Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern Award Doc – Marineoberkommando Ostsee – Kummetz – Kiel, 1945

Original WWII German Kriegsmarine award document for the Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern (War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords), issued to Maschinenobergefreiter Werner Fries on 30 January 1945 in Kiel.

The certificate bears the printed heading “Im Namen des Führers” and records the award of the War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords. The document was issued under the authority of Generaladmiral Kummetz, identified on the certificate as Der Oberbefehlshaber des Marineoberkommandos Ostsee (Commander-in-Chief of Naval High Command Baltic Sea). The printed surname refers to Admiral Otto Kummetz, a senior Kriegsmarine commander.

The War Merit Cross with Swords was awarded for meritorious service connected with the war effort involving enemy action. This example dates from the final months of the Second World War, when the German Navy was heavily engaged in operations in the Baltic Sea, including the evacuation of German troops and civilians as Soviet forces advanced.

The certificate features a circular official service seal, printed award text and a handwritten certification signature in the lower-right section. The combination of its named recipient, specific award, date and naval command makes it an interesting historical document for collectors of Kriegsmarine militaria and original WWII German award certificates.

Condition

The document shows age-related toning, creases and fold lines, scattered foxing and staining, and some fading of the typewritten entries and official seal. The paper remains intact overall, with visible handling wear consistent with an original wartime document. Please examine the photographs carefully for the exact condition.