Wend von Wietersheim – Panzergrenadier-Regiment 113 & 11. Panzer-Division (Schwertern)

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Wend von Wietersheim. Generalleutnant Wend von Wietersheim (18 April 1900 † 19 September 1975) was a highly decorated Panzer officer of the Wehrmacht who rose to the rank of Generalleutnant and commanded the famed 11. Panzer-Division. He was one of the relatively few recipients of the Knight’s Cross with Oakleaves and Swords, awarded for his distinguished leadership on both the Eastern and Western Fronts.

Awards & Decorations

• Deutsches Kreuz in Gold – 24 December 1941 as Oberstleutnant und Kommandeur, Kradschützen-Bataillon 1 / 1. Panzer-Division

• Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (854th Award) – 10 February 1942 as Oberstleutnant und Kommandeur, Schützen-Regiment 113 / 1. Panzer-Division
  Awarded for his decisive counterattack west of Kalinin (19–20 October 1941), sealing off a Soviet breakthrough and safeguarding the vital Volga railway bridge.

• Eichenlaub (176th Award) – 12 January 1943 as Oberst und Kommandeur, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 113 / 1. Panzer-Division
  Recognized for his successful counterattack in the Toropez area, late November 1942, which threw back vastly superior Soviet forces.

• Schwerter (58th Award) – 26 March 1944 as Generalmajor und Kommandeur, 11. Panzer-Division
  Awarded for his outstanding leadership of the 11. Panzer-Division during the southern sector battles of late 1943 and early 1944.

Mentions in the Wehrmachtbericht

• 24 December 1943 – For the achievements of the 11. Panzer-Division southeast of Kirovograd.

• 4 September 1944 – For the Division’s distinguished actions covering the retreat through the Rhône Valley.

• 24 December 1944 – For its role in the Battle of Lorraine and in the fighting around the Western Wall at the Saar.

Career Notes

• Early war service with the 1. Panzer-Division, rising from battalion to regimental command.

• Distinguished himself in France (1940), the Soviet campaign (1941–43), and later in the battles across Ukraine and southern Russia.

• Assumed command of the 11. Panzer-Division, which became known as the “Gespenster-Division” (Ghost Division) during its fast-moving operations on the Western Front in 1944.

• His leadership in both defensive withdrawals and counteroffensive actions earned him repeated high-level recognition.

Item Details

• Authentic postwar signature of Generalleutnant Wend von Wietersheim.

• Signed on a postwar photo.

• Condition: Excellent.

Collector’s Note:
A superb piece linked to one of the best-known Panzer commanders of the 11. Panzer-Division, decorated with the Knight’s Cross, Oakleaves, and Swords. His career and repeated mentions in the Wehrmachtbericht underline his status as a highly regarded leader in the Panzer arm.