Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Martin Steglich. Major Martin Steglich (16.07.1915 in Breslau † 20.10.1997 in Waldbröl) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on January 25, 1943 as Oberleutnant und Führer of the I. Bataillon/ Grenadier-Regiment 89 of the 12. Infanterie-Division and the Eichenlaub on April 5, 1945 as Major und Führer of Grenadier-Regiment 1221 of the 180. Infanterie-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 Soldbuch & Wehrpass of Feldwebel Wilhelm Schnäbele, born on November 21, 1910 in Karlsruhe and was a Kaufmann-Angestellter. The Soldbuch was opened on April 12, 1940 by 4. (M.G.) / Ersatz-Kompanie 435.. He wore the Erkennungsmarke: -598- 4./Inf.Ers.Btl.435. He probably was a Rechnungsführer (or atleast after April ‘44).He served with the following (notable) unit(s):
(1) Belonged to the 278. Infanterie-Division
(2) Belonged to the 180. Infanterie-Division (Venlo, Wesel, Ruhrkessel)04.01.1944-15.07.1944 Abschnitt insel Walcheren !16.07.1944-07.09.1944 Abschnitt Antwerpen !He earned the following award(s):
on 20.04.1944 the Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern
Promotions:
01.11.1940 to Oberschütze
01.04.1941 to Gefreiter
01.07.1942 to Obergefreiter
01.07.1943 to Unteroffizier
01.04.1945 to Feldwebel
Was equipped with several pistols throughout his years incl. the P35, P08 and a belgian Pistol.
Sportwettkämpfe Award Certificate for Obergefreiter Ludwig Abken, earned in March 1944. A few months later, the Division was called up as Einsatz-Division Nr. 180 on 18 September 1944 for action in the Netherlands in response to Operation Market-Garden! A5 size. Good condition. Has been folded in the past. Minor stain on the middle, right side.
Scarce and Interesting late war Award Document set (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse and Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz) of Herbert Wittig, who was a soldier with the Nachrichten-Abteilung 344 (of the 344. Infanterie-Division, which was destroyed in Normandy) and later on with Nachrichten-Abteilung 1180 (of the 180. Infanterie-Division, which was erected in the Netherlands to counter the Allied forces of Operation Market Garden near Arnhem and kept on fighting in the Netherlands until late 1945, where it was finally destroyed in the Ruhrkessel).
The Iron Cross 2. Class Award document, awarded on October 8th, 1944, was likely awarded for the Battle of the Scheldt! After it's destruction in Normandy, the remnants fought their way through Belgium (Antwerp, Maria-ter-Heide) up to the Netherlands. The document was signed by Generalmajor Eugen Felix Schwalbe (KC, DKIG and DKIS ! Only officer to be awarded the DKIG and DKIS with the same unit!)
The Wound Badge in Black Award document, awarded in April 1944, was most likely awarded for a wound suffered in the Ruhrkessel.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Martin Steglich. Major Martin Steglich (16.07.1915 † 20.10.1997) earned the Ritterkreuz on January 25, 1943 as Oberleutnant und Führer of the I. Bataillon/ Grenadier-Regiment 89 of the 12. Infanterie-Division and the Eichenlaub on April 5, 1945 as Major und Führer of Grenadier-Regiment 1221 of the 180. Infanterie-Division. Good condition. Measuring: Postcardsize.
