Waldemar von Gaza – Panzergrenadier-Regiment 66 (Schwertern) (A5-Size!)

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Waldemar von Gaza

Major Waldemar von Gaza (6 December 1917 – 13 January 2014) was a highly decorated officer of the 13. Panzer-Division, rising to command-level positions in armored infantry units on the Eastern Front. Over the course of the war, he received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes with Eichenlaub and Schwertern, placing him among the most distinguished recipients of Germany’s highest battlefield awards.

Awards and Decorations

• Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes – 18 September 1942, as Oberleutnant und Chef 2./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 666, 13. Panzer-Division

• Eichenlaub (Nr. 158) – 18 January 1943, as Hauptmann und Führer of a Kampfgruppe, 13. Panzer-Division

• Schwerter (Nr. 324) – 3 October 1943, as Major und Führer of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 66, 13. Panzer-Division

• Other awards included both classes of the Iron Cross and campaign distinctions

Service Highlights

• Fought throughout the Eastern Front campaigns, earning distinction in combined-arms actions with armored infantry.

• His leadership of Kampfgruppen during some of the most intense battles of 1942–43 earned him rapid recognition.

• By 1943, he had risen to regimental command level, where he was awarded the Swords to the Knight’s Cross for continued outstanding leadership in combat.

Item Details

• Type: Original postwar signed photograph

• Size: A5-size

• Condition: Good, as seen

Collector’s Note

Waldemar von Gaza’s decorations—Ritterkreuz, Eichenlaub, and Schwerter—mark him as one of the relatively few officers to attain this level of distinction. His signature is sought-after by collectors of panzer and Eastern Front memorabilia, with his long postwar life making his autograph available but still scarce in comparison to other triple recipients.