Wilhelm Bleckwenn – Grenadier-Regiment 487 (267.Inf.Div.) (Eichenlaub)

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Wilhelm Bleckwenn. Generalmajor Wilhelm Bleckwenn (21.10.1906 † 10.05.1989) earned the Ritterkreuz on April 6, 1944 as Oberst und Kommandeur of the Grenadier-Regiment 487  and the Eichenlaub on October 18, 1944 as Oberst und Kommandeur of the Grenadier-Regiment 487 of the 267. Infanterie-Division. Good condition.

Following Heeresgruppe Mitte’s collapse during Operation Bagration, Oberst Bleckwenn and a small Kampfgruppe under his command managed to break through to East Prussia after a period of 44 days of fighting through Belorussian forests. In the process he and his men overcame the torrential currents of the Memel river on the night of the 04./05.08.1944 while crossing it at a point south of Druschkiniki. He was subsequently awarded the Oakleaves for this noteworthy accomplishment.

Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.