Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of August Wittmann. Generalleutnant August Wittmann (20 July 1895, Munich † 29 March 1977, Glonn/Bavaria) was a long-serving officer who rose to the rank of Generalleutnant during the Second World War. A veteran of both World Wars, he became one of the most decorated artillery commanders of the Gebirgstruppe, earning the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross and the German Cross in Gold, as well as multiple mentions in the official Wehrmachtbericht.
Awards and Decorations:
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Wehrmachtbericht Mention – 11 June 1941: Recognized along with fellow Gebirgsdivision commanders for decisive contributions during the operations on Crete.
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Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 21 June 1941, as Oberstleutnant and Kommandeur of Gebirgs-Artillerie-Regiment 95.
Awarded for his leadership during the Battle of Crete. After repeated attacks on 28–29 May 1941, Wittmann personally led his battalion in a bold advance that cut off the planned British withdrawal from Stylos. On 29 May he forced the surrender of two Australian battalions and several hundred Greek troops near Rethymnon. After a grueling 175 km march from Iraklion, he reached Jerapetra and played a decisive role in the capture of eastern Crete.
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German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) – 25 August 1944, as Generalleutnant and Kommandeur of 3. Gebirgs-Division.
Career Highlights:
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Entered the Bavarian Army in 1914, serving throughout the First World War in Feldartillerie-Regiment 1.
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Joined the Bavarian Landespolizei in 1920, transferring to the Heer in 1935 with the build-up of the Wehrmacht.
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Gained command experience in multiple Gebirgs-Artillerie regiments prior to the Second World War.
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Commanded Gebirgs-Artillerie-Regiment 95, where his performance in the Battle of Crete earned him the Knight’s Cross.
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Promoted steadily through senior divisional commands, including the 3. Gebirgs-Division, 117. Jäger-Division, and finally the 1. Volks-Gebirgs-Division in 1945.
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Spent the postwar years in Bavaria, passing away in Glonn in 1977.
Item Details:
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Authentic postwar signature of Generalleutnant August Wittmann.
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Signed on a postwar photograph.
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Condition: Clear and well-preserved autograph.
Collector’s Note:
Wittmann’s reputation as a decorated Gebirgsartillerie commander, his key role in the Battle of Crete, and his leadership of multiple divisions on the Eastern and Balkan fronts make his signature highly desirable. His awards — the Knight’s Cross and German Cross in Gold, combined with his Wehrmachtbericht mention — place him among the prominent leaders of Germany’s elite mountain troops.
