Heinrich Lau – Kampfgeschwader 1 “Hindenburg” – Wartime Signed

Original wartime signature on a wartime photograph of Heinrich Lau. Major Heinrich Lau (15.09.1911, Nieder-Erlenbach/Hessen † 14.09.1956, Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 10 May 1943 as Major and Kommodore of Kampfgeschwader 1 “Hindenburg”. Lau served as a highly accomplished Luftwaffe bomber commander and distinguished himself through sustained combat service across multiple theaters of war. As a bomber pilot and later Geschwaderkommodore, he flew more than 200 combat sorties on all fronts, demonstrating exceptional leadership and operational skill in difficult combat conditions. During the summer of 1941, he achieved notable success on the Eastern Front, including the sinking of a Soviet destroyer and the destruction of several trains during attacks on the strategically vital Murmansk railway line. His combat achievements and command performance earned him the Knight’s Cross in recognition of his significant contributions to Luftwaffe bomber operations.

His known awards included the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse, Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse, the Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Gold (28 September 1941), the Luftwaffe Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg (20 October 1941), the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (25 February 1942), and the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.

A highly desirable original autograph of Knight’s Cross holder Major Heinrich Lau, signed in period on an attractive wartime portrait photograph.

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.