How to find Lists of recipients of medals in Germany in the First World War

[Richard.t]

My German Grandfather was a front line artilleryman fighting in France in World War One. He was given a medal. For all the good it did, he was Jewish and in 1938 was sent to Dachau.... How can I find out what the medal was?  Any ideas for how to find out would be much appreciated.
Thanks, richard.t

[Crumblie]

Welcome to RootsChat.

There was only one official service decoration and that was the Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 also known as the Hindenburg Cross but it was not established until 1934. It was awarded to soldiers of Imperial Germany who had taken part in the war and to the next of kin of those that had since died.

[Richard.t]

Hello Crumblie, Thankyou for such a speedy reply. The photo I have was taken around 1915-1918, and shows him wearing a medal bar with the ribbon for an iron cross and another which doesn't look like those I have seen of the Bavarian Military Merit Cross.
- I attach the picture.
- Can you tell me where to search the German records to find out more?

I do very much appreciate your help.
Many thanks, richard.t

[davecapps]

The collar braiding is bavarian

i think you are right
Left - Bayerischer Militärverdienstkreuz - Bavarian Military Cross of Merit

right - Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse  - Iron Cross 2 class

If you have a Ancestry subscription, look here
Bavaria, Germany, WWI Personnel Rosters, 1914-1918
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1631/

if not, give me the full name and DOB and I´ll see what l can find

regards
Dave

[Richard.t]

Hello Dave, Many thanks.  I dont have ancestry membership, I have been using Geni, and just paid to go Pro.  Not sure how many of these to sign up for and the relative merits of each.
My grandfather was Sigmund Oppenheimer, born in Nurnberg, 3rd July 1889 and lived there until 1939.
If you can find info on his rregiment and rank, and when he was awarded these medals, (and why?) that would be wonderful. I very much appreciate any info you can give me, or if you can point me in the right direction.
All the best.......Richard.

[davecapps]

HI Richard

Ancestry
Sigmund Oppenheimer, Hemsbach, Mannheim vermisst (missing) - 12Nov 1915

send your E-Mail per PM

Regards
Dave

[Richard.t]

Hello Dave, Many thanks. Glad to say this one isn't my grandpa. He survived WW1, went on to marry and have three daughters, the eldest of whom was my Ma. in 1938 Nazis took everything as he was Jewish and put him in Dachau, from where he got released after six weeks, and managed to leave Germany for London.
Worked successfully, had a loving family, and a prostate op saw him dead at age 69. It seems that in 1958 they didn't use pressure stockings post-operatively.
But thankyou for the info, I am now trying to get word from the State records office in Nurnberg.
Huge irony is that my best mate's two great uncles fought and died in (I believe) a similar area to where he saw service. I have no words... Thanks again......Richard

[JustinL]

Hi Richard,

I assume Dave was able to find your grandfather, the Deputy Field Hospital Inspector of Field Hospital No. 21, son of Emil and Rosa (mn Guckenheimer), and confirm his three medals.

Which information, may I ask, are you seeking from the state records office in Nürnberg? The Bavarian military archives are in München (Munich).

Justin

[Richard.t]

Hello Justin, Many thanks!Nurnberg has also redirected me to Munchen. What I didnt know is:
My Grandfather's position as you describe it
and
That he had three medals. Where did all this come from? I was going to ask Munich, after seeing what Nurnberg had, but you are ahead of me! I know he had the Bavarian military service cross and the iron cross second class, but I dont know of a third award...Also he was not a medic, so I wonder at his appointment as deputy Field Hospital Inspector of Field Hospital No. 21. Do we know where that was? Do I ask Munchen about this or can you tell me more?
This was interesting before; now its really fascinating...Thankyou again, what happens next?
All the best....Richard