UBB.threads

Hi

I just NEEDED to show you this J�ger uniform that popped out of the closet the other day

It has all the insignia and all the decorations one could want. AND as an extra plus the owners papers and a picture of him came with the lot *SSS*

Can anyone by the way find a Karl Ernest in the Key or elsewhere?

Regards
Jesper

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The medal beside the ribbon bar is a Rumanian Iron Cross.

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A picture of Karl Ernest and his American debriefing papers in 1945.

The fact that Karl survived the war actually makes me happy

PS: Can anyone here estimate aprox. how much this uniform including the papers would be worth (NOT that it's for sale) ???

J,-

PPS: Forgot Karls sword (Eickhorn) that also popped up *SSS*

Nice finding stuff in the closet. Does the paperwork say anything about his rank. The photo clearly shows an enlisted man and the uniform is for an officer and the cap an enlisted man. Also, the medal configuration seems wrong, and a Kreta cuff title? especially for someone who has been in the military for a while. Any chance this was put together? How did you aquire it? Perhaps some of our resident experts can comment on the cuff title and awards. (I am not trying to bash your find, I am fairly inexperienced in this area and am just voicing what I see as I am still learning from all the great collectors here) It is always nice to have documentation to the wearer, it gives it a personal connection.
Good Luck,
Harry

Hi Harry

I took a look at the papers again (there were four pages hidden behind the front page you see above).

There I found are all the documentation needed on Karl Ernst - who by the way after being wounded ended his career as a Lieutenant - and train driver

The pictures obviously shows the young Karl Ernst in uniform.

Jesper

Here you have the description of Karl Ernst's entire career

Jesper

.....................................

Picture below among other things say that Karl had a knee injury. No wonder for a J�ger...

Karl Ernst was originally a trained tailor from M�nchen.

In '33 he was unimployed and obviously had a job as a "Hilfsarbeiter" (helping hand) where he had an accident. Hereafter he was unimployed again and then became tailor again.

This only lasted for a little over a year. In '35 he joined the army as a J�ger and was constantly promoted (has some papers that confirm his skills).

From '37 to '40 Karl was a Oberj�ger and Troopleader.

In '40 Karl was promoted to Feldwebel - and made a train and Kompanietruppenf�hrer.

In '42 Karl served as a clerk (Kanzleidienst) - probably after being wounded in Russia.

At the end of the war in '45 Karl was a traindriver...

Karl partitipated in the Polish-, French-, Balkan- (which explains the Kreta cuff title) and Russian campains.

Karl wasn't a member of the Nazi party (POSITIVE aspect of you, Karl !!!) - only DAF.

- and the German Alpen association...

Wages...and confirmation of his rising in the ranks.

Getting married (Verheiratet) gave him 800,00 Reichmark more pr. month (THOSE days it paid off to get married - the wifes normally didn't leave and take HALF OF EVERYTHING *LOL*).

But the ending of the was wasn't really any economical success to Karl...

Congrats Jesper.
Beautiful tunic and the fact that you also have the owner's history, just makes it even more desirable.

THANK YOU, Pat !!!

My own conclusion is that I am so happy with this uniform !!!

Not only is the uniform in a EXCELLENT condition - there also is a story behind it. THIS is worth GOLD to me...

Magnificent - if I may say so

Jesper

Jesper,
The papertrail is a very nice addition to the uniform and answers the questions about the enlisted/officer questions I had. Maybe he had an officer visor somewhere still waiting to be discovered? Very nice find that should always stay together!
Harry

Hi Harry

As you can see Karl was promoted to Lieutenant the 1st of April 1945. Those days they had WAY MORE to think about than an officers cap for Karl

Otherwise thank you for your kind words, Harry. I haven't had another item in my collection that I was more fond of. Just luv it

Jesper

Great Find!!...especially with such provenance!... What amazes me the most is how small many of these elite German soldiers were 170cm is 5 foot and 6 inches.

Cheers,

Asper

Hallo Jesper, I have to disappoint you. (joke) I'm afraid Karl wasn't driving a train at the end of the war. Zugf�hrer also means: platoonleader. Which is more likely I quess. I know for sure you'll consider it a more fitting job for this Leutnant. About the Kreta cufftitle, it's strange that he doesn't mention it on the bottom of the page of the 'Fragebogen' you posted on 26th of March on 09.11 hrs. (question 38 on Orden etc.) Or does it continue on the following page? So little space, imagine someone like Jochen Peiper trying to cram in all his decorations in theses lines. Best regards, Otto Carl

The Kreta cuff-title is appropriate in this case as the 100th Gebirgsjaeger Regiment formed part of General Julius Ringel's 5th Gebirgs-Divison.

The 100th arrived on Crete via ship on 21-22 May after taking heavy losses on the way from British naval action. Your man looks to have been assigned to the III Battalion of the 100th. He was quite lucky, as that battalion was nearly wiped out by a British Royal Navy Squadron led by Admiral Rawlings on the way to Crete. A few survivors, about 250, were picked up by Luftwaffe seaplanes and other ships.

That is a nice looking and historical set.

Hi Otto

What a pleasant mail that was in my mailbox upon returning from the weekend

I honestly didn't know that "Zugf�hrer" also meant platoon leader. Now that you say so it's pretty obvious, though

Thanks for your mail - Otto - it made my day !!!

Yours
Jesper

PS to Dwight: This little story is VERY neat - I'll have to look into this much more when I have time !!!