Can you help id? ROA?

asorrell · #1 (**permalink**) June 18th, 2008, 04:14 PM

My wife inherited some candlesticks brought back from WW II. They are engraved:

Der I.ABT.flak.rgt.19
der R.O.A kursus 1937

I know that the first line refers to the 1st Batallion Anti-Aircraft Regiment 19. What I'm trying to figure out is the ROA part. I'm fairly sure that it doesn't refer to the Russian Liberation Army (ROA - Russians working WITH the Germans) because that wasn't formed till 1943. I believe the word kurses translates into "course", so I wonder if it is to commemorate some sort of training course.

Tom Houlihan · #2 (**permalink**) June 21st, 2008, 10:51 PM

Reserve Offizier Anwarter?

cyberia · #3 (**permalink**) June 21st, 2008, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Houlihan

Reserve Offizier Anwarter?

Correct you are Tom! Another example of one those sets of initials for German military terms that frequently pop up in history texts, without a first reference to explain what they stand for.

More often than not leaving the reader wondering what they refer to.

Tom Houlihan · #4 (**permalink**) June 22nd, 2008, 11:11 AM

All the more reason for me to wade through this last reference, and get my glossary out to my waiting public!!

In all honesty, I wouldn't have known if it wasn't for the last two years digging into such esoterica!

cyberia · #5 (**permalink**) June 22nd, 2008, 01:47 PM

Well, get a move on! That thing will come in handy.

asorrell · #6 (**permalink**) June 23rd, 2008, 11:48 AM

Outstanding! Thanks! I suspected it was some sort of reserve organization because I found some officer Bio's that referred to it - but with no details as to what it was!

Thanks - my wife will appreciate the news!