Johanniter Order- Ehrenritter Neck Cross

(5433740 CPL. A.B. BALLOCH. R.A.F.) Naming is engraved, very fine.

Silver, 34.5 mm, dark patina, edge nicks, bruised, light contact and surface wear overall, very fine.

A mid-war manufacture example of a “Kriegsabzeichen für Marine Artillerie”; in silvered and gilded zink; the obverse depicting a gilded oval oak wreath, with a national eagle on the top of the badge clutching a mobile swastika, and a coastal artillery gun pointing towards the top right, extending past the wreath; the reverse plain, with a vertical needle style pin, a sheet metal hinge, and a flat wire catch; measuring 53.79 mm x 41.56 mm; weighing 23.3 grams; accompanied by its packet of issue; constructed of paper, with “Kriegsabzeichen für die Marine-Artillerie” embossed in black lettering onto the obverse, and maker marked “S. H. u. Co.” for “Sohni Heubach & Co., of Idar Oberstein an der Nahe” in the same style; measuring 104 mm x 59 mm; with the gilt finish approximately 90% intact; overall near extremely fine condition.

A Kriegsstammrolle (service record), measuring 210x296mm, very fine condition with light fraying, two punched holes, and some discolouration. It is issued to Heinz Betzinger and dated to August 21, 1943. It carries several signatures of an SS-Obersturmführer and Battery Chief, the name could be Mattausch or similar.

Footnote: Heinz Betzinger was born on August 1, 1923 in Fröndenberg (western Germany). He was a member of the HJ from 1934 to 1940 before joining the SS on an unknown date. He was trained in the SS Motorized Replacement Company. In December of 1940, Betzinger contracted typhus and smallpox. On February 21, 1941 he was deployed to the 9th Company of the SS Artillery Regiment of the SS Mountain Division “Nord”. From April to early September 1941, he was stationed to occupy northern Norway. With the attack on Russia, Betzinger and his unit were placed at the northernmost front fighting the Russians and establishing a bridgehead on the river Litsa near Murmansk. In October of 1941, the SS had pushed south and was fighting a defensive battle east of Kiestinki (Kestenga) on Lake Topozero. In November, Betzinger was fighting on both sides of Mount Gankashvaara. Afterwards and until January 1942, more defensive battles east of Kiestinki (Kestenga) followed. Betzinger was promoted to SS-Sturmmann on January 1, 1942. He would go on to take part in more defensive battles in northern Finland. During this time, Betzinger was awarded the Eastern Front Medal on August 10, 1942 and was promoted to SS-Rottenführer (Squad Leader) on April 19, 1943. On August 8, 1943 he was redeployed to Staff Battery III. No further information about Betzinger is known.