German Medals

16 January 2002, 01:34 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm currently doing a little research on medals that Hptm. Schleich was awarded. Could anyone give me the proper order of the following medals, most significant to the least significant?

Saxon Knight's Cross
Bavarian Military Merit Order (4th class)
Albrecht Order (2nd class)

Any help would be appreciated.

JASTA75

Rick · 16 January 2002, 01:57 PM

I'm certainly no medals expert, but I would rank them as:

Saxon Knight's Cross
Albrecht Order (2nd Class)
Bavarian Military Merit Cross (4th Class)

As Neal says, the last award came with your enlistment papers!!

Of course, his highest award would be the Bavarian Max Josef Order, higher than the PLM. Rick

16 January 2002, 02:11 PM

Thanks for the quick response Rick!!

It is interesting that you noted that the Bavarian Max-Joseph Order was his highest in rank, even above the Blue Max. Why is this so? I'm kinda knew to this whole medals game, so enlighten me!

Regards,

JASTA75

Rick · 16 January 2002, 02:18 PM

Schleich was a Bavarian. Thus, getting Bavaria's highest Military decoration and being knighted in the process (Ritter von) would far and away out rank any Prussian decoration. Even the PLM. R.

16 January 2002, 03:40 PM

Makes good sense!!

Thanks Rick for your help.

JASTA75

Rick · 16 January 2002, 07:07 PM

If you are a medals buff, you should try real hard to obtain Neal O'Connor's six volume set (soon to be seven) on the aviation awards of Imperial Germany and the men who earned them. Vol. I (Bavarian) will cover von Schleich. Alas, it has been out of print for about 6 years and finding a copy is akin to finding hen's teeth. Still, a little effort may pay off. Excellent books. R.

rammjaeger · 17 January 2002, 08:30 AM

Jasta 75,

both Saxon awards, the Military Order of St. Henry (German: Heinrich) and the Albrecht Order, had Knight Crosses within its classes. There were many "Knight Crosses" in WWI.

Look at http://www.theaerodrome.com/medals/germany/index.html

VBR
Rammjaeger