Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Walter Gericke. Oberstleutnant Walter Gericke (23.12.1907 in Bilderlahe † 19.10.1991 in Alsfeld) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzeson June 14, 1941 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the IV. Bataillon/ Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1 and the Eichenlaub on September 17, 1944 as Major und Kommandeur of the Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 11 of the 4. Fallschirmjäger-Division.
Awarded the Knight’s Cross for his efforts during the fighting at Maleme airfield in the battle of Crete. He belonged to the 4 officers that had a decisive share in the capture of the vital Hill 107. Awarded the Oakleaves for his Regiment’s defensive achievements during the fighting for the Futa Pass and the area to the north of it. The German defenders were able to hold back the advance of US troops to Bologna and the Po valley for several weeks.
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.
