info on genaral dietl - Wehrmacht-Awards.com Militaria Forums

paddywhack · 08-31-2003, 05:32 PM

hi im looking for info on genaral dietl,hes mountain troops if memory serves me right! anyone have info on him?thanks!

McCulloh · 08-31-2003, 06:58 PM

Gebirgsjager, ja.
Osprey's book has a nice drawing and summary of his career-hero of Norway, beloved fighter & General, died in plane crash in 1944. "After the Battle" magazine recovered his dagger years later from the wreckage.
here's a snap-note the GOLDEN PARTY BADGE

**Simon Orchard** · 09-01-2003, 02:11 AM

I didn't know that Dietl's dagger was recovered from the crash site. I assume it was the special KM dagger with which he was presented after Narvik? Now that would be the find to end all finds for me

although i think i'd have returned it to his family if they'd have wanted it.

Jeff
All i see is his RK+E, golden party badge and Narvik shield. I don't see his Bergführer badge ?

Simon

paddywhack · 09-01-2003, 05:18 AM

righto il have alook so! i just good a orginal hoffman post card signed by the genaral hinself so im looking to make a info sheet up on him!!!

**Simon Orchard** · 09-01-2003, 10:55 AM

From the Third Reich factbook link

and in German link

Hope this is what you're looking for

Regards

Simon

paddywhack · 09-01-2003, 03:00 PM

BINGO!!!!!

thats what im looking for!!! god i should have checked there 1st!!! silly me

thanks again!

McCulloh · 09-02-2003, 08:45 AM

Hmmm.... your'e correct sir. I assumed it was a bergfuhrer badge (Prinzen) because I'd been told by someone whom shall remain unnamed on this forum that Dietl wasn't a NASDAP member. However, after following the link above, apparently he was. Usually one doesn't see him with a golden Nasdap badge on his uniform.
Thanks for pointing out the obvious error.

Michael Miller · 09-02-2003, 11:06 AM

One did not necessarily have to be a Party member to get the Goldenes Ehrenzeichen der NSDAP. Numerous honorary awards were made to non-Party members such as Werner von Blomberg, Werner Fritsch, Wilhelm Keitel, Alfred Jodl, Walther von Brauchitsch, Dr. Lothar Rendulic, Julius Ringel, Ferdinand Schoerner, Erhard Milch, Erich Raeder, and Karl Doenitz. Dietl was a longtime NSDAP supporter- I believe he offered some assistance to the Putschists on 8/9 November 1923- and this may be the reason he received the Golden Party Badge. Or it could have been to honor his accomplishments at Narvik (which also led to his being the first recipient of the Eichenlaub). Party membership not permitted in the Wehrmacht until after 20 July 1944 (the exception being those who were members PRIOR to joining the armed forces- they could, naturally, still retain Party membership).

Best regards,
~ Mike Miller / ABR

McCulloh · 09-02-2003, 01:22 PM

Mike:
My understanding was that golden party badges were rarely given and only to very senior Generals and Admirals-the list above seems to be more than 50%+ Feldmarshalls or full Admirals. I had (mistakenly?)assumed Dietl was too junior for such an honor. This is the only photo I have ever seen of him wearing this badge, although there are dozens with him wearing the burgfuhrer badge on his lower side. However, as a member of Ritter Von Epps' crew my guess is that he was an early NaSDAP supprter/member.
The secondary literature also points out that after 1940 NASDAP membership by soldier-aged males declined markedly. By March 1945 over 60% of the party was female.
thanks,
JeMc

**Simon Orchard** · 09-02-2003, 02:58 PM

In the article on Dietl's career in the magazine Internationales Militaria-Magazine from 1997, out of a total of 25 photos, 8 show Dietl wearing the golden party badge a further 12 show him either with a coat on of some sort or not showing his left breast pocket. He also wore his Bergführer badge on both sides of his jacket.
As for the award of the golden party badge, the article states that Dietl joined the DAP in the summer of 1919 with a party number of 524, although he subsequently let his party membership slip being an active officer in the heer.

Regards

Simon

Paul W. · 09-02-2003, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddywhack

hi im looking for info on genaral dietl,hes mountain troops if memory serves me right! anyone have info on him?thanks!

a link to two excellent books re mountain troops, with quite a bit of info on the man.

http://www.ospreypublishing.com/titl...=S5538&ser=WAR

http://www.ospreypublishing.com/titl...=P5721&ser=ELI

McCulloh · 09-02-2003, 07:10 PM

Simon:
Might I have a xerox of that article please?
The Osprey book makes a point of noting that the only 2 decorations Dietl always wore were the Rk and the bergfuhrer badge (and arm shield).
I have @20 varied pictures of Dietl from 1940-1944. This is the only one with his badge being worn. I stand corrected.

paddywhack · 09-03-2003, 03:16 PM

thanks all for the info most helpful!!!

oh and paul i love your signature!!! so true!!!

cheers!!

**Simon Orchard** · 09-03-2003, 04:04 PM

Ok Jeff, i'll scan the article for you.

Simon

paddywhack · 09-04-2003, 09:11 AM

jeff by the way any chance of maybe getting a scan or 2 of those dielt pitures you have?!