4x Award Docs – Unteroffizier – Infanterie-Regiment 202 & Grenadier-Regiment 48

Excellent original group of four wartime award documents belonging to Unteroffizier Friedrich Szostak, documenting his service and decorations from 1940–1942. The grouping includes the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse, Ostmedaille 1941/42, Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber and Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz, providing a particularly good record of his wartime service.

The Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse was awarded to Unteroffizier Friedrich Szostak, 14./ Infanterie-Regiment 202, on 18 August 1940, “Im Felde.” The certificate carries the contemporary divisional stamp and the original handwritten signature of the Generalmajor und Divisions-Kommandeur Ernst Hammer. Infanterie-Regiment 202 was one of the infantry regiments of the 75. Infanterie-Division, and the division fought in the 1940 Western Campaign, including the assault against the Maginot Line, before moving east later that year.

The Ostmedaille, officially the Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42, was awarded to Szostak on 28 July 1942. At this point the document identifies him as Unteroffizier Szostak, Stab II./Grenadier-Regiment 48. The certificate is stamped and signed by Leutnant u. Führer d. Stabes, with the handwritten notation “gez. Schroeder, Oberst”. Infanterie-Regiment 48 was redesignated Grenadier-Regiment 48 on 15 October 1942 and was part of the 12. Infanterie-Division, having fought on the Eastern Front since 1941.

The Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber was awarded to Fritz Szostak, Unteroffizier, 14./Infanterie-Regiment 202, on 31 July 1942. The certificate is signed by an Oberstleutnant und Regiments-Führer and carries the original unit stamp. Particularly interesting is the close chronology: the Sturmabzeichen was awarded only three days after the Ostmedaille certificate, while the document retains the earlier 14./Infanterie-Regiment 202 designation.

The Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz certificate records that Szostak suffered a single wound on 13 July 1942. The award was issued at Rothenburg/Tbr. on 16 September 1942 and is signed by an Oberstabsarzt und Chefarzt. This provides a precise date for his wound and adds an important combat element to the grouping. The document identifies him as Unteroffizier Szostak, 14. Pz. Abw. Kp. Inf.-Rgt. 202, showing his connection with the regiment’s anti-tank company at the time of the wound award.

The grouping is particularly attractive because the documents cover several stages of Szostak’s wartime service and contain multiple original signatures, unit stamps and precise dates. The combination of the EK II from 1940, the 1942 Ostmedaille, silver Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen and black wound badge provides a concise but unusually coherent record of his military career.

Condition: Original wartime condition with folds, creasing, age toning, foxing/discoloration and storage/handling wear. Several documents retain original punched filing holes, while the award certificates remain clearly legible with their original stamps and handwritten signatures preserved.