Original Postwar Signature of Paul Egger. SS-Obersturmführer Paul Egger (26.11.1916-12.07.2007), earned the German Cross in Gold on December 30, 1944 and the Knight’s Cross on April 28, 1945 with 1./ schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 502. In 1941, he joined the Waffen-SS and became a tank commander in SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 “Das Reich” before transferring to the schwere Panzer-Abteilung 102, with which he took part in the Battle of Normandy. After its destruction, the unit was renamed to schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 502 and transferred to the Eastern Front, fighting around Stettin. Paul Egger recorded 113 tank kills. Photograph measures 13×8,5cm.
Knight’s Cross awarded for: “On the 14.07.1944 the English took the heavily contested Hill 112 following hours of artillery drumfire and the liberal use of artificial smokescreens. In response SS-Oberscharführer Egger, Zugführer in the 1./s.SS-Panzer-Abteilung 102, immediately initiated a counterthrust through the thick smoke on his own initiative with 4 Panzer VI’s. Despite the thick smoke Egger skillfully led his Zug into the flank of the enemy, and in the combat which followed a total of 14 enemy tanks and 7 heavy anti-tank guns were destroyed. A pursuit thrust after this gave friendly infantry the opportunity to once again attain the old frontline. Through these independently conducted actions SS-Oberscharführer Egger had a decisive share in the immediate recapture of the tactically vital Hill 112. During this action SS-Oberscharführer Egger and his crew personally destroyed 7 enemy tanks, and in doing so raised Egger’s total of tanks destroyed to 68.”
