1957 awards of Georg Claus

[sam steele]

Hello Gents,

I've come across a 1957 medal group to Georg Claus (as named on his Al Valore Militare medal).

Is this Molder's wingman? Did he, or didn't he, die in 1940? Was he a POW?
Is this a different Georg Claus?

Cheers,

Bill

[sam steele]

Nice early '57 pieces by Steinhauer und Luck.

Cheers,

Bill

[sam steele]

...I just can't see how someone made a POW could be awarded a DKiG and a Squadron Clasp, when they weren't awarded until 1941 and 1943 respectively.

Was he an escapee? A prisoner exchange?

The Al Valore medal is a pre-1943 Medal, and original. The Squadron Clasp was introduced in April 1943, but info supplied states that he was awarded it on January 25th 1943.........


Cheers,

Bill

[Leo Etgen]

Hello Bill

I doubt that the Georg Claus that these decorations were awarded to were the one in the photograph as he was lost in 1940 although admittedly I am not knowledgeable enough about the matter to say so with certainty.

11 November 1940: Oberleutnant Georg Claus (17 victories), Staffelkapitän of 1./JG 51, listed as missing in Bf 109 F-1 (W.Nr. 5635) in aerial combat over sea, crashed in Thames Estuary, 100%

A quick search on www.ww2awards.com produced this result but there is not much more I can add, I am afraid: www.ww2awards.com/person/22424

Horrido!

Leo

[Peter]

Another thing that is bothering me is that the fliegerspange is for a schlachtflieger (introduced 12 april 1944) and not for a jagdflieger.

I don't know for how long you have been collecting LW militaria, I have done so for about 4 years and are not that experienced yet. May I ask what provinence you have on the group?

Peter

[sam steele]

Thanks Leo,

That site you supplied showed a Georg Claus as winning the DKiG on Feb. 7th 1944, and the info I have shows him winning it on Nov. 14th 1943.

Hmmmmmmmm.............

I wonder just how many Georg Clas's there are.............. This man was a Stuka flieger.

Perhaps I'll stick with definite attributions!

Cheers,

Bill

[sam steele]

Hi Peter,

It's presently up for auction at:

www.dnw.co.uk

Lot 749.


Cheers,

Bill

[sam steele]

.................I've been collecting Third Reich medals off and on for about 6 years. I usually haunt the Wehrmacht-Awards site (no offense).

I have a friend whose dad was killed in Liverpool in 1940. He has the basic Ju 88 info, and once I get that, I'l open a thread here to see what else we can find.

Cheers,

Bill

[VtwinVince]

The name Claus is a common one in Germany, and the Frontflugspange shown is for a ground assault pilot or crewman, so Stukas would be a possibility.

[Doug Stankey]

A search of our files reveals only:

CLAUS, Georg. 28.08.40 Oblt., appt Geschw.Adj. JG 51. 18.10.40 Oblt., appt Staka 1./JG 51 (to 11.11.40 POW- crashed in Thames estuary (Bf 109 F-1, WNr. 5635).

A look at the Kracker Archive reveals:

Claus, Georg "Schorsch" - Oblt. 17 victories - 1./JG-51 (9/39), Stab III./JG-51 (11/39), Stab T.O.III./JG-53 (10/39; 4/40), 1./JG-51 (11/40) Bf 109D & EEP, EK 1 & 2, Fighter Operational Clasp POW 11 November, 1940. One known victory, his 1st, a Morane south of Saarbrücken, 23 November, 1939. His 2nd, a Hurricane at Vouziers, 15 May, 1940. His 3rd, a Morane 406 at Fort de Compiegne on 25 May, 1940. His 4th, a LeO-451 30 km south of Abbeville, 31 May, 1940. His 5th, a Bloch west of Compiegne, 5 June, 1940. His 6th, a Morane 406 SW of Epernay on 11 June, 1940. His 7th, a Spitfire of RAF No.234 Sq, piloted by PO Hardy, on 15 August, 1940, at Cherbourg. His 8th, a Hurricane at Canterbury on 28 August, 1940. His 9th, a Hurricane NE of Folkestone on 31 August, 1940. His 10th, a Spitfire on 3 September, 1940, no location. His 11th, a Spitfire in the London area on 7 September, 1940. His 12th, a Spitfire near London on 15 September, 1940. His 13th, a Spitfire S of London on 16 September, 1940. His 14th, a Hurricane S of Dungeness on 12 October, 1940. Nos.15, 16 & 17, all Hurricanes in the Dungeness area on 8 November, 1940. A close personal friend to Werner Mölders, serving as his wingman and Adjutant ocassionally.


There appears to be no stuka/schlacht connection.

HLdZ
DGS