Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Hermann Balck. General der Panzertruppen Hermann Balck (17.12.1893 in Danzig-Langfuhr † 29.11.1982 in Eberbach) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on June 3, 1940 as Oberstleutnant und Kommandeur of the Schützen-Regiment 1 of the 1. Panzer-Division, the Eichenlaub on December 20, 1942 as Generalmajor und Kommandeur of the 11. Panzer-Division, the Schwertern on March 4, 1943 as Generalleutnant und Kommandeur of the 11. Panzer-Divisionand the Brillanten on August 31, 1944 as General der Panzertruppen und stellvertretender Führer of the 4. Panzer-Armee.
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 Hermann Graf. Oberst Hermann Graf (24.10.1912 in Engen † 04.11.1988 in Engen) earned the Ritterkreuzon January 24, 1942 as Leutnant und Flugzeugführer in the 9. Staffel/ Jagdgeschwader 52 (after 42 aerial victories). Awarded the Eichenlaub on May 17, 1942 as Leutnant und Flugzeugführer in the 9. Staffel/ Jagdgeschwader 52 for 104 aerial victories, the Schwertern on May 19, 1942 as Leutnant und Flugzeugführer in the 9. Staffel/ Jagdgeschwader 52 after achieving 106 aerial victories and the Brillanten on September 16, 1942 as Oberleutnant und Staffelkapitän of the 9. Staffel/ Jagdgeschwader 52 after achieving 172 aerial victories. He also earned Gemeinsames Flugzeugfuhrer-Beobachter Abzeichen mit Brillianten.
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 Gordon Mac Gollob. Oberst Gordon Gollob (16.06.1912 in Wien † 07.09.1987 in Sullingen) earned the Ritterkreuzon September 18, 1941 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the II. Gruppe/ Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" (after 42 aerial victories). Awarded the Eichenlaub on October 26, 1941 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the II. Gruppe/ Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet" for 85 aerial victories, the Schwertern on June 23, 1942 as Hauptmann und Führer of the Jagdgeschwader 77 after achieving 107 aerial victories and the Brillanten on August 30, 1942 as as Major und Kommodore of the Jagdgeschwader 77 "Herz As" after achieving 150 aerial victories. He also earned Gemeinsames Flugzeugfuhrer-Beobachter Abzeichen mit Brillianten.
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 Paper cut-out of Herbert-Otto Gille. SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Herbert-Otto Gille (08.03.1896 † 26.12.1966) earned the Ritterkreuz on August 15, 1940 as SS-Oberführer und Kommandeur of the SS-Artillerie-Regiment 5, the Eichenlaub on November 1, 1943 as SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS und Kommandeur of the SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Wiking”, the Schwertern as SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS of the SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Wiking” and the Brillanten on April 19, 1944 as SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS und Kommandeur of the 5. SS-Panzer-Division “Wiking”. Good condition.
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 Wartime Signature on a Postcard of Hans-Ulrich Rudel. Oberst Hans-Ulrich Rudel (02.07.1916 † 18.12.1982) earned the Ritterkreuzon January 6, 1942 as Oberleutnant und Staffelkapitän of the 9. Staffel/ Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 “Immelmann”, the Eichenlaub on April 14, 1943 as Oberleutnant und Staffelkapitän of the 1. Staffel/ Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 “Immelmann”, and the Schwertern on November 25, 1943 as Hauptmann und Führer of the II. Gruppe/ Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 “Immelmann”, the Brillanten on March 29, 1944 as Major und Kommandeur of the III. Gruppe/ Schlachtgeschwader 2 “Immelmann” and the Ritterkreuz mit Goldener Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten on December 29, 1944 as Oberstleutnant und Kommandeur of Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann". Good condition. Edges have been cut.
Read more on Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Wikipedia) The sole soldier to be awarded the Ritterkreuz mit Goldener Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten!
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 Wartime Signature on a Postcard of Adolf Galland. Generalleutnant Adolf Galland (19.03.1912 † 09.02.1996) earned the Ritterkreuz on July 29, 1940 as Major und Kommandeur of the III. Gruppe/ Jagdgeschwader 26 “Schlageter”, the Eichenlaub on September 24, 1940 as Major und Kommodore of Jagdgeschwader 26 “Schlageter”, the Schwertern on June 21, 1941 as Oberstleutnant und Kommodore of Jagdgeschwader 26 “Schlageter”and the Brillanten on January 28, 1942 as Oberst und Kommodore of Jagdgeschwader 26 “Schlageter”. Good condition. Edges have been cut.
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 Private (!) Photo of Erich "Bubi" Hartmann. Major Erich "Bubi" Hartmann (19.04.1922 † 20.09.1993) earned the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on October 17, 1943, the Ritterkreuzon October 29, 1943 as Leutnant und Flugzeugführer in the 9. Staffel/ Jagdgeschwader 52 after 148 aerial victories. Awarded the Eichenlaub on March 2, 1944 as Leutnant und Staffelkapitän of the 9. Staffel/ Jagdgeschwader 52 for 200 aerial victories, the Schwertern on July 2, 1944 as Oberleutnant und Staffelkapitän of the 9. Staffel/ Jagdgeschwader 52 after achieving 239 aerial victories and the Brillianten on August 25, 1944 as as Oberleutnant und Staffelkapitän of the 9. Staffel/ Jagdgeschwader 52 after achieving 301 aerial victories. He also earned Gemeinsames Flugzeugfuhrer-Beobachter Abzeichen mit Brillianten. Good condition.
Hartmann achieved his 352nd and last aerial victory at midday on 8 May 1945, hours before the German surrender! Read more about Erich Hartmann (Wikipedia).
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 Wartime Signature on a Postcard of Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz (also known as Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz von Groß-Zauche und Camminetz). Generalleutnant der Reserve Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz (30.07.1893 † 25.04.1968) earned the Ritterkreuz on August 25, 1941 as Major der Reserve und Kommandeur of the I. Abteilung/ Panzer-Regiment 2 of the 16. Panzer-Division, the Eichenlaub on November 13, 1942 as Oberstleutnant und Kommandeur of the I. Abteilung/ Panzer-Regiment 2 of the 16. Panzer-Division, the Schwertern on March 28, 1943 as Oberst der Reserve und Kommandeur of the Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland" of the Infanterie-Division "Großdeutschland"and the Brillanten on April 15, 1944 as Oberst der Reserve und Kommandeur of the Panzer-Kampfgruppe of the Heeresgruppe Nord. Good condition. Measuring: Postcardsize.
Knight’s Cross: While serving as part of the Kampfgruppe of Oberst Wagner, Strachwitz played a decisive role in its success on the 02./03.08.1941. He was able to determine that the easiest way to seize the city of Pervomaisk (a critical road junction for the Soviets) was to strike from the north. The attack was a success and Strachwitz received the Knight's Cross for his major contribution towards the victorious outcome of this battle. (via Traces of War)
Oakleaves: Awarded for the role his Abteilung played in the Division's battles near Stalingrad in August of 1942, with following actions in particular being worthy of note…
1) The armoured battles on the 07./08.08.1942, where the Division destroyed 275 Soviet tanks.
2) Reaching the Don river in two places on the 15./17.08.1942.
3) The thrust towards the Volga river north of Stalingrad, beginning on the 23.08.1942. In this advance the Abteilung overran 37 Soviet firing positions.
4) The defensive battle in the same area (especially around Hill 126). In a four day battle the 31 Panzers of the Abteilung destroyed 105 hostile tanks without loss.
Swords: Awarded for the successes of his regiment during the Third Battle of Kharkov, specifically the fighting to recapture Belgorod in the north. In addition to driving the Soviets back, the Regiment also managed to capture or destroy 150 Soviet tanks in a five-day struggle (90+ of which were in the time period 13-15.03.1943).
Diamonds: Awarded for his actions on the Narva front as an ad-hoc Kampfgruppe commander. On the 22.02.1944 he led a mixed Panzer/Sturmgeschütz formation through an unfavourable patch of forested terrain without regard for the adjacent hostile formations. By doing so he was able to succeed in breaking through the Soviet positions located behind the woods and thus contribute significantly to the integrity of the defense on the Narva front. For this action he was awarded the Diamonds to his Knight's Cross. (via Traces of War)
Original Wartime Signature on a Postcard of Hermann Balck. General der Panzertruppen Hermann Balck (17.12.1893 † 29.11.1982) earned the Ritterkreuz on June 3, 1940 as Oberstleutnant und Kommandeur of the Schützen-Regiment 1 of the 1. Panzer-Division, the Eichenlaub on December 20, 1942 as Generalmajor und Kommandeur of the 11. Panzer-Division, the Schwertern on March 4, 1943 as Generalleutnant und Kommandeur of the 11. Panzer-Divisionand the Brillanten on August 31, 1944 as General der Panzertruppen und stellvertretender Führer of the 4. Panzer-Armee. Good condition. Measuring: Postcardsize.
Knight’s Cross: “Breakthrough near Martelange. Pursuit towards Bouillon. Capture of Bouillon. Regiment as the first to reach and cross the Maas. Breakthrough of the bunker position. Defense against attacks at Bois de la Marfe. Victorious pursuit battles along the route Chanery—Omont. Several thousand prisoners and about 30 guns captured.” (via Traces of War)
Oakleaves: Awarded for holding the Chir river line with his 11. Panzer-Division during late 1942. In this time his Division smashed all the corps of the Soviet 5th Tank Army one after another.
Swords: Awarded for assisting in the destruction of Mobile Group Popov in the Barwenkowo area during early 1943.
Diamonds: Awarded for achieving the first successful offensively-conducted defensive battle along the Vistula river in 1944.
Original Scarce Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Gordon Gollob. Oberstleutnant Gordon Gollob (16.06.1912 † 07.09.1987) earned the Ritterkreuz on September 18, 1941 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the II. Gruppe/ Jagdgeschwader 3 “Udet”, the Eichenlaub on October 26, 1941 as Major und Kommandeur of the II. Gruppe/ Jagdgeschwader 3 “Udet”, the Schwertern on June 23, 1942 as Hauptmann und Führer of the Jagdgeschwader 77 “Herz As”and the Brillanten on August 30, 1942 as Major und Kommodore of Jagdgeschwader 77 “Herz Az”. Good condition. Measuring: Postcardsize.
Knight's Cross: Awarded after 42 aerial victories.
Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Adolf Galland. Generalleutnant Adolf Galland (19.03.1912 † 09.02.1996) earned the Ritterkreuz on July 29, 1940 as Major und Kommandeur of the III. Gruppe/ Jagdgeschwader 26 “Schlageter”, the Eichenlaub on September 24, 1940 as Major und Kommodore of Jagdgeschwader 26 “Schlageter”, the Schwertern on June 21, 1941 as Oberstleutnant und Kommodore of Jagdgeschwader 26 “Schlageter”and the Brillanten on January 28, 1942 as Oberst und Kommodore of Jagdgeschwader 26 “Schlageter”. Good condition. Measuring: 8,8x13,8cm.
Knight’s Cross: “Major Galland has distinguished himself as a Gruppe commander in a Jagdgeschwader as a result of his exceptional aggressiveness. By now he has shot down 14 enemy aircraft. Under his leadership the Gruppe executed numerous successful ground attack attacks as well, which included one mission (19.06.1940) where he eliminated 3 AA batteries.”
Oakleaves: “Awarded after 40 aerial victories.”
Swords: “Awarded after 69 aerial victories.”
Diamonds: “Awarded after 94 aerial victories.”
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Heinz Harmel. SS-Standartenführer Heinz Harmel (29.06.1906 † 02.09.2000) earned the Ritterkreuz on March 31, 1943 as SS-Obersturmbannführer und Kommandeur of the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3 “Deutschland”, the Eichenlaub on September 7, 1943 as SS-Standartenführer und Kommandeur of the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 3 “Deutschland” of the 2. SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich”and Schwerternon December 15, 1944 as SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS und Kommandeur of the 10. SS-Panzer-Division “Frundsberg”. Good condition. Measuring: 13x18cm.
