Original Wartime Signature on a Postcard of Herbert Ihlefeld. Oberst Herbert Ihlefeld (1 June 1914 † 8 August 1995) was one of the Luftwaffe’s most successful fighter aces and a highly decorated officer. Serving with Jagdgeschwader 77 “Herz As”, he quickly distinguished himself as a front-line pilot and commander. Over the course of his wartime career, he achieved at least 122 confirmed aerial victories, making him one of the leading Experten of the Luftwaffe.
Awards and Decorations
Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 13 September 1940, as Oberleutnant and Flugzeugführer, 1./JG 77 “Herz As”.
Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross (Eichenlaub) – 27 June 1941, as Hauptmann and Kommandeur of I./JG 77 “Herz As”.
German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) – 9 April 1942.
Swords to the Knight’s Cross (Schwerter) – 24 April 1942, as Hauptmann and Kommandeur of I./JG 77 “Herz As”.
Career Highlights
Began his career as a fighter pilot with Jagdgeschwader 77, quickly rising to become a Gruppenkommandeur.
Distinguished himself during the Battle of Britain and in the Balkans and Eastern Front campaigns.
By 1942, he had been awarded the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, marking him as one of the Luftwaffe’s elite aces.
Credited with at least 122 aerial victories across multiple theaters of war.
Rose to the rank of Oberst, later holding senior command positions in the Luftwaffe.
Item Details
Original wartime signature of Oberst Herbert Ihlefeld.
Signed on a wartime postcard.
Condition: Excellent, clear period autograph.
Collector’s Note
Herbert Ihlefeld stands among the great names of Luftwaffe fighter history, his career spanning the early victories of 1940 through the brutal campaigns of the East. With over 120 aerial victories and the Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern, his autograph remains a highly desirable piece for collectors of Luftwaffe aces and decorated fighter leaders.
DOUBLE SIGNED PHOTO OF FAMOUS LUFTWAFFA ACES WOLF-DIETRICH HUY & HERBERT IHLEFELD !
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Wolf-Dietrich Huy. Oberleutnant Wolf-Dietrich Huy (02.08.1917 † 13.07.2003) earned the Ritterkreuz on July 5, 1941 as Oberleutnant und Staffelkapitän of the 7. Staffel/ Jagdgeschwader 77 “Herz As”and the Eichenlaub on March 17, 1942 as Oberleutnant und Staffelkapitän of the 7. Staffel/ Jagdgeschwader 77 “Herz As”. Good condition. Measuring: Postcardsize. Huy achieved 40 victories, among which 38 on the Eastern Front, in over 500 operational sorties.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Herbert Ihlefeld. Oberst Herbert Ihlefeld (01.06.1914 † 08.08.1995) earned the Ritterkreuzon September 13, 1940 as Oberleutnant und Flugzeugführer in the 1. Staffel/ Jagdgeschwader 77 “Herz As”, the Eichenlaub on June 27, 1941 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the I. Gruppe/ Jagdgeschwader 77 “HerzAs”, the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on April 9, 1942 and the Schwertern on April 24, 1942 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the I. Gruppe/ Jagdgeschwader 77 “HerzAs”. He’s credited with at least 122 aerial victories! Good condition.
Read more on Herbert Ihlefeld (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 Herbert Ihlefeld. Oberst Herbert Ihlefeld (01.06.1914 † 08.08.1995) earned the Ritterkreuzon September 13, 1940 as Oberleutnant und Flugzeugführer in the 1. Staffel/ Jagdgeschwader 77 “Herz As”, the Eichenlaub on June 27, 1941 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the I. Gruppe/ Jagdgeschwader 77 “HerzAs”, the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on April 9, 1942 and the Schwertern on April 24, 1942 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the I. Gruppe/ Jagdgeschwader 77 “HerzAs”. He’s credited with at least 122 aerial victories! 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 Wartime Signature on a Postcard of Herbert Ihlefeld. Oberst Herbert Ihlefeld (01.06.1914 † 08.08.1995) earned the Ritterkreuzon September 13, 1940 as Oberleutnant und Flugzeugführer in the 1. Staffel/ Jagdgeschwader 77 “Herz As”, the Eichenlaub on June 27, 1941 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the I. Gruppe/ Jagdgeschwader 77 “HerzAs”, the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on April 9, 1942 and the Schwertern on April 24, 1942 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the I. Gruppe/ Jagdgeschwader 77 “HerzAs”. He’s credited with at least 122 aerial victories! Good condition. Measuring: Postcardsize.
Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Herbert Ihlefeld. Oberst Herbert Ihlefeld (01.06.1914 † 08.08.1995) earned the Ritterkreuzon September 13, 1940 as Oberleutnant und Flugzeugführer in the 1. Staffel/ Jagdgeschwader 77 "Herz As", the Eichenlaub on June 27, 1941 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the I. Gruppe/ Jagdgeschwader 77 “HerzAs”, the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on April 9, 1942 and the Schwertern on April 24, 1942 as Hauptmann und Kommandeur of the I. Gruppe/ Jagdgeschwader 77 “HerzAs”. He's credited with at least 122 aerial victories! Good condition. Measuring: Postcardsize.