Original Scarce Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Franz Graßmel. Oberstleutnant Franz Graßmel (08.06.1906 † 30.06.1985) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzeson April 8, 1944 as Major und Kommandeur of the III. Bataillon/ Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4 of the 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division and the Eichenlaub on May 8, 1945 as Major und Kommandeur of the Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 20 of the 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division. Eichenlaub may not be official.
Ritterkreuz: Awarded for his Bataillon’s role in defeating the Allied Operation Revenge, which began on the 19.03.1944. Conducted as part of the Allied efforts to take Cassino itself, it saw a thrust of 35 tanks launched against the Massa Albaneta in the middle of rugged mountain terrain. It had the aim of advancing towards the Abbey. However it was repulsed with the loss of 29 tanks destroyed or damaged. Grassmel would subsequently be recognized for the major role he played in repulsing this Allied attack in a critical frontline sector.
Eichenlaub: Awarded for the sum of his Regiment’s successes in the Hagenauer forest, Hatten, Rittershofen (January 1945), the Reichswald (February 1945) and especially around Edewecht (April 1945). During the fighting in this latter defensive battle Grassmel and his Regiment played a major role in ensuring the successful evacuation of 42669 men across the Weser river in the time period 11.04.-28.04.1945.
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original award document set of Fallschirmjäger (Paratrooper) Obergefreiter Christian Winkelvoss. According to research, I was able to find out that he was born on November 11, 1916 but didn't survive the war. He was Killed in Action on September 5, 1944 while serving with the Fallschirm-Aufklärungs-Kompanie 1 in Italy. Cause of Death stated as "schw. Zertr." (schwere Zertrümmerung). He wore the Erkennungsmarke: 62866/76. Buried at the war cemetery in Futa-Pass, block 25 grave 358.
The set contains:
The rare and attractive "Fallschirmjäger-Treuekette" certificate which was awarded to his wife. Complete with the - most of the time - missing fold-out page which bears the blind embossed seal of the Fallschirmschützenabzeichen. Certificate was signed by Oberst Karl-Lothar Schulz (RK+EL+SW!)
Award document for the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (Iron Cross 2nd Class) for his service on June 15, 1941, which was signed by General der Flieger Kurt Student (RK+EL). This was most likely for actions during the Battle of Kreta!
Award document for the Fallschirmschützenabzeichen (Paratrooper Badge) for completing his jump training on February 18, 1941.
Letter of the Kompanieführer to Winkelvoss' his wife regarding the awarding of the Fallschirmjäger-Treuekette to her in memory of her fallen husband.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Rudolf Donth. Feldwebel Rudolf Donth (16.02.1920 † 19.06.2001) earned the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on June 14, 1944 as Oberjäger in the 6. Kompanie/ Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4and the Ritterkreuz on January 14, 1945 as Feldwebel und Führer of the 6. Kompanie/ Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4 of the 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division.
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original Scarce Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo plus Letter of Franz Graßmel. Oberstleutnant Franz Graßmel (08.06.1906 † 30.06.1985) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzeson April 8, 1944 as Major und Kommandeur of the III. Bataillon/ Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4 of the 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division and the Eichenlaub on May 8, 1945 as Major und Kommandeur of the Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 20 of the 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division. Eichenlaub may not be official.
Ritterkreuz: Awarded for his Bataillon’s role in defeating the Allied Operation Revenge, which began on the 19.03.1944. Conducted as part of the Allied efforts to take Cassino itself, it saw a thrust of 35 tanks launched against the Massa Albaneta in the middle of rugged mountain terrain. It had the aim of advancing towards the Abbey. However it was repulsed with the loss of 29 tanks destroyed or damaged. Grassmel would subsequently be recognized for the major role he played in repulsing this Allied attack in a critical frontline sector.
Eichenlaub: Awarded for the sum of his Regiment’s successes in the Hagenauer forest, Hatten, Rittershofen (January 1945), the Reichswald (February 1945) and especially around Edewecht (April 1945). During the fighting in this latter defensive battle Grassmel and his Regiment played a major role in ensuring the successful evacuation of 42669 men across the Weser river in the time period 11.04.-28.04.1945.
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Kurt Gröschke. Oberst Kurt Gröschke (17.07.1907 † 26.03.1996) earned the Ritterkreuz on June 9, 1944 as Oberstleutnant und Kommandeur of the II. Bataillon/ Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1 of the 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division and the Eichenlaub on January 9, 1945 as Oberst und Kommandeur of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 15 of the 5. Fallschirmjäger-Division. Good condition.
Knight's Cross: "Awarded for his actions northwest of Cassino on the 08.02.1944. Here Major Gröschke managed to prevent a potentially disastrous Allied breakthrough to the Cassino—Rome road and by extension the fall of Cassino itself."
Oakleaves: "Awarded for his outstanding command abilities during the Ardennes offensive. By the evening of the first day of the offensive, the 16.12.1944, the Vorausabteilung of his Regiment had already reached the Diekirch—Hosingen road. Two days later the Regiment captured a river crossing near Bourscheid in an undamaged state, with the neighbouring divisions by now trailing far behind the Regiment. Later it fought in a defensive capacity against the US 3rd Army. Positioned in the Harlange/Villers-la-Bonne-Eau area, it defended this region up until the 10.01.1945 even as the US 26th Infantry Division took up positions in its rear, distinguishing itself as it did so."
