If there is something better than a lovely Medal Bar, it is one for which you know the “Träger” or wearer. In this article (and the following 2 weeks), I will talk about Bruno Wegner, a “Jäger” or Rifleman in a light infantry Battalion and the small group, that I recently acquired. It includes the “Ordensspange” with his 3 hard earnt decorations, his “Erkennungsmarke” or “Dog Tag” and 2 decorative glasses (Paperweights) with explanations about 2 of his medals. On the top of that, his “Militär-Dienstzeitbescheinigung” or the summary of actions, units and “Orden” is available in the Main Archives in Munich. This document is dated in 1940.
Starting with his “Ordensspange”, it has the following decorations:
– Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (Preußen). It is marked KO. This is a very common maker, still, there are discrepancies about who was that maker. In the Book “German Medal Makers and their Marks 1813-1957” (Mark Woods), page 40, they name it as “Königliches Münzamt Orden”, but it is not confirm. Others believe the maker was Klein & Quenzer, Oberstein. This cross was awarded on the 15th of November 1917.
– Militär-Verdienstorden 4. Klasse mit Schwertern (Bayern). Made by the “Hofjuwelier” Jacob Leser from Straubing in quality Silver 980. This is a very early MVO from 1914, but Bruno was promoted to Officer in 1918, so, or it was replaced after the war, or it was given to him after the previous owner died and the family sent the orden back to the war ministry. Let’s not forget, that many decorations had to be sent back to the war ministry upon the death of the wearer. It was awarded on the 24th of June 1918.
– Ehrenkreuz des Weltkrieges 1914-1918.
– Bulgarische Silberne Verdienstmedaille (Königreich Bulgarien – Ferdinand I). Funny enough, this Bulgarian medal was his very first one during the war, awarded on the 11th of November 1916.
On the top of that, he was not Bavarian at all. He was born in 1891 in Blankenburg in the Duchy of Braunschweig, but served in the Bavarian Army, at least from 1915 on.
Bruno Wegner was a “Kaufmann” (shop assistant or worker) in his father’s shop, when the war started. I have not found any records of him being in the Mandatory Military Service, something that should have occurred in 1911. But what it says in his records, that he joined as war volunteer the reserve of the “Kürassier-Regiment „von Seydlitz“ (Magdeburgisches) Nr. 7” as part of the 8th Division, IV. Army Corps. During his training time, he was instructed in the Gewehr 98, Kar 98, MG 08 and Pistole 08 (see attached).
When the war started, the 7th Cuirassier Regiment went to the 2nd Cavalry Division (Höherer Kavallerie-Kommandeur Nr. 2), and as expected, it took part in the invasion of Belgium. This Division also participated in the battles for Lüttig and also in the famous battle of the Marne (North of the city of La Ferté-sous-Jouarre). Also, during 1914, it was deployed in Arras und Lille.
But luckily, Bruno was going to have a quite 1914 and he took part in no battle during this year. On the 21st of December 1914, he changed the horses for the mountains, because he was sent to an MG Company in the “Schneeschuh-Bataillion Nr. 2”, which was formed on the 15th of December in Munich. Later in 1915, it will be part of the “Jäger-Regiments Nr. 3 ”. This Regiment was going to be part, also in 1915 of the tough “Alpenkorps”, which was just about the size of a Division.
We will continue next week with his first actions in 1915. The East Front was waiting for him.