Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Johann “Hans” Trummer. Oberfeldwebel Johann Trummer (23.10.1920 in Braunau am Inn † 01.03.2022) earned the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on May 27, 1942 and the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on May 4, 1944 as Leutnant und Bordfunker in the 1. Staffel/ Schlachtgeschwader 5. Postcardsize.

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Willy Tscherning. Oberfeldwebel Willy Tscherning (15.06.1917 in Naumburg † 20.01.2012) earned the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on August 21, 1942 and the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on November 18, 1944 as Oberfeldwebel und Bordfunker in the 9. Staffel/ Kampfgeschwader 1 “Hindenburg”. Postcardsize.

Awarded for his distinguished combat record as a bomber radio operator, following the successful completion of 368 combat missions (of which ~100 were in the West). These were flown in the following operations…

1) Action in Poland and the Norwegian campaign.

2) Bombing missions against Britain in 1940, where he flew mostly night missions against a variety of targets (including minelaying missions).

3) Actions on the Eastern front, including bombing raids against Moscow, supply missions to the Demyansk/Cholm pockets and minelaying operations in the Gulf of Finland.

4) Night bombing missions against England in late 1943 – early 1944 with the He 177 bomber.

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Fritz Seyffardt. Leutnant Fritz Seyffardt (20.08.1920 in Krautscheid † 28.11.2012) earned the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on December 12, 1943 and the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on August 8, 1944 as Leutnant und Flugzeugführer in the 5. Staffel/ Schlachtgeschwader 2 “Immelmann”. Postcardsize.

Flew a total of 500 missions, during which he achieved 30 aerial victories as an assault pilot.

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Josef Wiechoczek. Leutnant Josef Wiechoczek (18.11.1915 in Oberschlesien † 05.01.1999 in Bad Säckingen) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen kreuzes on December 9, 1944 as Leutnant und Führer in the 5. Kompanie/ Jäger-Regiment 28 of the 8. Jäger-Division. Size: 9,1x13cm. Condition as seen.

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Friedrich Weber. Generalleutnant Friedrich Weber (31.03.1892 in Chateau-Salins, Lorraine † 02.09.1972 in Deggendorf) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on June 8, 1940 as Oberstleutnant und Kommandeur of Infanterie-Regiment 481 of the 256. Infanterie-Division. Postcardsize.

He fought in Africa and in the Eastern Front. He was the commander of the fortress division defending Warsaw in January 1945.

Original Postwar Signature on Postwar Photo of Walter Böhm. Oberfeldwebel Walter Böhm (16.12.1918 † 23.09.2011) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on March 17, 1945 as Oberfeldwebel und Panzerspähtruppführer in the 1. Kompanie/ Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 8 of the 8. Panzer-Division. Postcardsize. Condition as seen. Comes with a signed letter.

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Günter Halm. Leutnant Günter Halm (27 August 1922 – 26 September 2017) was one of the youngest Knight’s Cross recipients of the Second World War. Serving in North Africa with the 15. Panzer-Division, he earned lasting fame during the First Battle of El Alamein for his exceptional bravery as an anti-tank gunner.

Awards and Decorations

• Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse)

• Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse)

• Wound Badge in Silver (Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber)

• Panzer Assault Badge (Panzerkampfabzeichen)

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 29 July 1942 as Grenadier und Richtschütze, Pakzug, Regimentsstabskompanie / Panzergrenadier-Regiment 104, 15. Panzer-Division

Knight’s Cross Action

“Awarded for his actions at El Alamein on 21 July 1942. On this day his Pak position came under attack by a large British tank force (likely the 23rd Tank Brigade). A direct hit disabled his gun shield and wounded the loader, while another impact destroyed the sights. Despite this, Halm calmly continued firing at close range, knocking out seven British tanks, including a command tank, with deadly precision. His courage was a key part of the German defensive success, during which a total of 96 Allied tanks were destroyed.”

Career Highlights

• North Africa Veteran: Distinguished himself in Rommel’s Afrika Korps during one of the most critical battles of the desert war.

• Young Ritterkreuzträger: At just 19 years old, became one of the youngest soldiers to receive the Knight’s Cross.

Item Details

• Type: Original postwar signed photograph on paper!

• Size: Postcard format

• Condition: Good condition, with clear and authentic autograph

Collector’s Note

Halm’s autograph is especially desirable as he was one of the youngest and most famous Knight’s Cross recipients of the Afrika Korps, tied to the legendary battles of El Alamein. His signature offers a direct link to the Panzergrenadiers and anti-tank defenders of Rommel’s desert army.

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Hubertus-Maria Ritter von Heigl. Generalmajor Hubertus-Maria Ritten von Heigl (10.11.1897 in Siegenburg † 24.01.1985 in München) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on January 13, 1942 as Oberstleutnant und Kommandeur of the Pionier-Bataillon 70. Postcardsize. Condition as seen.

Offered for sale is an exceptional and highly desirable original WWII grouping belonging to Hauptfeldwebel Grothklage, a long-serving NCO whose career spans infantry, cavalry, panzer troops, and elite assault armor formations.

Military Career

Grothklage served with the following units during his wartime career:

• Infanterie-Regiment 5

• Kavallerie-Schützen-Regiment 8

• Schützen-Regiment 28

• Sturmpanzer-Abteilung 216 (Werkstattzug)

His final unit, Sturmpanzer-Abteilung 216, was equipped with the formidable Sturmpanzer IV “Brummbär”, one of the rarest German armored vehicles of the war, with only approximately 300–400 produced. The unit saw combat service in Italy, adding further historical weight to this grouping.

Awards and Decorations

Grothklage was already a decorated combat veteran by 1940, earning multiple awards for his participation in the Western Campaign, including:

• Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

• Panzerkampfabzeichen in Silber

• DRL Sports Badge

• Sudetenland Medal

• Dienstauszeichnung 4. Klasse

Documents and Contents

This extensive and well-preserved grouping includes:

• Original Soldbuch, complete with all pages intact and a superb period photograph (front cover denazified)

• Driver’s license, signed by Bruno Kahl, commander of Sturmpanzer-Abt. 216 and Eichenlaubträger

• Driver instructor license

• Award documents for the DRL Sports Badge and Wehrmacht Service Medal

• Sudetenland Medal award document

• Field post correspondence

• Period photographs

• Leather document case

• Additional original service papers

The Soldbuch records that Grothklage was issued the MP40 submachine gun, and also notes that he carried his own personal pistol, a highly attractive detail for collectors.

Collector Significance

This is a top-tier, combat-documented Panzer grouping with:

• A senior NCO rank

• Early war combat awards

• Direct association with the rare Brummbär assault tank

• Strong provenance to Sturmpanzer-Abteilung 216

• An outstanding Soldbuch photograph and extensive supporting paperwork

A truly killer, museum-quality grouping—rarely encountered in this level of completeness and condition, and a centerpiece item for any advanced WWII militaria or Panzer collection.

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Flemish Easternfront Volunteer Oswald van Ooteghem. SS-Untersturmführer Oswald van Ooteghem served in the SS-Freiwilligen-Legion “Flandern” and the SS-Jugend-Bataillon 27 of the  27. SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Division “Langemarck”. Postcardsize.

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Theodor “Teddy” Wisch. SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Theodor “Teddy” Wisch (13.12.1907 † 11.01.1995) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on September 15, 1941 as SS-Sturmbannführer und Kommandeur of the II. Bataillon/ “LSSAH”, the Eichenlaub on February 12, 1944 as SS-Brigadeführer und Kommandeur of the 1. SS-Panzer-Division “LSSAH” and the Schwertern on August 30, 1944 as SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS of 1. SS-Panzer-Division “LSSAH”. Size: 9×12,5cm.

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Siegfried Amerkamp. SS-Oberscharführer Siegfried Amerkamp (20.03.1920 † 01.09.1995) earned the Ritterkreuz on November 22, 1943 as Obergefreiter und MG-Schütze & stellv. Gruppenführer 1 in the Sturmkompanie/ Grenadier-Regiment 459 of the 251. Infanterie-Division. He later was transferred to the 17. SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen”. Good Condition. Postcardsize.

Knight’s Cross: “Amerkamp fought as a machine-gunner during his Division’s battles south of Gomel in October 1943. In this time the Soviets formed a bridgehead over the Dnieper near Chernigov, directly at the boundary of Grenadier-Regiment 459. Amerkamp’s Kompanie was ordered to contain it at all costs.

During a night attack the Soviets succeeded in pushing back the German lines at the boundary with the neighbouring Kompanie, pushing back Amerkamp’s unit about 200 metres. Amerkamp’s Kompanie launched a counterattack to retake the old positions, and although Amerkamp himself was able to eliminate 5 Soviets MGs the attack overall was bogged down due to the Soviet artillery fire.

Although Amerkamp’s squad leader had fallen out in this failed attempt, Amerkamp himself decided to try again. Taking along the five survivors of his squad (Obergefreiten Marth, Bösener, Veth and Niedersteberg as well as Gefreiter Bach), he was able to infiltrate back to the old lines without losses. After sending 2 men to restore contact with his Kompanie, and ordering another 2 to stay behind and form a strongpoint, Amerkamp and Gefreiter Bach moved out to roll up the trenches to the right. Utilizing an LMG, grenades, spades and flare pistols (!) they succeeded in restoring contact with the neighbouring Kompanie. Once again acting on his own initiative, Amerkamp moved out beyond the trenches with his comrades and worked his way to a shell hole in no-mans land. From here he provided flanking fire to both the left and right, thereby enabling the rest of his Kompanie to fully recapture the main battle line.

Amerkamp was duly recognized for his actions here with the reception of the Knight’s Cross.”

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Paul-Albert Kausch. SS-Obersturmbannführer Paul-Albert Kausch (03.03.1911 in Jädersdorf † 27.10.2001 in Ingelheim) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on August 23, 1944 as SS-Obersturmbannführer und Kommandeur of the SS-Panzer-Abteilung 11 “Hermann von Salza” and the Eichenlaub on April 23, 1945 as SS-Obersturmbannführer und Kommandeur of the SS-Panzer-Regiment 11 “Hermann von Salza” of the 11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division “Nordland“. Condition as seen. Postcardsize.

Oakleaves: Awarded for his leadership of the SS-Panzer-Regiment 11 during the final battles around Berlin. In the fighting east of and inside the city the unit destroyed 487 enemy tanks and was the backbone of many defensive battles, such as that on the 18.04.1945 west of Reichenberg (6 km north of Buckow). Here, out of a force of 70 Soviet tanks attacking from the Ringenwalde area, 50 were destroyed.

Original postwar signed photograph of SS-Oberführer Otto Baum (15 November 1911, Stetten – 18 June 1998, Hechingen), a highly decorated Waffen-SS officer and Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords recipient.

• Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes — awarded 8 May 1942 as
  SS-Sturmbannführer und Kommandeur of III./SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 3

• Eichenlaub (Oak Leaves) — awarded 22 August 1943 as
  SS-Obersturmbannführer und Kommandeur of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 5 “Totenkopf”,
  3. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Totenkopf”

• Schwerter (Swords) — awarded 2 September 1944 as
  SS-Standartenführer und Kommandeur of the 2. SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich”

The photo bears Baum’s authentic postwar signature,

Item Details

• Signed by: Otto Baum

• Rank: SS-Oberführer

• Awards: Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords

• Type: Original postwar signature on postwar photo

• Condition: Excellent; crisp signature and clean image

Original Wartime Signature on a Postcard of Joachim Helbig. Oberst Joachim Helbig (10.09.1915 † 05.10.1985) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on November 24, 1940 as Hauptmann und Staffelkapitän of the 4. Staffel/ Lehrgeschwader 1, the Eichenlaub on January 16, 1942 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the I. Gruppe/ Lehrgeschwader 1 and the Schwertern on September 28, 1942 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the I. Gruppe/ Lehrgeschwader 1. Condition as seen. Postcardsize.

This is sold on commission!

Original Wartime Signature on a Postcard of Walter Oesau. Oberst Walter Oesau (28.06.1913 † 11.05.1944) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on August 21, 1941 as Hauptmann und Staffelkapitän of the 7. Staffel/ Jagdgeschwader 51, the Eichenlaub on February 6, 1941 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the III. Gruppe/ Jagdgeschwader 3 and the Schwertern on July 15, 1941 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the III. Gruppe/Jagdgeschwader 3. He also earned the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on October 17, 1943 as Oberstleutnant und Jagdfliegerführer 4. He’s credited with 127 aerial victories! Condition as seen. Postcardsize.

This is sold on commission!

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Kurt Weyher. Konteradmiral Kurt Weyher (13.08.1901 in Graudenz † 17.12.1991) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on August 21, 1941 as Fregattenkapitän und Kommandant of the Handelsstörkreuzer 1 “HSK 1” (Schiff 36 – Orion). Condition as seen. Large size: 20x25cm!

This is sold on commission!