Rare Kriegsmarine Soldbuch grouping which served with Royal Navy and French foreign legion

Matrosenobergefreiten Günther Dornig born 3.4.1925. He served with 2. Transportflotille as a Flak crew member on Torpedo Fangboot 15. He was awarded the Iron Cross second class.

Interestingly he joined the Royal Navy after the German surrender and sailed with transport and mine sweeping vessels.

After this service he decided to join the French Foreign legion or the 5e Régiment étranger d’infanterie on 10 september 1951. He received a drivers licence for vehicles until 3500 kilo.

His badge for the 5e Régiment étranger d’infanterie is marked Drago Paris Nice 48 Rue Olivier Metra.

His medal bar is interesting because it has French medals in combination with the Iron Cross second class.

• French Croix de Guerre des Théâtres d’Opérations Extérieurs (TOE)

• French Croix du Combattant Volontaire

• French Indochina Campaign Commemorative Medal

• French Croix du Combattant

• French Colonial Medal (Médaille d’Outre-Mer) and an “EXTRÊME-ORIENT” clasp

• German Iron Cross 2nd Class (1939): Recognizable by the black cross with silver trim. The second image reveals the reverse side showing the 1939 date and the swastika. (Note: Its presence on a French medal bar alongside post-WWII medals like the Indochina Campaign Medal is highly anomalous for official uniform regulations.)

   

A short unit history of the unit in the time frame that Günther must have gotten these awards:

The *Corps Expéditionnaire Français en Extrême-Orient* (CEFEO) was the French expeditionary force deployed during the First Indochina War (1946–1954). By 1951, the conflict had developed into a full-scale war between the French Union forces and the communist-led Viet Minh under General Võ Nguyên Giáp. In early 1951, French forces fought several major battles in northern Vietnam, including Vĩnh Yên in January, Mạo Khê in March and the Battle of the Day River between May and June. Throughout 1952, heavy fighting continued in the Tonkin Delta and the surrounding mountainous regions, with major operations including Lorraine in October and November. In 1953, French forces continued their efforts to contain the Viet Minh, culminating in Operation Castor in November, during which French paratroopers occupied Điện Biên Phủ. This position became the scene of the decisive battle of the war, lasting from March until 7 May 1954, when the French garrison surrendered after prolonged fighting. Following the Geneva Agreements of July 1954, a ceasefire came into effect and French forces began withdrawing from northern Vietnam.

The recipient was decorated with the Croix de Guerre des Théâtres d’Opérations Extérieurs with bronze star, indicating a citation at regimental or brigade level, the Croix du Combattant Volontaire, the Croix du Combattant, the Médaille commémorative de la campagne d’Indochine and the Médaille Coloniale with Extrême-Orient clasp. These decorations reflect recognised combat service during the French campaign in Indochina, including an individual citation for distinguished conduct.

This is a very exciting and unique grouping that for sure would be a great addition to any French indochina collection and a great base for further research!