WW1 Iron Cross, Service Book and Bar.

A nice original lot comprising of the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd class a ribbon bar with a super EKII device and service book for Private Kroncke of the 2nd Ersatz company 75th Infantry Regiment. He was born on the 4th February 1885 and before the war he was employed as a baker. He was married in 1909 and lived in Gustemunde, an historic port city located within Bremerhaven, Germany.
The 75th Ersatz Regiment was first raised in Bremen 1914 as a reserve regiment serving with the 17th division in IX corps. Kroncke joined the regiment in August 1915 and saw action at the Battle of Pozières and battle of Amiens. He was received into the Reserve Hospital Cottbus, Brandenburg, Germany on 15th October 1918, being evacuated from the front line with a gun shot wound. His service book confirms his award of the Iron Cross unfortunately it does not give a date or location.
the 75th regiment was one of the most highly decorated in the German army during the great war, seeing much very heavy action. An estimated 19,735 men served in the active regiment over the course of the war. Approximately 3,600 members of the regiment died during the conflict.
Two officers of the regiment were decorated with the Pour le Mérite, Prussia's highest military honour for officers. Five non-commissioned officers were decorated with the Military Merit Cross, Prussia's highest military honour for non-commissioned officers and other ranks. Sixteen officers were decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords. The Iron Cross 1st Class was awarded to 79 officers and 105 non-commissioned officers and other ranks, no numbers given for the EKII.
With his service book came a letter, photographs, a little book of instructions for a trench lantern and other ephemera. The Iron cross is as it came, the original ribbon is very tatty, but the medal itself is in good condition with light wear to the high points. Replacement ribbon included. The ephemera is a little delicate and requires gentle handling. A fascinating untouched lot.

Code: 31808