A Superb Bavarian First War Observers' Grouping To Lieutenant Fritz Hofmann

This is a superb grouping of a medal bar with select matching award documents, awards and medals, as well as photographs, consisting of

1) A First War/Second War medal bar of fine craftsmanship with four awards, medals, and decorations and one clasp, consisting of

2) An Iron Cross 1914 Second Class; silver frame with a blackened magnetic iron core; suspended from its original ribbon; measuring 42.60 mm x 42.67mm; with a clasp to the Iron Cross 1939 First Class; First Pattern with scalloped edges; in silvered tombac; measuring 30.77 mm x 29.33 mm.

3) A Bavarian Order of Military Merit; Knight’s Cross Fourth Class with Swords; in silver and, black, blue, and white enamels; center in gilt; suspended from its original ribbon; measuring 44.73 mm x 40.31 mm. Accompanied by its award document presented to Leutnant der Reserve der Infantry (Res. Inft. Regt. Nr 13), Fritz Hofmann, for his actions on September 23, 1915. The document was presented on October 1st, 1915, and bears the stamp of the Royal Bavarian Military Merit Order. It measures 327 mm x 207mm.

4) A Honour Cross of the World War 1914/18 (Hindenburg Cross); in blackened magnetic iron ;suspended from its original ribbon; measuring 37.73 mm x 37.75 mm. Accompanied by its award document presented to Fritz Hofmann in Kleinmünster on January 23, 1935 in the Bezirksamt (District Office). The document measures 208 mm x 147 mm.

5) A 25-Year Long Service Medal; in silvered tombac and black enamels; suspended from its original ribbon; measuring 40.88 mm x 40.92 mm. All suspended from a fine quality medal bar, with a green wool backer; maker marked “J. Reirnann Ordenshaus, Berlin W8 Friedrichstraße 188” on a small metal plate attached to the reverse; measuring 120 mm x 46 mm.

6) A rare and desirable Bavarian Observers Officer’s Badge; in silver plated brass; hollow construction with a smooth reverse; with the crown fully pierced; the frontal plate in silvered brass and red, white, and black enamels, attached to the reverse via two pins; vertical broad pinback with fully functional hinge and catch assembly; measuring 71.22 mm x 46.10 mm; weighing 33.1 grams. Accompanied by its award document presented to Lieutenant of the 13th Reserve Infantry Regiment currently stationed in the Flyer Regiment (A) 288 for an “Abzeichen für Beobachtungs-Offiziere aus Flugzeugen”. The document was issued on August 5, 1917, and is signed by the General of the Infantry. The document measures 328 mm x 211 mm.

7) A superb First War Iron Cross 1914 First Class; screw-back type; silver frame with a blackened brass core (nonmagnetic); vaulted; complete with its vaulted backing plate and outer screw-nut; measuring 42.17 mm x 42.55 mm; weighing 24.5 grams in total; extremely well preserved, with some light wear to the black paint.

8) A First and Second War Miniature Chain with Five Awards, consisting of a Clasp to the Iron Cross 1939 First Class (loop had previously broken off and was repaired using thin wire - which has also separated from the chain), a Bavarian Order of Military Merit; Knight’s Cross Fourth Class with Swords, a Honour Cross of the World War 1914/18 (Hindenburg Cross), and a 1914 German Veteran’s Commemorative medal; with two pins (one on either side), with a bronzed chain. 5) An Iron Cross First/Second Class 1914/1939 Stick Pin; 45 mm knurled pin; with decorations for the Iron Cross 1914 First Class and Second Class, as well as the Clasp to the Iron Cross 1939 First Class; measuring 17 mm x 15 mm.

9) A Prussian Observers Officer’s Sweetheart badge; two-piece construction; in silver (marked 800 for silver content) and red, black, and white enamels; horizontal pinback; measuring 51 mm x 17 mm; weighing 4.5 grams.

10) A First War Black Wound Badge; in blackened steel; vertical pinback with functional hinge/catch assembly; measuring 43.00 mm x 37.78 mm; weighing 7.2 grams.

11) A document in the name of the King, confirming that Fritz Hofmann, the subject of the letter, is of a Leutnant of the 13. Infantry Regiment, and that he received the training of a Reserve Officer as of March 20, 1915. The document measures 328 mm x 205 mm, and is in extremely fine condition.

12) A First War Picture Postcard of Fritz Hofmann; clearly visible is Iron Cross 1914 First Class, the Bavarian Observer’s Badge, and the First War Black Wound Badge; measuring 139 mm x 88 mm.

13) A First War photograph of an Albatros Reconnaissance airplane, with the reverse labelled “Flugplatz Bondeurs - Bay. Flieg. Abtlg 5” (Airfield Bondeurs - Bavarian Flyer’s Division 

14). It measures 137 mm x 87 mm.

15) A Flight Training Log Document, stating the flights that “Kommandant” Hofmann was the instructor for, being the flights from Würzburg to Schwerin, Schwerin to Greifswald, Greifswald to Giebelstadt, Giebelstadt to Wismar, Wismar to Staaken, and from Staaken to Giebelstadt - a total of 2189 km. The document measures 255 mm x 185 mm. Overall, this grouping is in worn, but extremely fine condition.