SS-Standartenführer Leon Degrelle (15 June 1906, Bouillon † 31 March 1994, Málaga) was the Belgian leader of the Rexist Movement and one of the most famous foreign volunteers to serve in the Waffen-SS during the Second World War. He rose from enlisted service to command the Walloon volunteers on the Eastern Front, eventually leading the 28. SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Division “Wallonien.”

Degrelle distinguished himself in heavy fighting against Soviet forces, receiving some of the highest decorations awarded to non-German volunteers. He survived the war, escaping to Spain where he lived in exile until his death in 1994.

Awards and Decorations

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 20 February 1944, as SS-Hauptsturmführer and Führer of 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade “Wallonien.”

• Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross (Eichenlaub) – 27 August 1944, as SS-Sturmbannführer and Kommandeur of 28. SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Division “Wallonien.”

• Close Combat Clasp in Gold (Nahkampfspange in Gold) – 14 September 1944.

• Additional decorations included the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class and Infantry Assault Badge.

Item Details

• Authentic scarce postwar signature of Leon Degrelle.

• Signed on a large format postwar photo

• Condition: As seen – scarce and collectible.

Collector’s Note

Leon Degrelle remains one of the most controversial and well-known foreign volunteers of the Waffen-SS. His rise from volunteer soldier to divisional commander, along with his postwar exile and continued notoriety, makes his autograph especially rare and sought-after. This large-format signed photo is an exceptional piece for advanced collectors of Waffen-SS history, foreign volunteer units, and Knight’s Cross recipients.

Original Scarce Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Walter Harzer. SS-Standartenführer Walter Harzer (29 September 1912, Landau an der Isar † 29 May 1982, Stuttgart) was a Waffen-SS officer who rose to the rank of SS-Standartenführer during the Second World War. A staff-trained officer, he is best remembered for his role as Ia (operations officer) of the 9. SS-Panzer-Division “Hohenstaufen” during the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944, where he earned the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.

Award:

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 21 September 1944, as SS-Obersturmbannführer and Ia of 9. SS-Panzer-Division “Hohenstaufen”, for his decisive role in repelling British airborne forces during Operation Market Garden (Arnhem).

Career Highlights:

• Joined the SS in the prewar years and advanced as a staff officer within the Waffen-SS.

• As operations officer of 9. SS-Panzer-Division “Hohenstaufen”, played a central part in organizing the German defense during the Battle of Arnhem, contributing to the failure of the British 1st Airborne Division’s attempt to hold the Arnhem bridgehead.

• For his performance at Arnhem, awarded the Knight’s Cross, one of the few operations officers to receive the decoration.

• Later rose to SS-Standartenführer, continuing his service with Waffen-SS formations until the end of the war.

• After the war, lived quietly in West Germany until his death in 1982.

Item Details:

• Authentic scarce postwar signature of SS-Standartenführer Walter Harzer.

• Signed on a postwar photograph.

• Condition: As seen, with clear autograph.

Original Scarce Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Karl-Maria Demelhuber. SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Karl-Maria Demelhuber
(27 May 1896, Freising – 18 March 1988, Seeshaupt, Bavaria) was a senior Waffen-SS officer who rose to the rank of SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS during the Second World War. A career officer, he held a series of high-level commands including the SS-Standarte “Germania”, the 6. SS-Gebirgs-Division “Nord”, and later the XII. and XVI. SS-Korps. His wartime service placed him among the key organizational leaders of Waffen-SS formations, particularly in the Netherlands and on secondary fronts.

Awards and Decorations

• German Cross in Silver (Deutsches Kreuz in Silber) – 9 November 1943, as SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS, Befehlshaber der Waffen-SS in den Niederlanden

• Other decorations included the Iron Cross (WWI & WWII) and long-service awards of the SS and Wehrmacht

Career Highlights

• Early SS Leadership: Commanded the SS-Standarte “Germania”, one of the formative regiments of the Waffen-SS.

• Mountain Division Command: Led the 6. SS-Gebirgs-Division “Nord”, a unit that saw action in Finland and northern theaters.

• Higher SS Corps Commands: Later commanded the XII. SS-Korps and the XVI. SS-Korps, overseeing Waffen-SS formations in the later stages of the war.

• Occupation Duties: Served as Befehlshaber der Waffen-SS in the Netherlands, where he was awarded the German Cross in Silver for his role.

• Postwar: Captured and interned after 1945, Demelhuber lived quietly in Bavaria until his death in 1988.

Item Details

• Authentic scarce postwar signature of Karl-Maria Demelhuber.

• Postcard size format.

• Condition: Good, clear and well-preserved autograph.

Collector’s Note

Demelhuber’s signature is regarded as scarce, given his relatively low postwar profile and limited correspondence compared to other high-ranking SS generals. His career—spanning from regimental leadership with “Germania” to corps command in the final stages of the war—makes his autograph a significant addition for collectors focused on the leadership structure of the Waffen-SS and the history of its major divisional commanders.

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Gustav Hoffmann. SS-Sturmmann Gustav Hoffmann (16 January 1926, Vienna † 24 October 2024) served as an SS-Sturmmann in the 4. Batterie/SS-Flak-Abteilung 12 of the 12. SS-Panzer-Division “Hitlerjugend.” Born the son of deaf parents and raised in modest conditions, he completed school and training as an office clerk before volunteering in 1943 for service with the Waffen-SS.

He began his duty on 22 August 1943 at the SS-Flak-Ausbildungs- und Ersatz-Regiment in München and was later transferred to the 4. Batterie/SS-Flak-Abteilung 12. There, Hoffmann served as a driver for the Sd.Kfz. 7/2 halftrack with its mounted 3.7 cm Flak gun. He took part in the bitter fighting in Normandy, the Ardennes, and Hungary. At war’s end, he was captured by American forces in Austria and spent time in U.S. captivity.

In the postwar years, Hoffmann preserved and collected accounts, diaries, and reports from his comrades of the 4. Batterie, culminating in the publication of the detailed unit chronicle “In Erdkampf und Luftabwehr,” which appeared in 2020.

Awards & Service Notes:

• Rank: SS-Sturmmann

• Unit: 4. Batterie/SS-Flak-Abteilung 12, 12. SS-Panzer-Division “Hitlerjugend”

• Role: Driver of Sd.Kfz. 7/2 halftrack with 3.7 cm Flak gun

• Campaigns: Normandy, Ardennes, Hungary

Item Details:

• Authentic postwar signature of Gustav Hoffmann.

• Signed on a postwar photograph (postcard size).

• Condition: Very good, crisp autograph.

Collector’s Note:
Hoffmann lived to the age of 98, passing away in October 2024. As one of the last veterans of the 12. SS-Panzer-Division “Hitlerjugend,” his personal recollections and his chronicle work provide a rare perspective on this infamous Waffen-SS unit. His signed photo represents a scarce opportunity for collectors of Waffen-SS autographs and unit history.

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Karl Kreutz. SS-Standartenführer Karl Kreutz (20 September 1909 † 27 July 1997) was a decorated artillery commander of the Waffen-SS who rose to the rank of SS-Standartenführer during the Second World War. He distinguished himself as commander of the SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 2 “Das Reich”, earning both the Knight’s Cross and later the Oak Leaves for his leadership in some of the war’s final and fiercest battles.

Awards and Decorations:

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 27 August 1944, as SS-Standartenführer and Kommandeur of SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 2, 2. SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich”.

• Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross (Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, 857th award) – 6 May 1945, as SS-Standartenführer and Kommandeur of SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 2, 2. SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich”.

  Awarded for further distinction during the fighting in the Ardennes, Hungary, and especially in Vienna. In Vienna, Kreutz’s artillery took up direct fire positions at a vital crossroads to halt Soviet breakthrough attempts. During the retreat, his regiment acted as the rearguard of the Division—a rare and exceptional role for an artillery unit—earning him recognition for his outstanding leadership.

Career Highlights:

• Joined the Waffen-SS and advanced through the artillery branch, eventually taking command of SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 2 “Das Reich.”

• His regiment supported the division in numerous battles across the Eastern and Western Fronts.

• Recognized with the Knight’s Cross in 1944 for his leadership in France during the Normandy and subsequent fighting.

• Decorated with the Oak Leaves in the final days of the war for his extraordinary handling of the regiment in the Ardennes Offensive, in Hungary, and during the defense of Vienna.

• Survived the war and lived in Germany until his death in 1997.

Item Details:

• Authentic postwar signature of SS-Standartenführer Karl Kreutz.

• Signed on a postwar photograph.

• Condition: Clear and well-preserved autograph.

Collector’s Note:
Kreutz’s signature is highly desirable for collectors of Waffen-SS and 2. SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich” history. His rare distinction of earning the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves as an artillery commander—especially for his regiment’s rearguard role in Vienna—makes this an exceptional addition to any advanced collection.

Original Scarce Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Helmut Kinz. SS-Sturmbannführer und Major der Schutzpolizei Helmut Kinz (1 December 1915, Nagykanizsa † 19 October 1985, Klagenfurt) was a Waffen-SS and police officer who rose to the rank of SS-Sturmbannführer and Major of the Schutzpolizei during the Second World War. He is best remembered as the last commander of the Waffen-Gebirgs-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 13, the reconnaissance battalion of the 13. Waffen-Gebirgs-Division der SS “Handschar” (kroatische Nr. 1). For his leadership in the final days of the war, he was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.

Award:

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 3 May 1945, as SS-Sturmbannführer and Kommandeur of Waffen-Gebirgs-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 13, 13. Waffen-Gebirgs-Division der SS “Handschar”.

Career Highlights:

• Joined the police and later transferred to the Waffen-SS, advancing steadily through both organizations.

• Appointed commander of the Waffen-Gebirgs-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 13, responsible for reconnaissance and mobile operations within the “Handschar” Division.

• Led his unit during the final chaotic months of the war in the Balkans, where his command performance earned him the Knight’s Cross in May 1945—among the last decorations of its kind awarded.

• Captured at the end of the war and later released.

• Lived in postwar Austria until his death in 1985.

Item Details:

• Authentic scarce postwar signature of SS-Sturmbannführer Helmut Kinz.

• Signed on a postwar photograph.

• Condition: Good, with a clear and well-preserved autograph.