Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Werner Ebeling. Oberst Werner Ebeling (11 November 1907 † 16 December 2001) was a German Army officer who rose to the rank of Oberst during the Second World War. A highly decorated front-line commander of the 58. Infanterie-Division, he received the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves for his leadership in some of the fiercest battles on the Eastern Front.
Awards and Decorations:
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German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) – 11 March 1943, as Oberleutnant with Grenadier-Regiment 220.
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Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 9 April 1944, as Major and Kommandeur of II./Grenadier-Regiment 220, 58. Infanterie-Division.
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Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross (Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, 799th award) – 5 March 1945, as Oberstleutnant and Kommandeur of Grenadier-Regiment 154, 58. Infanterie-Division.
Career Highlights:
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Served throughout the war in infantry leadership roles, primarily with the 58. Infanterie-Division.
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Earned the German Cross in Gold in 1943 for his distinguished service in combat as a company-grade officer.
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Awarded the Knight’s Cross in April 1944 for outstanding leadership of his battalion during hard-fought engagements on the Eastern Front.
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Received the Oak Leaves in March 1945 as a regimental commander, recognized for his division’s stubborn resistance during the late-war battles against overwhelming Soviet forces.
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Survived the war and lived until 2001, reaching the age of 94.
Item Details:
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Authentic postwar signature of Oberst Werner Ebeling.
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Signed on a postwar photograph.
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Condition: Excellent, with a clear and bold autograph.
Collector’s Note:
Ebeling’s combination of the German Cross in Gold, Knight’s Cross, and Oak Leaves makes his autograph especially attractive for Eastern Front collectors. His long career within the 58. Infanterie-Division gives his grouping of awards and service a strong cohesion and significance.