Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern Award Doc – Kriegsgefangenen-Bezirks-Kommandant Y – Krakau 1941

An original German Verleihungsurkunde zum Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern (Award Certificate for the War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords), issued to Obergefreiter Anton Schulzen, serving with Kgf. Bez. Kdt. Y (Kriegsgefangenen-Bezirks-Kommandant Y).

The certificate was issued in Krakau on 1. September 1944, during the final months of the unit’s existence. The Kriegsgefangenen-Bezirks-Kommandant Y was established on 1. Juni 1942 by the German Military Commander in the General Government and subordinated to the Commander of Prisoners of War for Special Employment (Kommandeur der Kriegsgefangenen z. b. V. im Generalgouvernement). The unit was disbanded on 15. September 1944.

The document features the printed heading Im Namen des Führers, the award designation Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern, an official service stamp and a large handwritten signature of Siegfried Haenicke above the printed appointment General der Infanterie und Wehrkreisbefehlshaber im Generalgouvernement.

General der Infanterie Siegfried Haenicke (1878–1946), was a veteran career officer of the Prussian and German armies, Haenicke commanded the 61. Infanterie-Division during the campaigns in Poland, Western Europe and the Soviet Union before becoming Wehrkreisbefehlshaber im Generalgouvernement in October 1942. He held senior military command appointments in the occupied General Government until early 1945. His signature provides a direct historical connection to the Wehrmacht’s military administration in occupied Poland.

He earned most significantly: 

• Pour le Mérite — awarded during the First World War on 14 June 1918.

• Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes — awarded on 17 September 1941.

• Deutsches Kreuz in Gold — awarded on 4 September 1942.

An interesting original award certificate documenting military administration and prisoner-of-war organisation in the German-occupied General Government of Poland during the Second World War.

Condition

Age-related toning and scattered foxing or small stains throughout. The printed text, signature and official stamp remain visible. Two punched holes are present along the left margin. Overall, an original document with typical period wear.