Walter Hagen – Sturzkampfgeschwader 1 (Eichenlaub) (Wartime Signed)

Original Postcard with Wartime Signature of Walter Hagen. Generalmajor Walter Hagen (16.03.1897 † 24.11.1963) earned the Ritterkreuz on July 21, 1940 as Major und Kommandeur of the III. Gruppe/ Sturzkampfgeschwader 1 and the Eichenlaub on February 17, 1942 as Oberstleutnant und Kommodore of the Sturzkampfgeschwader 1. Good condition. Postcardsize.

Ritterkreuz: “Major Hagen, who previously flew as a leader of Jagdstaffeln during the Polish campaign, has now achieved decisive results with his Stukagruppe in the West. Gruppe Hagen was successful in missions against French airfields, attacks in support of friendly forces advancing towards Sedan and over the Meuse as well as in airstrikes against enemy tanks. He and his Gruppe continued to support friendly troops in their advance to the coast, where the unit would go on to attack the Boulogne roadstead as well as the citadel and forts at Calais. The Gruppe later destroyed the Loire bridges at Cosne as well as important railway facilities and an ammunition train at Beaune.”

Eichenlaub: “Awarded for the success of his Geschwader on all fronts, including the Balkans, the Mediterranean and the East. Up until the 10.11.1940 the unit had sunk 210000 GRT of shipping and heavily damaged another 306500 GRT. Also destroyed were 1 monitor, 4 destroyers and 3 lightships. Also damaged were 6 cruisers, 1 anti-aircraft cruiser and 10 destroyers.”