Helmuth Reymann was an officer in the German Army (Wehrmacht Heer) during World War II. Reymann was one of the last commanders of the Berlin Defense Area during the final assault by Soviet forces on the city of Berlin. From 1942 to 1943, Lieutenant-General Reymann commanded the 212th Infantry Division in northern Russia. His division was part of Army Group North. In 1944, Reymann was transferred within Army Group North to command the 13th Air Force Field Division fighting in northern Russia. Reymann's 13th Air Force Field Division suffered heavy losses in the retreat from Leningrad. The division was disbanded in April 1944. In October 1944, Reymann's division was encircled in Latvia with a large number of German units in what was to be known as the Courland Pocket. Reyman was replaced by Lieutenant-General (Generalleutnant) Gerhard Feyerabend and Reymann returned to Germany. Then Reymann was ordered to lead the defense of Dresden. The 53-year-old Dresden resident cursed at his phone, "Tell [Hitler] there's nothing [in Dresden] to defend except rubble!" An hour later, Burgdorf called again, "The Führer has appointed you military commander of Berlin instead." Thus Reymann became the third person to be appointed command of the Berlin Defense Area. When he entered Berlin, he found that he had inherited nothing from his predecessor Lieutenant General Bruno Ritter von Hauenschild. No plans were drawn to evacuate the children and the elderly, and no food had been stored in case of an enemy siege. The blunt Reymann set to work regardless, doing all he could to prepare the city for the imminent attack that the top Nazi leaders refused to acknowledge. Reymann was also notably an opponent of the destruction of the bridges leading into Berlin before the Russian invasion; he believed that if the bridges were destroyed, which would deprive the city of its electricity, water, and fuel, Berlin would starve and cease to exist as an influential city in Europe....more

Erich Reuter was a highly decorated Generalmajor in the Wehrmacht during World War II. Awards include the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (8 June 1940), 1st Class (6 July 1940), Wound Badge in Black, Infantry Assault Badge, Eastern Front Medal (1942), Crimea Shield (1943), Honour Roll Clasp of the Army (29 September 1941), German Cross in Gold (12 March 1942), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 17 August 1942 as Oberstleutnant and commander of Infanterie-Regiment 122, the 710th Oak Leaves on 21 January 1945 as Generalmajor and commander of 46. Infanterie-Division. ...more

Fritz-Rudolf Schultz was a German politician and member of the FDP. Schultz fought in World War II as a member of the Panzertruppe. During the Battle of Kursk, he knocked out 10 Soviet tanks, including one by ramming. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves which he received from Heinrich Himmler personally in Trossingen. He became a member of the German Bundestag and elected Ombudsman for the Military (Wehrbeauftragter) on 11 March 1970....more

Wolfram Stronk was a member of the Fallschirm-Panzerkorps Hermann Göring, he participated in the fighting in France, Africa (Tunis), Italy, Russia, and Poland. His right leg was lost during the fighting around Warschau. Hauptman Stronk led a counterattack that delayed the Soviet capture of Warschau and prevented numerous German units from entering into captivity. ...more

Gefreiter Emil Barner's Knight's Cross was awarded near Caen in France in 1942....more

Gerhart Schrimer was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant in the Fallschirmjäger during World War II and an Oberst in the Bundeswehr. He fought on all fronts through out the war - and though briefly arrested after the Hitler Assasination attempt, was released. Gerhart surrendered his unit to British troops in 1945 and then was handed over to Soviet troops. He was held until 1956; later that year he joined the Bundeswehr and served until retirement in 1971. Awards - Fallschirmschützenabzeichen, Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (28 May 1940), 1st Class (28 May 1940), Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (5 July 1940), German Cross in Gold on 25 June 1943 as Hauptmann in the III./Jäger-Regiment "Hermann Göring", Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 14 June 1941 as Hauptmann and leader of the II./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2, the 657th Oak Leaves on 11 November 1944 as Oberstleutnant and commander of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 16 and the Armelband Crete. ...more

Oberleunant Albert Burger was awarded the Knights Cross a few weeks before the wars end as his Flak unit was being used as ground artillery....more

Siegfried Jamrowski was a Major in the Fallschirmjäger during World War II. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his actions in the Battle of Monte Cassino, where vastly outnumbered, he fought back repeated British, New Zealand and Gurkha attacks. Jamrowski was captured by British troops in May 1945 and was held until 1946. Awards - German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship, Parachutist Badge (LW) (25 July 1940), Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (31 October 1941), 1st Class (25 December 1942), Wound Badge (1939) in Black (22 April 1944), Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe (1 October 1942), German Cross in Gold on 29 March 1944 as Oberleutnant in the 6./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 June 1944 as Oberleutnant and chief of the 6/Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3. ...more

Hans Dally was a highly decorated Hauptmann in the Luftwaffe during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Luffwaffe ALPAKA Salvor of Honor Goblet as well as recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Hans Dally was captured British troops in May 1945 and was released in December of that year. Awards include the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (30 May 1940), 1st Class (2 February 1943), Wound Badge (1939) in Black (19 June 1940), Eastern Front Medal (27 August 1942), Anti-Aircraft Flak Battle Badge (15 June 1942), Luffwaffe ALPAKA Salvor of Honor (1943), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 11 June 1944 as Hauptmann and deputy commander of gemischte (joint) Flak-Abteilung 5 (L) (mot.)....more

Hans Sandrock was an officer of the German Army during World War II, and in 1941 was sent to North Africa as part of the Afrika Korps. He fought in the push into Egypt and the efforts to capture Tobruk. In the summer of 1941, his 5th Panzer was reformed within the 21st Panzer Divisiontaking part in the capture of Benghazi, fought in the Battle of Gazala, saw action in the Fall of Tobruk and the push to El Alamein. During his service in North Africa, Sandrock was awarded the Iron Cross First Class in April 1941, the Italian Bravery Medal in February 1942 and the German Cross in Gold on 1 June 1942. He was promoted to the rank of Hauptmann (Captain) on 1 April 1942. Later that year, the 21st Panzer Division experienced heavy losses in fighting around El Alamein in November. Sandrock was severely wounded and was returned to Germany for hospital treatment and recuperation. In 1943, Sandrock, fully recovered, was posted to another elite unit, Fallschirm-Panzerregiment Hermann Göring, and served with the III Sturmgeschütz Detachment during the withdrawal through Sicily and the evacuation to the Italian mainland over the Strait of Messina. The Hermann Göring Panzer Regiment fought in all the major battles in Italy. In May 1944, it was sent to Livorno in the north of Italy and temporarily held in reserve. Sandrock was awarded the Panzer Assault Badge for 25 engagements on December 1943 and the following grade for 50 engagements in June 1944. Around this time his Division was successful in its participation in the destruction of the Soviet III Tank Corps near Warsaw. On 18 October 1944, Sandrock was promoted to Major. During the retreat from East Prussia, Sandrock's personal score of enemy tanks and armoured vehicles destroyed reached 123. For this achievement, he was decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 21 October 1944. His decoration and with it the Luftwaffe Honor plate, were presented by General der Artillerie Weidling, commander of XXXXI Panzer Korps. Wounded in action during April 1945, Sandrock was hospitalised and on his recovery joined the his regiment's reserve detachment in Oranienburg. Although the bulk of the Hermann Göring units were cut off and captured by Soviet forces, Sandrock made his way west, surrendering to United States forces. On 18 May 1945, he escaped from captivity and succeeded in reaching his family home near Bonn. ...more

Hugo Paul was a highly decorated Major in the Fallschirmjager during World War II. He headed his own independent Recon unit throughout the war. His awards include the Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th Class (20 July 1936), Fallschirmschützenabzeichen (14 January 1941), Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (12 June 1941), 1st Class (24 June 1941), Wound Badge (1939) in Black (18 March 1942), Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe (18 March 1943), Ärmelband Kreta (20 May 1943), Ärmelband Afrika (30 July 1943), and the Close Combat Clasp in Bronze. Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 18 November 1944 as Hauptmann and leader of Fallschirmjäger-Bataillon Paul[ ...more

Obergefreiter Ernest Pirhoffer fought on all fronts including the Battle of the Bulge. He was captured at the end of the war by the Russians....more

Hermann Eggers was a highly decorated Hauptmann in the Luftwaffe during World War II, who ended the war commanding a Grenadier unit. His awards include the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class, 1st Class, Wound Badge (1939) in Black or Silver, Anti-Aircraft Flak Battle Badge, Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe, Eastern Front Medal, German Cross in Gold (19 January 1942), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 21 August 1942 as Hauptmann and chief of the 3./Flak-Regiment 64. ...more

Lieutenant-General Günther Rall was the third most successful fighter ace in history. He achieved a total of 275 victories during World War II: 272 on the Eastern Front, of which 241 were against Soviet fighters. He flew a total of 621 combat missions, was shot down eight times and was wounded three times. He fought in the invasion of France, the Battle of Britain, in the Balkan Campaign and over Crete. He began the conflict as a young Second Lieutenant, and was a Major and Geschwaderkommodore of JG 300 at the surrender. He claimed all of his victories in the Messerschmitt Bf 109. In October 1943, Rall had his best month, downing 40 aircraft. He later rejoined the Luftwaffe in 1953. Awards include the Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (17 November 1941), Combined Pilots-Observation Badge, Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (23 May 1940), 1st Class (July 1940), Wound Badge (1939) in Gold, German Cross in Gold on 15 December 1941 as Oberleutnant in the 8./JG 52, "Crete" Cuffband, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords Knight's Cross on 3 September 1942 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 8./JG 52, the 134th Oak Leaves on 26 October 1942 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 8./JG 52, the 34th Swords on 12 September 1943 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur in the III./JG 52 and the Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for fighter pilots in Gold with penant "600". Mentioned twice in the Wehrmachtbericht "Honorary Fellow" Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) Grosss Bundesverdienstkreuz. mit Stern (1973) ...more

Oberfahnrich Wolfgang Hartelt - Fallschirmjager Panzer Regt "Herman Goering fought mostrly on the Eastern Front, ultimately commanding a King Tiger unit. His Knights Cross citation reads: “Berlin.The Führer awarded the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross to Oberfähnrich Wolfgang Hartelt, Zugführer in a Fallschirmjäger Panzerregiment. After his Kompanie leader has been wounded, Oberfähnrich Hartelt took the leadership of the Kompanie of the 5 Panther tanks as a big rearguard of the Division. The rearguard was attacked by 25 T34 enemy tanks and Oberfähnrich Wolfgang Hartelt attacked, basing on his own decision, the fivefold outmatched enemy. He blasted away all attacking enemy tanks. For this reason he boost the number of killed enemy tanks under his leadership up to 59 tanks. From this 59 tanks he personally killed 17. He protected his Division from attacks of the enemy and so the Division was able to take a new line of defense.”...more

Oberleutnant Cord Tietjen was a decorated Fallschirmjager who fought as a Pioneer in Norway. Crete, and North Africa. After the defeat of the Afrika Korps, he fought in Italy and France....more

Hauptmann Werner Grodde fought mostly on the Eastern Front and was awarded the German Cross as well as the Knights Cross....more

Major Johann Briegel was part of Fallschirmjager PanzerGrenadier Regt II "Herman Goering" and fought in North Africa. After the regiment's destruction in Tunisia, ihe fought in Holland, France, Italy and Russia....more

Erich Beine was a highly decorated Major in the Fallschirmjäger during World War II. He fought in Italy and was wounded multiple times. His awards include Sudetenland Medal (28 November 1939), Parachutist Badge (3 October 1940), Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (28 June 1940), 1st Class (25 February 1942), Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe (26 September 1944), Wound Badge (1939) in Black (24 March 1940), in Silver (24 November 1944), in Gold (19 April 1945), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 September 1944 as Hauptmann and leader of I./Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 12. ...more

Walter Gericke was a German Fallschirmjäger during World War II and Generalmajor of the West German Bundeswehr. Gericke participated in the Battle of the Netherlands and the Battle of Crete as a Battalion commander of the Fallschirmjäger. He later commanded the Fallschirjäger-Regiment 11 and fought in the defensive battles at Anzio. He joined the newly formed Bundeswehr after the rearmament of West Germany and as a Generalmajor led the 1. Luftlande-Division from 1962 to 1965. Awards - Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (10 April 40), 1st Class (12 May 1940), Cuffband "Crete", German Cross in Gold on 12 December 1943 as Major in the II./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 14 June 1941 as Hauptmann and commander of the IV./Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment, the 585th Oak Leaves on 17 September 1944 as Major and commander of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 11 and mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 10 June 1944. ...more

Fahnenjunker (OFW) Wilhelm "Willi" Dipburger was an Air Observer on Knights Cross, Oak Leaves and Swords recepient Oberst Hermann Hogeback's JU-88 bomber. He flew over 500 missions in every theater. Two signed photos in very good condition....more

Oberstleutnant Hermann Hogeback was a German Luftwaffe bomber pilot and flew more than 100 operational sorties during the Spanish Civil War and 500 during World War II. During World War II he fought in the Invasion of Poland, Battle of France, Operation Weserübung, the German invasion of Norway, Battle of Britain, Battle of Crete, siege of Malta, Mediterranean theatre of operations, over the Eastern Front and in Defense of the Reich. By the end of hostilities, Hogeback's bomber crew held the unique distinction that every member—radio operator, combat observer and air gunner—was decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Hogeback and III./LG 1 was relocated to Sicily for operations in the siege of Malta and on 20 January 1941 he was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the 8./LG 1. On one of his first missions in the Mediterranean theatre he was credited with the sinking of a 10,000 gross register tons (GRT) freighter.His Ju 88 came under attack from 12 British fighters during an aerial reconnaissance flight over the Mediterranean Sea in July 1941. The British fighters broke off the attack following aerial combat, during the course of which Hogeback's radio operator Feldwebel (Sergeant) Willy Lehnert managed to shoot down two of the attackers. Following the German capitulation in May 1945, Hogeback was taken prisoner of war by United States Army forces. He was held captive in London, England, and at Sainte-Mère-Église, France, before being released in September 1945....more

Major Friedrich Lang was a German World War II Luftwaffe Stuka ace. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. The Knight's Cross of the Ironross. Friedrich Lang flew 1008 combat missions, from the first until the very last day of World War II. During all these missions he was never shot down, never crash landed his aircraft and never had to bail out. Friedrich Lang rejoined the military service of the emerging Bundeswehr on 1 January 1956. From 1960 until 1963 he commanded the military school of the Luftwaffe. Awards include: Verwundetenabzeichen in Black, Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "1.000", Combined Pilots-Observation Badge, Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (30 March 1942), "Kreta" Cuffband, German Cross in Gold on 24 April 1942 as Oberleutnant in the 1./StG 2[5] Iron Cross (1939) 2nd class (October 1939), 1st class (May 1940), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords Knight's Cross on 23 November 1941 as Oberleutnant and pilot in the 1./StG 2 "Immelmann", the 148th Oak Leaves on 21 November 1942 as Hauptmann and Staffelkapitän of the 1./StG 2 "Immelmann", and the 74th Swords on 2 July 1944 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the III./SG 1....more

Oberleutnant Ernst-Wilhelm "Willi" Raprager was a Luftwaffe pilot who flew 250 missions in North Africa as part of the Afrika Korps. His Knights Cross was awarded for actions in Tunsia as part of KG-Barenthin....more

Maximillian Adolph Otto Siegfried "Max" Schmeling was a German boxer who was heavyweight champion of the world between 1930 and 1932. His two fights with Joe Louis in 1936 and 1938 were worldwide cultural events because of their national associations. When Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party took over control in Germany, Schmeling came to be viewed as a 'Nazi puppet.' In 1936, Schmeling knocked out American rising star Joe Louis but in a rematch Louis knocked him out in one round. During World War II, Schmeling served with the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) as an elite paratrooper (Fallschirmjäger) during the Battle for Crete. After the war, Schmeling mounted a comeback, but retired permanently in 1948. After retiring, Schmeling worked for The Coca-Cola Company. Schmeling became friends with Louis, and their friendship lasted until the latter's death in 1981. Schmeling died in 2005 aged 99, a sporting icon in his native Germany. Long after the Second World War, it was revealed that Schmeling had risked his own life to save the lives of two Jewish children in 1938. In 2003, Schmeling was ranked 55 on The Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. This lot has a total of three signed photographs - as a boxer, soldier and business man. ...more