Johannes Frießner – XXIII. Armeekorps & Armeeabt. “Narwa” (Eichenlaub)

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Johannes Frießner. Generaloberst Johannes Frießner (22 March 1892, Chemnitz † 26 June 1971, Gmain/Bavaria) was a highly decorated German officer who rose to the rank of Generaloberst during the Second World War. He held important commands on the Eastern Front and earned the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves for his leadership during critical battles in 1943–44.

Awards and Decorations:

• German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) – 9 June 1943, as General der Infanterie and Kommandierender General of XXXXI. Panzerkorps.

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 23 July 1943, as General der Infanterie and Kommandierender General of XXIII. Armeekorps.

  Awarded for his command during Operation Citadel and its aftermath. On 5–6 July 1943, Frießner’s corps captured the strategically important village of Protassowo despite intense Soviet artillery fire. In the following days, his corps skillfully switched to defensive operations and on 15 July 1943 repelled a large Soviet assault, destroying 61 enemy tanks in the process.

• Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross (Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub) – 9 April 1944, as General der Infanterie and commander of Armeeabteilung “Narwa”.

  Awarded for his role in the withdrawal from the Lake Ilmen salient under extremely difficult circumstances and for the destruction of Soviet bridgeheads across the Narva River (mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht of 9 March 1944). He was praised for effectively coordinating German troops with Estonian volunteer forces in this critical defensive battle.

Career Highlights:

• Entered the Army in 1911, serving with distinction in the First World War and continuing his career in the Reichswehr.

• Rose steadily through staff and command roles, promoted to Generalmajor in 1940, General der Infanterie in 1943, and finally Generaloberst in August 1944.

• Commanded XXXXI. Panzerkorps and XXIII. Armeekorps during key stages of the Eastern Front fighting in 1943.

• Took command of Armeeabteilung “Narwa”, where he coordinated German and Estonian forces in the Narva sector, earning the Oak Leaves.

• Later held army-level commands, including Heeresgruppe Süd and Heeresgruppe Nord, during the final stages of the war.

• Captured by U.S. forces in 1945 and released in 1947.

Item Details:

• Authentic postwar signature of Generaloberst Johannes Frießner.

• Signed on a postwar photograph.

• Condition: Excellent, clear autograph.

Collector’s Note:
Frießner’s leadership during Kursk, the defense of the Narva front, and his promotion to Generaloberst make him one of the notable German commanders of the Eastern Front. His Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves underscores his reputation as a capable operational commander, making his signed photo a valuable addition for collectors of high-ranking Wehrmacht generals.