Posthumous Ostmedaille Award Doc – Hauptmann – Infanterie-Regiment 179, KIA 1942

Offered here is a very interesting original group of posthumous Wehrmacht documents belonging to Hauptmann Julius Hendel of 14./ Infanterie-Regiment 179, who was killed in action on 14 February 1942. The grouping contains the original Ostmedaille award certificate, a period official letter forwarding the medal and certificate to his widow, and a Wehrmeldeamt memorial document concerning the transfer of his Wehrpass to his family.

The Ostmedaille, officially the Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42, was awarded posthumously to Hauptmann Julius Hendel, 14./J.R. 179, with the certificate dated 1 October 1942. The document is explicitly issued in the name of the Führer and Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht and records that Hendel was awarded the medal after his death. The certificate bears the original official stamp and certification of the Stellvertretendes Generalkommando VII. Armeekorps / Wehrkreiskommando VII.

Particularly poignant is the accompanying official Feldpost-Einschreiben Nr. 3454, dated Munich, 21 October 1943, addressed to Frau Rosemarie Hendel, Landshut/B. The letter states that the posthumously awarded Ostmedaille together with its certificate is being sent to her „zum stolzen Gedenken“ to her fallen husband. It explicitly notes that the decoration is intended as a souvenir of remembrance and is not to be worn by relatives. The document is signed “Im Auftrage” on behalf of the Stellvertretendes Generalkommando VII. A.K.

Also included is an original Wehrbezirks-Kommando Landshut memorial document dated 19 August 1943, addressed to Frau Rosemarie Hendel at Schwimmschulstr. 23 I, Landshut. It states that the Wehrpass of the fallen Hauptmann Julius Hendel, Inf.-Regt. 179, is being forwarded to her for personal safekeeping. The document carries the official Wehrbezirks-Kommando stamp and the signature of the Oberst und Kommandeur des Wehrbezirks Landshut.

The military context is particularly interesting. Infanterie-Regiment 179 was originally part of the 57. Infanterie-Division and fought on the Eastern Front from June 1941. During the winter of 1941/42 the division was engaged in heavy defensive fighting in the Belgorod–Kharkov sector; in February 1942, the regiment was detached and exchanged with Infanterie-Regiment 164 of the 62. Infanterie-Division. This places Hendel’s death firmly within the severe winter fighting on the Eastern Front.

The grouping is preserved in original period condition, showing the expected folds, age toning, foxing, discoloration and handling/storage wear. The documents retain their original stamps, signatures and official formatting.