Heinz-Günther Amelung – Sturzkampfgeschwader 77

Original wartime signature on a wartime photograph of Heinz-Günther Amelung. Major Heinz-Günther Amelung (09.04.1917, Magdeburg † 26.12.1964, Munich) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 15 July 1942 as Hauptmann and Staffelkapitän of 5./ Sturzkampfgeschwader 77. Amelung was a highly accomplished Luftwaffe Stuka pilot who flew approximately 320 combat sorties during the Second World War, primarily in the Ju 87 Stuka. He participated in numerous major campaigns, including the Invasion of Poland, the Battle of Belgium, the Balkans Campaign, and Operation Barbarossa. By mid-1942, he had established an impressive combat record, being credited with the destruction of six bridges, 27 tanks, 16 field guns, and 12 anti-aircraft batteries, in addition to numerous freighters, supply ships, monitors, and patrol boats. He received the Knight’s Cross after completing approximately 300 combat sorties, recognizing his exceptional bravery, leadership, and combat achievements in close air support and dive-bomber operations. Following his frontline service, Amelung held various important staff positions within the Luftwaffe, including service with IV. Fliegerkorps, operations in the Crimea, and senior operational staff roles. After the war, he joined the Bundeswehr in 1956, continuing his military career and eventually attaining the rank of Oberstleutnant. He died in 1964 following a myocardial infarction.

His known awards included the Flugzeugführerabzeichen, Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4. Klasse, the Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 mit Spange, the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (28 September 1939), Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse, the Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Gold, the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (24 November 1941, with some sources citing 22 November 1941), the Medaille “Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42” (Ostmedaille), the Italian Croce al Valore di Guerra, the Pilota Militare, and the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.

A highly desirable original autograph of Knight’s Cross holder Major Heinz-Günther Amelung, signed in period on an attractive wartime portrait photograph.

Provenance: From the estate of former HJ member Reinhold Brennfleck (1928–2022) from Lauda, Baden, who wrote to numerous Ritterkreuzträger in 1943–1944 requesting signatures and signed photographs, forming an exceptional wartime autograph collection.