unknown LW swords holder

[Stijn David]

Hello,


I have found this picture from a unknown LW officer ( Hauptmann ) who is the bearer of the swords towards the KC .

He also wears the Crimea shield + the German cross ( not possible to see on this picture but on other shots in the photoalbum )

Any idea who this might be ?

Cordial Greetings,

[Stijn David]

Hello ,


Here is another close up from our unknown LW swords holder.


Cordial Greetings,

[Gene]

Looks like an Oberst or Oberstleutnant to me, specifically Hermann Graf

[Ian Jewison]

My initial thoughts as well...Hermann Graf.
It's the nose the give's him away!

[François SAEZ]

I agree, rank, nose, shield..... Graf seems the guy

[Stijn David]

Hello ,


Thanks guys => it really helps, is anyone aware that Hermann Graf also did receive the Rumanian pilots badge ? ( there is a picture in the album where you can clearerly see him )

These pictures are taken somwhere 1943 - 1944 in a LW glider pilot school ( probably Teck ) by one of the teachers over there => wich sign did Graf's unit use during this period or did he use a personal sign on planes ?


Cordial Greetings,

[François SAEZ]

Stijn,

Hope that help for your question on Romanian pilot badge - he had it and wears it in different occasions.

[Gene]

François,

Interesting photo. His tabs are Oberleutnant but are his boards Hauptmann? I can't tell if he has two pips per board or one pip and a cypher per board.

[François SAEZ]

maybe the pic as from the same serie, he has the proper rank insignas

[François SAEZ]

Looking again, on the first pic, ranks don't match, I don't understand the logic

[Denis]

Hi
About the non matching of Graf's collar patches and shoulder straps :
I suppose the photo was taken just after Graf's promotion to Hauptmann d.R. and I believe that this latter promotion was made "on the spot" (note he is unshaved, with a moustache).
As it far easier to upgrade a shoulder strap by adding one pips than doing the same thing with a LW collar tabs (try to add a bullion seagull ), straps were updated and not the tabs.
Remember that Graf was awarded in less than 9 months the KC, the OL, the Swords and the Diamonds while in the same time he rose "only" from Lt. d.R. to Oblt. d.R. !
These are assumptions But I think I am right. To check, we would need to have dates of promotions for Graf.
More factual info
DoB : 24/10/1912
DoD : 04/11/1988
Last rank : Oberst
Last unit : J.G. 52
EK1 : 10/10/41
DKiG: 09/09/42
RK : 24/01/42 (398th) as Lt. d.R. 9/J.G. 52 for 42 air kills
EL : 17/05/42 (93rd) as Lt. d.R. 9/J.G. 52 for 104 air kills
Schw. : 19/05/42, same rank, same unit for 106 air kills
Brill. : 16/09/42 as Oblt. d.R. 9/J.G. 27 for 172 air kills.
Graf was promoted to major after his 202th air victory and scored 212 victories at the end of the war.

Regards
Denis

[Denis]

Here is another one from my favourite sery, the Film Foto Verlag sery :