KVK2X Award Doc – Truppführer Werkluftschutz & WWI Docs – Hamburg

A particularly attractive documentary grouping relating to Otto Carl Bode, showing his military and wartime service from the Imperial German Army in 1914 through his service in the Werkluftschutz during the Second World War.

The grouping consists of three original documents:

1. Führungszeugnis – 1914

An original Führungszeugnis (Certificate of Conduct) for: Gefreiter Otto Carl Bode born 25 July 1892 at Halchter, Kreis Wolfenbüttel, Braunschweig. The document records his service with the: 10. Kompanie, Füsilier-Regiment „General-Feldmarschall Prinz Albrecht von Preußen“ (Hannoversches) Nr. 73

Bode served from 16 October 1912 until 25 March 1914 and is described as having conducted himself well during his period of service.

The certificate is dated: Hannover, 7 July 1914 and is particularly interesting because it was issued by the Generalkommando X. Armeekorps, with the document signed by Oberst Freiherr von der Wenge Graf von Lambsdorff, then Chief of the General Staff of X. Armeekorps. Contemporary records confirm Lambsdorff held this position from 1912 and was the corps’ Chief of Staff at the outbreak of the First World War.

The document also carries the impressive original Generalkommando X. Armeekorps seal.

2. Führungszeugnis – 1919

A second original Führungszeugnis, dated: Hannover, 9 January 1919

This document concerns Vizefeldwebel Bode, who had been employed as a Kraftwagenführer (motor vehicle driver) with the Generalkommando X. A.K. The certificate describes Bode as a safe, reliable and dependable driver, entrusted with supervision of approximately 15 motor vehicles belonging to the General Command. It further states that his service was performed to the complete satisfaction of his superiors and that his conduct both on and off duty was commendable, with no disciplinary punishments recorded.

This is an excellent document for demonstrating the progression of Bode’s career from enlisted infantryman before WWI to Vizefeldwebel and motor transport specialist by the end of the war.

3. Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern – 1942

The third document takes the story forward almost three decades. An original award certificate for: Truppführer des Werkluftschutzes Otto Bode, Hamburg awarding him the: Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern. Dated: Hauptquartier des Ob.d.L., 13 August 1942. The certificate bears the printed/facsimile signature of Hermann Göring, Reichsmarschall, and the document was certified “Für die Richtigkeit” by the General der Flieger, Kommandierender General und Befehlshaber im Luftgau XI.

At this time the Luftgau XI command was held by General der Flieger Ludwig Wolff, who commanded Luftgau XI from 1939 until 1945. Contemporary documentation also confirms Wolff’s role as Kommandierender General und Befehlshaber im Luftgau XI.

A superb career grouping

What makes this group particularly desirable is the continuity of the individual:

1912–1914 – Gefreiter, Füsilier-Regiment Nr. 73
↓
1914 – Führungszeugnis immediately before the First World War
↓
1919 – Vizefeldwebel and Kraftwagenführer with Generalkommando X. A.K.
↓
1942 – Truppführer des Werkluftschutzes in Hamburg
↓
1942 – Awarded the Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern

The documents therefore provide a remarkably personal record of Otto Carl Bode’s military career across Imperial Germany, the First World War and the Second World War, rather than being unrelated individual certificates.

The combination of an original Imperial German 1914 service document signed by Lambsdorff, the 1919 post-WWI Führungszeugnis, and a 1942 KVK II with swords connected to Luftgau XI and Ludwig Wolff makes this a particularly attractive documentary grouping for the specialist collector.

Condition:
All documents show age-related toning, foxing/spotting and folds consistent with their age. The documents remain fully legible, with the important signatures, stamps and official seals clearly present. The 1914 document has particularly attractive period folding and ageing.

A genuinely interesting multi-period German military document group with strong personnel continuity and excellent research potential.