Kurt Fricke – Seekriegsleitung Oberkommando der Marine – Wartime Signed

Original wartime signature on a wartime photograph of Kurt Fricke. Admiral Kurt Fricke (08.11.1889, Berlin/Prussia † 02.05.1945, Berlin/Prussia) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 1 October 1942 as Admiral and Chef des Stabes der Seekriegsleitung at the Oberkommando der Marine (OKM). A career naval officer, Fricke joined the Imperial German Navy prior to the First World War and remained in service through the Reichsmarine and later Kriegsmarine. During the Second World War, he held several important staff and command appointments, culminating in his role as Chief of Staff of the Naval War Command (Seekriegsleitung), where he played a significant role in strategic naval planning and operational command during the height of Germany’s maritime war. He received the Knight’s Cross in recognition of his leadership and command achievements within the Oberkommando der Marine. Fricke remained in Berlin during the final days of the Third Reich and died there on 2 May 1945, during the collapse of Nazi Germany.

His known awards included the Finnish Order of the Cross of Liberty, 1st Class with Star and Swords (Vapaudenristin 1. luokka rintatähtineen mit Schwertern), awarded on 25 March 1942, as well as the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.

A highly desirable original autograph of Knight’s Cross holder Admiral Kurt Fricke, signed in period on an attractive wartime portrait photograph. Comes with the enveloppe!

Provenance: From the estate of former HJ member Reinhold Brennfleck (1928–2022) from Lauda, Baden, who wrote to numerous Ritterkreuzträger in 1943–1944 requesting signatures and signed photographs, forming an exceptional wartime autograph collection.