Ritterkreuzträger with Schlesischer Adler (Silesian Eagle)

The Schlesischer Adler, also known as the Silesian Eagle or Schlesisches Bewährungsabzeichen, was a Freikorps decoration instituted on 19 June 1919 by Generalleutnant Friedrich von Friedeburg of the VI. Armee-Korps to recognize service by German paramilitary volunteers during the turbulent early years of the Weimar Republic. It was awarded primarily to members of units such as Freikorps Oberland who fought in the Silesian Uprisings against Polish forces seeking control of Upper Silesia after the First World War. The decoration existed in two classes: the 2nd Class for three months of continuous service and the higher 1st Class for six months of service in the contested region. Following the decisive German success at the Battle of Annaberg in May 1921, the award could be enhanced with crossed swords for outstanding bravery in combat or with an oak-leaf wreath for additional non-combat merit, and both devices could be worn together. Designed by Professor Theodor von Gosen, the badge took the form of the historic Silesian heraldic eagle in black enamel on a silvered or gilt metal base, bearing the inscription “Für Schlesien” on the reverse or obverse depending on the version. The 1st Class was typically worn as a pin-back badge on the left breast pocket, while the 2nd Class was suspended from a black-white-black ribbon resembling the Prussian colours. Although the decoration was unofficial and recipients usually had to purchase it themselves, it became one of the very few Freikorps awards officially permitted for wear on Wehrmacht uniforms after the 1935 ban on unofficial medals. The swords and oak leaves were later prohibited, yet many veterans continued to display them. Highly regarded among interwar German military circles, the Schlesischer Adler remains a scarce and historically significant collector’s item that commemorates the bitter struggle for Silesia in the immediate post-war period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LUFTWAFFE

Generalmajor Dr. Ing. Ernst Bormann (1897-1960) was born on 5 November 1897 in Kirchbrak and joined the German army as a Fahnenjunker in Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 82 on 17 August 1915 during the First World War. After transferring to aviation and completing pilot training with Fliegerersatz-Abteilung 7 and related units, he served as a pilot with Feldflieger Abteilung 42 before joining the prestigious Jagdstaffel 2 “Boelcke” on 4 May 1918, where as a Leutnant he achieved 17 aerial victories by the war’s end. Demobilized in 1919 and leaving active service as Charakter als Oberleutnant in 1920, he earned a doctorate in engineering and worked as a flying instructor at the secret German aviation school in Lipetsk in the Soviet Union from 1925 to 1930. Reactivated in the Luftwaffe as Hauptmann in 1934, he commanded a Staffel in Kampfgeschwader Boelcke, later led III. Gruppe of Lehrgeschwader 1, and on 26 February 1941 became Geschwaderkommodore of Kampfgeschwader 76, rising to Oberst. He received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 5 October 1941 as Oberstleutnant and Kommodore of Kampfgeschwader 76 for the unit’s successes during the Battle of Britain and the opening phase of Operation Barbarossa, including the first attacks on Moscow and the Leningrad-Moscow railway. The Eichenlaub followed on 3 September 1942 as Oberst and Kommandeur of the Gefechtsverband Bormann (an augmented Kampfgeschwader 76) for further bomber operations on the Eastern Front, notably during the Briansk-Vyazma pocket battles, the Dnieper crossing east of Cholm, strikes against the Rybinsk aircraft factory, the fighting of 9. Armee near Rzhev, and actions on the southern sector. Subsequent postings included Fliegerführer Krim and, as Generalmajor from 1 October 1944, Flughafen-Bereichskommandant in Mähren. Captured by Soviet forces on 10 May 1945, he remained a prisoner until his release on 9 October 1955 and died in Düsseldorf on 1 August 1960.

Source :
https://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2012/11/album-foto-tokoh-third-reich-peraih.html