Postwar signature and grave photograph of Lothar-Günther Buchheim. Buchheim was a Sonderführer in a propaganda unit of the Kriegsmarine in the Second World War, writing as a war correspondent about his experiences on minesweepers, destroyers and submarines. He also made drawings and took photographs. As a Leutnant zur See in the autumn of 1941, Buchheim joined Kapitänleutnant Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock and the crew of U-96 on her seventh patrol in the Battle of the Atlantic. His orders were to photograph and describe the U-boat in action. In 1973 he published a novel based on his wartime experiences, Das Boot (The Boat).
Postwar signature, letter and grave photograph of Gerhard von Kramptz, Knight's Cross with Oakleaves holder. He died in 1998. His wife may have signed for him since she took over most writing.
Postwar Signature of Walter Hennecke. Hennecke (23 May 1898 – 1 January 1984) was a German admiral during World War II. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross by Hitler for "a feat unprecedented in the annals of coastal defense.", when he comprehensively damaged Cherbourg Harbour prior to surrendering it to Allied forces. Hennecke died January 1, 1984. Photograph is 8 x 10,5 cm.
Small set of an Award docment Iron Cross 2nd Class, two paper documents related to the unit (severe condition) and a lehrbrief of Obergefreiter Erich Killer of the Artillerie-Regiment 152 of the 52. Infanterie-Division, which was disbanded in November 1943 after severe losses. Signed by Generalleutnant Rudolf Peschel (Knight's Cross and was KIA).
Postwar signature of Erich Rudorffer, 7th highest scoring Ace of the Luftwaffe, achieving 224 victories in over 1000 operational sorties! Earned the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves and Swords. Serving with Jagdgeschwader 2, Jagdgeschwader 54 and Jagdgeschwader 7.
Postwar signature of Waldemar von Gaza, bearer of the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves while serving with Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 66 of the 13. Panzer-Division and later as leader of a Kampfgruppe of the 13. Panzer-Division.
Knight's Cross Awarded for: (via Traces of War)
On 06.07.1943, during a supporting action on the left wing of the 4. Panzerarmee’s attack towards Kursk, Niemietz took over the 3.(Flak)/Panzerjäger-Abteilung 332. With 5 self-propelled 2 cm AA guns he captured the so-called “Nierenwald” near Bubny and in doing so secured the left flank of his whole Division. With 2 guns Niemietz then launched a surprise attack on his own initiative that managed to occupy the 3 km distant village of Krassny-Potschitok, following the elimination of an enemy bunker. In the process Niemietz and his men captured 1 officer and 80 men.
Later, on 08.07.1943, Niemietz captured an important height with 3 AA guns. On the following night the Soviets launched an attack with 30 tanks that managed to take a village. This was recaptured in the morning by the Germans, during which Niemietz and his Kompanie provided invaluable support.
Over the course of these three days Niemietz and his Kompanie also destroyed 3 enemy aircraft. For the sum of his actions he would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.
Scarce and interesting group photograph of NSKK (Nationalsozialistisches Kraftfahrkorps) Motorsturm 24/M51 with flag and gorget bearer! Note the different uniforms in wear. Photograph is postcard size and has a stamp "Photo-Haus-Ims; Kirchheimbolanden". Kirchheimbolanden, also has an interesting history (next to this photograph):
Kirchheimbolanden, the capital of Donnersbergkreis, is a town in Rhineland-Palatinate, south-western Germany. It is situated approximately 25 km west of Worms, and 30 km north-east of Kaiserslautern. The first part of the name, Kirchheim, dates back to 774. It became a town in 1368, and the Sponheim family improved its security with many towers and walls. William, Duke of Nassau, ancestor of the royal families of Belgium, Sweden, Denmark and Norway, and of the grand-ducal family of Luxembourg, was born in Kirchheimbolanden. It was also ruled by First French Empire between 1792 and 1814 before passing to Kingdom of Bavaria in 1815. Princess Henriette of Nassau-Weilburg, an ancestor of both Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and his brother Prince Harry, was born in Kirchheimbolanden on 22 April 1780. (Source: Wikipedia)
Excellent and beautiful large photograph of a Hitlerjugend Musikzug (musician group) of Hitlerjugend Bann 382 Delmenhorst. Photograph measures 17x11 cm.
Studioportrait of a German Feldgendarm wearing the Feldgendarmerie Cufftitle together with his wife and child. Postcard format. Portrait has a knick in the middle.
Award document set (Iron Cross 2st Class, rare document variant of the Iron Cross 1st Class (A4 format) and October medal) of a Kradmelder which served with 3. Kompanie/ Panzer-Regiment 35 and who lost his arm after getting seriously wounded in action. Copy of a photograph from Trautner.
Interesting Studioportrait of a Luftwaffe pilot wearing the Fliegerschützenabzeichen für Bordfunker, Sportabzeichen and Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz on a leather jacket with the ribbon of the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse sewn on it. He also has a beard (not seen that often!).
Death Card from two brothers, one was with the Infantry and one was with the Panzertruppen. Paul Bessler belonged to Panzer-Regiment 35 and died because of chest trauma as a result of a bomb.
12x Photographs of Panzer-Regiment 31, different sizes. Writing on backsides and album residue. Photographs show a grave, attacking the enemy, officers and more.
Postcard of Adolf Hitler with Slogan: Wer leben will der kämpft also und wer nicht streiten will in dieser Welt des ewigen Ringens, verdient das Leben nicht
Postcard of Adolf Hitler based on the drawing of Professor von Kursell. "Gen.v.d. Reichsleitung der NSDAP Nr. 304: UNSER FÜHRER. Nach dem Original von Professor von Kursell - Berlin."