Groupings & Named Sets

Exceptional and highly researchable original wartime Luftwaffe Soldbuch grouping belonging to Theodor Rossiwall (12 October 1915 – 11 July 1979), highly decorated Luftwaffe fighter ace, combat pilot, and recipient of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.

Rossiwall claimed a total of 19 aerial victories in over 400 combat missions, including 2 victories during the Spanish Civil War while serving with the famous Condor Legion. He is additionally associated with the aerial combat on 20 April 1941 during which RAF top ace Pat Marmaduke Pattle was shot down over Greece/Crete, with Rossiwall and Sophus Baagoe both credited with claims during the engagement.

Born in Vienna, Rossiwall originally joined the Austrian Air Force before being transferred into the Luftwaffe following the Anschluss in 1938. He later served with Jagdgruppe 88 during the Spanish Civil War, where he flew combat missions against Republican forces and achieved two confirmed aerial victories, including a Polikarpov I-16 near Reus on 20 December 1938.

On 1 July 1939, Rossiwall transferred to Zerstörergeschwader 26 (ZG 26). During the Second World War he served extensively as a Bf 110 Zerstörer pilot and Staffelkapitän, later commanding larger formations. Following the loss and capture of Eberhard von Trützschler-d’Elsa in May 1940, Rossiwall assumed command within 5./ZG 26 during the Western Campaign. During the Dunkirk operations of May 1940 he reportedly led aggressive fighter actions against RAF formations, earning a formidable reputation.

He later fought on the Eastern Front, where he claimed additional aerial victories, before commanding II./Nachtjagdgeschwader 4 from January 1942 onward, achieving further successes as a night fighter commander. By March 1943 he had been promoted to Major and later commanded elements of Nachtjagdgeschwader 101. In August 1943 he became commander of the newly reformed Zerstörergeschwader 76, an anti-bomber formation operating Bf 110 aircraft against Allied heavy bombers. During these operations he claimed several B-17 Flying Fortress bombers destroyed. Rossiwall survived the war and passed away on 11 July 1979.

This grouping contains Rossiwall’s first-issue Soldbuch, complete with his original portrait photograph pasted into the rear section of the document. The Soldbuch is extensively filled with wartime entries, unit stamps, leave entries, medical examinations, equipment issue records, and award entries. Since no further entries appear after late 1942, it is highly likely Rossiwall later received a second replacement Soldbuch for continued service.

The grouping additionally includes his original Militär-Flugzeugführerschein, wartime photographs, and accompanying related material.

Awards recorded inside the Soldbuch include:

• Dienstauszeichnung IV. Klasse
• Medalla de la Guerra
• Cruz de Guerra
• Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Schwertern
• Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
• Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
• Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg
• Frontflugspange in Silber – awarded 25.3.1941
• Verwundetenabzeichen in Bronze – awarded 18.5.1941
• Frontflugspange in Gold – awarded 23.6.1941
• Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes – awarded 6.8.1941
• Tapferkeitsabzeichen IV. Klasse, 1. Stufe – awarded 27.4.1942

The Soldbuch itself shows extensive honest wartime wear and service use throughout, with period aging, handling wear, field usage, and numerous official stamps and signatures consistent with active frontline Luftwaffe service.

An exceptional and historically important Luftwaffe fighter ace and Ritterkreuzträger grouping with outstanding research potential, especially desirable due to Rossiwall’s documented Spanish Civil War service, Knight’s Cross award, Ehrenpokal, extensive combat career, and connection to some of the Luftwaffe’s best-known operational units.

Condition as seen.