Another view of Hitler "consecrating" new bannners.  Possibly the same ceremony as that in my recent posting; possibly (unlike the last) a still from "Triumph of the Will" - I can't remember offhand.  

An interesting point about this view is that it shows standard bearer Jakob Grimminger's right breast more clearly than usual.  Apart from the Blood Order Medal and Rosette, he is wearing the Star of the Turkish War Medal ("Iron Crescent"), awarded to him for service with Germany's Ottoman Turkish allies in WW1.  As is pretty usual in such cases, this is a high-quality privately-commissioned copy, standing in place of the rather shoddy Turkish original medal.  Best regards, JR.

Consecration (2)

The last victim of Gestapo Muller .... likely
Saludos Jorge

Herman Otto Fegelein

Hitler "blesses" new banners awarded to Nazi formations by touching them with the Nazi Party's number one "relic", the "Blutfahne" carried in the 9 November, 1923 "Beer Hall Putsch", and supposedly soaked in the blood of the 9 November "martyrs".  

Arguments as to Hitler's religious convictions continue.  My own view, for what it is worth, is that his religion depended on what was convenient at any given moment; a matter essentially of political convenience.  In any case, speaking as someone who was brought up a Roman Catholic, the influence of Catholic ceremonial practice on Nazi ceremonies such of this is very clear.  The fact that Hitler, Goebbels and Himmler were all raised Catholic (Goebbels' parents hoped he would become a priest - sounds like my late mother) is hardly without significance in this regard.

The Blutfahne is borne here, as was usual, by its official standard-bearer, Jakob Grimminger.  Himmler is lurking further in the background.  Best regards, JR.