Georg V. v. Hannover to capitulate. The Kingdom was annexed by Prussia and became simply Provinz Hannover of the Prussian state. Georg V., who had always been blind, was obliged to leave for exile. The Hannoverian Army was disbanded. Some of the former Hannoverian troops and officers were later enlisted in the Prussian army, usually with the X. or with the Garde-Korps. Others resigned or emigrated. Recipients of the medal, who later served in the Prussian Army, wore their medal alongside the Prussian decorations. Hannover had been in Personalunion with Great Britian till 1837. The name of the recipient is stamped around the edge of the medal: C.v.Engelbrechten Hannoverian medals were always stamped with the name of the recipient. Medal of brass/bronze on a correct replacement ribbon of pre 1945 manufacture. Georg V. von Hannover in the uniform of the Hannov. Gardes du Corps, portrait by Winterhalter He is also wearing the Order of the Garter. The helmet for officers was virtually the same as for other ranks The Hannoverian GdC uniform was almost identical to the Prussian.
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Braunschweig - Brunswick - Decorations
Fritz posted a topic in Imperial German and other Nations Medals and Badges
Herzogtum Braunschweig-Lüneburg Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse 1914. Oxidised bronze, on shortened length of orginal ribbon. With Monogram EA for Ernst August, Herzog von Braunschweig. (old spelling: Brunswiek) -
Here's an unusual death plaque to Lance Corporal Hubert Sutton of the Surrey Yeomanry ( Queen Mary's Regiment ). He was born on 25.10.1892 in Stockwell Surrey, he joined A Squadron of the Surrey Yeomanry ( Territorial Force ) at West Croydon Clapham in 1913. On the outbreak of war he volunteered for Foreign service and was transferred to C Squadron with service No 1757, part of 29 Division based in Warwickshire during Jan 1915. They embarked at Avonmouth for Egypt on 17th March and arrived in Alexandria on 2nd April C Squadron was then transferred to Imbos on 26th June were the troops initially served at General Headquarters, and it was during this period that he was promoted to Lance Corporal. Following this he was to see service in the Dardanelles campaign fighting in the trenches at Gallipoli. Lance Corporal H. Sutton lost his life due to disease contracted in the trenches, and died on board ship of Enteritis on the 21st August 1915, the most likely cause was by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with the E-Coli bacteria which proved fatal. He was laid to rest at Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta grave 2 row 10 plot A, buried with him are 2 other soldiers they are as follows Corporal J. Harrison 1444 Royal Army Vet Corps attached to 87th Infantry Brigade who died on 24th August 1915 aged 58, of 3 Grove Lane Retford Nottingham born 1857 and husband of Margaret E Harrison he was in the 18th Mobile Veterinary Section of 29th Division, it was in effect a first aid unit, providing medical care for sick, wounded or injured horses used by the division. The other soldier is private H Airey 17444 of 6th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment little is known about him but did find out how he died, he was killed while supporting the 16th Australian Battalion in trenches near Aghyl Dere on the 25th August 1915. I found Hubert Sutton's Obituary in De Ruyigny roll of honour Vol 1 page 347, it Quotes that he was interested in literature and was a good writer, his parents published a posthumous work entitled "Fragments of Verse" and a excerpt from his poetry was engraved on his headstone which reads "Love And Battle Make Life Nobel But Time Flies Fast And Time Is Long" H.S. On the rear of his Death Plaque the following words are engraved ( Surrey Yeoman met his Death at Gallipoli 1915 Buried at Malta aged 23 ). Here are a few Documents.
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Just arrived from the other end of Germany - Friedrichshafen, and at an amazingly reasonable price I thought. Unfranked, issue of 1. August 1941, there is even one more than I bargained for in the lot , with 2 slight colour variations of 6 Pf. example. These are catalogued as DR 781-798 The same issues but franked examples
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Kimmie changed their profile photo
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Various other vintage stamps Top left is a 1916 Bulgarian stamp, a Div 17 Canadian issue is thought to be rare. Some older French stamps, also with Marechal Pétain and Italian with Vittorio Emanuelle III., Vatican with Pius XII., Yugoslavia with King Paul, Netherlands with Queen Wilhelmina.
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DDR Deutsche Demokratische Republik, 7. Oct. 1949 - 2. Okt. 1990 The Walter Ulbricht series was supposed to replace Hitler! with a 4-block Soviet occupation for Provinz Sachsen (Magdeburg) 7. Oktober 1969 commemorative 20 Years DDR. The 7. October was a national holiday
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1935 Deutsche Volkstrachten Kameradschaftsblock, 1944 III. Reich and Bavaria, Ludwig III. III. Reich with Sudetenland and Kaiserreich, Württemberg, Wilhelm II. & Volksstaat Württemberg 1919 Colonies: Deutsches Postamt in China, Kiautschou, Deutsch-Neu-Guinea Deutsches Reich, Kaiserreich and Colonies Karolinen, Marianen, Marschall-Inseln, Samoa, Togo, Deutsch-Südwestafrika, Deutsch-Ostafrika, Kamerun Altdeutschland and Kaiserreich: Baden, Bayern, Sachsen, Württemberg, Preußen, Fürstlich Thurn und Taxis Postwesen (1815-1866) Hamburg (Facsimile), Hannover Bavaria, Prinzregent Luitpold, 1911 Bavaria, 1914, Ludwig III.
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A German Colonial Medal clasp, Ponape 1910/11, mounted
Fritz replied to Fritz's topic in Imperial German and other Nations Medals and Badges
Germans to the Front! The "Seymour Expedition" was an official campaign bar to the China Medal of 1900/01 (example)
