Outstanding Luftwaffe Ritterkreuzträger Soldbuch Grouping to Major Theodor Rossiwall – Spanish Civil War Veteran, Fighter Ace & Knight’s Cross Holder

Name: Outstanding Luftwaffe Ritterkreuzträger Soldbuch Grouping to Major Theodor Rossiwall – Spanish Civil War Veteran, Fighter Ace &amp; Knight’s Cross Holder
SKU: 155261
Availability: InStock

Exceptional and highly researchable original wartime Luftwaffe Soldbuch grouping belonging to Theodor Rossiwall (12 October 1915 – 11 July 1979), highly decorated Luftwaffe fighter ace, combat pilot, and recipient of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.

Rossiwall claimed a total of 19 aerial victories in over 400 combat missions, including 2 victories during the Spanish Civil War while serving with the famous Condor Legion. He is additionally associated with the aerial combat on 20 April 1941 during which RAF top ace Pat Marmaduke Pattle was shot down over Greece/Crete, with Rossiwall and Sophus Baagoe both credited with claims during the engagement.

Born in Vienna, Rossiwall originally joined the Austrian Air Force before being transferred into the Luftwaffe following the Anschluss in 1938. He later served with Jagdgruppe 88 during the Spanish Civil War, where he flew combat missions against Republican forces and achieved two confirmed aerial victories, including a Polikarpov I-16 near Reus on 20 December 1938.

On 1 July 1939, Rossiwall transferred to Zerstörergeschwader 26 (ZG 26). During the Second World War he served extensively as a Bf 110 Zerstörer pilot and Staffelkapitän, later commanding larger formations. Following the loss and capture of Eberhard von Trützschler-d’Elsa in May 1940, Rossiwall assumed command within 5./ZG 26 during the Western Campaign. During the Dunkirk operations of May 1940 he reportedly led aggressive fighter actions against RAF formations, earning a formidable reputation.

He later fought on the Eastern Front, where he claimed additional aerial victories, before commanding II./Nachtjagdgeschwader 4 from January 1942 onward, achieving further successes as a night fighter commander. By March 1943 he had been promoted to Major and later commanded elements of Nachtjagdgeschwader 101. In August 1943 he became commander of the newly reformed Zerstörergeschwader 76, an anti-bomber formation operating Bf 110 aircraft against Allied heavy bombers. During these operations he claimed several B-17 Flying Fortress bombers destroyed. Rossiwall survived the war and passed away on 11 July 1979.

This grouping contains Rossiwall’s first-issue Soldbuch, complete with his original portrait photograph pasted into the rear section of the document. The Soldbuch is extensively filled with wartime entries, unit stamps, leave entries, medical examinations, equipment issue records, and award entries. Since no further entries appear after late 1942, it is highly likely Rossiwall later received a second replacement Soldbuch for continued service.

The grouping additionally includes his original Militär-Flugzeugführerschein, wartime photographs, and accompanying related material.

Awards recorded inside the Soldbuch include:

Dienstauszeichnung IV. Klasse
Medalla de la Guerra
Cruz de Guerra
Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Schwertern
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg
Frontflugspange in Silber – awarded 25.3.1941
Verwundetenabzeichen in Bronze – awarded 18.5.1941
Frontflugspange in Gold – awarded 23.6.1941
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes – awarded 6.8.1941
Tapferkeitsabzeichen IV. Klasse, 1. Stufe – awarded 27.4.1942

The Soldbuch itself shows extensive honest wartime wear and service use throughout, with period aging, handling wear, field usage, and numerous official stamps and signatures consistent with active frontline Luftwaffe service.

Comes together with several additional original wartime photographs as well as Rossiwall’s original Militär-Flugzeugführerschein and a book written by him.

An exceptional and historically important Luftwaffe fighter ace and Ritterkreuzträger grouping with outstanding research potential, especially desirable due to Rossiwall’s documented Spanish Civil War service, Knight’s Cross award, Ehrenpokal, extensive combat career, and connection to some of the Luftwaffe’s best-known operational units.

Condition as seen.

€3.950,00

In stock

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SKU: 155261

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Historical Description

Theodor Rossiwall was an Austrian-born Luftwaffe fighter ace and Knight’s Cross holder whose military career spanned both the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War. Born in Vienna on 12 October 1915, he first served in the Austrian Air Force before being absorbed into the Luftwaffe following the Anschluss of 1938.

Rossiwall volunteered for service with the Condor Legion in Spain, flying combat missions with Jagdgruppe 88 during the Spanish Civil War. There he gained valuable combat experience and achieved two confirmed aerial victories against Republican aircraft, earning Spanish campaign decorations including the Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Schwertern.

Following his return from Spain, Rossiwall transferred to Zerstörergeschwader 26, flying the Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter. During the campaigns in the West and the Battle of Britain he distinguished himself as a skilled Staffelkapitän and combat leader. In May 1940, after the loss of Eberhard von Trützschler-d’Elsa, Rossiwall assumed command responsibilities within 5./ZG 26 during intense operations over Belgium and Dunkirk.

Rossiwall later fought in the Balkans and on the Eastern Front, where he continued to increase his aerial victory tally. On 20 April 1941, during heavy fighting involving RAF Hurricanes, he participated in the aerial battle in which British ace Pat Marmaduke Pattle was killed, with Rossiwall and Sophus Baagoe both receiving victory claims connected to the engagement.

For his combat achievements and leadership, Rossiwall received numerous high decorations including the Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg, the Front Flying Clasp in Gold, and ultimately the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 6 August 1941.

In 1942 he transferred into the Nachtjagd arm of the Luftwaffe, commanding II./Nachtjagdgeschwader 4 and later serving with Nachtjagdschule 1 and Nachtjagdgeschwader 101. By 1943 he had risen to the rank of Major and later Oberstleutnant, eventually commanding the reformed Zerstörergeschwader 76 in anti-bomber operations against Allied heavy bombers.

Throughout his wartime career, Rossiwall flew more than 400 combat missions and was credited with 19 aerial victories, including claims from both Spain and the Second World War. He survived the war and died on 11 July 1979.