Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern Award Doc – Wehrmachtsbriefstelle XVIII – Salzburg, 30. Januar 1945 – Ringel

An interesting original two-document group belonging to Unteroffizier Alfons Sosnja, comprising his Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern (War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords) award certificate and a contemporary congratulatory letter from the Präsident der Reichspostdirektion Graz (President of the Graz Regional Postal Directorate).

1. Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern – Verleihungsurkunde (War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords – Award Certificate)

The certificate confirms the award of the Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern to Unteroffizier Alfons Sosnja, serving with Wehrmachtsbriefstelle XVIII, dated 30. Januar 1945 in Salzburg.

The issuing authority is identified as the Stellvertretender Kommandierender General des XVIII. Armeekorps und Befehlshaber im Wehrkreis XVIII (Deputy Commanding General of XVIII Army Corps and Commander of Military District XVIII). The certificate names General der Gebirgstruppen Julius Ringel and bears the official service seal (Dienstsiegel), award number 728 and award-list reference Verleihungsliste Nr. 15.

2. Congratulatory Letter from the Reichspostdirektion Graz

The accompanying letter is addressed to Unteroffizier Alfons Sosnja, serving at Wehrmachtbriefstelle XVIII, Salzburg. Written on behalf of the Graz postal administration, it congratulates him on receiving the War Merit Cross with Swords and conveys the congratulations of the Styrian postal staff.

This contemporary letter is an especially appealing addition, connecting the military decoration with the recipient’s civilian postal-service background and providing a personal context for the award.

Historical Interest

The combination of an official military award certificate and a contemporary congratulatory letter makes this group more informative than a single award document. It connects Alfons Sosnja with the Wehrmacht postal service in Salzburg and the regional postal administration in Graz during the final months of the Second World War.

The award certificate’s named issuing authority, original service seal and award-list reference provide useful starting points for further archival research.

Condition

The award certificate shows age-related toning, creasing and handling marks, with the official seal and printed details still visible. The accompanying letter has pronounced folds, some staining and paper damage at the lower-left corner. Its visible text remains largely legible.