Original award document group of Obergefreiter Richard Held who served with the Flieger-Transport-Batterie 2/41 and the Fallschirmjäger Sturm-Regiment. Serving on the Eastern Front and Italy! The group contains:
Award document for the Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 (Winter War Medal). Beautiful!
Award document for the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (Iron Cross 2nd Class). Signed by Heinrich Trettner (RK+EL)!
Award document for the Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (Wound Badge in Black).
Award document for the Kraftfahrbewährungsabzeichen in Bronze (Driver's Profiency Badge in Bronze).
Paper from Fallschirmjägerschule Wittstock regarding the estate of likely his brother?
Original set of Wehrpass & Soldbuch (!) of Feldwebel und Funkmeister Rolf Lorenz, born on March 24, 1922 in Glauchau and was a Elektriker as profession. The Soldbuch was opened on October 12, 1940 in Klotzsche-Dresden by Luftnachrichten-Regiment 1. He wore the Erkennungsmarke: 217443 -135-. He took part in the Battle of Normandy, where he earned the Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse, Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz & Erdkampfabzeichen during the Battle of Normandy with the famous “3. Fallschirmjäger-Division” with the Nachrichtenzug, Stab I. Bataillon/ Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 9. Denazified, condition as seen, complete.
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 Erich Pietzonka. Oberst Erich Pietzonka (04.10.1906 † 18.12.1989) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzeson September 5, 1944 as Oberstleutnant und Kommandeur and the Eichenlaub on September 16, 1944 as Oberst und Kommandeur of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 7 of the 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division.
Eichenlaub: During the US advance to Brest in 1944, Pietzonka and his Regiment were able to check a US thrust with violence and skill. In the process they destroyed 43 tanks in close combat and captured over 300 prisoners. For this success, which bought a good deal of time for the preparation of the defenses around the city, Pietzonka received the Oakleaves to his Knight’s Cross.
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 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 Postwar Signature on a Postwar Paper Photo & Letter of Kurt Veth. Major Kurt Veth (01.06.1907 † 27.12.1994) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzeson September 30, 1944 as Hauptmann with the II. Bataillon/ Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3 and the Eichenlaub on April 30, 1945 as Major with the II. Bataillon/ Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3 of the 3. Fallschirmjäger-Division.
Ritterkreuz awarded for achievements during the Battle of Monte Cassino
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 Gerhart Schirmer. Oberstleutnant Gerhart Schirmer (09.01.1913 † 05.09.2004) earned the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on June 25, 1943 with III. Bataillon/ Jäger-Regiment "Hermann Göring", the Ritterkreuz on June 14, 1941 as Hauptmann und Führer of the II. Bataillon/ Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2 and the Eichenlaub on November 18, 1944 as Oberstleutnant und Kommandeurof Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 26. Good Condition.
Gerhart Schirmer joined as a Lieutenant in September 1935 the Luftwaffe where he followed the pilot training course. In May 1939 he transferred to the Fallschirmjägers (Paratroopers) and was promoted to Chef der 6. Kompanie des Fallschirmjäger-Regiments 2. With this unit he took part in the invasion of Poland where they secured and hold a bridgehead over the river Weichel. In May 1940 Hauptmann Schirmer jumped during the invasion of the Netherlands in the area of Katwijk to conquer the airfield of Valkenburg. During the battle of the Balkan he jumped on April 26th 1941 near the Greek city of Corinth and after some heavy fighting they conquered the city and they took some 2100 British prisoners. For this action he was later awarded with the Knight’s Cross. Hauptmann Schirmer also fought on Crete, in Russia and Tunisia till he was promoted in May 1943 to Major and took over the command of the 5th Fallschirmjäger-Regiment. With this unit he fought in Italy till he was ordered in January 1944 to form a new Fallschirmjäger-Regiment. This became the 16th Fallschirmjäger-Regiment and as commanding officer of this unit he fought on the West and East front. He was taken prisoner in Berlin at the end of the war and was finally released in January 1956. In December of that same year Gerhart Schirmer joined the Bundeswehr and he retired as a Colonel in April 1971. (Source: Tracesofwar)
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 Scarce Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Walter Paul Liebing. Oberstleutnant Walter Paul Liebing (12.08.1912 † 18.10.1998) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzeson February 2, 1945 as Major und Kommandeur of the Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 23 of the 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division.
Awarded for his leadership of the Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 23 in the area around Nancy. Here his men had a decisive share in defending the Mosel and Meurthe positions as well as the Seille sector, where they helped to fight successful delaying actions which were of great operational significance.
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 of Dr.med. Heinrich Neumann. Oberstabsarzt Dr.med. Heinrich Neumann (17.02.1908 † 19.05.2005) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzeson August 21, 1941 as Oberstabsarzt und Regimentsarzt of Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1.
Awarded for his actions during the Battle of Crete. As all the officers of the I./Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment 1 had fallen, Neumann took over the leadership of the rest of the Bataillon. Oberleutnant Trebes, commanding the remnants of the Stoßgruppe Braun, also attached himself to Neumann’s group. Acting on his own initiative, Dr. Neumann decided to capture the NW part of Hill 107 and eliminate the Allied AA guns there that commanded the Maleme airfield. In this he was successful, with this action being the turning point of the whole battle. After returning to his nominal duties, he was then ordered by the newly arrived Oberst Ramcke to take over the Bataillon once again. Thus, on the morning of 22.05.1941, Neumann divided the Bataillon into 2 Kompanien. The next day Neumann and his men took the role of Vorausabteilung, and advanced ahead of the left wing of the II. Bataillon towards the east. At 17:00 he reached the village of Modea. The next day, while on the hill south of Platania, the Bataillon halted as the attack had been postponed. Finally, on the 24.05.1941, Oberleutnant Stolz took over the leadership of the Bataillon and Neumann could finally return to looking after the many wounded for good. In this capacity he also distinguished himself outstandingly.
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 of Walter Sander. Oberleutnant Walter Sander (25.07.1914 † 28.04.1981) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzeson February 28, 1945 as Leutnant und Führer of 1. Kompanie/ Fallschirm-Pionier-Bataillon5 of the 5. Fallschirmjäger-Division.
Awarded for his Kompanie’s successes during the initial phases of the Battle of the Bulge. At the start of the attack they moved swiftly through a gap in the US 109th Infantry Regiment (28th US Infantry Division) and reached the crossroads of Fels Kalochette, 20 km in the US rear. Here they captured a US communications battalion with 200 men and 50 vehicles. Later, on the 18.12.1944, Sander’s Kompanie captured the crossroads at Café Schumann (5 km SW of Wiltz), thus completing the encirclement of the town. During a US breakout attempt the Kompanie took a further 280 Americans prisoner. Finally, on the 20.12.1944, the place fell to the Germans with the loss of hundreds of US prisoners and 40 Sherman tanks. Sander was recognized appropriately for his Kompanie’s role in bringing about this outcome.
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.
