Friday, May 8, 2015

WWI Hospitals in Germany, Real Photo Postcards


1914
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postmarked in 1915
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Erinnerung an (Memory of)
Nurnberg (Nuremberg) 
Bismarkschule
1914-1916 
Ziner 39 ?? (I can't make out these letters for sure on the sign.)
This one is postmarked in 1916. 
This postcard is postmarked in 1917.  

Please note the man in the front, sitting second, is wearing an Iron Cross 1st Class Medal. 

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Iron Cross Medal - If the cross uses a pin or screw posts on the back of the medal instead of a ribbon, and is worn on the left side of the uniform it is an Iron Cross 1st Class. You had to already have the 2nd Class medal in order to receive the 1st Class.

The medal was awarded to recognise acts of heroism, bravery and leadership.  In spite of its evident prestige it was a widely issued medal: almost six million were awarded during wartime, although by far the majority of these (5,500,000) were awarded to the lowest of three classes of the medal, the Iron Cross (Second Class).  Above this the Iron Cross (First Class) was issued to approximately 220,000 men.

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If anyone can translate any of the writing on these real photo, WWI postcards, please send me a message or leave a comment below.  Thank you!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Amazing photos/postcards Brenda! I love watching all old pictures we have at home, they have souls... And it's cool to see own ancestors and learn that you look like your own great grandma :D Unfortunately many of the photos we had at home 'got lost' but I hope they are safe in a box somewhere in the attic. The oldest I found was taken in the early 30's. The older ones were from the beginning of the 20th century.

I am afraid translating may be a bit challenging, because of the handwriting.