Friedrich-Wilhelm Morzik – Kampfgeschwader z.b.V. 1 (Demjansk)

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Friedrich-Wilhelm Morzik. Generalmajor Friedrich-Wilhelm Morzik (10.12.1891 † 17.06.1985) earned the Ritterkreuz on April 16, 1942 as Oberst und Kommandeur of the Kampfgeschwader z.b.V. 1 of the Lufttransportführer Ost.

Oberst Morzik was awarded the Knight’s Cross for his major success in planning and overseeing the German aerial resupply operation to the Demyansk pocket in early 1942. Despite the difficult conditions, and the unprecedented nature of the task being demanded, Morzik nonetheless proved his leadership abilities by providing enough supplies for the troops in the Demyansk pocket to continue holding out. Without the success of the German aerial resupply efforts the troops in the pocket would have been overrun long before their actual relief in the spring of that year.

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.