Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern Award Doc – Straßenbau-Bataillon 591 – Generaloberst Georg Lindemann

Original WWII German award certificate (Verleihungsurkunde) for the Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern (War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords), awarded to Gefreiter Otto Danz, serving with 1./Straßenbau-Bataillon 591, and dated 1 September 1942, in the field.

The certificate was issued by the Oberbefehlshaber der 18. Armee and features a prominent handwritten signature of Generaloberst Georg Lindemann, commander-in-chief of the 18th Army at the time. The original circular military service seal is also present.

Historical background – Generaloberst Georg Lindemann (1884–1963)

Georg Lindemann was a senior German Army commander during the Second World War. After commanding the 36. Infanterie-Division during the campaigns in Poland and France, he led the L. Armeekorps during the invasion of the Soviet Union. On 16 January 1942, he assumed command of the 18th Army, which fought on the northern sector of the Eastern Front, particularly in the operations surrounding the siege of Leningrad. Promoted to Generaloberst in July 1942, he later received the Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross in August 1943. In March 1944, he took command of Army Group North. In the final phase of the war, he was appointed commander of German forces in Denmark. He died in 1963.

This certificate dates from Lindemann’s tenure as commander of the 18th Army, providing a direct historical connection to his command during the fighting on the Eastern Front.

Condition: Noticeable folds, creasing and age-related wear

An historically interesting original award certificate combining a named recipient, a specialist military construction unit and the handwritten signature of a senior German army commander.