Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern Award Doc – Bau-Bataillon 141, 1941 – Hoepner, Panzergruppe 4

An interesting original two-document group relating to the award of the Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern (War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords) to Unteroffizier Willi Kuhn, serving with 1./Bau-Bataillon 141 (1st Company, Construction Battalion 141).

The group comprises the following documents:

• Verleihungsurkunde (Official Award Certificate): Dated 30. August 1941 at Gr. H. Qu. (Großes Hauptquartier / Great Headquarters). The certificate was issued by the Befehlshaber der Panzergruppe 4 (Commander of Panzer Group 4), identified as Generaloberst Hoepner — Generaloberst Erich Hoepner. It bears the printed commander’s name and rank, an official seal and a separate certification signature.
• Vorläufiges Besitzzeugnis (Provisional Certificate of Possession): A preliminary award document confirming that Unteroffizier Willi Kuhn had received the Kriegsverdienstkreuz II. Klasse mit Schwertern. This document is dated 13. September 1941 at O.U. (Ortsunterkunft / unit location as indicated on the document).

The association with Panzergruppe 4 and Generaloberst Erich Hoepner makes this a particularly interesting group for collectors of early-war German award documents, military construction units and the Eastern Front campaign.

The two documents should be kept together as a group. Their different dates are visible on the originals and should be retained as part of the description rather than treated as an error.

Condition

The official award certificate shows age-related toning, horizontal creasing and minor spotting, with some wear around the edges. The provisional certificate has more pronounced damage, including a substantial vertical tear, losses along the tear and creasing. The original text and relevant stamps remain largely legible on both documents.