Hermann Niehoff – 371. Infanterie-Division (Eichenlaub)

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Hermann Niehoff. General der Infanterie Hermann Niehoff (3 April 1897, Papenburg † 5 November 1980, Riegsee) was a career officer of the German Army who rose to the rank of General der Infanterie during the Second World War. He distinguished himself as a regimental and divisional commander on the Eastern Front, earning the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves. In the final days of the war, he became the last commander of the German fortress of Breslau.

Awards and Decorations:

• Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS – 29 September 1941, as Oberstleutnant and Kommandeur of Infanterie-Regiment 464, 253. Infanterie-Division. (366th award)

• German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) – 6 January 1942, as Oberstleutnant and Kommandeur of Infanterie-Regiment 464, 253. Infanterie-Division. (Award 46/11)

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, 3143rd award) – 15 June 1944, as Generalleutnant and Kommandeur of the 371. Infanterie-Division.

  Awarded for his Division’s successful withdrawal actions and subsequent defense along the Bug river in March 1944, where Niehoff’s personal energy and determination were crucial to preventing a Soviet breakthrough.

• Wehrmachtbericht Mention – 11 August 1944, as Generalleutnant and Kommandeur of 371. Infanterie-Division, noted for the Division’s performance on the Eastern Front.

• Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross (Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, 808th award) – 5 March 1945, as Generalleutnant and Kommandeur of the 371. Infanterie-Division, 17. Armee, Heeresgruppe Mitte.

  In February 1945, Niehoff’s division repelled a major Soviet offensive near Ratibor, fighting tenaciously to hold open Reichsstraße 118 despite repeated assaults, some of which were fought off in close combat. His determined leadership earned him the Oak Leaves.

Career Highlights:

• World War I veteran who rejoined the Reichswehr and steadily advanced during the interwar years.

• On the Eastern Front, led Infanterie-Regiment 464 and later the 371. Infanterie-Division in some of the hardest fighting of the war.

• Decorated with the Knight’s Cross and Oak Leaves for outstanding leadership during defensive battles in 1944–45.

• In April 1945, appointed Kommandant of Breslau, one of the Reich’s last fortress cities, where he commanded until surrendering the city to the Red Army on 6 May 1945.

• Survived Soviet captivity and was released in 1955. He lived in Bavaria until his death in 1980.

Item Details:

• Authentic postwar signature of General der Infanterie Hermann Niehoff.

• Signed on a postwar photograph.

• Condition: Clear and well-preserved autograph.

Collector’s Note:
Niehoff’s significance lies both in his Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves for frontline command and his role as the last Fortress Commander of Breslau, one of the most famous German Festungen of WWII. His autograph is highly sought after by collectors of high-ranking Heer generals, Eastern Front commanders, and those focusing on the final battles of 1945.