Echoes of Glory International Military Auction House Auction Catalog - German WWII Knight's Cross Recipient Auction Online Auctions

German WWII Knight's Cross Recipient Auction

Lot #0 (Sale Order 1 of 226)

A collection of German WWII Nazi Knight's Cross Recipient Collectables sold on our online timed auction. 100s of signatures and photos as well as a Knight's Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster and WWI-II Iron Cross and other awards. This auction will feature 225 lots and we will be loading images and full descriptions all month, check back often! Remember the auction is "as is/where is" with no returns allowed - please check out the multiple photos and description before bidding. Lots of good items, bid early, bid often, bid high and good luck!

Imperial Germany WWI Iron Cross 2nd Class

Lot #1 (Sale Order 2 of 226)

An original Imperial German Military WWI Iron Cross 2nd Class in very good condition.

Imperial Germany WWI Iron Cross 2nd Class

Lot #2 (Sale Order 3 of 226)

An original Imperial German Military WWI Iron Cross 2nd Class in very good condition.

Imperial Germany WWI Iron Cross 2nd Class

Lot #3 (Sale Order 4 of 226)

An original Imperial German Military WWI Iron Cross 2nd Class in very good condition.

Imperial Germany WWI Iron Cross 2nd Class

Lot #4 (Sale Order 5 of 226)

An original Imperial German Military WWI Iron Cross 2nd Class in very good condition.

Nazi Germany WWII Iron Cross 2nd Class

Lot #5 (Sale Order 6 of 226)

An original Nazi German Military WWI Iron Cross 2nd Class in very good condition.

Nazi German WWII Knight's Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster Award

Lot #6 (Sale Order 7 of 226)

A very rare and collectible Nazi German WWII era Knight's Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster Award that came from a 50-year old collection. Oak Leaves hallmarked "800", and both the cross and the leaves are heavily tarnished. Some paintl oss to the iron of the cross and some oxidation and rust. Ribbon is nice, though there are a few light stains. The KC with Oak Leaves are often reproduced, so we've had multiple experts review this cross. All like the ribbon and the leaves, all but one liked the cross. The one that didn't like the cross said the seams looked a bit un-even...but that it could be last war. Consensus is that it's a good piece.

Imperial German Franco-Prussian War Medal

Lot #7 (Sale Order 8 of 226)

A scarce Imperial German Franco-Prussian War Medal in very good condition with ribbon.

Italian-German WWII African Campaign Medal

Lot #8 (Sale Order 9 of 226)

An original Italian-German WWII African Campaign Medal in very good condition with a slightly stained ribbon.

Nazi Germany WWII Four Year Long Service Medal

Lot #9 (Sale Order 10 of 226)

An original Nazi Germany WWII Four Year Long Service Medal in a parade mount with attachment. Slight soiling - nicely maker marked on the back of the ribbon.

Osprey "Knight's Cross and Oak-Leaves Recipients 1941-45" by Gordon Williamson

Lot #10 (Sale Order 11 of 226)

Osprey "Knight's Cross and Oak-Leaves Recipients 1941-45" by Gordon Williamson in very good condition.

Osprey "Knight's Cross, Oak-Leaves and Swords Recipients 1941-45" by Gordon Williamson

Lot #11 (Sale Order 12 of 226)

Osprey "Knight's Cross, Oak-Leaves and Swords Recipients 1941-45" by Gordon Williamson in very good condition.

Nazi German WWII Panzer Hat Skull & Button

Lot #12 (Sale Order 13 of 226)

A Nazi German WWII era Panzer Hat Skull and a uniform button in very good condition.

German Nazi WWII Army Presentation Plate

Lot #13 (Sale Order 14 of 226)

A rare and collectable silver-plated German Nazi WWII Army Presentation Plate given to "Lt Novak" of the 109th Artillery Regiment for service in Poland and France armed with 88s. Later they served with Army Group Center in Russia. Plate measures 9" across.

Major Michael Possinger - Gebirgsjäger

Lot #14 (Sale Order 15 of 226)

Michael Pössinger was a German highly decorated Gebirgsjäger and one of only 98 soldiers to have been awarded both the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and Close Combat Clasp in Gold. He was also awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He is highly praised for his role in saving a Jewish family from deportation in Hungary, against the direct orders of a noncommissioned SS Officer. Pössinger also a Gold and Silver Medalists in Bob-Sled the 1950s Winter Olympics. He fought in the Invasion of Poland, Battle of France, Balkans Campaign and Operation Barbarossa. Awards include Wound Badge in Gold, Infantry Assault Badge in Silver, Five Tank Destruction Badges for Individual Combatants, Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class, 1st Class, German Cross in Gold as Oberleutnant in the 6./Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, Close Combat Clasp in Gold, 1945 for 50 days in close combat, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross as Leutnant of the Reserves and company commander in the 16./Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98, 759th Oak Leaves on 28 February 1945 as Major and commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 1123 and Romanian Order of the Crown, Cross of Merit on ribbon.

Oberleutnant der Reserve Arthur Buessecke - Geschutzfuhrer - 20 Tank Kills

Lot #15 (Sale Order 16 of 226)

Arthur Büssecke was an Oberleutnant der Reserve in the Luftwaffe during World War II and destroyed 20 Soviet Tanks and 11 Artillery pices at Stalingrad. He fought in the Battle of the Netherlands, Battle of Belgium, Battle of France, Battle of Voronezh and the Battle of Stalingrad. Büssecke was captured by Russian troops, but escaped only to be captured by American troops. He was released in June 1945. Awards include Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class, 1st Class, Wound Badge (1939) in Black and Silver, Anti-Aircraft Flak Battle Badge, Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe, and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 23 December 1942 as Unteroffizier and Geschützführer (gun leader) in the 2. / Flak-Regiment 49 (motorisiert). Two photos - one price.

Major Josef Brandner - Panzers

Lot #16 (Sale Order 17 of 226)

Josef Wilhelm Brandner was a highly decorated panzer ace in the Wehrmacht during World War II who was one of only 882 recipients who were awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. He took part in the Annexation of the Sudetenland, fought in the Battle of France, Operation Barbarossa, Battle of Kursk Battle of Kiev, Cherkassy Pocket and the Courland Pocket. Awards include the Sudetenland Medal with Prague Castle Bar, Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class, 1st Class, Eastern Front Medal, Wound Badge (1939) in Black, in Silver, Infantry Assault Badge in Silver, German Cross in Gold, Honour Roll Clasp of the Army, General Assault Badge (100), Armband Courland, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves as Hauptmann in Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 912, 846th Oak Leaves on 26 April 1945 as Major in Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 912, and Close Combat Clasp in Bronze

Lieutenant Josef Jakwert - Wehrmacht

Lot #17 (Sale Order 18 of 226)

Josef Jakwert was a German officer who served in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves to recognise extreme battlefield bravery while a platoon leader in the Divisions-Panzer-Jäger-Kompanie 361 and awarded Oak Leaves in February 1945 as Lieutenant and platoon leader in the 2./Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 1562. Other awards include the Iron Cross 2nd Class, 1st Class, Wound Badge in Black, in Silver, Panzer Badge in Silver, Eastern Front Medal, as well as the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.

GeneralMajor Hanns Laengenfelder - Wehrmacht

Lot #18 (Sale Order 19 of 226)

Hanns Laengenfelder was a highly decorated Generalmajor in the Wehrmacht during World War II and was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak. He was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery and successful military leadership. Hanns Laengenfelder was captured by Soviet troops in May 1945 and was held until 1955. His World War II battles include the Invasion of Poland, Battle of France, Operation Barbarossa, Second Battle of Kharkov, Lower Dnieper Offensive, Uman–Botosani Offensive, Jassy–Kishinev Offensive, and the Battle of Debrecen

Major Martin Steglich - Wehrmacht

Lot #19 (Sale Order 20 of 226)

Martin Steglich was an Oberstleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II, an Oberst in the Bundeswehr, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. Martin Steglich was captured by American troops in April 1945 and was released in August. Besides the Knight's Cross, he was the recipent Iron Cross, 2nd Class, 1st Class, Wound Badge in Black, in Silver, Close Combat Clasp in Bronze, Infantry Assault Badge, Eastern Front Medal, Demyansk Shield, Honour Roll Clasp of the Army, and the German Cross in Gold. See second image for more details.

GeneralMajor Julius Ringel- Gebirgsjager

Lot #20 (Sale Order 21 of 226)

Julius Alfred "Papa" Ringel was an Austrian-born German General of Mountain Troops (General der Gebirgstruppen). He commanded the 3. Gebirgs-Division, 5. Gebirgs-Division, LXIX Armeekorps, Wehrkreis XI and the Korps Ringel. In 1940. he was promoted to Major General as a commander of the newly established 5. Gebirgs-Division. The division saw its first action in the spring of 1941 in the Balkans Campaign, operations code name Marita and Merkur. Following the operations in Greece, the division distinguished itself on Crete, where it took part in the battles to secure the island from the British. For his outstanding leadership during these operations Ringel was awarded the prestigious Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 13 June 1941. In November 1941, Ringel’s division was posted back to Germany for rest and refitting. However, only four months later it was sent back to action on the Eastern Front. Ringel commanded the 3. Gebirgs-Division through the operations southwest of Leningrad, where it played a major role in the defeat of the Volkhov Front; an achievement for which Julius Ringel was promoted to Lieutenant General and in October 1943 also received the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. After nearly two years in Russia, Ringel was ordered to move his Division to Italy and in December 1943 it arrived on the Gustav Line near the town of Cassino. He stayed in Italy for another four months, before he received a new assignment and became a commander of the LXIX Armeekorps in Croatia. In June, Ringel was once again promoted, this time to full General of the mountain troops and put in charge of the Military District Salzburg (Wehrkreis XVIII (Salzburg)) from which the Korps Ringel were formed. He held this appointment until the war's end.

Oberleutnant Otto Carius - Panzers

Lot #21 (Sale Order 22 of 226)

Otto Carius is a former German tank ace within the German Army who fought during World War II and is credited with destroying more than 150 tanks. Carius had been drafted twice, but sent was home as "Not fit for service at present underweight!". But in May 1940, Carius was finally drafted into the 104th Infantry Replacement Battalion. Following training, he volunteered for the Panzer Corps. Carius learned the fundamentals of tank warfare at Putlos in Holstein as a member of the 7th Panzer Replacement Battalion. His unit was integrated into the newly formed 21st Panzer Regiment and in June 1941 was sent to East Prussia. He experienced his first battle as a loader in a Panzer 38(t) during Operation Barbarossa in late June 1941. It was during this operation that Carius suffered wounds from a round that struck his tank. In 1943, Carius transferred to the Schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502 (502 heavy tank battalion). This unit fought at the Leningrad front and then in the area of Narva, Estonia (Battle of Narva). Carius was severely wounded on 24 July 1944 while reconnoitering a village on a motorcycle ahead of his tanks. Until that day, he was unofficially running the 2nd company of 502nd; however, he officially became the commander of 2nd company on the same day he was shot through the leg, arm, 4 bullets in the back and one through the neck. He subsequently became the commander of a Jagdtiger company of the 512th Heavy Antitank Battalion in the West at the beginning of 1945. On 8 March 1945, without finishing its training, 2nd company was directed to the front line near Siegburg. It then took part in the defense of the River Rhine and eventually surrendered to the US Army on 15 April 1945. Carius's final tally was 150+ tanks, plus a similar number of antitank guns - the majority on the Eastern Front.

Oberfeldwebel Albert Kerscher - Panzers

Lot #22 (Sale Order 23 of 226)

Albert Kerscher was a highly decorated Oberfeldwebel in the Wehrmacht during World War II. A panzer ace from schwere Panzer Abteilung 502, he achieved his 100th kill in defending the Neuhauser Forest near Pillau, East Prussia in April 1945. On 22nd July 1944, 1st Lieutenant Otto Carius (see previous lot), with his company of eight Tigers advanced towards the village on Malinava in order to halt the Russian advance. Carius and Kerscher took a Kubelwagen in order to check if the village was already in Russian hands. They discovered that Malinava had already been taken by the enemy. Carius recognised that the Russian tanks in the village were only advance troops waiting for the main force to arrive. He decided to recapture the village before the arrival of more Russian tanks. Carius returned to his company for briefing and explained his plan to take the village. He decided to attack the village with only two Tigers because there was only one road leading to the village and it meant very risky business. Six Tigers remained in the reserve while the Tigers of Carius and Kerscher moved towards the village of Malinava. Speed was the essence of the plan to take the Russians by surprise and immobilise their tanks. When they were about to enter the village, they could see two T-34/85 tanks rotating their turrets in their direction. Immediately Kerscher, following Carius at about 150 metres, fired two shots in rapid succession, and destroyed the two enemy tanks. This was the first time that Carius had encountered one of the latest JS-1 heavy tanks. The silhouette of the new heavy Russian tank was somewhat similar to that of the Tiger II, and Carius got confused at first but after a little hesitation, ordered his crew to fire at once, and the JS-1 burst into flames. Afterwards they realised that the entire battle was over in about twenty minutes. In such a short time, the two Tigers of Carius and Kerscher had knocked out 17 Russian tanks including the new JS-1. The Russians were taken by surprise and their quick and accurate perception of the situation were the main factors that led the two Tigers to victory. The achievement of Carius and Kerscher at Malinava is on the same level as the famous action of Michael Wittmann at Villers Bocage. He ended the war with a total score of 107.

Major Kuno von Meyer - Panzers

Lot #23 (Sale Order 24 of 226)

Kuno von Meyer was a highly decorated Oberst in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He took part in the Invasion of Poland, Battle of France, Operation Barbarossa, Battle of Bialystok–Minsk, Battle of Kiev, Battle of Stalingrad, Operation Overlord, Falaise pocket, and the Lower Silesian Offensive. He was awarded the Knight's Cross on 26 November 1944 as Major and commander of I./Panzer-Regiment 24 and the 795th Oak Leaves on 23 March 1945 as Oberstleutnant and commander of Panzer-Regiment "Coburg" in the Panzer-Brigade 103.

Major Anton "Toni" Muller - Grenadier

Lot #24 (Sale Order 25 of 226)

Major Anton "Toni" Muller received his Knight's Cross on the Russia Front as a Lietenant of Infantry Grenadiers (II. Battalion / Grenadier-Regiments 503), mostly in the Baltic. He was awarded the Oak Leaves for his actions during the Seige of Kurland.

Major Alois Eisele - Wehrmacht

Lot #25 (Sale Order 26 of 226)

Alois Eisele was a highly decorated Major in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves - awarded to him to recognise extreme battlefield bravery and successful military leadership. He was also awarded the very rare Close Combat Clasp in Gold - one of only 631 awards of the kind to be ever bestowed. Other awards include the Iron Cross 2nd Class, 1st Class, West Wall Medal, Wound Badge in Black, in Silver, in Gold, Close Combat Clasp in Bronze, in Silver, in Gold, Eastern Front Medal, Infantry Assault Badge, German Cross in Gold as Hauptmann in the 9./Grenadier-Regiment 61, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 15 December 1943 as Hauptmann and commander of III./Grenadier-Regiment 61 and the 695th Oak Leaves on 12 January 1945 as Major and commander of III./Grenadier-Regiment 61.

Oberstleutenant Werner Ebling - Grenadier

Lot #26 (Sale Order 27 of 226)

Werner Ebeling (21 November 1913 – 25 August 2008) was a highly decorated Oberst in the Wehrmacht during World War II and a Generalmajor in the Bundeswehr commanding the 11. Panzergrenadier-Division of the Bundeswehr. During WWII, he fought in the Battle of France, Operation Barbarossa, Siege of Leningrad, Demyansk Pocket Battle of Narva, and the Samland Offensive. Tow photos!

GeneralMajor Otto Ernst Remer - Wehrmacht

Lot #27 (Sale Order 28 of 226)

Otto-Ernst Remer was a German Wehrmacht officer who played a decisive role in stopping the 1944 20 July Plot against Adolf Hitler. During the war he was wounded nine times in combat. After the war he co-founded the Sozialistische Reichspartei (SRP) and advanced Holocaust denial. He is considered the "Godfather" of the post-war Nazi underground. By the time of the attack on Poland, in 1939, he was an Oberleutnant in a motorised infantry company, and went on to serve in the Balkans Campaign, as well as in Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. By April 1942, he was a battalion commander, and he joined the Infantry Regiment Grosseutschland and his troops, mounted in halftracks, covered the withdrawal of an entire Waffen-SS tank corps during the fighting at Kharkov. He was awarded the Knight's Cross for his service as battalion commander, and in November 1943, he was awarded the Oak leaves to the Knight's Cross for leadership at Krivoi Rog, which was presented by Adolf Hitler personally. In March 1944, Remer and his men successfully stopped the 20 July plot to seize control of the German government, following an assassination attempt on Hitler. Otto Ernst Remer first heard of it through members of the Nazi Party and waited for official word of Hitler's fate. Remer heard both rumours that Hitler survived and rumours saying he died in the blast. That evening Claus Von Stauffenberg was given control of Germany and its power because the military was convinced that Hitler did not survive the assassination attempt. Stauffenberg and his staff had Remer arrest several Nazi officials, claiming that they were arming defense from a mutiny. Upon being ordered by General Paul von Hase to arrest Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels, Remer went to Goebbels' office to do so, pistol in hand. However, Goebbels used his oratory skills to dissuade Remer from arresting him, insisting instead that Hitler was still alive. When Remer asked for proof, Goebbels picked up the phone and asked to be put through to Hitler. Within the minute, Hitler was on the phone, and Goebbels handed the receiver to Remer. Hitler asked Remer whether he recognised his voice, whereupon Remer answered that he did. Hitler then gave Remer orders to crush the plot with his troops. Remer guiltily realised that he and his men actually were taking orders from the mutineers and unwittingly supporting it. Remer and his troops reversed the results from given orders from the plotters. Slowly the plotters were stripped of controls from Germany thus confusing the plotters and postponing the mutiny to figure out the confusion. Then Remer went to the Berlin Nazi base and arrested the plotters including Stauffenberg. Friedrich Fromm had the plotters executed but Remer unsuccessfully tried to dissuade Fromm since Remer was told to keep the plotters alive. That same night Remer was promoted two ranks to Oberst (colonel). Remer went on to command an expanded Führer Begleit Brigade, a field unit formed from a Grossdeutschland cadre, in East Prussia and then transferred to the west for the Ardennes Offensive,suffering high casualties. He was eventually captured by American troops, and remained a prisoner until 1947.Remer's Socialist Reich Party, which he had co-founded in 1950, was banned in 1952, after it had gathered about 360,000 supporters in Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, and won 16 seats in the state parliament. Main issues of the party included Holocaust denial, where it accused the U.S. of planting fake gas chambers and films about concentration camps, seesaw politics, and ending Germany's puppet status with the United States. With the party banned, Remer faced criminal charges from the German government as being the successor party to the Nazis, but fled to Egypt. Arriving in Egypt, he served as an advisor to Gamal Abdel Nasser and worked with fellow Nazis proliferating weapon technology to Arab countries.

GeneralLeutnant Karl-Adolf Hollid - Wehrmacht

Lot #28 (Sale Order 29 of 226)

Karl-Adolf Hollidt was a German army general and commander during the Second World. During the First World War, Hollidt served on the Western Front. Over the course of the war he received two promotions: to First Lieutenant in 1915 and in 1918 to the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class in 1914 and the Iron Cross 1st Class in 1916. After the war he had several promotions, to the rank of Major in 1930, and to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1933, serving as a battalion commander in Infantry Regiment No. 12 in Dessau. Hollidt next served as a Colonel (in the General Staff) in 1935 and as a Chief-of-Staff of the 1st Army Corps in Königsberg. After his appointment as Major-General on 1 April 1938, Hollidt was active as an infantry commander in Siegen. He also commanded Infantry Regiments No. 57, 116 and 136. At the beginning of World War II, Hollidt served as commander of the 52nd Infantry Division. From 1 November 1939, he served as a Chief-of-Staff with Commander-in-Chief Ost, General Blaskowitz. Lieutenant General Hollidt (promoted 1 April 1940) served from October 1940 as the commander of the 50th Infantry Division in Greece. Promoted to the rank of General der Infanterie (Infantry General), Hollidt commanded XVII Army Corps, which was planned to take part in the relief operation concerning the 6th Army, then encircled in the Russian city of Stalingrad. After the surrender of the 6th Army, it was reconstituted in March 1943 and Hollidt was given its command. He was promoted to Colonel General on 1 September 1943. In 1944, his 6th Army suffered severe losses during its retreat from its area of operations north of the Dnieper. Hollidt was subsequently dismissed from his command and put into reserve. In 1945, Hollidt was captured by US forces. After a trial held at Nuremberg, he was convicted of the unlawful use of prisoners of war and of the deportation and enslavement of civilians. He was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment, of which he served a little less than 14 months. He was awardedthe Knight's Cross for the Battle at the Mius, where infantry and tank units of the Army and Waffen-SS under the command of General of Infantry Hollidt, repeatedly thwarted attempts of strong enemy forces to break through, and in a bold counter-attack struck the north Kuibyschewo broke through the enemy.

Major Oskar-Hubert Dennhardt - Panzergrenadier

Lot #29 (Sale Order 30 of 226)

Oskar-Hubert Dennhardt was a highly decorated Major in the Wehrmacht during World War II. Dennhardt, a former member of the Nazi Party, served in the Landtag of Schleswig-Holstein as a Christian Democratic Union politician after World War II. He rejoined the military service in the West German Bundeswehr in 1955, retiring in 1971 holding the rank of Brigadegeneral. He commanded the Panzergrenadierbrigade 16 of the Bundeswehr from 1 November 1965 to 31 March 1968 and was deputy commander of the 6th Panzergrenadier Division.

OberstLeutnant Gerhard Mokros - Grenadier

Lot #30 (Sale Order 31 of 226)

Gerhard Mokros was a highly decorated Oberst der Reserve in the Wehrmacht during World War II, commanding Grenadier-Regiment 423. His awards include the Iron Cross 2nd Class, 1st Class, Wound Badge in Black, in Silver, Eastern Front Medal, German Cross in Gold as Major of the Reserves in the II./Grenadier-Regiment 331, as well as the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves as Leutnant and leader of the 7./Infanterie-Regiment 331 and (860th) Oak Leaves on 5 May 1945 as Oberst of the Reserves and commander of Grenadier-Regiment 423. Gerhard Mokros was captured by American forces in May 1945 and was released in December 1945.

Hauptmann Bodo Spranz - Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 237

Lot #31 (Sale Order 32 of 226)

Prof. em. Dr. Bodo Spranz was a highly decorated Hauptmann in the Wehrmacht during World War II and one of the leading researchers of preclassic meso-American history. Upon successful completion of his training, he was assigned to Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 185 as a Zugführer with the Heeresgruppe Nord on the Eastern Front. In 1941, he was transferred to Schweinfurt as a Batterieoffizier with the Sturmgeschütz Ersatz- und Ausbildungsabteilung 200. He was once again serving on the Eastern Front between 1942 and 1943 as a Zugführer and later Batteriechef with Sturmgeschützabteilung 185.On 1 April 1942 he was promoted to Oberleutnant. For a short time he returned to the Sturmgeschütz Ersatz- und Ausbildungsabteilung 200 at Schweinfurt but transferred back to the Eastern Front on 2 June 1943 as a Batteriechef with Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 237. As a consequence of being decorated with the Knights Cross and the Oakleaves, both on 3 October 1943, he received a promotion to Hauptmann. He served with the Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 237 until 2 April 1944, after which time he was assigned as Hörsaalleiter with the Sturmgeschütz-schule at Magdeburg. From the beginning of 1945 until the end of the war, Bodo Spranz was assigned as an Ordonnanzoffizier (Aide-de-camp) with the Chef Generalstab des Heeres, Generaloberst Heinz Guderian, with the 29. Panzergrenadier-Division in Italy and finally with Army Commander General Wenck in Berlin. He was captured by the Americans on 6–7 May 1945, trying to escape Soviet captivity and transferred to a British POW camp until his release. Other awards include the Iron Cross 2nd Class, 1st Class, Wound Badge in Black, in Silver, in Gold, Eastern Front Medal, 4 (!)Tank Destruction Badges for Individual Combatants, General Assault Badge with 25 Numers, and the German Cross in Gold

Dr. Med. Heinrich Neumann - Fallschirmjäger

Lot #32 (Sale Order 33 of 226)

Heinrich Neumann was a highly decorated Oberstarzt in the Fallschirmjäger (paratrooper) during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Neumann was a medical doctor and participated in the Spanish Civil War, and participated in the Battles of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and Crete, as well as the Eastern Front. Awards include the Fallschirmschützenabzeichen, Flugzeugbeobachterabzeichen, Medalla de la Campaña de España, Spanish Cross in Silver with Swords, Sudetenland Medal with Prague Castle Bar, Iron Cross 2nd Class, 1st Class, Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe, Eastern Front Medal, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross as Oberstabsarzt and troop doctor of the Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Regiment and the Armelband Kreta.

Oberst Heinz-Oskar Laebe - Grenadier-Regiment 44

Lot #33 (Sale Order 34 of 226)

Heinz Oskar Laebe was a highly decorated infantry officer in the Wehrmacht during World War II. Laebe joined the Polizei (police force) of Hamburg in 1932 and was promoted to Leutnant of the Prussian Landespolizei on 1 January 1935. During the war he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class (2 October 1939), 1st Class (10 July 1940), Wound Badge in Black (17 March 1943), Eastern Front Medal (1 August 1942), Infantry Assault Badge in Silver, Close Combat Clasp in Bronze (8 June 1944), Honour Roll Clasp of the Army (28 March 1943), Armband Courland (20 April 1945), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 7 March 1944 as Major and commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 44 and the 854th Oak Leaves on 29 April 1945 as Oberst and commander of Grenadier-Regiment 44.

OberstLeutnant Gerhard Hein - SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 26

Lot #34 (Sale Order 35 of 226)

Gerhard Hein was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant der Reserve in the Wehrmacht during World War II. Awards include the Iron Cross 2nd Class (23 June 1940), 1st Class (27 June 1940), Wound Badge in Black, in Silver, Eastern Front Medal, German Cross in Silver (15 July 1944), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 3 September 1940 as Unteroffizier der Reserve and platoon leader in 10. / Infanterie-Regiment 209 and the 120th Oak Leaves on 6 September 1942 as Leutnant der Reserve and leader of 5. / Infanterie-Regiment 209.

Major Josef-Wilhelm Rettmeier - Panzer-Abteilung 5

Lot #35 (Sale Order 36 of 226)

Josef-Wilhelm Rettemeier (was a highly decorated Oberst in the Wehrmacht during World War II and an Oberst in the Bundeswehr. Rettemeier served with 5.leichte Div (which became 21.Pz Div) as part of Rommel’s Afrikakorps. During the course of the campaign Rettemeier, promoted to Hauptmann on 1 February 1942, became a tank officer, serving as a company commander with Pz Regt 5. He remained in North Africa until 1943, earning the ‘Afrika’ campaign cuffband which is seen proudly worn on the sleeve of his black tank uniform in later photos. His regiment was decimated during the final battles in Tunisia, though Rettemeier was one of those fortunate enough to escape captivity, being evacuated before the final collapse in 1943. Moved to the Eastern Front, Rettemeier’s unit – now redesignated as Pz Abt 5, assigned to 25.PzGren Div – was heavily involved in fierce fighting in the area around Vitebsk and Rogashev; for his command of the battalion during these testing battles he was decorated with the Knight’s Cross on 5 December 1943. The Oak-Leaves were added on 13 March 1944, and he was promoted to Major shortly thereafter. Major Rettemeier was a true front line soldier, always in the thick of the action, as attested by his award of the Wound Badge in Gold for five or more wounds. During the Normandy campaign following the Allied landings of June 1944, Rettemeier served with the elite Panzer Lehr Division. Despite the relatively high quality of both men and equipment allocated to this formation, combat attrition, Allied naval gunfire support and overwhelming air superiority saw Panzer Lehr suffer dreadful losses, and by July 1944 it had been all but wiped out. Rettemeier was subsequently posted to the staff of the Officer Training School at Erlagen, remaining in that post until the end of the war. When the German armed forces were reconstituted in the 1950s, Rettemeier joined the Bundeswehr; he rose to the command of Panzerbrigade 6, and eventually to deputy divisional commander of 2.Panzergrenadier Division. He finally retired from German military service in 1972, but spent some time as an advisor with the Nationalist Chinese forces on Taiwan.

Major Ernst-Georg Kedzia - Grenadier-Regiment 98

Lot #36 (Sale Order 37 of 226)

Ernst-Georg Kedzia was a highly decorated Major in the Wehrmacht during World War II. Awards include the Iron Cross 2nd Class, 1st Class, Eastern Front Medal, Infantry Assault Badge, German Cross in Gold (March 1944), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 26 November 1944 as Hauptmann and commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 272[, and the 794th Oak Leaves on 23 March 1945 as Major and Combat commander of Fürstenberg an der Oder and commander of Grenadier-Regiment 98.

Major Peter Frantz - Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung "Grosseutschland"

Lot #37 (Sale Order 38 of 226)

Peter Frantz joined the military in 1936, opting to serve in Artillery Regiment 4 in Dresden. Serving as an aspirant officer during his initial years of service, he was commissioned as a Leutnant on 1 September 1938, moving to Panzer Artillery Regiment 74 of the 2nd Panzer Division. Frantz served in Poland as an orderly officer in the regimental headquarters of Panzer Artillery Regiment 74, earning the Iron Cross II Class, and afterwards moved to Vienna, then the artillery school at Jüterbog where the first battery of assault guns was raised by the German Army. This battery, Battery 640, was assigned to Infantry Regiment Grossdeutschland in April 1940 and became the 16th Company of the Regiment shortly after. Hard service as a platoon commander during the first six months of the Russian Campaign earned Frantz both a "Certificate of Recognition" by the Commander-in-Chief of the German Army in October 1941, but also the German Cross in Gold in December.Oberleutnant Frantz rose to command the entire 16th Company; in defensive battles near Tula in December 1941 his company destroyed many enemy armoured vehicles, including 15 enemy tanks on 13 December alone. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. By March 1942, Frantz was a battery commander in the reorganized Assault Gun Battalion GD. On March 14, 1943, Frantz led a group of assault guns in battle, destroying some 43 T-34 tanks, for which he was decorated with the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross. In April, Adolf Hitler personally award Frantz with his Oak Leaves in Berlin. Frantz served with GD Assault Guns until January 1944, when he was transferred to the War Academy for general staff training, being appointed Major of the General Staff (Major i.G.) in August 1944. He saw action as a corps headquarters officer in the west, was captured in May 1945 by the Americans, and remained in captivity until April 1946.

Hauptmann Ernst Kuppinger -Füsilier-Battalion 246

Lot #38 (Sale Order 39 of 226)

Ernst Kuppinger was a highly decorated Hauptmann in the Wehrmacht during World War II. Awards include the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (17 June 1940), 1st Class (1 October 1941), Wound Badge (1939) in Black, in Silver, in Gold, Infantry Assault Badge, Eastern Front Medal Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 24 December 1944 as Hauptmann and commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 352during the Battle of the Bulge, and the 819th Oak Leaves on 5 April 1945 as Hauptmann and commander of Füsilier-Battalion 246 at the end of the war. Ernst Kuppinger was captured by French troops in April 1945 and was held until April 1946.

Hauptmann Peter Franz - Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung "Grosseutschland"

Lot #39 (Sale Order 40 of 226)

Peter Frantz joined the military in 1936, opting to serve in Artillery Regiment 4 in Dresden. Serving as an aspirant officer during his initial years of service, he was commissioned as a Leutnant on 1 September 1938, moving to Panzer Artillery Regiment 74 of the 2nd Panzer Division. Frantz served in Poland as an orderly officer in the regimental headquarters of Panzer Artillery Regiment 74, earning the Iron Cross II Class, and afterwards moved to Vienna, then the artillery school at Jüterbog where the first battery of assault guns was raised by the German Army. This battery, Battery 640, was assigned to Infantry Regiment Grossdeutschland in April 1940 and became the 16th Company of the Regiment shortly after. Hard service as a platoon commander during the first six months of the Russian Campaign earned Frantz both a "Certificate of Recognition" by the Commander-in-Chief of the German Army in October 1941, but also the German Cross in Gold in December.Oberleutnant Frantz rose to command the entire 16th Company; in defensive battles near Tula in December 1941 his company destroyed many enemy armoured vehicles, including 15 enemy tanks on 13 December alone. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. By March 1942, Frantz was a battery commander in the reorganized Assault Gun Battalion GD. On March 14, 1943, Frantz led a group of assault guns in battle, destroying some 43 T-34 tanks, for which he was decorated with the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross. In April, Adolf Hitler personally award Frantz with his Oak Leaves in Berlin. Frantz served with GD Assault Guns until January 1944, when he was transferred to the War Academy for general staff training, being appointed Major of the General Staff (Major i.G.) in August 1944. He saw action as a corps headquarters officer in the west, was captured in May 1945 by the Americans, and remained in captivity until April 1946.

ObersLeutnant Gunter Goebel - Wehrmacht

Lot #40 (Sale Order 41 of 226)

Günter Goebel was an Officer in the German Wehrmacht, his 79th Infantry Division was part of the 6th Army during the invasion of the Soviet Union. In October 1941 he was awarded the Knight's Cross for his part in leading an advance battalion when a supply route was captured by Soviet forces. In 1941 he was also entered into the Honour Roll of the German Army. He is also known for the command of the Kampfgruppe Goebel assault on Stalingrad at the end of November 1942 around Nishij and Tschiskaja with 3,000 servicemen. With the following radio message, they became known to the staff of the 6th Army: "Battle-group Captain Goebel with 3,000 men holds the Don River bridge at (Werchne) Chir(skaya). Keep the head up, as we do". He held, together with his Kampfgruppe, for weeks, an important bridgehead. He later became the 180th recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves for his bravery. In 1945, two days after signing the unconditional surrender documents for all German forces, he was taken into Soviet captivity, on 11 May 1945. He was detained for more than 10 years in different Soviet labor camps. On 9 October 1955 he was released, thanks to Konrad Adenauer and his successful negotiations over the release of the last German World War II prisoners.

Oberstleutenant Dr. Eberhard Zahn - Panzer-Regiment 9

Lot #41 (Sale Order 42 of 226)

Eberhard Zahn served under Erwin Rommel in North Africa as the adjutant, platoon leader, and ultimately as the commander of the Panzerjäger-Abteilung 33, which was attached to the 15. Panzer-Division. On 15 June 1941 he stopped a enemy tank attack in which six British tanks were destroyed during the Battle of Fort Capuzzo. In this battle, he was captured by the enemy and entered captivity from which he managed to escape. For this, he was awarded the Knight’s Cross on 30 June 1941. Hauptmann Zahn received on 6 March 1943 as the 204th soldier of the German Wehrmacht the Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross. After the end of fighting in Africa he served briefly in Sicily and then fought on the Eastern Front as commander of a Panzerjäger-Abteilung. In September 1944 he was appointed leader of the Panzer-Brigade 101. Then he took over the Panzer-Regiment 9 until he fell at the end of the war as Oberstleutnant into Soviet captivity in Bohemia, but from which he escaped after a short time. He traveled to the west until he encountered US forces and surrendered to them.

Oberstleutnant Alfred Muller - Sturmgeschütz-Batterie 901

Lot #42 (Sale Order 43 of 226)

Alfred Müller was a highly decorated Oberst in the Wehrmacht during World War II. Awards include the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (11 October 1939), 1st Class (25 July 1941), Wound Badge (1939) in Black (7 June 1943), General Assault Badge (29 August 1941), Kuban Shield (1 December 1944), Order of Michael the Brave 3rd Class (28 January 1944), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 20 February 1943 as Hauptmann and commander of Sturmgeschütz-Batterie 901, the 354th Oak Leaves on 15 December 1943 as Hauptmann and commander of Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 191 and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (22 February 1973). Alfred Müller was captured by American troops in May 1945. In 1956 he joined the Bundeswehr and served until 1979 retiring as a Brigadegeneral.

Oberstleutnant Josef-Georg Mulzer - Pionier-Battalion 195

Lot #43 (Sale Order 44 of 226)

Dr. jur. Josef-Georg Mulzer was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II. Awards include the Iron Cross (1939), 2nd Class (27 June 1940), 1st Class (30 August 1942), Wound Badge (1939) in Silver, General Assault Badge, Narvik Shield, Eastern Front Medal (2 September 1942), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 7 September 1943 as Major and commander of Pionier-Bataillon 195, and the Oak Leaves on 10 January 1944 as Major and commander of Pionier-Bataillon 195.

Oberleutnant Wilhelm Niggemeyer - 2./Pionier-Bataillon 26

Lot #44 (Sale Order 45 of 226)

Wilhelm Niggenmeyer was a German officer who served in the Wehrmacht during World War II and in the postwar Bundeswehr. Niggemeyer personally destroyer four Soviet tanks single-handily, as well as 34 others with his unit. He participated in making of Männer gegen Panzer, 1943 German film, about different types of infantry anti-tank warfare.

GeneralLeutnant Erich Reuter - 46. Infanterie-Division

Lot #45 (Sale Order 46 of 226)

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.

GeneralMajor Ernst Konig - 28th Jäger Division

Lot #46 (Sale Order 47 of 226)

Ernst König (12 August 1908 – 3 March 1986) was a highly decorated Generalmajor in the Wehrmacht during World War II. Awards - Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (1 October 1939), 1st Class (10 October 1940), Wound Badge in Black, in Silver,, in Gold, German Cross in Gold (7 March 1942), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 16 September 1943 as Major and commander of Grenadier-Regiment 12, the 598th Oak Leaves on 21 September 1944 as Oberst and commander of Grenadier-Regiment 12.

Generalleutnant Hellmuth Reymann - 11. Infanterie-Division

Lot #47 (Sale Order 48 of 226)

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.

Major Fritz-Rudolf Schultz - Panzer-Regiment 35

Lot #48 (Sale Order 49 of 226)

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.

Major Walter Elflein - Grenadier-Regiment 95

Lot #49 (Sale Order 50 of 226)

Walter Elflein (10 December 1914 – 30 December 2000) was a highly decorated Major der Reserve in the Wehrmacht during World War II. Awards - Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (5 December 1939), 1st Class (1 July 1941), Wound Badge (1939) in Black, in Silver in Gold (5 December 1943), Infantry Assault Badge (13 September 1941), Eastern Front Medal, German Cross in Gold (26 December 1941), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 8 October 1943 as Oberleutnat der Reserve and leader of the 2./Grenadier-Regiment 95, the 347th Oak Leaves on 5 December 1943 as Hauptmann der Reserve and commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 95 and Führer of a Kampfgruppe in the 17. Infanterie-Division.

GeneralMajor Meinrad von Lauchert

Lot #50 (Sale Order 51 of 226)

Meinrad von Lauchert was a highly decorated Generalmajor in the Wehrmacht during World War II. The first day of fighting in Poland brought his elevation to battalion commander after the previous commander, Hauptmann Stenglein, received a serious head wound - a common injury for armour commanders. Lauchert served with Panzer Regiment 35 of the 4th Panzer Division throughout the Polish and French Campaigns. During the first drive into Russia in the summer of 1941, he earned the Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross. Lauchert's skill and energy as a Panzer leader caught the attention of such armour notables as Heinz Guderian and Heinrich Eberbach. When Germany developed a new tank to regain its lost superiority on the battlefield, Major Lauchert was chosen to form and train the first two battalions of Panthers. Hitler ordered the delay of the 1943 summer offensive until Lauchert's Panthers arrived to spearhead the southern arm of the attack. Unfortunately, the failure of the commanders whom Lauchert was supporting to familiarize themselves with this new weapon caused the Panther's debut at the Battle of Kursk to be less than decisive. Lauchert continued to command a battle group of Panthers after Kursk, was promoted to Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) and eventually was named as the commander of Panzer Regiment 15 of the 11th Panzer Division. While with this unit, he earned the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross.Just one day before the start of the Battle of the Bulge, Oberst (Colonel) Lauchert was tasked with taking charge of the 2nd Panzer Division. His division punched through the American lines on 16 December 1944 and by the time the offensive had literally run out of fuel Lauchert's men had achieved the deepest penetration into Allied-held territory of any of the German formations. Afterwards, Lauchert's division fought a continuous rearguard action against the US forces as they pushed him back across the German frontier. During the fighting in February and March 1945, the 2nd Panzer Division had ceased to exist as much more than a marker on the map. By the end of March, as the remnants of his division were backed up against the Rhine without a secure crossing point, Generalmajor Lauchert ordered a breakout eastwards in small groups. Lauchert swam the Rhine with a small number of his staff and, apparently fed up with the hopelessness of the situation, quit the war and walked home to Bamberg, the home garrison of Panzer Regiment 35.After the war he was imprisoned for trial at Nuremberg for war crimes, but was found not guilty and released. Later, he was technical advisor on the 1965 movie Battle of the Bulge.

Oberst Harry Hermann - Fallschirmjäger

Lot #51 (Sale Order 52 of 226)

Harry Herrmann was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) in the Fallschirmjäger (Paratroopers) during World War II and in the Bundeswehr. During the invasion of Crete, he was severely wounded and blinded during the initial jump, but continued to lead his men during their assault on heavily defended positions. He later fought in Normandy and Italy. Harry Herrmann was captured by Soviet troops in May 1945 during the Battle of Berlin, he was held prisoner until 1955. He joined the Bundeswehr in 1957, retiring in 1967 as an Oberst (Colonel) serving in the position of deputy commander of the 1. Luftlande-Division (1st Air Landing Division) and commander of the Luftlande-Lufttransportschule Altenstadt (Air Landing Air Transport School).

Major Josef "Sepp" Prentl - 88 Flak-Regiment 116

Lot #52 (Sale Order 53 of 226)

Josef "Sepp" Prentl was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II, where he pioneered the use of the 88mm Flak AA Gun into an anti-tank weapon. He was awarded the Knights Cross for destroying 45 tanks with his 88. Josef Prentl joined the post-war Bundeswehr in 1956, retiring in 1974 as an Oberst. From 1974 to 1978 he served in the Bavarian parliament as a member of the Christian Social Union of Bavaria party. Awards - Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (19 May 1940), 1st Class (5 June 1940), German Cross in Gold (1 January 1945), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 21 October 1942 as Oberleutnant and chief of the 2./Flak-Regiment 231, and the 851st Oak Leaves on 28 April 1945 as Major and commander of Flak-Regiment 116.

Major Seigfreid Jamrowski - III./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3

Lot #53 (Sale Order 54 of 226)

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.

Hauptmann Hans Dally

Lot #54 (Sale Order 55 of 226)

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.).

Hauptmann Wolfram Stronk - 6./Fallschirm Panzer Regiment "Hermann Goring

Lot #55 (Sale Order 56 of 226)

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.

Gefreiter Emil Barner - Flak-Regiment 18

Lot #56 (Sale Order 57 of 226)

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

Oberstleutnant Gerhart Schirmer - Fallschirmjager-Regiment 5

Lot #57 (Sale Order 58 of 226)

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.

Oberleunant Albert Burger - Flak Division 4

Lot #58 (Sale Order 59 of 226)

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.

Major Hans Sandrock - 3rd Panzer Division

Lot #59 (Sale Order 60 of 226)

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.

Obergefreiter Ernest Pirhoffer - Flak Division 6

Lot #60 (Sale Order 61 of 226)

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.

Hauptmann Hugo Paul - Fallschirmjager-Bataillon Paul

Lot #61 (Sale Order 62 of 226)

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[

Hauptmann Hermann Eggers - Flak-Regiment 64

Lot #62 (Sale Order 63 of 226)

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.

Oberst Walter Gericke - Fallschirmjager

Lot #63 (Sale Order 64 of 226)

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.

Hauptmann Werner Grodde - Artillery Regt 13

Lot #64 (Sale Order 65 of 226)

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

Oberleutnant Cord Tietjen - Fallschirmjager

Lot #65 (Sale Order 66 of 226)

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.

Oberfahnrich Wolfgang Hartelt - Fallschirmjager Panzer Regt "Herman Goering"

Lot #66 (Sale Order 67 of 226)

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.”

Major Gunther Rall 3rd Top Scoring Luftwaffe Ace

Lot #67 (Sale Order 68 of 226)

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)

Major Johann Briegel - Fallschirmjager PanzerGrenadier Regt II "Herman Goering"

Lot #68 (Sale Order 69 of 226)

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.

Major Erich Beine

Lot #69 (Sale Order 70 of 226)

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.

Oberst Freidrich Lang - Luftwaffe Stuka Ace - StG 2, SG 1

Lot #70 (Sale Order 71 of 226)

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.

Oberfeldwebel Alexander Uhlig -Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6

Lot #71 (Sale Order 72 of 226)

Alexander Uhlig was a highly decorated Fallschirmjäger during World War II and in the Autumn of 1937 joined the First Fallschirmjäger Unit. This was to be the forerunner of the Fallschirmjäger Regiment 1, which was formed in 1938. With this unit, Uhlig was to see action during the Sudetenland combat and the Occupation of Czechoslovakia. Uhlig remained with the Fallschirmjäger Regiment 1 during the Polish Campaign followed by action in Norway. Following the Airborne action on the 14 April 1940 at Dombas in Central Norway, he found himself in Norwegian captivity for around three weeks with all other survivors of action. On the 14 May 1940, Uhlig and his Platoon jumped during the First Battle of Narvik and thereafter he was decorated with the Iron Cross Second Class and the Narvik Shield. After the successful conclusion of the Norwegian Campaign, Uhlig transferred to Flying Duties as a navigator and between 1941 and 1943 took part in over 170 operations, including the landings at Crete, for which he was awarded the "Kreta" Cuffband. During this period Uhlig also qualified for the Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold and the Iron Cross First Class. In June 1944, as the invasion of Normandy progressed, Alexander Uhlig was once again in action with a parachute unit. With the rank of Oberfeldwebel, he commanded the 16./Fallschirmjäger Regiment 6. In Uhlig's sector of the front, Fallschirmjäger Regiment 6 was opposed by the US 90th Infantry Division. Heavy attacks on the Regimental flanks saw Uhlig ordered to lead a small combat group of 30 of the Fallschirmjäger on a mission to attempt to stabilize the Regiment's position. Uhlig's group took on and defeated an entire US Battalion, taking over 230 prisoners, including the Battalion commander and eleven other officers, this was to be one of the notable successes for the Germans in that sector of the front. In recognition of his tremendous achievement Alexander Uhlig was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on the 29 October 1944. Uhlig was captured shortly afterwards and spent some time in French and US prisoner of war camps. He eventually was moved to Camp 23 in Sudbury, Burton-on-Trent, England. He was considered by the authorities to be a potential escapee and was closely watched. On the 22 April 1947 Uhlig did escape and made his way to Hull where he was able to stow away on a ship bound for Cuxhaven. His escape was initially concealed by the ruse of having a dummy take his place during Roll Call. By the time his escape was discovered 3 days later Uhlig had already reached Germany. He then made his way through the less-strictly controlled US Zone and managed to cross the Russian Lines undetected. By the 28 April, he was home in Leipzig. Upon his return, Uhlig took up his studies again, ten years late, at the Darmstadt University of Technology. Despite unfavourable economic conditions, Uhlig completed his studies and gained his Engineering Degree. He worked for a number of well-known German companies until his retirement just before his 65th birthday. He lived in Essen and was an honorary member of the New Zealand Crete Veterans Association. Alexander Uhlig died on the 1 November 2008.

Fahnenjunker (OFW) Wilhelm "Willi" Dipburger - Luftwaffe KG-6

Lot #72 (Sale Order 73 of 226)

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.

Oberstleutnant Hermann Hogelback - Luftwaffe KG-6

Lot #73 (Sale Order 74 of 226)

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.

Oberleutnant Ernst-Wilhelm "Willi" Raprager

Lot #74 (Sale Order 75 of 226)

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.

Max Schmeling - Boxer - Fallschirmjager

Lot #75 (Sale Order 76 of 226)

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.

RARE Oberst Hans Ulrich Rudel - Stuka Tank-Buster - 519 Tanks Destroyed - StG 3, StG 2, SG 2

Lot #76 (Sale Order 77 of 226)

Hans-Ulrich Rudel was a Stuka dive-bomber pilot during World War II. The most highly decorated German serviceman of the war, Rudel was one of only 27 military men to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, and the only person to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, Germany's highest military decoration at the time. Rudel flew 2,530 combat missions claiming a total of 2,000 targets destroyed; including 800 vehicles, 519 tanks, 150 artillery pieces, 70 landing craft, nine aircraft, four armored trains, several bridges, a destroyer, two cruisers, and the Soviet battleship Marat. Awards include the Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) as Oberleutnant in a Sturzkampfgeschwader (20 October 1941), Wound Badge in Gold, Pilot/Observer Badge in Gold with Diamonds, German Cross in Gold on 2 December 1941 as Oberleutnant in the III./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2, Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (10 November 1939), 1st Class (18 July 1941), Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold and Diamonds with Pennant "2000" in Gold (18 July 1941) in Gold and Diamonds with Pennant "2000", Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds Knight's Cross on 6 January 1942 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 9./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann", the 229th Oak Leaves on 14 April 1943 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 1./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann", 42nd Swords on 25 November 1943 as Hauptmann and leader of the III./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann", the 10th Diamonds on 29 March 1944 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann", the 1st Golden Oak Leaves on 29 December 1944 as Oberstleutnant and Geschwaderkommodore of Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann", the 8th (1st and only foreign) Hungarian Gold Medal of Bravery (14 January 1945), Italian Silver Medal of Military Valor and mentioned five times in the Wehrmachtbericht (27 March 1944, 28 March 1944, 3 June 1944, 6 August 1944, 10 February 1945).

Generalleutnant Adolf Galland - Luftwaffe Ace (109 victories) - Condor Legion, LG 2, JG 26

Lot #77 (Sale Order 78 of 226)

Adolf "Dolfo" Joseph Ferdinand Galland was a German Luftwaffe general and flying ace who served throughout the Second World War in Europe. He flew 705 combat missions, and fought on the Western and the Defence of the Reich fronts. On four occasions he survived being shot down, and he was credited with 104 aerial victories, all of them against the Western Allies. Galland, who was born in Westerholt, Westphalia, became a glider pilot in 1929 before he joined Lufthansa. In 1932 he graduated as a pilot at the Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule (German Commercial Flyers' School) in Braunschweig before applying to join the Reichswehr of the Weimar Republic later in the year. Galland's application was accepted, but he never took up the offer. In February 1934 he was transferred to the Luftwaffe. In 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, he volunteered for the Condor Legion and flew ground attack missions in support of the Nationalists under Francisco Franco. After finishing his tour in 1938 Galland was employed in the Air Ministry writing doctrinal and technical manuals about his experiences as a ground-attack pilot. During this period Galland served as an instructor for ground-attack units. During the German invasion of Poland in September 1939, he again flew ground attack missions. In early 1940 Galland managed to persuade his superiors to allow him to become a fighter pilot. Galland flew Messerschmitt Bf 109s during the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain. By the end of 1940 his tally of victories had reached 57. In 1941 Galland stayed in France and fought the Royal Air Force (RAF) over the English Channel and Northern France. By November 1941 his tally had increased to 96, by which time he had earned the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. In November 1941, Werner Mölders, who commanded the German Fighter Force as the General der Jagdflieger, was killed in a flying accident and Galland succeeded him, staying in the position until January 1945. As General der Jagdflieger, Galland was forbidden to fly combat missions. In late January and early February 1942, Galland first planned then commanded the Luftwaffe's air cover for the Kriegsmarine's Operation Cerberus which was a major success. It earned him the coveted Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. Over the ensuing years, Galland’s disagreements with Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring about how best to combat the Allied Air Forces bombing Germany caused their relationship to deteriorate. The Luftwaffe fighter force was under severe pressure by 1944 and Galland was blamed by Göring for the failure to prevent the Allied strategic bombing of Germany in daylight. The relationship collapsed altogether in early January 1945, when Galland was relieved of his command because of his constant criticism of the Luftwaffe leadership. Galland was then put under house arrest following the so-called Revolt of the Kommodores, during which senior Jagdwaffe pilots tried to "save" Galland's position, while having Göring dismissed as Reichsmarschall. In March 1945, Galland returned to operational flying and was permitted to form a jet fighter unit which Galland called Jagdverband 44. He flew missions over Germany until the end of the war in May. After the war Galland was employed by Argentina's Government and acted as a consultant to the Argentine Air Force. Later he returned to Germany and managed his own business. Galland also befriended many former enemies, such as RAF aces Robert Stanford Tuck and Douglas Bader. Adolf Galland died in February 1996. Two signatures for the price of one!

Major Erich Ruddorffer - Luftwaffe Ace - 222 Victories

Lot #78 (Sale Order 79 of 226)

Major Erich Rudorffer is a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace, one of a handful who served with the Luftwaffe through the whole of World War II. He is the 7th most successful fighter pilot in the history of air warfare and, as of 2014, both the oldest jet fighter ace and the most successful ace still living. Rudorffer claimed a total of 222 victories, fighting in all the major German theaters of war, including the European and Mediterranean Theatre of Operations and the Eastern Front. During the war he flew more than 1000 combat missions, was engaged in aerial combat over 300 times, was shot down by flak and enemy fighters 16 times and had to take to his parachute 9 times. His 222 aerial victories include 58 heavily armoured Il-2 Sturmovik ground attack aircraft. He also sank a British submarine on 19 May 1941 off the Isle of Portland, but was credited only with damaging the submarine. Rudorffer is the last living recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves and Swords. Rudorffer got his first victory over a Curtiss Hawk 75, on 14 May 1940. He scored eight more times before the capitulation of France. He flew throughout the Battle of Britain, and legend has him being pursued down Croydon High Street below rooftop level by a Hurricane. On 9 February 1943 Rudorffer claimed to have defeated 8 British pilots during a 32-minute aerial battle, and collected his first multiple victories. In July 1943 Rudorffer was appointed to command II./Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54) on the Eastern Front. He claimed his first victory in that theater on 7 August. Due to the experience gained by fighting the RAF he achieved incredible success. During his first sortie on 24 August 1943, 5 Soviet aircraft were downed in 4 minutes. On 11 October 1943 Rudorffer made history when during 17 minutes he claimed 13 kills. Near the Latvian city of Libau while preparing to land he spotted a Soviet task force of about 60 close air support aircraft on its way to attack Libau airfields. He broke off the landing and engaged the enemy without any backup. He drove off the attackers, shooting down nine enemy aircraft within 10 minutes. In the winter of 1944 Rudorffer was trained on the Messerschmitt Me 262 Jet fighter. In February 1945 he was recalled to command I./Jagdgeschwader 7 (JG 7). Between December 1944 and beginning of April 1945 the I./JG 7 operated from the then newly built Luftwaffe Airbase in Kaltenkirchen north of Hamburg. Rudorffer claimed 12 victories with the Me 262, to bring his total to 222. His tally included 136 on the Eastern Front, 26 in North Africa and 60 on the Western Front including 10 heavy bombers.

Major Gunter Rall - Luftwaffe Ace - 275 Confirmed Victories- Jagdgeshwader 52, 11 and 300

Lot #79 (Sale Order 80 of 226)

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. During Operation Barbarossa, Rall found repeated opportunity for combat, scoring his third, fourth and fifth victories in three days of June 1941. During a five-day period, Rall and his Staffel destroyed some 50 Soviet aircraft. He had 12 victories in October. JG 52 was then attached to the operations of Heeresgruppe Süd and continued operating on the southern flank of the Eastern Front. On 28 November 1941 Rall shot down his 37th victim, but was himself shot down. He tried to fly to the German lines with a badly damaged engine, but he crash landed and was knocked out. A German tank crew rescued him from the wreck. X-rays revealed he had broken his back in three places. Doctors told Rall he was finished as a pilot and transferred him to a hospital in Vienna in December 1941. Despite the diagnosis, which said he would not be able to walk again, Rall defied the odds and returned to combat almost a year later. On 19 April 1944, Rall was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 11 (JG 11), where he took up position as Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 11. JG 11 was tasked with Reichsverteidigung (Defence of the Reich) and Rall led his unit against the bomber fleets of Eighth Air Force. On 12 May 1944, Rall was leading a Staffel of Bf 109s and bounced a flight of three P-47 Thunderbolts led by Col. Hubert Zemke, with Rall shooting down two Thunderbolts. His own squadron were then bounced by other P-47s arriving at the engagement, and he was shot down by pilots of the 56th Fighter Group. Rall had his left thumb shot off and was hospitalized for many months. His last posting was with Jagdgeschwader 300 (JG 300), operating from a variety of airfields in southern Germany during the last months of the war. Lack of supplies prevented most planes from going on missions, and the fast progress of the Allies forced his squadron to move several times. Towards the very last days of the war he asked the men in his command to try to stay alive rather than carry out senseless actions. He felt it was his responsibility as a leader to try to save the few lives that he could as the war was virtually over and its outcome could not be reversed. He was taken prisoner by American forces after the fighting in Germany ended. Whilst in a prisoner of war camp near Heidelberg, Rall was approached by the Americans who were gathering Luftwaffe pilots who had experience with the Messerschmitt Me 262 fighter. Rall was transferred to Bovingdon near Hemel Hempstead. Rall was then based at RAF Tangmere, where he met the RAF ace Robert Stanford Tuck, with whom he reportedly became close friends. Returning to postwar Germany, he rejoined the newly established West German military in 1956, after meeting a wartime friend and Luftwaffe pilot who encouraged him to return to flying.

Oberst Joachim Helbig - Luftwaffe Bomber Pilot - I./LG 1, LG 1

Lot #80 (Sale Order 81 of 226)

Oberst Joachim Helbig was an officer and pilot in the German Luftwaffe bomber arm during World War II. He was credited with the destruction of 182,000 gross register tons (GRT) of Allied shipping accomplished in 480 missions during World War II. At the outbreak of World War II he served as an observer in Lehrgeschwader 1 (LG 1) and participated in the invasion of Poland. He saw further action in the Norwegian Campaign and the Battles of the Netherlands, Belgium and France. For his contribution and military success in these campaigns Helbig received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 9 November 1940. He was then transferred to the Mediterranean theater of operations where he operated against Malta, the British Mediterranean Fleet and in support of the Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK). Helbig became the 20th recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) on 28 September 1942 for the support of Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel's 1942 summer offensive and the sinking of 182,000 GRT of enemy shipping. Initially Helbig was banned from further combat flying and became an inspector on the staff of the General der Kampfflieger, the senior officer responsible for the Luftwaffe's bomber force. In August 1943 he was made Geschwaderkommodore of Lehrgeschwader 1 operating against the Allied invasion forces in Italy. In the last weeks of the war in Europe, Helbig commanded a combat unit on the Eastern Front consisting of elements of Lehrgeschwader 1 and Kampfgeschwader 200 (KG 200). After the war he worked as a manager for a brewery in Berlin. On 15 August 1940, Helbig and his Staffel (Squadron), consisting of nine Ju 88s, took off from Orléans at 4:45 pm, with the primary target RAF Worthy Down. Over the English coast the German formation consisting of Ju 88s from LG 1, Ju 87s from Sturzkampfgeschwader 1 (StG 1; 1st Dive Bomber Wing) escorted by elements of Zerstörergeschwader 2 (ZG 2; 2nd Heavy Fighter Wing), Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27; 27th Fighter Wing) and Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53; 53rd Fighter Wing), were intercepted by British fighters from No. 10 Group RAF and No. 11 Group RAF. The combined attacking force of more than 200 German aircraft were intercepted by 14 British fighter squadrons totaling 170 fighter aircraft. This mission turned out to be disastrous for 4th Staffel. Only Helbig and his crew returned their heavily damaged aircraft back to friendly territory

Oberst Werner Streib - Luftwaffe Night Fighter Ace - NJG 1

Lot #81 (Sale Order 82 of 226)

Werner Streib was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace during World War II. Often called 'Father of the Nachtjagd' Streib helped develop the operational tactics used by the Nachtjagd during the early to mid-war years, and along with the likes of Wolfgang Falck made the Luftwaffe's nightfighter arm an effective fighting force against the Royal Air Force (RAF) bombing offensive. By October 1940 Streib was commanding of I gruppe, NJG 1, based at Venlo, Netherlands in order to more easily intercept the known RAF bomber routes into targets in the Ruhr. He would be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 6 October 1940 as an Oberleutnant with eight victories claimed. By May 1941 he had 26 confirmed victories. He was awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knights Cross on 26 February 1943 as a Major and Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of NJG 1 with 42 confirmed victories. On the night of 11–12 June 1943, Werner Streib flew a prototype version of the Heinkel He 219 and claimed to have shot down 5 Lancaster bombers within just 30 minutes. On 11 March 1944 he was awarded the Swords to his Knights Cross for 66 confirmed victories. On 23 March 1944 he was made Inspector of Night Fighters and he would stay in this post as Oberst until the end of the war. Werner Streib was officially credited with shooting down 66 enemy aircraft, with 65 claimed at night. He was the first night fighter pilot to be honoured with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. After the war he worked in the grocery business before joining the Bundeswehr on 16 March 1956. For three years he commanded the pilot school in Landsberg am Lech, equipped with the T-6 Texan was responsible for training the beginner pilots in the Luftwaffe. Brigadegeneral Streib's military career ended with his retirement on 31 March 1966. His last position was Inspizient Fliegende Verbände (Inspector of Flying Forces).

Oberst Hajo Herrmann - Luftwaffe Bomber Pilot - III./KG 30

Lot #82 (Sale Order 83 of 226)

Hans-Joachim "Hajo" Herrmann was a Luftwaffe bomber pilot and later after the end of World War II, focusing his activities as a lawyer on civil and criminal law. In World War II, he was a high ranking and influential member of the Luftwaffe.Herrmann was one of the Luftwaffe's most innovative air tacticians during World War II. Beginning his military career as an infantry officer, he was commissioned in the newly formed Luftwaffe in 1935. From 1936 until 1937, he was a bomber pilot in the Condor Legion. During the Spanish civil war, Herrmann joined KG-4, and wrote several well received tactical reports. When World War II began, he flew Heinkel He-111s in Poland and Norway. By 1940, he was Commander of the 7th Staffel of KG-4, and led many attacks on England during the Battle of Britain. In February 1941, his group went to Sicily, where it flew against Malta and Greece. In one such attack, Herrmann dropped a single bomb on an ammunition ship, the SS Clan Fraser; the resulting explosion sank 11 ships and made the Greek port of Piraeus unusable for many months. In early 1942, he was Commander of III./KG 30, attacking Arctic convoys from Norway, including the attacks on PQ-17. July 1942 saw him assigned to the general staff in Germany, where he became a close confidant of Hermann Göring. During his career as a bomber pilot, Herrmann flew 320 missions and sank 12 ships totalling 70,000 tons.In 1942, Herrmann was appointed to the Luftwaffe Operational Staff. Quickly gaining a reputation as one of the leading tactical and operational innovators of the Luftwaffe, he was the creator of the Luftwaffe night fighter wing designated Jagdgeschwader 300, nicknamed Wilde Sau (German: wild boar). Raised as a response to the growing threat of RAF Bomber Command's night raids on the Reich in mid-1943, which had gained the ascendancy over the Luftwaffe's Nachtjäger radar-guided night fighter forces through the use of chaff, Herrmann's theory was for experienced night flying pilots and ex-instructors to be equipped with Fw 190 day fighters and visually 'free-hunt' the bombers by the light of the fires below and with the aid of special 'flare-carrier' Junkers Ju 88s following the bomber streams, as well as the use of the Naxos radar detector unit on some of these single engined fighters, to find RAF night bombers, when they were aiming by radar. Herrmann himself flew more than 50 night fighter missions and claimed nine RAF bombers destroyed. Although JG 300 and subsequent units raised met with promising initial success, the high wastage of both pilots and aircraft due to high accident rates curtailed extensive use of 'Wilde Sau' beyond the start of 1944. In December 1943, Herrmann was appointed Luftwaffe Inspector of Aerial Defence. By 1944, he was Inspector General of night fighters and received the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. At the end of 1944, he led the 9. Flieger-division (J). At this time he was a leading exponent of the tactical deployment of the so-called Rammjäger Sonderkommando Elbe (German: ram fighters, task force Elbe), sent into action in April 1945. Pilot volunteers, often aged 18 to 20, were to be trained to be simply competent enough to control specially lightened and unarmoured Bf 109 fighters and charged with downing Allied bombers by deliberately ramming the tail or control surfaces with the propellers of their aircraft, and thereafter (hopefully) bailing out. Herrmann's intention was to gather a large number of these fighters for a one-off attack on the USAAF bomber streams, hopefully causing enough losses to curtail the bombing offensive for a few months. Fuel shortages prevented employment of the large numbers necessary, although from one mission of this type of the 138 planes thus committed only 50 came back.Herrmann was captured by the Soviets after the war and was held prisoner for 10 years before returning to Germany in 1955. Back in Germany, he studied law and settled in Düsseldorf.

Oberfeldwebel Gunter Glasner - Luftwaffe LG 1, KG 6

Lot #83 (Sale Order 84 of 226)

Günter Glasner was a German Luftwaffe air gunner and during World War II was a member of the Hermann Hogeback bomber crew. The crew had the unique distinction that by the end of World War II every member was decorated with the Knight's Cross. Awards - Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (15 May 1940), 1st Class (17 September 1940), Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Bomber Airmen in Gold (15 June 1941), with Pennant (14 October 1942), in Gold with Pennant 500 (14 November 1944), German Cross in Gold on 13 August 1942 as Feldwebel in the Stab III./Lehrgeschwader 1, Cuff title "Kreta" (8 June 1943) and the Cuff title "Afrika" (26 May 1943), Crimea Shield (29 July 1943), Wound Badge (1939) in Black (1 October 1944), and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 31 December 1943 as Oberfeldwebel and air gunner in the Stab/Kampfgeschwader 6. Two signed photos!

Hauptmann Ernst Wilhelm Reinert - Luftwaffe Ace - 174 Victories

Lot #84 (Sale Order 85 of 226)

Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert was a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace during WWII. After gaining his wings in April 1939 Reinert joined Ergänzungsgruppe/Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing) in Vienna in April 1941. Shortly afterwards, he was transferred to 4./JG 77, taking part in Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. On 7 February 1942 Feldwebel Reinert was awarded the Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe for 24 victories, flying with II./JG 77 at Sarabus in the Crimea in March 1942. He was awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold in May for 44 claims, before passing fifty claims in early June. The Ritterkreuz was awarded on 1 July 1942. On 23 July, he was shot down and wounded by a Petlyakov Pe-2 twin-engined bomber over Plaskaja. A period in hospital followed. Reinert returned to the front in September. On 3 October Fw. Reinert passed the century mark with three claims. On 6 October he was awarded the Eichenlaub for 103 victories. He was posted with the unit to Tunisia in December 1942 flying operations from east of Tripoli in Libya to support the Afrika Korps. Although heavily outnumbered, Reinert continued to score heavily where he became one of the most successful Luftwaffe 'experten' during that period of combat. One of his victims on 16 April was a Spitfire flown by 244 Wing leader and ace Wing Commander Ian Gleed. On 20 April Reinert was promoted to the rank of Leutnant. Having been ordered to evacuate from Tunisia Lt. Reinert was ordered to fly to Sicily. Reinert took the controls of a Bf 109 G with Oblt. Baeumel and a mechanic crammed into the machine. En route to Sicily Reinert sighted a formation of Royal Navy Grumman Martlets and swung his overloaded fighter behind one of the British aircraft to shoot it down. Reinert then flew on safely to Sicily, to the relief of his passengers. JG 27 was transferred in June to the invasion front, flying over Caen and claiming a P-47 Thunderbolt on 27 June. Two further victories over Normandy followed, although Reinert was injured on 17 June and 5 July. Reinert's 12./JG 27 was redesignated as 14 Staffel in August and was withdrawn to Germany for refitting. Oberleutnant Reinert was then appointed Gruppenkommandeur of IV./JG 27 on 1 January 1945. Hauptmann Reinert was awarded the Schwerter on 30 January 1945. In March he transferred to JG 7 flying the Me 262. Reinert flew 715 combat missions and was officially credited with shooting down 174 enemy aircraft plus 16 ground victories. 103 claims were made on the Eastern Front, 20 on the Western Front, and 51 in the Mediterranean theatre. He also destroyed 16 armoured vehicles plus 6 locomotives. After World War II up until the fifties, Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert pursued a career in business. In 1956 he rejoined the military service in the Bundeswehr as Major. Oberstleutnant Reinert retired in 1972.

Oberst Herbert Ihlefeld -Luftwaffe Ace - 132 Victories - JG 77, JG 52, JG 103, JG 25

Lot #85 (Sale Order 86 of 226)

Herbert Ihlefeld was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1936 until the very end of World War II in May 1945. He claimed 132 enemy aircraft shot down; nine in the Spanish Civil War, 67 on the Eastern Front, and 56 on the Western Front, including 15 four-engined bombers and 26 Spitfires. He survived being shot down eight times during his 1,000 combat missions. He flew in the invasion of Poland, and in the battles of France and Britain. In July 1940, "Ihle" was now Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 1.(J)/LG 2, leading it during the Battle of Britain. He was awarded the Ritterkreuz during September 1940, for 24 claimed kills. In April 1941, the unit was transferred to the Balkans to take part in the invasion of Yugoslavia. During one of his first missions, strafing an airfield near Niš, Ihlefeld was shot down by anti-aircraft fire and captured by Yugoslavian soldiers. While in their custody, he was allegedly severely beaten, and threatened with execution by firing squad. He was rescued by German troops after eight days in captivity, and returned to Germany to recover. After a few weeks, "Ihle" returned to participate in the assault on Crete, claiming a Hawker Hurricane shot down for his 36th claim. Soon after, LG 2 was rearmed and remustered as I./Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing) in time for Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, Ihlefeld retaining command of I./JG 77. In the spring of 1942, a series of multiple victories (five aircraft on 24 March, seven on 30 March and seven on 20 April), saw Ihlefeld become the fifth pilot to reach 100 victories. During the period of Ihlefeld's leadership, I./JG 77 was credited with the destruction of 323 enemy aircraft while losing only 17 Messerschmitt Bf 109s. In June 1942, Ihlefeld became Geschwaderkommodore (Wing Commander) of the famed Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing). On 22 July 1942, whilst flying over the front in his Storch, he was shot down and badly wounded by Soviet fighters, this took him out of the front line until July 1943, when he joined the newly formed Jagdgeschwader 25 as Geschwaderkommodore, leading the group's high-altitude Bf 109s in ultimately unsuccessful operations against Royal Air Force Mosquitos, and later United States Air Force (USAAF) heavy bomber formations in Reichsverteidigung missions. In May 1944, he became Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 11 (JG 11—11th Fighter Wing), briefly before switching to Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1—1st Fighter Wing), overseeing the period where elements of the Geschwader were equipped late in the war with the He 162 Volksjäger.

Hauptmann Alfred Grislawski - Luftwaffe Fighter Ace - 133 Victories - 1./JG 1, 11./JG 53, III./JG 1

Lot #86 (Sale Order 87 of 226)

Alfred Grislawski was a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace and was credited with 133 victories claimed in over 800 combat missions. He recorded 24 victories over the Western Front, including 18 United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) four–engine bombers. Of his 109 claims recorded over the Eastern Front, 16 were Il-2 Sturmoviks. In August 1942 Oberfeldwebel Grislawski was assigned to 7./JG 52 based in the Caucasus. In September, he claimed 16 victories over the Terek bridgehead. On 5 November he shot down four Ilyushin Il-2s but was shot down in Bf 109 G-2 and belly-landing with a few bruises. On 18 January 1943, Grislawski's Rotte was intercepted by Soviet I-16 fighters and Grislawski’s Bf 109 was hit, setting on fire. He nursed his aircraft over German lines before baling out, sustaining facial burns. Grislaski was one of the four pilots in the famed Karaya Quartet. On 26 January Grislawski received promotion to Leutnant. He recorded his 92nd victory on 3 February 1943. On 27 April 1943 he recorded his 100th victory. In June 1943 he was wounded by blast from a German land mine near Taman. On his recovery Grislawski transferred to Jagdgruppe Süd (JGr Süd). In August 1943 elements of JGr Süd were redesignated Jagdgeschwader 50 (JG 50), under the command of Major Hermann Graf and charged with intercepting the high-flying Royal Air Force de Havilland Mosquito fighter-bomber and photo-reconnaissance aircraft. Based at Wiesbaden-Erbenheim he shot down his first two United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) four-engine bombers on 17 August. In early October Grislawski was promoted to the rank of Hauptmann and given temporary command of JGr. 50.Hauptmann Grislawski was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) on 11 April for 122 victories. Grislawski then led 8./JG 1 to France to combat the Allied landings in Normandy. After less than a week the unit was relocated to Germany having been decimated in operations against the beachhead. In July Grislawski was back to France as acting Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of III./JG 1. On 27 July, Grislawski was shot down by Spitfires, baling out safely. At the end of July 1944 Grislawski was transferred to Staffelkapitän of 11./Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53—53rd Fighter Wing). He claimed two B-17 four-engine bombers shot down on 12 September. On 26 September 1944, Grislawski was credited with a P-38 twin-engine fighter shot down as his 133rd and last claim. His Bf 109 G-14 was hit in the engine by a P-51 flown by Col. Hubert Zemke and caught fire. He bailed out but had a very hard landing that cracked two vertebrae in his back and he spent the remainder of the war in a military hospital. By the end of the war Grislawski was at Badgastein in the Austrian Alps. He was able to cross the zone border and return to his hometown of Wanne-Eickel. He declined to join the Bundesluftwaffe because of his wartime injuries. Two signatures - one price.

Feldwebel Carlos Nugent - Luftwaffe Gunner - 63 Victories

Lot #87 (Sale Order 88 of 226)

Feldwebel Carlos Nugent was Heinz Rokker's gunner om mJu-88 night-fighters, flying in North Africa, Italy. over Britain and during the defense of Germany. With Rokker, he shared a total of 63 Victories.

Johannes Steinhoff Luftwaffe Jet Pilot & Ace - 176 Victories

Lot #88 (Sale Order 89 of 226)

Johannes "Macky" Steinhoff was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace of World War II, and later a senior West German Air Force officer and military commander of NATO. He played a significant role in rebuilding the post war Luftwaffe, eventually serving as chief of staff from 1966 – 1970 and then as chairman of NATO's Military Committee from 1971 – 1974. In retirement, Steinhoff became a widely read author of books on German military aviation during the war and the experiences of the German people at that time. Steinhoff was one of very few Luftwaffe pilots who survived to fly operationally through the whole of the war period 1939–45. He was also one of the highest-scoring pilots with 176 victories, and one of the first to fly the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter in combat as a member of the famous aces squadron Jagdverband 44 led by Adolf Galland. Steinhoff was decorated with both the Oak Leaves and Swords to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He played a role in the so-called Fighter Pilots Conspiracy when several senior air force officers confronted Hermann Göring late in the war. Steinhoff's first combat experience was in 1939 when he fought RAF Vickers Wellington bombers that were attacking coastal industry in the Wilhelmshaven region, shooting down several. In February 1940, he was transferred to 4./JG 52 where he served in both the French campaign and the Battle of Britain. By the end of the Battle of Britain, Steinhoff's score had advanced to six kills. Steinhoff's great strength was in his ability to pass on his knowledge and training to novice pilots, equipping them with the skills to survive and ultimately become experienced fighter pilots. In June 1941 JG 52 were on offensive operations against the Soviet Union, becoming one of the highest scoring units in the Luftwaffe. Steinhoff himself claimed 28 Soviet aircraft shot down in the first month. By August 1941 Steinhoff had attained 35 victories and been awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. In February 1942, he claimed his 100th victory on 31 August, and his 150th on 2 February 1943. Steinhoff remained with JG 52 until March 1943, operating over the Mediterranean. A short time after taking command Steinhoff was shot down by Spitfires and had to crash-land his damaged aircraft. Previously he had been shot down only once during the Battle of Britain. On 28 July 1944, Steinhoff received the Swords to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He ended the war as a jet pilot, first being posted to Kommando Nowotny in October 1944, and then, with the rank of Oberst, as Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 7 in December. JG 7 was equipped with the Me 262 jet fighter, and Steinhoff was allowed to hand-pick several Staffelkapitäne, including Heinz Bär and Gerhard Barkhorn. After the heavy losses suffered during Operation Bodenplatte, Steinhoff and other fighter leaders fell into disfavour following the so-called 'Fighter Pilots Revolt' against what was perceived as the incompetence of Luftwaffe high command, and Hermann Göring in particular. Along with several others, Steinhoff was relieved of his command for challenging Göring's leadership. After a brief period spent in internal exile, Steinhoff transferred to the Jet Experten unit JV 44 then being put together by his close friend and confidant Adolf Galland in early 1945. Steinhoff initially acted as a de facto recruiting officer, persuading a number of veteran Luftwaffe aces to join the unit - some coming out of the Fighter Pilots' Rest Home at Bad Wiessee to do so. Steinhoff himself scored six confirmed kills with the unit. Steinhoff survived nearly 1000 combat missions, only to see his flying career come to an end on the ground. On 18 April 1945, Steinhoff's Me-262 suffered a tyre blow-out and crashed on take-off from Munchen-Riem airfield. Steinhoff suffered severe burns (spending two years in hospital) which left him visibly scarred despite years of reconstructive surgery. His eyelids were rebuilt by a British surgeon after the war. His wartime record was 176 aircraft claimed destroyed, of which 152 were on the Eastern Front, 12 on the Western Front and 12 in the Mediterranean. He also flew 993 operational sorties. During his career as a fighter pilot, Steinhoff was shot down 12 times, but had to bail out only once. Explaining his preference to remain with his damaged aircraft, Steinhoff admitted: "I only bailed out once. I never trusted the parachutes. I always landed my damaged planes, hoping not to get bounced on the way down when I lost power."

General Walter "Graf Punski" Krupinski - Luftwaffe Jet Pilot & Ace - 197 Victories

Lot #89 (Sale Order 90 of 226)

Walter "Graf Punski" Krupinski was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace of World War II and a senior West German air force officer after the war. He was one of the highest-scoring pilots, credited with 197 victories in 1,100 sorties. He was called by his fellow pilots Graf Punski (Count Punski) due to his Prussian origins. Krupinski was one of the first to fly the Me 262 jet fighter in combat as a member of the famous aces squadron JV 44 led by Adolf Galland. Krupinski won his first aerial victory in the early stages of the Russian campaign. By December 1941 his tally stood at seven confirmed victories and by August 1942 at 50, for which he was awarded the German Cross in gold. After another six victories Krupinski was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. In March 1943, Krupinski was promoted to Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) and was given command of 7. Staffel. At this time Erich Hartmann, who went on to become the highest scoring Ace of the war, served as his wingman. Hartmann adopted Krupinki's close-quarters method of attack. After the Allied invasion of France in June 1944, the Gruppe was rushed to Normandy to operate on low-level Army support missions. Krupinski claimed 10 Allied aircraft shot down before he was wounded and burned on 12 August. By September he was transferred as Commanding Officer of III. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 26. In March 1945, Krupinski was transferred to the aces unit Jagdverband 44, which flew the Messerschmitt 262 jet, claiming his last two aerial victories of the war on 16 and 26 April 1945.After having claimed 197 enemy planes (177 Eastern Front, 20 against the Western Allies, in about 1100 missions), Krupinski went into American captivity on 5 May 1945. He was held in US custody at Salzburg, Aibling, Heilbronn, Heidelberg, in England, France, Munich-Oberföhring and Tegernsee before being released on 26 September 1945. Krupinski had bailed out four times and had been wounded five times. Krupinski entered the Amt Blank (Blank Agency), named after Theodor Blank, the forerunner of the German Federal Ministry of Defence on 15 December 1952. Given the rank of major in 1957, Krupinski went to lead Jagdbombergeschwader 33 (FBW33) the first postwar German jet fighter wing. In 1966 Krupinski took command of the German forces of the Luftwaffen-Ausbildungs-Kommando in Texas with the rank of brigadier general. In July 1969 Krupinski became commander of the 3rd Luftwaffe division. In 1971 he became chief of staff of Second Allied Tactical Air Force. In October 1974 Krupinski was promoted commanding officer of the airfleet.

Major Karl Henze - Luftwaffe Stuka Pilot - SchlG 102

Lot #90 (Sale Order 91 of 226)

Karl Henze was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II and during his career he flew 1098 missions. He flew in Poland, France, Britain, Balkans, Russia, and was ranked as the 12th leading dive-bomber pilot. Awards include the Aviator badge, Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "1000", Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class, 1st Class, Wound Badge (1939) in Black, Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (24 November 1941), German Cross in Gold (13 January 1942) Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 15 July 1942 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 1./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 and the 481st Oak Leaves on 20 May 1944 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Schlachtgeschwader 77.

Major Gunther Rall & Major Walter Krupinski - Two Top Luftwaffe Aces

Lot #91 (Sale Order 92 of 226)

Two signatures on the same card - both top Luftwaffe Aces! 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. Walter "Graf Punski" Krupinski was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace of World War II and a senior West German air force officer after the war. He was one of the highest-scoring pilots, credited with 197 victories in 1,100 sorties. He was called by his fellow pilots Graf Punski (Count Punski) due to his Prussian origins. Krupinski was one of the first to fly the Me 262 jet fighter in combat as a member of the famous aces squadron JV 44 led by Adolf Galland.

Hauptmann Heinz Rokker - Luftwaffe Nightfighter Ace - 64 Victories

Lot #92 (Sale Order 93 of 226)

Heinz Rökker is a former German Luftwaffe night fighter ace. He shot down 64 enemy aircraft (63 at night), all were British bombers. On the night of 6/7 June, he then claimed 5 RAF bombers over Normandy. Rökker was awarded the Ritterkreuz in July 1944, and recorded his 40th kill on 7/8 August. On 4/5 November he claimed 4 more enemy aircraft and recorded three more victories on the night of 3/4 February to take his score to 52. He claimed six enemy aircraft on the night of 21/22 February. Rökker was awarded the Eichenlaub in March for 60 victories. On the night of 15/16 March, Rökker recorded 4 enemy aircraft shot down as his last victories of the war, including a Mosquito shot down over his airfield at St Trond. As a Luftwaffe night fighter pilot, he mainly flew the Junkers Ju 88 G-1. Rökker was credited with 64 victories in 161 missions. He recorded 63 of his victories at night, including 55 four-engined bombers. Carlos Nugent (lot # 87) flew almost 150 missions with Rökker, participating in 62 of his 64 victories, and on 28 April 1945 became one of the few Bordfunker's decorated with the Knight's Cross.

Oberstleutnant Adolf Dickfeld - Luftwaffe Fighter Ace - 136 Victories

Lot #93 (Sale Order 94 of 226)

Oberst Adolf Dickfeld was a German World War II Luftwaffe 136 victories Flying ace. Adolf Dickfeld was officially credited with 136 victories claimed in 1072 combat missions. He also claimed a further 15 enemy aircraft unconfirmed. In 1943 he was placed in a staff position as General für Nachwuchs (general of recruitment) of the Luftwaffe in the Reich Air Ministry and at the same time became Reich inspector of the Flieger (Aviation) Hitler Youth. He claimed about 128 victories over the Eastern Front. He claimed one victory flying the Heinkel He 162 Salamander ("Volksjäger") jet fighter, a P-47 Thunderbolt on 11 April 1945. Dickfeld continued to fly professionally in Germany and East Africa. Awaqrds include the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (13 December 1939), 1st Class (12 January 1940), Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe on 15 December 1941 as Leutnant and pilot, German Cross in Gold on 22 January 1942 as Leutnant of the Reserves in the 7./JG 52, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 19 March 1942 as Leutnant (war officer) and pilot in the 7./JG 52 and the 94th Oak Leaves on 19 May 1942 as Leutnant (war officer) and pilot in the 7./JG 52, Royal Bulgarian Merit medal in Gold, and mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht.

Oberstleutnant Paul-Werner Hozzel - Top Luftwaffe Stuka Pilot

Lot #94 (Sale Order 95 of 226)

Paul-Werner Hozzel was a German World War II Luftwaffe Stuka pilot and the first pilot of that type of plane to be awarded with the coveted Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Paul-Werner Hozzel joined the Artillerie-Regiment 2 in 1931 and transferred to the Luftwaffe in 1935. He took command of the 2nd Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 20 on 1 September 1938 and shortly afterwards was promoted to Hauptmann. At the outbreak of World War II he participated in the Invasion of Poland in 1939. Hozzel was then put in command of I.Gruppe Stuka-Geschwaders 1. This Gruppe also participated in the Battle of France and in the invasion of Norway. Hozzel, as the first Stuka pilot, was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 8 May 1940 in representation of his Gruppe’s success. This includes the sinking of military vessels, 60,000 tons of merchant shipping and the attacks against the fortresses Akershus and Oscarsborg Fortress. Further success followed with the destruction of the French destroyer Bison (2,435 tons) und the British destroyer Afridi (1,850 tons). The British battleship Warspite and the aircraft carrier Illustrious were attacked on 10 January 1941. Illustrious was hit 8 times putting her out of service for several weeks. Hozzel was promoted to Oberstleutnant and made Geschwaderkommodore of Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann" on 16 October 1941. With SG 2, he fought in the Battle of Stalingrad, the Geschwader flew 12,000 combat missions in this engagement. In was then tasked to form "Gefechtsverband Hozzel" from parts of the Stuka-Geschwaders 1, 2 and 77 participating in the battles around Dnipropetrovsk. Hozzel was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 14 April 1943. He finished the war in a staff position of Luftflotte 1 and went into Soviet captivity as a prisoner of war. He returned from captivity on 16 January 1956. Still in 1956 he joined the Bundeswehr and retired as Brigadegeneral on 30 September 1969.

Oberleutnant Gunther Josten - Luftwaffe Fighter Ace - 178 Victories

Lot #95 (Sale Order 96 of 226)

Günther Josten was a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace. He joined the Luftwaffe in January 1940 and was transferred to the Jagdgruppe Drontheim on 1 November 1941. At the end of August 1942 he was reassigned to 3./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders" (3./JG 51—3rd squadron of the 51st fighter wing) on the Eastern Front. On 23 February 1943 he claimed his first aerial victory. On 10 July 1943 he scored multiple times for his claims 8 to 10. Three days later on 13 July he shot down 5 Il-2 Sturmoviks for victories 12 to 16. All in all he claimed 19 victories in July and 30 in August. After a successful September with 26 victories he was transferred to Luftkriegsschule Fürstenfeldbruck. He returned to his Staffel on 3 February 1944. Two days later he claimed two Bostons and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross as Oberfeldwebel. He claimed his 90th victory on 2 May 1944 and was promoted to Leutnant. On 18 September 1944 he took command of 3./JG 51 as Staffelkapitän. On 20 September he reached the century mark. His 123rd aerial victory was a Boeing B-17 on a supply mission to Warsaw. By October 26 his score had reached 139 claims. His 150th kill was claimed on 16 February 1945. On 28 March 1945 Oberleutnant Josten was awarded the 810th Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross for 161 aerial victories. He was promoted to Gruppenkommandeur of IV./JG 51 on 18 April 1945. His last seven aerial victories were claimed on 25 April 1945. Josten flew 420 combat missions, was never shot down, and was officially credited with shooting down 178 enemy aircraft.

Franz Kieslich

Lot #96 (Sale Order 97 of 226)

Franz Kieslich was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II. During his career, Franz Kieslich was credited with flying 1078 missions, sinking 10 ships totaling 23,000 BRT, a destroyer and a submarine. Awards include the Aviator badge (22 February 1937), Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "1000", Anschluss Medal (16 December 1938), Sudetenland Medal (1 October 1939), Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (5 May 1941), 1st Class (10 August 1941), Wound Badge (1939) in Black (18 May 1944), Eastern Front Medal (13 August 1942), Crimea Shield (15 March 1943), German Cross in Gold on 10 July 1942 as Oberleutnant in the 7./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 5 January 1943 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 7./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77, and the 619th Oak Leaves on 10 October 1944 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Schlachtgeschwader 77.

Major Georg-Peter Eder - Juftwaffe Jet Pilot & Ace - 78 Victories

Lot #97 (Sale Order 98 of 226)

Georg-Peter Schorsch Eder (born 8 March 1921 into a Jewish family who lived in Oberdachstetten, died 11 March 1986 in Wiesbaden) was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1938 until the end of World War II in 1945. Eder flew 572 combat missions claiming 78 enemy aircraft shot down. In November 1942 Eder was sent to 7./Jagdgeschwader 2 (JG 2) in France, and participated in the battle against the American 8th Air Force day bombing offensive. With Hauptmann Egon Mayer of III./JG 2, Eder developed the head-on attack strategy to combat the formations of Boeing B-17s and Consolidated B-24s. In February 1943 Eder became Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 12./JG 2. On 28 March after downing a B-17, he was wounded when his Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-4 somersaulted on landing at Beaumont-le-Roger. Eder destroyed his 20th aircraft on 29 May 1943. On 5 September 1943, Eder was transferred to 5./JG 2. On 5 November, Eder was again forced to bail out of his Bf 109 and was again injured. In March 1944 Oberleutnant Eder was transferred to 6./Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1) in Northern Germany. He bailed out of his Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-7 during combat with a P-47 "Thunderbolt" over Göttingen on 19 April. On 8 May, he claimed a B-24 but made an emergency landing at Vechta. By the end of May he had a total of 49 victories. As Gruppenkommandeur II./JG 1 he fought in the aerial battles over Normandy during the Allied invasion, and on 21 June 1944 recorded his 50th victory. On 24 June Eder received the Ritterkreuz. On 11 August 1944 Eder took command of 6 Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 26 (JG 26). Attacking Allied armour near Dreux on 17 August Eder shot down a Spitfire at low level; it crashed between two M4 Sherman tanks, destroying them. Shortly after that he shot down another Spitfire, which crashed on another tank, setting it on fire. During the Ardennes offensive, Eder claimed 40 P-47s destroyed on the ground. He was awarded the Oak Leaves on 25 November 1944 for some 60 victories. On 22 January he was shot down near Parchim by P-51s while trying to land. He broke both legs and spent the rest of the war in hospital at Wismar and Bad Wiessee, where he was captured by the US Army. Georg-Peter Eder flew 572 combat missions of which 150 were with the Messerschmitt Me 262. On the Eastern Front he scored 10 victories and on the Western Front 68, of which no less than 36 were four-engined bombers. With the Me 262 he scored at least 12 victories, at least one sources indicate that this number could be as high or even higher than 24 kills. He was the leading scorer against the four-engined bombers, and leading air ace against the USAAF, claiming some 56 US flown aircraft. Eder himself was shot down 17 times, bailing out 9 times, and was wounded 14 times.

Oberst Hans-Ulrich Rudel - Highest Decorated German WWII Luftwaffe Pilot

Lot #98 (Sale Order 99 of 226)

Hans-Ulrich Rudel was a Stuka dive-bomber pilot during World War II. The most highly decorated German serviceman of the war, Rudel was one of only 27 military men to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, and the only person to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, Germany's highest military decoration at the time. Rudel flew 2,530 combat missions claiming a total of 2,000 targets destroyed; including 800 vehicles, 519 tanks, 150 artillery pieces, 70 landing craft, nine aircraft, four armored trains, several bridges, a destroyer, two cruisers, and the Soviet battleship Marat. Awards include the Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) as Oberleutnant in a Sturzkampfgeschwader (20 October 1941), Wound Badge in Gold, Pilot/Observer Badge in Gold with Diamonds, German Cross in Gold on 2 December 1941 as Oberleutnant in the III./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2, Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (10 November 1939), 1st Class (18 July 1941), Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold and Diamonds with Pennant "2000" in Gold (18 July 1941) in Gold and Diamonds with Pennant "2000", Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds Knight's Cross on 6 January 1942 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 9./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann", the 229th Oak Leaves on 14 April 1943 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 1./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann", 42nd Swords on 25 November 1943 as Hauptmann and leader of the III./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann", the 10th Diamonds on 29 March 1944 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann", the 1st Golden Oak Leaves on 29 December 1944 as Oberstleutnant and Geschwaderkommodore of Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann", the 8th (1st and only foreign) Hungarian Gold Medal of Bravery (14 January 1945), Italian Silver Medal of Military Valor and mentioned five times in the Wehrmachtbericht (27 March 1944, 28 March 1944, 3 June 1944, 6 August 1944, 10 February 1945).

Major Martin Drewes - Luftwaffe Night Fighter Ace - 52 Victories

Lot #99 (Sale Order 100 of 226)

Martin Drewes was a night fighter flying ace in the German Luftwaffe during World War II. He is credited with 52 victories of which 43 were claimed at night, mainly against British four-engine bombers whilst flying variants of the Messerschmitt Bf 110. Drewes was first assigned to II./Zerstörergeschwader 76 (ZG 76—76th Destroyer Wing) flying the Messerschmitt Bf 110, operating defensive patrols over the North Sea. In May 1941 the Luftwaffe committed Flyer Command Iraq (Fliegerführer Irak), which comprised one squadron (Staffel) of He 111s (4./Kampfgeschwader 4), one Staffel of Zerstörer (Bf 110s of 4./ZG 76), and 12 transports including a number of Junkers Ju 90s to support the Iraqi rebels during the Anglo-Iraqi War. The ten-day stint in the Middle East saw Drewes shoot down a British Gloster Gladiator biplane. Allied air-opposition was light and the Luftwaffe force concentrated mainly on ground support duties. By 26 May, despite cannibalizing two machines damaged in an Royal Air Force raid on Mosul, no Bf 110 was left serviceable. Drewes and his unit were evacuated the following day. Soon after ZG 76 was converted to a night fighter unit and renamed Nachtjagdgeschwader 3 (NJG 3—3rd Night Fighter Wing). Drewes scored regular night victories over Germany, before being transferred to Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1—1st Night Fighter Wing) where he would remain until the end of the war. In 1944 he became Gruppenkommandeur III./NJG 1. At the end of hostilities he had flown 252 operations, and claimed a total of 52 victories (including a Spitfire, a Gladiator, seven American 4-engined bombers shot down in daylight operations, and 43 British bombers at night. Drewes was decorated with Ritterkreuz and Eichenlaub. He was captured by British forces at the end of the war.

Obersleutnant Hans Karl Stepp-Luftwaffe

Lot #100 (Sale Order 101 of 226)

Hans-Karl Stepp was a German World War II Luftwaffe Stuka ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves The Knight's Cross was awarded on 4 February 1942 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 7./StG 2 "Immelmann" after 418 combat missions, and the Oak Leaves on 25 April 1944 as Oberstleutnant and Geschwaderkommodore of SG 2 "Immelmann"after over 800 combat missions.

Oberstleutnant Hans-Karl Stepp - Luftwaffe

Lot #101 (Sale Order 102 of 226)

Hans-Karl Stepp was a German World War II Luftwaffe Stuka ace, and fought in the Invasion of Poland and Battle of France with Sturzkampfgeschwader 76. He also served in the Reichsluftwaffenministerium in Berlin. He flew over 800 sorties - see sidebar.

Major Johannes Wiese - Luftwaffe

Lot #102 (Sale Order 103 of 226)

Johannes Wiese was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1935 until the end of World War II on 8 May 1945. His most successful day was 5 July 1943 when he shot down twelve enemy aircraft in one mission. Johannes Wiese was officially credited with 133 victories claimed in 480 combat missions. Additionally he had 25 more unconfirmed claims. Among his claims are 70 Il-2 Stormoviks. Soviet fighter pilots therefore greatly respected Wiese, and referred to him as the "Lion of Kuban." On December 1, 1944, Wiese became Geschwaderkommodore of the JG 77. Only three weeks later he was severely injured when, following ejection at an altitude of more than 9000 meters after combat with British Spitfires, his parachute ruptured 80 meters above ground. He spent the rest of the winter in hospital, and was replaced as commander by Erich Leie. He surrendered to U.S. forces at the end of the war but was released from captivity only weeks later. However, Wiese spent over four years in Soviet POW camps from September 1945 onward, having been denounced by German communists.

Oberstleutnant der Reserve Curt Ehl-Herr

Lot #103 (Sale Order 104 of 226)

Curt Ehle was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant der Reserve in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves while in command of Panzer-Brigade 102 in North Africa. He took part in the Invasion of Poland, Battle of France, North African Campaign, Operation Battleaxe, Operation Crusader, Battle of Gazala, First Battle of El Alamein, Second Battle of El Alamein and the Eastern Front.

Hauptmann Helmut Lipfert - Luftwaffe

Lot #104 (Sale Order 105 of 226)

Helmut Lipfert was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. Lipfert ranks as the world's thirteenth fighter ace. Lipfert was credited with 203 victories achieved in 687 combat missions. All his victories were claimed over the Eastern Front and included a P-51 Mustang, 41 Yakovlev Yak-1, 41 Yakovlev Yak-9 fighters, two four-engine bombers and 39 Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft. He was shot down fifteen times, without being injured.

Oberstleutant Wolfgang Schenck - Luftwaffe

Lot #105 (Sale Order 106 of 226)

Wolfgang Schenck was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. Wolfgang Schenck was an important figure in the Luftwaffe's development of the fighter-bomber, as well as pioneering work in the use of the Me 262 jet-bomber. He has 18 Victories in the air and destroyed over 30 vehicles on the ground.

Oberst Gunther Radusch - Luftwaffe

Lot #106 (Sale Order 107 of 226)

Gunther Radusch was a German aircraft pilot, the sixth highest-scoring night fighter flying ace in the German Luftwaffe during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. He claimed one victory during the Spanish Civil War, the remaining 64 victories were all claimed at night in over 140 combat missions, including the destruction of 57 four-engine bombers.

Oberst Helmut Bruck - Luftwaffe

Lot #107 (Sale Order 108 of 226)

Helmut Bruck (16 February 1913 – 25 August 2001) was a highly decorated Oberst in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. He fought in the Invasion of Poland, Battle of France, Battle of Britain Invasion of Yugoslavia, Battle of Greece, Operation Barbarossa Battle of Kiev (1941), Battle of Moscow, Third Battle of Kharkov Battle of Kursk and Lower Dnieper Offensive with over 950 sorties.

Major Karl Kennel - Luftwaffe

Lot #108 (Sale Order 109 of 226)

Karl Kennel was a German World War II Luftwaffe ground attack pilot and flying ace. He flew 957 combat missions and is credited with 34 victories, including 3 on the Western Front. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. Kennel is also believed to have shot down Soviet fighter ace Nikolay Abramashvili over Stalingrad on 30 November 1942.

Oberstleutant Wilhelm Antrup - Luftwaffe

Lot #109 (Sale Order 110 of 226)

Wilhelm "Willy" Antrup was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. He fought in the Spanish Civil War, Invasion of Poland, Battle of the Netherlands, Battle of Belgium, Battle of France, Battle of Britain, Operation Barbarossa, Battle of Kiev (1941), Battle of the Caucasus, Battle of Stalingrad and the Battle of Kursk. See sidebar for more details.

Major Paul Zorner - Luftwaffe

Lot #110 (Sale Order 111 of 226)

Paul Anton Guido Zorner was a German night fighter pilot in World War II. Zorner is credited with 59 nocturnal aerial victories claimed in 272 missions, including 110 night fighter missions. See sidebar for more information.

Major Wolfgang Spate - Luftwaffe

Lot #111 (Sale Order 112 of 226)

Major Wolfgang Späte (1911-1997) was a German World War II Luftwaffe flying ace. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, scoring 99 Victories flying aircraft as deverse as gliders to both the Me-163 "Komet" and the Me0262 jet fighter. See sidebar for more details.

Hauptmann Gerhard Studemann - Luftwaffe

Lot #112 (Sale Order 113 of 226)

Gerhard "Stutz" Stüdemann was a highly decorated Hauptmann in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. Gerhard Studemann is credited with destroying 117 tanks in 996 missions and was rated 26th among Stuka pilots.

Oberst Heinz Wittchow Von Brese-Winiary - Herr

Lot #113 (Sale Order 114 of 226)

Heinz Wittchow von Brese-Winiary (13 January 1914 – 3 December 1995) was a highly decorated Oberst in the Wehrmacht during World War II, and a recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. He led Panzer-Fusilier-Regiments and commanded "Grossdeutschland". He fought in the Invasion of Poland, Battle of France, Operation Barbarossa, Battle of Brody (1941), Battle of Rostov (1941), Second Battle of Kharkov Battle of the Caucasus, Battle of Stalingrad, Lower Dnieper Offensive, Cherkassy Pocket Battle of Memel, and the East Prussian Offensive. See sidebar.

Oberleutnant Gerhard Thyben - Luftwaffe Fighter Ace - 157 Victories

Lot #114 (Sale Order 115 of 226)

Gerhard Thyben was a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace flew 385 combat missions and claimed 157 aerial victories. He claimed 152 victories on the Eastern Front, including 28 Il-2 Sturmoviks and five victories on the Western Front. He flew 22 fighter-bomber missions on which he claimed two aircraft and seven trucks destroyed on the ground. On 8 May 1945 he claimed his last victory over the Baltic Sea. He shot down a Petlyakov Pe-2 that was almost certainly looking for German refugee ships escaping from the besieged Courland Pocket. Thyben caught the reconnaissance Pe-2 at 07:54 and achieved what very well might have been the last Focke-Wulf Fw 190 victory of World War II. Thyben surrendered to the British on touching down. Following his release in 1946 he traveled to Spain and Argentina before serving as an instructor with the Colombian Air Force.

Major Gunther Rall - Luftwaffe Fighter Ace - 275 Victories

Lot #115 (Sale Order 116 of 226)

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)

Adolf "Addi" Glunz - Luftwaffe Fighter Ace

Lot #116 (Sale Order 117 of 226)

Adolf "Addi" Glunz was a World War II flying ace in the Luftwaffe credited with 71 aerial victories achieved in 574 combat missions. He engaged the enemy on 238 occasions and claimed all but three victories over the Western Front. His first victory claim was a Spitfire on 7 May and a second on 19 May. He then claimed 3 victories on the Eastern Front, and two tanks destroyed. Glunz then was posted to II./Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) based in France in July 1941. By the end of 1942 he had some 23 victories. On 28 March, Glunz intercepted six Mosquito bombers near Dunkirk at low level. He succeeded in shooting 2 bombers within one minute for his 28th and 29th victories. In August 1943, he became the only Non-commissioned officer in JG 26 to receive the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). Oberfeldwebel Glunz became Staffelkapitän (squadron leader), 5./JG 26 in January 1944. On 22 February 1944, he claimed 6 victories in a day, including five four-engined bombers. He was commissioned as a Leutnant in April 1944. In March 1944, Glunz was appointed Staffelkapitän of 6./JG 26. Operating over the Invasion front in June 1944, Glunz claimed 3 P-47 fighters shot down on 10 June. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 24 June 1944 after 65 victories. He recorded his 71st and last victory, a Spitfire, on 1 January 1945. He is credited with 5 ground victories during Operation Bodenplatte. In March 1945, Glunz was transferred to the III./Ergänzungs-Jagdgeschwader 2 (EJG 2—2nd Replacement Training Unit) for conversion training for the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet. Assigned to Jagdgeschwader 7 (JG 7—7th Fighter Wing) he served the remainder of the war with this unit. However he never flew the Me 262 in combat. Although continuously in action until 1945, "Addi" Glunz was never shot down or wounded in aerial combat. He was wounded once on the ground when he was showered with glass fragments during a bombing raid on Abbeville airfield in April 1942. The nearest he came to losing an aircraft was on 13 October 1944, when a broken oil pipe caused his engine failure while in combat with P-47 Thunderbolts.

Major Werner Molder - Luftwaffe Fighter Ace - 101st Victories

Lot #117 (Sale Order 118 of 226)

Werner Mölders was a World War II German Luftwaffe pilot and the leading German fighter ace in the Spanish Civil War. Mölders became the first pilot in aviation history to claim 100 aerial victories—that is, 100 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft, and was highly decorated for his achievements. He was instrumental in the development of new fighter tactics that led to the finger-four formation. He died in an air crash in which he was a passenger. Mölders joined the Luftwaffe in 1934 at the age of 21. In 1938, he volunteered for service in the Condor Legion, which supported General Francisco Franco's Nationalist side in the Spanish Civil War, and shot down 15 aircraft. With other airmen in Spain, Mölders developed the formation known as the "finger-four". This improved the all-round field of vision and combat flexibility of a flight (Schwarm), enhanced mutual protection, and encouraged pilot initiative. In the "finger-four", the aircraft assumed positions corresponding to the fingertips of an outstretched hand. The fighters flew in two elements (Rotten) of two aircraft each; two Rotten (four aircraft) made up a Schwarm (swarm). In World War II, he became the first fighter pilot to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and on 29 May 1940 was honourably mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht radio report, the first of 11 such mentions. He lost two wingmen in the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain, but shot down 53 enemy aircraft. On 5 June 1940, on his 133rd combat mission of the war, engaging in aerial combat for the 32nd time, Mölders was shot down near Compiègne at about 18:40 by Sous lieutenant René Pomier Layrargues, flying a French Air Force Dewoitine D.520. Mölders was taken prisoner but liberated three weeks later upon the armistice with France. While in French captivity, Mölders asked to shake hands with the pilot who had shot him down, and learned that Pomier-Layrargues had been killed in action 30 minutes after their encounter. His initial experience in French captivity was harsh; he sustained abrasions to his face and his Knight's Cross was stolen from him. A French officer, Capitaine Giron, intervened, ensured he was treated fairly, and returned the stolen medal. When a French soldier was later sentenced to death by the Germans for beating Mölders, Mölders approached Hermann Göring and requested clemency, which was granted. With his tally standing at 68 victories, Mölders and his unit, the Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51), were transferred to the Eastern Front in June 1941 for the opening of Operation Barbarossa. By the end of 22 June 1941, the first day of Barbarossa, he had added another four victories to his tally and a week later, Mölders surpassed Manfred von Richthofen's 1918 record of 80 victories. By mid-July, he had 100. In June 1941, JG 51 and the majority of the Luftwaffe were transferred to the Eastern Front in preparation for Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. On the first day of combat operations, 22 June 1941, Mölders shot down three Tupolev SB bombers and one Curtis Hawk, earning him the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern). Mölders was only the second German serviceman to receive this award; Adolf Galland, Fighter Squadron Commodore (Geschwaderkommodore) of Fighter Wing 26, had received one the day before. Prevented from flying further combat missions for propaganda reasons, at the age of 28 Mölders was promoted to Oberst, and appointed Inspector General of Fighters. He was inspecting the Luftwaffe units in the Crimea when he was ordered to Berlin to attend the state funeral of Ernst Udet, the World War I flying ace. On the flight to Berlin, the Heinkel He 111 in which he was travelling as a passenger encountered a heavy thunderstorm during which one of the aircraft's engines failed. While attempting to land, the Heinkel crashed at Breslau, killing Mölders and two others. The German Wehrmacht of the Third Reich and the Bundeswehr of the Federal Republic of Germany both honoured him by naming two fighter wings, a destroyer and barracks after him. However, in 1998, the German Parliament decided that members of the Condor Legion such as Mölders, should "no longer be honoured". Therefore, in 2005, the German Ministry of Defence decided to remove the name "Mölders" from the fighter wing still bearing his name.

Captain Hans-Joachim Marseille - Luftwaffe

Lot #118 (Sale Order 119 of 226)

Hans-Joachim Marseille was a Luftwaffe fighter pilot and flying ace during World War II. He is noted for his aerial battles during the North African Campaign and his Bohemian lifestyle. One of the most successful fighter pilots, he was nicknamed the "Star of Africa". Marseille claimed all but seven of his "official" 158 victories against the British Commonwealth's Desert Air Force over North Africa, flying the Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter for his entire combat career. No other pilot claimed as many Western Allied aircraft as Marseille.

Johannes Steinhohf - Luftwaffe Jet Pilot & Ace - 176 Victories

Lot #119 (Sale Order 120 of 226)

Johannes "Macky" Steinhoff was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace of World War II, and later a senior West German Air Force officer and military commander of NATO. He played a significant role in rebuilding the post war Luftwaffe, eventually serving as chief of staff from 1966 – 1970 and then as chairman of NATO's Military Committee from 1971 – 1974. In retirement, Steinhoff became a widely read author of books on German military aviation during the war and the experiences of the German people at that time. Steinhoff was one of very few Luftwaffe pilots who survived to fly operationally through the whole of the war period 1939–45. He was also one of the highest-scoring pilots with 176 victories, and one of the first to fly the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter in combat as a member of the famous aces squadron Jagdverband 44 led by Adolf Galland. Steinhoff was decorated with both the Oak Leaves and Swords to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He played a role in the so-called Fighter Pilots Conspiracy when several senior air force officers confronted Hermann Göring late in the war. Steinhoff's first combat experience was in 1939 when he fought RAF Vickers Wellington bombers that were attacking coastal industry in the Wilhelmshaven region, shooting down several. In February 1940, he was transferred to 4./JG 52 where he served in both the French campaign and the Battle of Britain. By the end of the Battle of Britain, Steinhoff's score had advanced to six kills. Steinhoff's great strength was in his ability to pass on his knowledge and training to novice pilots, equipping them with the skills to survive and ultimately become experienced fighter pilots. In June 1941 JG 52 were on offensive operations against the Soviet Union, becoming one of the highest scoring units in the Luftwaffe. Steinhoff himself claimed 28 Soviet aircraft shot down in the first month. By August 1941 Steinhoff had attained 35 victories and been awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. In February 1942, he claimed his 100th victory on 31 August, and his 150th on 2 February 1943. Steinhoff remained with JG 52 until March 1943, operating over the Mediterranean. A short time after taking command Steinhoff was shot down by Spitfires and had to crash-land his damaged aircraft. Previously he had been shot down only once during the Battle of Britain. On 28 July 1944, Steinhoff received the Swords to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He ended the war as a jet pilot, first being posted to Kommando Nowotny in October 1944, and then, with the rank of Oberst, as Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 7 in December. JG 7 was equipped with the Me 262 jet fighter, and Steinhoff was allowed to hand-pick several Staffelkapitäne, including Heinz Bär and Gerhard Barkhorn. After the heavy losses suffered during Operation Bodenplatte, Steinhoff and other fighter leaders fell into disfavour following the so-called 'Fighter Pilots Revolt' against what was perceived as the incompetence of Luftwaffe high command, and Hermann Göring in particular. Along with several others, Steinhoff was relieved of his command for challenging Göring's leadership. After a brief period spent in internal exile, Steinhoff transferred to the Jet Experten unit JV 44 then being put together by his close friend and confidant Adolf Galland in early 1945. Steinhoff initially acted as a de facto recruiting officer, persuading a number of veteran Luftwaffe aces to join the unit - some coming out of the Fighter Pilots' Rest Home at Bad Wiessee to do so. Steinhoff himself scored six confirmed kills with the unit. Steinhoff survived nearly 1000 combat missions, only to see his flying career come to an end on the ground. On 18 April 1945, Steinhoff's Me-262 suffered a tyre blow-out and crashed on take-off from Munchen-Riem airfield. Steinhoff suffered severe burns (spending two years in hospital) which left him visibly scarred despite years of reconstructive surgery. His eyelids were rebuilt by a British surgeon after the war. His wartime record was 176 aircraft claimed destroyed, of which 152 were on the Eastern Front, 12 on the Western Front and 12 in the Mediterranean. He also flew 993 operational sorties. During his career as a fighter pilot, Steinhoff was shot down 12 times, but had to bail out only once. Explaining his preference to remain with his damaged aircraft, Steinhoff admitted: "I only bailed out once. I never trusted the parachutes. I always landed my damaged planes, hoping not to get bounced on the way down when I lost power."

Oberstleutnant Herman Hogeback - Luftwaffe Bomber Pilot

Lot #120 (Sale Order 121 of 226)

Oberstleutnant Hermann Hogelback - Luftwaffe KG-6 Lot # 73 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.

Obers Hajo Hermann - Luftwaffe Bomber Pilot

Lot #121 (Sale Order 122 of 226)

Hans-Joachim "Hajo" Herrmann was a Luftwaffe bomber pilot and later after the end of World War II, focusing his activities as a lawyer on civil and criminal law. In World War II, he was a high ranking and influential member of the Luftwaffe. Herrmann was one of the Luftwaffe's most innovative air tacticians during World War II. Beginning his military career as an infantry officer, he was commissioned in the newly formed Luftwaffe in 1935. From 1936 until 1937, he was a bomber pilot in the Condor Legion. During the Spanish civil war, Herrmann joined KG-4, and wrote several well received tactical reports. When World War II began, he flew Heinkel He-111s in Poland and Norway. By 1940, he was Commander of the 7th Staffel of KG-4, and led many attacks on England during the Battle of Britain. In February 1941, his group went to Sicily, where it flew against Malta and Greece. In one such attack, Herrmann dropped a single bomb on an ammunition ship, the SS Clan Fraser; the resulting explosion sank 11 ships and made the Greek port of Piraeus unusable for many months. In early 1942, he was Commander of III./KG 30, attacking Arctic convoys from Norway, including the attacks on PQ-17. July 1942 saw him assigned to the general staff in Germany, where he became a close confidant of Hermann Göring. During his career as a bomber pilot, Herrmann flew 320 missions and sank 12 ships totalling 70,000 tons.In 1942, Herrmann was appointed to the Luftwaffe Operational Staff. Quickly gaining a reputation as one of the leading tactical and operational innovators of the Luftwaffe, he was the creator of the Luftwaffe night fighter wing designated Jagdgeschwader 300, nicknamed Wilde Sau (German: wild boar). Raised as a response to the growing threat of RAF Bomber Command's night raids on the Reich in mid-1943, which had gained the ascendancy over the Luftwaffe's Nachtjäger radar-guided night fighter forces through the use of chaff, Herrmann's theory was for experienced night flying pilots and ex-instructors to be equipped with Fw 190 day fighters and visually 'free-hunt' the bombers by the light of the fires below and with the aid of special 'flare-carrier' Junkers Ju 88s following the bomber streams, as well as the use of the Naxos radar detector unit on some of these single engined fighters, to find RAF night bombers, when they were aiming by radar. Herrmann himself flew more than 50 night fighter missions and claimed nine RAF bombers destroyed. Although JG 300 and subsequent units raised met with promising initial success, the high wastage of both pilots and aircraft due to high accident rates curtailed extensive use of 'Wilde Sau' beyond the start of 1944. In December 1943, Herrmann was appointed Luftwaffe Inspector of Aerial Defence. By 1944, he was Inspector General of night fighters and received the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. At the end of 1944, he led the 9. Flieger-division (J). At this time he was a leading exponent of the tactical deployment of the so-called Rammjäger Sonderkommando Elbe (German: ram fighters, task force Elbe), sent into action in April 1945. Pilot volunteers, often aged 18 to 20, were to be trained to be simply competent enough to control specially lightened and unarmoured Bf 109 fighters and charged with downing Allied bombers by deliberately ramming the tail or control surfaces with the propellers of their aircraft, and thereafter (hopefully) bailing out. Herrmann's intention was to gather a large number of these fighters for a one-off attack on the USAAF bomber streams, hopefully causing enough losses to curtail the bombing offensive for a few months. Fuel shortages prevented employment of the large numbers necessary, although from one mission of this type of the 138 planes thus committed only 50 came back.Herrmann was captured by the Soviets after the war and was held prisoner for 10 years before returning to Germany in 1955. Back in Germany, he studied law and settled in Düsseldorf.

Major Erich Rudorffer - 7th Highest Scoring Luftwaffe Fighter Ace

Lot #122 (Sale Order 123 of 226)

Major Erich Rudorffer is a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace, one of a handful who served with the Luftwaffe through the whole of World War II. He is the 7th most successful fighter pilot in the history of air warfare and, as of 2014, both the oldest jet fighter ace and the most successful ace still living. Rudorffer claimed a total of 222 victories, fighting in all the major German theaters of war, including the European and Mediterranean Theatre of Operations and the Eastern Front. During the war he flew more than 1000 combat missions, was engaged in aerial combat over 300 times, was shot down by flak and enemy fighters 16 times and had to take to his parachute 9 times. His 222 aerial victories include 58 heavily armoured Il-2 Sturmovik ground attack aircraft. He also sank a British submarine on 19 May 1941 off the Isle of Portland, but was credited only with damaging the submarine. Rudorffer is the last living recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves and Swords. Rudorffer got his first victory over a Curtiss Hawk 75, on 14 May 1940. He scored eight more times before the capitulation of France. He flew throughout the Battle of Britain, and legend has him being pursued down Croydon High Street below rooftop level by a Hurricane. On 9 February 1943 Rudorffer claimed to have defeated 8 British pilots during a 32-minute aerial battle, and collected his first multiple victories. In July 1943 Rudorffer was appointed to command II./Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54) on the Eastern Front. He claimed his first victory in that theater on 7 August. Due to the experience gained by fighting the RAF he achieved incredible success. During his first sortie on 24 August 1943, 5 Soviet aircraft were downed in 4 minutes. On 11 October 1943 Rudorffer made history when during 17 minutes he claimed 13 kills. Near the Latvian city of Libau while preparing to land he spotted a Soviet task force of about 60 close air support aircraft on its way to attack Libau airfields. He broke off the landing and engaged the enemy without any backup. He drove off the attackers, shooting down nine enemy aircraft within 10 minutes. In the winter of 1944 Rudorffer was trained on the Messerschmitt Me 262 Jet fighter. In February 1945 he was recalled to command I./Jagdgeschwader 7 (JG 7). Between December 1944 and beginning of April 1945 the I./JG 7 operated from the then newly built Luftwaffe Airbase in Kaltenkirchen north of Hamburg. Rudorffer claimed 12 victories with the Me 262, to bring his total to 222. His tally included 136 on the Eastern Front, 26 in North Africa and 60 on the Western Front including 10 heavy bombers.

Herbert Schneider - Luftwaffe Flak

Lot #123 (Sale Order 124 of 226)

Herbert Schneider is a WWII Luftwaffe German Knights Cross Recipient for actions on February 5th, 1944 while commanding Flak combat troops in the 6./Flak-Regiment 49 (motorized) Wachtmeister.

Arthur Bussecker - LuftwaffeFlak Commander

Lot #124 (Sale Order 125 of 226)

Arthur Büssecke was an Oberleutnant der Reserve in the Luftwaffe during World War II. Büssecke was captured by Russian troops in May 1945, he escaped only to be captured by American troops. He was released in June 1945. Awards include the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (27 May 1940), 1st Class (14 September 1942), Wound Badge (1939) in Black (27 July 1942), in Silver (6 December 1942), Anti-Aircraft Flak Battle Badge (25 February 1942), Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe (18 June 1943), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 23 December 1942 as Unteroffizier and Geschützführer (gun leader) in the 2. / Flak-Regiment 49 (motorisiert).

Oster Deiter - Luftwaffe Flak Gunner

Lot #125 (Sale Order 126 of 226)

Oster Deiter was a Battery Commander of the 9th Flak Division 8 Flak Regiment, who was awarded the Knights Cross on 9 December 1942 for actions against Soviet tanks inside Stalingrad..

Zahn Hilmar - Luftwaffe Fallschirmjäger

Lot #126 (Sale Order 127 of 226)

Hilmar Karl Adolf Zahn was a highly decorated Hauptmann in the Fallschirmjäger during World War II and received the Knights Cross for actions in Italy. . Awards include the Sudetenland Medal (6 February 1940), Fallschirmschützenabzeichen (22 July 1942), Iron Cross (1939), 2nd Class (3 March 1943), 1st Class (18 February 1944), Wound Badge (1939) in Black (3 March 1943), in Silver (10 April 1944), in Gold (3 June 1944), Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe (5 March 1944), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 June 1944 as Oberleutnant and chief of the 5./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1

Major Karl Alfred Schwarzmann - Fallschirmjäger

Lot #127 (Sale Order 128 of 226)

Karl Alfred Schwarzmann (22 March 1912 – 11 March 2000) was a German Olympic Gymnast and Fallschirmjäger during World War II. He won three Gold medals and two Bronze medals in the Gymnastics at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin and another Silver medal in the Gymnastics at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. As a Fallschirmjäger he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Martin Kuhne - Fallschirmjäger

Lot #128 (Sale Order 129 of 226)

Martin Kühne was a highly decorated Major in the Fallschirmjäger during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross as well as the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class, 1st Class, Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe, Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe, Medaglia d'Argento al Valor Militare, Eastern Front Medal, Libya Medal, German Cross in Gold and the Ärmelband Kreta as part of I./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2 and I./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 10.

Major Gunther Rall - Luftwaffe Fighter Ace - 275 Victories

Lot #129 (Sale Order 130 of 226)

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)

Oberst Hajo Hermann - Luftwaffe Bomber Pilot

Lot #130 (Sale Order 131 of 226)

Commander of Jagdgeshwader 300 and III/KG 4 as well as Inspector of Night-Fighter units. Helped develop Night-Fighter tactics including the "Wild Sau" and ramming maneuvers.Hans-Joachim "Hajo" Herrmann was a Luftwaffe bomber pilot and later after the end of World War II, focusing his activities as a lawyer on civil and criminal law. In World War II, he was a high ranking and influential member of the Luftwaffe.Herrmann was one of the Luftwaffe's most innovative air tacticians during World War II. Beginning his military career as an infantry officer, he was commissioned in the newly formed Luftwaffe in 1935. From 1936 until 1937, he was a bomber pilot in the Condor Legion. During the Spanish civil war, Herrmann joined KG-4, and wrote several well received tactical reports. When World War II began, he flew Heinkel He-111s in Poland and Norway. By 1940, he was Commander of the 7th Staffel of KG-4, and led many attacks on England during the Battle of Britain. In February 1941, his group went to Sicily, where it flew against Malta and Greece. In one such attack, Herrmann dropped a single bomb on an ammunition ship, the SS Clan Fraser; the resulting explosion sank 11 ships and made the Greek port of Piraeus unusable for many months. In early 1942, he was Commander of III./KG 30, attacking Arctic convoys from Norway, including the attacks on PQ-17. July 1942 saw him assigned to the general staff in Germany, where he became a close confidant of Hermann Göring. During his career as a bomber pilot, Herrmann flew 320 missions and sank 12 ships totalling 70,000 tons.In 1942, Herrmann was appointed to the Luftwaffe Operational Staff. Quickly gaining a reputation as one of the leading tactical and operational innovators of the Luftwaffe, he was the creator of the Luftwaffe night fighter wing designated Jagdgeschwader 300, nicknamed Wilde Sau (German: wild boar). Raised as a response to the growing threat of RAF Bomber Command's night raids on the Reich in mid-1943, which had gained the ascendancy over the Luftwaffe's Nachtjäger radar-guided night fighter forces through the use of chaff, Herrmann's theory was for experienced night flying pilots and ex-instructors to be equipped with Fw 190 day fighters and visually 'free-hunt' the bombers by the light of the fires below and with the aid of special 'flare-carrier' Junkers Ju 88s following the bomber streams, as well as the use of the Naxos radar detector unit on some of these single engined fighters, to find RAF night bombers, when they were aiming by radar. Herrmann himself flew more than 50 night fighter missions and claimed nine RAF bombers destroyed. Although JG 300 and subsequent units raised met with promising initial success, the high wastage of both pilots and aircraft due to high accident rates curtailed extensive use of 'Wilde Sau' beyond the start of 1944. In December 1943, Herrmann was appointed Luftwaffe Inspector of Aerial Defence. By 1944, he was Inspector General of night fighters and received the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. At the end of 1944, he led the 9. Flieger-division (J). At this time he was a leading exponent of the tactical deployment of the so-called Rammjäger Sonderkommando Elbe (German: ram fighters, task force Elbe), sent into action in April 1945. Pilot volunteers, often aged 18 to 20, were to be trained to be simply competent enough to control specially lightened and unarmoured Bf 109 fighters and charged with downing Allied bombers by deliberately ramming the tail or control surfaces with the propellers of their aircraft, and thereafter (hopefully) bailing out. Herrmann's intention was to gather a large number of these fighters for a one-off attack on the USAAF bomber streams, hopefully causing enough losses to curtail the bombing offensive for a few months. Fuel shortages prevented employment of the large numbers necessary, although from one mission of this type of the 138 planes thus committed only 50 came back.Herrmann was captured by the Soviets after the war and was held prisoner for 10 years before returning to Germany in 1955. Back in Germany, he studied law and settled in Düsseldorf.

Leutnant Wilhelm Crinius - Luftwaffe Ace - Jagdgeshwader 53 - 114 confirmed victories

Lot #131 (Sale Order 132 of 226)

Wilhelm Crinius was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace during World War II credited with 114 aerial victories claimed in approximately 400 combat missions. He recorded 100 victories over the Eastern Front. Of his 14 victories claimed over the Western Front, one was a four-engined bomber. On 23 September 1942, Crinius became the only German fighter pilot to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. In Africa, Crinius claimed 14 victories, including a B-17 Flying Fortress over Bizerte. On 13 January 1943, he engaged in aerial combat with 10 Royal Air Force (RAF) Supermarine Spitfire fighters near El Kala, Crinius' aircraft was hit and he was wounded in the thigh. Breaking off combat, he headed for his base but his engine then caught fire. He ditched his damaged Bf 109 G-2 in the sea. He spent 24 hours in the water before being rescued by French sailors and Arabs. After hospitalisation for his wounds, Crinius became a prisoner of war.

Gunther Rall Third Highest Scoring Luftwaffe Ace - 275 Victories

Lot #132 (Sale Order 133 of 226)

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)

Oberstleutant Walter Misers - Heer

Lot #133 (Sale Order 134 of 226)

Major Hans "Assi" Hahn - Luftwaffe

Lot #134 (Sale Order 135 of 226)

Major Hans "Assi" Hahn was a German World War II Luftwaffe Flying ace with 108 victories and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). He was shot down and captured by Russian forces in 1943, and remained a prisoner of war until 1950. Upon his release, Hahn became a successful businessman before retiring to the south of France. Hahn's memoirs "I Tell the Truth" recounted his military service and detailed life in Soviet captivity for himself and other Luftwaffe Aces.NO SIGNATURE - just the post card.

Generalmajor Dietrich Peltz - Lutwaffe

Lot #135 (Sale Order 136 of 226)

Generalmajor Dietrich Peltz was a German World War II Luftwaffe bomber pilot. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. Peltz joined the army in 1934, switched over to the airforce and underwent pilot training in 1935. After training, he flew in the Polish and French campaigns with Sturzkampfgeschwader 76 (StG 76—76th ground assault wing), flying 102 missions on the Junkers Ju-87 Stuka before converting to the Junkers Ju-88 with II./Kampfgeschwader 77 (KG 77—77th bomber wing) in the summer of 1940. He was awarded the Knight's Cross in October 1940. In March 1941, Hauptmann Peltz was elevated to Gruppenkommandeur of II Gruppe. In the late summer of 1941, the unit was transferred to East Prussia, to fly missions against targets in the Northern sector, including the Leningrad-Moscow railway line, canals and lock gates. Here, Peltz was instrumental in developing accurate bombing techniques, allowing his group to achieve success against precision targets which previously could be achieved only with much larger bomber forces. Peltz was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross in December 1941.

Major Rolf Hermichen

Lot #136 (Sale Order 137 of 226)

Rolf Hermichen is a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. Hermichen is credited with 64 aerial victories claimed in 629 combat missions, 11 of them while flying the Messerschmitt Bf 110. He shot down 53 enemy aircraft in Defense of the Reich, including 26 four engine strategic bombers.

Rittmeister Bruno Richter - Herr

Lot #137 (Sale Order 138 of 226)

Bruno Richter was a highly decorated Rittmeister in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. Bruno Richter was captured by Soviet troops in May 1945 in the Courland Pocket and was held until 1949. Fought in the invasion of Poland, Battle of France, Operation Barbarossa Battle of Uman, Battle of Kiev (1941), Siege of Sevastopol (1941-1942), Siege of Leningrad and Courland Pocket.

Erich Licbing - Fallschirmjäger

Lot #138 (Sale Order 139 of 226)

Walter Paul Liebing (12 August 1912 – 18 October 1998) was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant in the Fallschirmjäger during World War II. He was awarded the Knights Cross for actions against British Paratroopers in Italy. Awards include the Deutsches Reichssportabzeichen in Bronze (21 July 1931), Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th Class (2 October 1936), Pilot's Badge (10 June 1937), Iron Cross (1939), 2nd Class (30 July 1940), 1st Class (2 September 1941), Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Reconnaissance Flyers in Bronze (14 June 1941), Infantry Assault Badge in Silver (20 March 1944), Close Combat Clasp in Bronze (30 March 1944), and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 2 February 1945 as Major and leader of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 23.

Captain Egon Delica - Fallschirmjäger

Lot #139 (Sale Order 140 of 226)

Egon Delica was a highly decorated Hauptmann in the Fallschirmjäger during World War II. He fought in the Invasion of Poland, Battle of Fort Eben-Emael, the Eastern Front and Operation Varsity. Awards include Aviator badge Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe, Iron Cross 2nd Class, 1st Class, Wound Badge, Parachutist Badge, Cuffband "Crete", Ground Assault Badge, German Cross in Gold as Hauptmann in the II./Luftlande-Geschwader 2, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 12 May 1940 as Leutnant and deputy leader of Sturmgruppe "Granit" in the Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Abteilung "Koch", Merit Cross of the Federal Republic of Germany

Oberstleutnant Georg le Coutre - Fallschirmjäger

Lot #140 (Sale Order 141 of 226)

Georg le Coutre was a highly decorated Leutnant in the Fallschirmjäger during World War II and an Oberstleutnant in the Bundeswehr. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He was captured by American troops in February 1945, and held until 1946. In 1956 he joined the Bundeswehr and served until his retirement in 1978. He fought in the Battle of Crete, Italian Campaign, Operation Overlord and the Battle of the Bulge. His awards include the Fallschirmschützenabzeichen, Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class, 1st Class, Wound Badge (Black, Silver & Gold), German Cross in Gold as Feldwebel in the 4./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 7 February 1945 as Leutnant and leader of 10./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6 and the Cuffband "Crete".

Oberleutnant Viktor Vitali - Fallschirmjäger

Lot #141 (Sale Order 142 of 226)

Viktor Vitali was a highly decorated Oberleutnant in the Fallschirmjäger during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross as well as the Anschluss Medal, Anti-Aircraft Flak Battle Badge, War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords, Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class, 1st Class, Wound Badge as Chief of the 5./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4 during Battle of Monte Cassino.

Hauptmann Diddo Diddens - Assault-Guns - "Grossdeutschland"

Lot #142 (Sale Order 143 of 226)

Diddo Diddens was a highly decorated Hauptmann der Reserve in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, and the citation reads: "North of Jassy, the Soviets attacked with strong forces. They failed because of the tenacious resistance of the German and Romanian troops, where local penetrations were sealed off. In this battle area, an assault gun unit of the Panzergrenadier Division "Grossdeutschland" under the leadership of Lieutenant Diddens particularly distinguished itself on 25 April. 18 Soviet tanks were destroyed in a two-hour period. Awards include the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (19 August 1941), 1st Class (2 October 1941), Wound Badge (1939) in Black (18 June 1942), in Silver (23 June 1944), in Gold (17 December 1944), General Assault Badge, Eastern Front Medal, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 18 March 1942 as Leutnant der Reserve and platoon leader in 2./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 185, and the 501st Oak Leaves on 15 June 1944 as Oberleutnant der Reserve and Chief of the 1./Sturmgeschütz-Brigade "Grossdeutschland", as well as mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht (27 April 1944 ).

General Heinrich Eberbach - Panzertruppen

Lot #143 (Sale Order 144 of 226)

Heinrich Kurt Alfons Willy Eberbach was a German General der Panzertruppen in the German Army of World War II.During late 1914 Eberbach fought in France as a corporal, and by February 1915 he was promoted to Lieutenant. During 1915 he was wounded twice in France, lost his nose due to a French bullet (a rubber replacement was made) and was captured by the French. In December 1916 he was exchanged for a French prisoner and by 1918 he was posted to Palestine. As he spoke the Turkish language, he served on the staff of the Turkish Eighth Army.Eberbach participated in the German Invasion of Poland in September 1939 by leading his Panzer-Regiment 35 into battles near Lódz and into Warsaw. In 1940, he commanded Panzer-Regiment 35 in the Battle of France. His force supported General Manteuffel's offensive across the Meuse River in May; in June they swept across France to Lyon. Eberbach was still in command of Panzer-Regiment 35 at the start of the June 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union, being promoted six weeks later to commander of the 5.Panzer-Brigade in Generaloberst Guderian's XXIV.Panzer-Korps. By March 1942 he had been promoted to Major General and made commander of the 4.Panzer-Division, in the German lines opposite the Russian town of Sukhinichi, roughly 120 miles west of Tula. In late November 1942 Eberbach was appointed commander of the XLVIII.Panzer-Korps, the battered armored formation that had just been overrun and pushed aside in the initial days of Operation Uranus. Eberbach was soon wounded and evacuated, remaining hospitalized until February. He then became Inspector of the Armored Troops in the Home Army, was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and promoted to Lieutenant General. In November 1943 Eberbach became commander of troops around Nikopol and fought in battles around Zhitomir in the Soviet Union. In December he incurred a kidney illness and was later made Inspector of Panzer Troops. In early 1944 Eberbach was promoted to the rank of General der Panzertruppen. During the Normandy invasion, he fought against the British landings along the 'Juno' and 'Sword' beaches. On 2 July he took command of "Panzer Group West" (5th Panzer Army) when Leo Geyr von Schweppenburg was wounded. On 9 August, this force was divided, with 5th Panzer Army retreating with the most damaged units; the effective units were reorganized as Panzergruppe Eberbach. Eberbach was directed to lead this force in the counterattack through Mortain toward Avranches that was intended to cut off the Allied forces which had broken out of Normandy. He had no confidence in this attack. "On or about 1 Aug 44, Gen Warlimont, of OKW, arrived at my headquarters to get a closer view of the situation ... I told him I considered it [the Mortain attack] hopeless because enemy air forces would soon stop the attack ... I further said that in my opinion the only possible solution was an immediate retreat to the Seine-Yonne line." However, Warlimont denied Eberbach's request to withdraw, and instead confirmed the order to attack. The attack failed, and most of Panzergruppe Eberbach and 7.Armee was surrounded and destroyed in the Falaise Pocket. Eberbach escaped and was given command of the remnants of 7.Armee on 21 August. On 31 August while out on a reconnaissance patrol, Eberbach was captured by British troops at Amiens.

Werner Cruisius

Lot #144 (Sale Order 145 of 226)

Fregattenkapitan Erich Topp Kreigsmarine - Thirs Top Scoring U-Boat Commander

Lot #145 (Sale Order 146 of 226)

Rear Admiral Erich Topp was the third most successful of German U-Boot Experten commanders of World War II. He sank 35 ships for a total of 197,460 gross register tons (GRT). Erich Topp began his naval career in April 1934. He served six months on the light cruiser Karlsruhe before joining the U-boat force in October 1937. A year later he became watch officer on U-46. After four patrols with U-46, Topp took over command of U-57. With this boat he sank six ships with a total of 36,862 tons. U-57 sank on 3 September 1940 after an accident with the Norwegian ship Rona. Topp was then given command of the VIIC boat U-552, the famous "Red Devil Boat". Topp scored most of his successes in the North Atlantic against convoys and off the North American coast. On his very successful eighth patrol in March/April 1942, he sank eight ships with a total of 45,731 tons. In September 1942 Topp became commander of the 27th U-boat Flotilla, where new U-boat crews received their tactical training. Topp wrote the Battle Instructions for the new XXI Elektro Boat submarine in 1944, and when the war ended he was commanding one of them, U-2513, which he surrendered at Horten, Norway in May 1945. After the war Topp worked for some months as a fisherman before he became a successful architect. In March 1958 he rejoined the Navy. He then spent four years in the USA as a staff member of the Military Committee of NATO. Later he served in several staff positions and for a month was commander of U-boats in deputize. Konteradmiral Erich Topp retired in December 1969. He was decorated in that year with the Gross Bundes-Verdienst- kreuz (Great Federal Merit Cross).

Major Gunther Rall - Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot - 275 Victories

Lot #146 (Sale Order 147 of 226)

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)

Karl-Heinz Jager - Wehrmacht

Lot #147 (Sale Order 148 of 226)

Karl-Heinz Jaeger was a highly decorated Major der Reserves in the Wehrmacht during World War II. Awards include: Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (22 December 1942), 1st Class (10 July 1943), Infantry Assault Badge, German Cross in Gold (7 December 1944), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 4 August 1943 as Leutnant der Reserves and commander of 1. / Grenadier-Regiment 167, the 786th Oak Leaves on 16 March 1945 as Hauptmann der Reserves and commander of Grenadier-Regiment 448.

Fregattenkapitan Erich Topp Kreigsmarine - 3rd Top U-Boat Commander

Lot #148 (Sale Order 149 of 226)

Rear Admiral Erich Topp was the third most successful of German U-Boot Experten commanders of World War II. He sank 35 ships for a total of 197,460 gross register tons (GRT). Erich Topp began his naval career in April 1934. He served six months on the light cruiser Karlsruhe before joining the U-boat force in October 1937. A year later he became watch officer on U-46. After four patrols with U-46, Topp took over command of U-57. With this boat he sank six ships with a total of 36,862 tons. U-57 sank on 3 September 1940 after an accident with the Norwegian ship Rona. Topp was then given command of the VIIC boat U-552, the famous "Red Devil Boat". Topp scored most of his successes in the North Atlantic against convoys and off the North American coast. On his very successful eighth patrol in March/April 1942, he sank eight ships with a total of 45,731 tons. In September 1942 Topp became commander of the 27th U-boat Flotilla, where new U-boat crews received their tactical training. Topp wrote the Battle Instructions for the new XXI Elektro Boat submarine in 1944, and when the war ended he was commanding one of them, U-2513, which he surrendered at Horten, Norway in May 1945. After the war Topp worked for some months as a fisherman before he became a successful architect. In March 1958 he rejoined the Navy. He then spent four years in the USA as a staff member of the Military Committee of NATO. Later he served in several staff positions and for a month was commander of U-boats in deputize. Konteradmiral Erich Topp retired in December 1969. He was decorated in that year with the Gross Bundes-Verdienst- kreuz (Great Federal Merit Cross).

Oberstleutnant Hansgeorg Batcher - Luftwaffe Jet Bomber Pilot

Lot #149 (Sale Order 150 of 226)

Hansgeorg Bätcher was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant bomber pilot in the Luftwaffe during World War II. As a Leutnant, he joined I./KG 157 (later I./KG 27) in December 1938. He served with this unit during operations against Poland in 1939. In 1940 Bätcher participated in the invasion of France, though he was shot down and captured near Rouen on 5 June 1940. Following the surrender of France, Bätcher was released. He then served as a flying instructor before returning to operations in May 1941, with Kampfgruppe 100 "Viking", equipped with the Heinkel He 111. In July 1941 Bätcher was appointed Staffelkapitän 1./K.Gr. 100, and posted to the Eastern Front. Bätcher operations over Moscow in the late summer and autumn of 1941. Bätcher was awarded with the Bomber Pilot's Clasp in Bronze on 23 August 1941, in Silver in September 1941, and Gold in November 1941. In early 1942 I./KG 100 flew maritime attacks against the Soviet fleet in the Black Sea. Bätcher became the most successful bomber pilot during this campaign, sinking or damaging several Soviet naval vessels. In March 1942, he was promoted to Hauptmann. In the summer of 1942 Bätcher took part in the assault against Sevastopol, and he carried out his 300th combat mission on 2 July 1942. Following missions over the Caucasus during August 1942, he then participated in the Battle for Stalingrad. With Stalingrad surrounded by the Red Army, Bätcher carried out supply flights to the besieged Sixth Army. Bätcher was awarded with Knight's Cross on 21 December 1942. In the summer of 1943 Bätcher took part in Operation Zitadelle; the Battle of Kursk. He also flew missions over the contested Kuban Bridgehead. On 30 July 1943 Bätcher completed his 500th combat mission. In November 1943, I./KG 100 was redesignated as I./KG 4, and Bätcher was promoted to Major and appointed Gruppenkommandeur. Bätcher completed his 600th combat flight on 21 November 1943 and his 650th combat flight on 9 February 1944. After completing 658 bomber missions Bätcher was posted to the Staff of Luftflottenkommando 4 in May 1944. He remained there until December 1944, when he was posted to command III./KG 76 equipped with the first Jet bomber, the Arado Ar 234. Bätcher's last bomber missions were made with the Ar 234 against British and American troops in February 1945. In February 1945, he was appointed to command the Me 262-equipped KG(J) 54, which he led until the end of the war.

Oberst Dietrich Hrabak - Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot - 125 Victories

Lot #150 (Sale Order 151 of 226)

Dietrich "Dieter" Hrabak was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1935 until the end of World War II on 8 May 1945 and again in the Bundeswehr from 1955 until his retirement on 30 September 1970. During World War II he shot down 125 enemy aircraft achieved in over 1000 combat missions. 109 of his victories were claimed over the Eastern Front, with 16 against the Western Allies. Hrabak showed an interest in aviation from an early age, but joined the German navy in 1934. Two years later he transferred to the Luftwaffe, and qualified as a pilot. In 1938 Hrabak was posted to the Vienna Jagdgruppe, I./JG 138. This unit was later redesignated I./JG 76 during the Polish Campaign, before becoming II./JG 54 in April 1940. During the Polish Campaign, Hrabak was shot down (the first of 11 times) on his first mission, making a belly landing. On 13 May 1940, he claimed his first victory, a French Potez 63 and he claimed five more victories before the armistice. During the Battle of Britain, Hrabak was a member of JG 54, becoming Gruppenkommandeur II./JG 54 on 26 August 1940. During the Battle of Britain he added ten victories against Royal Air Force (RAF) fighters and Field Marshal Hermann Göring personally decorated Hrabak with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). Hrabak served in the Balkans campaign and when Operation Barbarosa began in the Soviet Union, he flew on the northern front and over Leningrad. In November 1942, he left JG 54 to become Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing). Under Hrabak JG 52 became the highest scoring Geschwader with over 10,000 victories. In August 1943 he got his 100th victory and in November was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross, the 337th soldier to be thus awarded. He had 118 victories. On 20 September 1944, Hrabak scored the last of his 125 victories. In October 1944 Hrabak returned to JG 54, serving as its last Geschwaderkommodore until the end of the war. His greatest contribution to the Luftwaffe was not his combat record however but his command, tactical and leadership qualities, which endeared him to the men under his command and sealed his reputation within the Luftwaffe leadership. After the war, he worked in the automotive and chemical industry until 1953 when Chancellor Konrad Adenauer asked him to help form the new German Air Force. In 1956 he commanded the Advanced Pilot Training Center at Fürstenfeldbruck. In 1962 he took charge of the air defense covering northern Germany and the Netherlands. In 1964 he was named NATO's Chief of Air Defense/Central Europe until becoming special manager for the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter programme. As a major general, he commanded the GAF's tactical command. His award certificate for the Knight's Cross Oak Leaves reads "The on all theatres of war well proven 52nd Fighter Wing under the leadership of its Wing Commander, Oak Leaves bearer Oberstleutnant Hrabak, achieved its 10,000th aerial victory.

General Gerhard Barkhorn - Luftwaffe Fighter Ace - 301 Victories - 2nd Highest Ace of all time

Lot #151 (Sale Order 152 of 226)

Lieutenant-General Gerhard "Gerd" Barkhorn was the second most successful fighter ace of all time after fellow Luftwaffe pilot Erich Hartmann. Barkhorn joined the Luftwaffe in 1937 and completed his training in 1939. Barkhorn flew his first combat missions in May 1940, during the Battle of France and then the Battle of Britain without scoring an aerial victory—that is an aerial combat encounter resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft. His first victory came in July 1941 and his total rose steadily against Soviet opposition. In March 1944 he was awarded the third highest decoration in the Wehrmacht when he received the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) for 250 aerial victories. Despite being the second highest scoring pilot in aviation history, Barkhorn was not awarded the Diamonds to his Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords after achieving his 300th victory on 5 January 1945. Barkhorn flew 1,104 combat sorties and was credited with 301 victories on the Eastern Front against the Soviet Red Air Force piloting the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9. He flew with the famed Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—Fighter Wing 52), alongside fellow aces Hartmann and Günther Rall, and Jagdgeschwader 2 (JG 2). Less than two weeks later he left JG 52 on the Eastern Front and joined Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3), defending Germany from Western Allied air attack. Barkhorn survived the war and was taken prisoner by the Western Allies in May 1945 and released later that year. His total included 110 Yak fighters, 87 LaGG fighters, 21 Il-2s and 12 twin-engined medium bombers. He was shot down 9 times, bailed out once and was wounded 3 times. After the war Barkhorn joined the Luftwaffe of the Bundeswehr also called colloquially Bundesluftwaffe, serving until 1976.

Major Kurt Dahlmann - Luftwaffe Bomber Pilot

Lot #152 (Sale Order 153 of 226)

Kurt Dahlmann is a retired German pilot, attorney, journalist, newspaper editor and political activist. He was trained as a bomber and ground attack pilot flying both Junkers Ju 88 and FW 190 in that role. He participated in the Polish Campaign, the Battle of Britain, the campaign against France as well as the North African Campaign under Rommel at the controls of a Junkers Ju 88. He was never shot down although, according to him, he did have to leave his aircraft involuntarily on various occasions. Dahlmann later specialized in solo night bombing attacks against specific high value targets. Some of these missions included weapons factories in Britain, British airfields, late war harassing bombing raids over London and attacking the Remagen bridge which was the first Allied open crossing over the Rhine river into Germany among others. He was also personally assigned a specially stripped down, high speed, FW 190 for target marking, pathfinding, missions. He flew over 350 combat missions throughout Europe between September 1940 and 5 May 1945 (VE Day), and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (No. 711) for flying 200 missions and subsequently the Oak leaves for having successfully completed 300 combat missions becoming the highest decorated German Jabo (Schlachtflieger)] pilot of the war. He finished the war as a Major commanding a total of three squadrons, I./SKG 10, III./KG 51 and NSG 20, all were equipped with variations of fast noctunal attack aircraft based on the (FW 190). He is one of less than twenty Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and Oak Leaves holders still alive today.

Oberleutnant Franz Kieslich - Luftwaffe Dive-Bomber Pilot - 1078 Missions

Lot #153 (Sale Order 154 of 226)

Franz Kieslich was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II. During his career, Franz Kieslich was credited with flying 1078 missions, sinking 10 ships totaling 23,000 BRT, a destroyer and a submarine. Awards include the Aviator badge (22 February 1937), Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "1000", Anschluss Medal (16 December 1938), Sudetenland Medal (1 October 1939), Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (5 May 1941), 1st Class (10 August 1941), Wound Badge (1939) in Black (18 May 1944), Eastern Front Medal (13 August 1942), Crimea Shield (15 March 1943), German Cross in Gold on 10 July 1942 as Oberleutnant in the 7./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 5 January 1943 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 7./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77, and the 619th Oak Leaves on 10 October 1944 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Schlachtgeschwader 77.

Leutnant Wilhelm Crinius - Luftwaffe Ace - Jagdgeshwader 53 - 114 confirmed victories

Lot #154 (Sale Order 155 of 226)

Wilhelm Crinius was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace during World War II credited with 114 aerial victories claimed in approximately 400 combat missions. He recorded 100 victories over the Eastern Front. Of his 14 victories claimed over the Western Front, one was a four-engined bomber. On 23 September 1942, Crinius became the only German fighter pilot to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. In Africa, Crinius claimed 14 victories, including a B-17 Flying Fortress over Bizerte. On 13 January 1943, he engaged in aerial combat with 10 Royal Air Force (RAF) Supermarine Spitfire fighters near El Kala, Crinius' aircraft was hit and he was wounded in the thigh. Breaking off combat, he headed for his base but his engine then caught fire. He ditched his damaged Bf 109 G-2 in the sea. He spent 24 hours in the water before being rescued by French sailors and Arabs. After hospitalisation for his wounds, Crinius became a prisoner of war. Lot includes TWO autographed photos.

Hauptmann Gunther Schack - Lufewaffe Fighter Ace - Victories

Lot #155 (Sale Order 156 of 226)

Günther Schack was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1939 until the end of World War II in 1945. He claimed 174 enemy aircraft shot down, all of them on the Russian front. He survived being shot down 15 times during his 780 combat missions. After the war he lived secluded in the Eifel Mountains, and devoted himself to philosophical research. After being trained as a fighter pilot, Gefreiter (Private) Schack was posted to 7th Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—7th Squadron of the 51st Fighter Wing) on 18 March 1941. Schack claimed his first aerial victory in combat on 23 July 1941 on the Eastern Front. Unlike many of the new pilots on the Eastern Front in 1941, he struggled to score against the poorly led and poorly trained Soviet pilots. He only achieved his third air victory after 100 combat missions, on 10 November 1941. He flew his 250th combat mission on 30 July 1942, when he claimed only his 5th aerial victory. In that time though, he had been promoted to the rank of Unteroffizier (Corporal). In November 1942, with his personal score now at 18, his unit returned to Jesau in East Prussia to reequip onto the new Focke Wulf Fw 190A fighter. Five men all wearing military uniforms and decorations standing in row. The man on the far right is shaking hands with another man whose back is facing the camera. Another man is standing behind the men shaking hands. He returned to the Eastern Front, still serving in the 7./JG 51, whereupon his career started to take off. On 17 December 1942, on his first mission back at the front, Schack shot down five Soviet Petlyakov Pe-2 bombers within minutes of each other. Six weeks later, on 29 January 1943 Schack almost repeated this when his Schwarm (flight of four aircraft), on a Junkers Ju 87 escort mission, encountered eight Soviet Petlyakov Pe-2 flying in a line astern crossing the German lines at Novosil. Within five minutes all eight were shot down including four by Schack.[8][9] He was promoted to Leutnant (Second Lieutenant) on 1 January 1943, and after his 48th aerial victory (on 1 April 1943), he was ordered back to Germany to serve as a flight instructor with Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Ost. He returned to the front in early July 1943, this time posted to 8./JG 51, and back on the Bf 109-G. Part of III./JG 51, it was based at Bryansk covering the northern pincer attack for the Battle of Kursk. He claimed 10 victories in July and but then a further 40 in August. Flying out of Konotop on 1 September, he flew four missions, and had to belly-land after each one. He reached his century-mark in aerial combat on 3 September 1943, and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 26 October for 116 victories. On 9 December 1943, as an Oberleutnant, he was made Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 9./JG 51. 1944 saw the German forces pushed inexorably out of Russia and III./JG 51 covered the retreat of Army Group Centre, moving from Orsha to Terespol then back to Minsk and Kaunus, with Günther scoring consistently. Oberleutnant Schack was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) on 20 April 1944 for 133 aerial victories. Schack was then promoted to Hauptmann (Captain) on 1 July 1944 and on 13 August became the 28th pilot to score 150 victories. On 16 December 1944, he became a Gruppenkommandeur (Group Commander), in charge of I./JG 51. By now, the Gruppe had been forced back to the Baltic coast in East Prussia. On 12 April he had to bale out following aerial combat, and suffered serious burns. Soon after, in late April, the Gruppe was disbanded, and on 1 May 1945, he was named the final commander of the IV./ JG3 "Udet". By the end of the war, he had scored 174 victories in 780 aerial combats, and was shot down 15 times (taking to his parachute four times).

Group Photo of Knight's Cross Receipents Obslt. Buhligen, Obslt. Jabs, Obslt. Jope & Obslt. Batcher

Lot #156 (Sale Order 157 of 226)

A Group Photo of Knight's Cross Receipents Obslt. Buhligen, Obslt. Jabs, Obslt. Jope & Obslt. Batcher - signed by all four of the participates - rare example!

Hauptmann George Hermann Grenier - Luftwaffe Night-Fighter Ace - 51 Victories

Lot #157 (Sale Order 158 of 226)

Georg-Hermann Greiner was a German former Luftwaffe night fighter ace, recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and a squadron commander in the prestigious Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, translated in English as the "1st Night Fighter Wing", the most successful Night Air Superiority unit of any nation during World War II. Greiner primarily engaged British RAF crews in their bombing campaigns over greater Germany and was credited with 51 aerial victories over allied aircraft, having destroyed four American bombers during daylight hours and 47 British bombers at night. Following the conclusion of the War, Greiner and close friend Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer were arrested illegally crossing the German-Swiss border attempting an escape to Argentina. Both Greiner and Schnaufer were detained in an Allied prisoner of war camp and released in 1947. Greiner went on to study law and returned to service in the West German Luftwaffe in 1957, retiring with the rank of Oberstleutnant in 1972. Two signed photographes for one price.

Major Herbert Wittmann Luftwaffe HE-11 Bomber Pilot

Lot #158 (Sale Order 159 of 226)

Herbert Wittmann was a highly decorated Oberst in the Luftwaffe during World War, flying HE-111 Bombers thru the war. His awards include: the Spanish Cross in Bronze with Swords (6 June 1939), Flugzeugführerabzeichen Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold, Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (19 May 1940), 1st Class (5 June 1940), German Cross in Gold (15 November 1943), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 23 November 1941 as Hauptmann and Staffelkapitän of the Stabsstaffel/Kampfgeschwader 53 "Legion Condor". the 735th Oak Leaves on 11 February 1945 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Kampfgeschwader 53 "Legion Condor" and the Ärmelband Condor Legion.

Hauptmann Hans-Joachim Jabs - Luftwaffe Nightfighter Ace - 50 Victories

Lot #159 (Sale Order 160 of 226)

Hans-Joachim Jabs was both a day and night fighter ace[Notes 1] in the German Luftwaffe during World War II. 50 victories[Notes 2] were scored. Jabs flew variants of the Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstörer heavy day fighter and night fighter. Born in Lübeck in 1917, Jabs joined the Luftwaffe in 1937. Originally trained as a Messerschmitt Bf 109 pilot, Jabs was posted to Zerstörergeschwader 76 (ZG 76), flying the Messerschmitt Bf 110, in March 1940. A member of II./ZG 76, Jabs operated over France in mid 1940, claiming four French aircraft and RAF fighters. He then flew over the British Isles during the Battle of Britain. Despite the vulnerability of the Bf 110 against the more nimble Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft, and the heavy losses incurred, Jabs claimed eight Spitfires and four Hurricanes destroyed. By the end of the year Jabs was one of the top scoring Zestörer (destroyer) pilots, with 16 victories. In 1941 the majority of the Bf 110 units were withdrawn from daylight fighting, and Jabs was transferred to night fighting and Defense of the Reich. Retrained by October 1941, Jabs joined Nachtjagdgeschwader 3 stationed near Hamburg, protecting the port and Kriegsmarine installations. Opportunities for scoring remained elusive however, with just one more kill by June 1942. In November 1942 he transferred to IV./NJG 1. By January 1944 he had 45 kills to his credit, and in March 1944 became NJG 1 Geschwaderkommodore. On 29 April 1944 his Bf 110-G night fighter was caught on a daylight air test by a flight of six Spitfires from No. 132 Squadron RAF, led by Squadron Leader Geoffrey Page (an ace with 15 kills). The Spitfires came in at too high a speed and Jabs shot down one Spitfire, flown by P/O R. B. Pullin, which went down in flames, killing the pilot. Another Spitfire flown by F/O J.J. Caulton then attacked Jabs head on, though the heavy forward armament of the 110 took effect and the stricken Spitfire glided around and belly-landed onto Deelen Air Base. Jabs then conducted a surprise forced landing, quickly scrambling for cover before his aircraft was destroyed by strafing. He meet Caulton on the field and became friends. Hans-Joachim Jabs was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 24 March 1944. He remained Kommodore of Nachjagdgeschwader 1 until the end of the war. He ended his career as an Oberstleutnant with 50 kills to his credit, 22 of these being day victories against Allied fighters technically far superior to his Bf 110. Jabs flew a total of 710 missions. Jabs became a businessman in Westphalia after the war. He was a vice-president of the Gemeinschaft der Jagdflieger.

Major Hartmann Grasser Luftwaffe Fighter Ace - 103 Victories

Lot #160 (Sale Order 161 of 226)

Hartmann Grasser was a World War II German fighter ace. He was credited with shooting down 103 Allied aircraft while flying 700 missions on the Western Front (8 victories), Eastern Front (83 victories), and in North Africa (12 victories.) At the beginning of the war, Grasser was serving with Jagdgruppe (JG) 152 and was assigned to the 3./JG 152. After a short service in Poland, the group was relocated to the west in mid-September 1939.[5] He participated in the Battle of France and shot down a French observation balloon on 16 September 1939. Grasser shot down a French Curtiss H75 fighter near Hornbach on 24 September, which marked his first victory over an aircraft. In January 1940, JG 152 was redesignated I./ZG 52 and equipped with Messerschmitt Bf 110 and in June 1940, I./ZG 52 was renamed II./ZG 2. Grasser was assigned to the 6./ZG 2 during the Battle of Britain and shot down two aircraft, raising his total kills to six. In October 1940, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader 51 as adjutant to Werner Mölders. On 1 December 1940, Grasser shot down a Royal Air Force (RAF) Hawker Hurricane near Kent. Oberleutnant Grasser participated in Operation Barbarossa and shot down a Soviet Tupolev SB on the first day of the invasion of the Soviet Union. He shot down two enemy aircraft on 29 June 1941 which were respectively his ninth and tenth victories. Grasser passed the 20 kill mark on 29 July, a day on which he shot down a Soviet Ilyushin DB-3. On 1 August, he was appointed Staffelkapitän of 5./JG 51, and achieved his 30th victory on 7 September after downing a Soviet I-61 near Karlewez. Grasser was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 51 on 4 September and received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for 29 victories. He achieved his 40th victory on 14 December after shooting down a Soviet Petlyakov Pe-2. On 24 January 1942, after achieving his 45th victory, Grasser was shot down in his Messerschmitt Bf 109, sustaining a severe eye injury. However, he was able to bail out, landing behind Soviet lines, but eventually reached German forces. Grasser spent several months in hospital but returned to flying duty after recovering from his eye injury. He achieved his 50th victory on 23 June 1942 after shooting down a Soviet Polikarpov I-153. On 5 July, Grasser destroyed six Soviet aircraft, including three Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft. He achieved his 70th and 80th victories on 13 August and 29 August respectively. When he was transferred from the Eastern Front, he had racked up a total of 91 kills. In November 1942, Grasser was assigned to command II./JG 51 in North Africa. In Tunisia, he added 12 more kills, increasing his total to 103. Grasser was awarded the Eichenlaub on 31 August. On 28 April 1944, he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 1 based in Germany replacing Hauptmann Friedrich Eberle who had been wounded in combat with the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). He stayed with this unit for a short time and then passed the command of III./JG 1 to Hauptmann Erich Woitke. In December 1944, Grasser was assigned to JG 110 and given command of the II. Gruppe. At the end of World War II, Grasser was handed over to the Soviet Union and was imprisoned until 1949. Grasser's views on military service radically changed after his return from Soviet prison, and he swore to never again wear a military uniform. He traveled to India in 1949 to train civil pilots in Allahabad and New Delhi. In 1950 he became an adviser to the Syrian Air Force. After his return from Syria, he began the manufacturing of industrial pressed parts made of steel.

Leutnant Erich Weissflog - Luftwaffe Night-Fighter Gunner - 50 Victories

Lot #161 (Sale Order 162 of 226)

Erich Weissflog was a highly decorated Oberleutnant in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and was the gunner/radio/radar operator for Hauptmann Hans-Joachim Jabs (see previous lot). Awards include the Flugzeugführerabzeichen Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe, Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class, 1st Class, German Cross in Gold (31 August 1943), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 24 June 1944 as Leutnant and communication officer and radio/wireless operator in Nachtjagdgeschwader 1.

Gerhard Studemann - Luftwaffe Tank-Buster - 117 Kills

Lot #162 (Sale Order 163 of 226)

Gerhard "Stutz" Stüdemann was a highly decorated Hauptmann in the Luftwaffe during World War II, credited with destroying 117 tanks in 996 missions flying Stukas. “Stultz” Studemann joined Erganzungs-Stukastaffel. VIII Fliegercorps in October 1940. In February 1941 he was posted to 2./St.G.77 on the Channel Front, before taking part in the Balkan Campaign. Transferring to the Russian Front he took part in most of the major operations in that theatre, including the Battle of Kursk, the Battle of Sevastopol, and the Crimea. He served as Grupprnadjutant I./St.G.77 until April 1943. Staffelkapitian 7/St.G.151 until July 1943, Staffelkapitan 9/SG 77 until the end of 1944, and finally Gruppenkommandeur III./SG 77. “Stutz” flew 996 combat missions, and was awarded the Knight’s Cross-with Oak Leaves. Awards include: Flugzeugführerabzeichen Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "900", Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (13 July 1941), 1st Class (20 August 1941), Eastern Front Medal, Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (2 April 1942), German Cross in Gold on 21 August 1942 as Leutnant in the I./Schlachtgeschwader 77, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 26 March 1944 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 9./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77, and the 813th Oak Leaves on 28 March 1945 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Schlachtgeschwader 77.

Major Walther Oesau - Luftwaffe Fighter Ace - 117 Victores - KIA 1944

Lot #163 (Sale Order 164 of 226)

Walter "Gulle" Oesau was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1934 until his death in 1944. He rose to command Jagdgeschwader 1, which was named in his honor after his death. He served with the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War, with 3 Staffel of Jagdgruppe 88 (3./J 88), claiming 8 aircraft during the campaign, becoming one of only 28 people to earn the award of the Spanish Cross in Gold and Diamonds. At the start of World War II, Oesau was given command of 2 Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 20. The group was moved to the Eastern Front at the start of the Invasion of Poland, moving back to the Western Front later as the redesignated III Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 51 (III./JG 51). After his first victory of World War II in the Battle of France, Oesau operated on both the Western and Eastern Fronts, where he was wounded and received the Silver Wound Badge. He returned to operations as Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1). He was killed in action on 11 May 1944 aged 30. JG 1 was given the suffix "Oesau" in his honor. Oesau started his operational career with the Condor Legion, along with future contemporary aces such as Werner Mölders and Adolf Galland. He was one of the first to join 3. Jagdgruppe 88 in Spain in April 1938. The Staffel, commanded by Mölders, took part in the Spanish Civil War where Oesau claimed eight victories, flying 130 combat missions. For this he received the Spanish Cross (Spanienkreuz) in Gold with Diamonds.He was also wounded in this conflict which earned him the Spanish Wound Badge. He also received the Medalla de la Campana and the Medalla Militar. Oesau got his first World War II victory during the Battle of France on 13 May 1940, when he claimed a French Curtiss P-36 Hawk over Halsteren in the Netherlands, earning him the Iron Cross 1st class (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse). On 31 May, he claimed three Spitfires during a patrol North West of Dunkirk and next day he claimed a Bristol Blenheim. On 13 June 1940, he shot down the last French aircraft kill claimed by JG 51, a French Amiot bomber. By the end of hostilities in France on 25 June, his World War II tally stood at 5 (13 including Spanish kills). Following the Battle of France, the Luftwaffe started its attacks on Channel convoys as a prelude to the Battle of Britain. On 7 July 1940 Oesau claimed one Spitfire. Oesau's III./JG 3 was then involved in Operation Barbarossa the invasion of Russia, launched on 22 June 1941. Oesau shot down his first Soviet aircraft on 24 June 1941, and by 30 June 1941 had reached his 60th victory, downing a Tupolev SB bomber. Next day he downed three more SB bombers near Lvov (modern Lviv, Ukraine). This earned him his 3rd entry in the Wehrmachtbericht. On 10 July 1941, Oesau claimed 5 more aircraft and two more kills by 11 July 1941. On 12 July 1941, he shot down 7 Soviet aircraft in one sortie. In the five weeks since moving to the Eastern Front, Oesau was credited with 44 Soviet aircraft downed. He became the third pilot to reach 80 victories, the 80th kill an Ilyushin DB-3 bomber. He was awarded the Swords to his Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) on same day. He was the third person to earn the swords. He was again then wounded, receiving heavy splinter injuries in face and knee. A fortnight later he was transferred to the Western Front to take over JG 2. JG 2 was tasked with defending targets in occupied France against the RAF fighter offensive. For the next two years Oesau led JG 2 through the war of attrition waged by the RAF. On 10 August 1941 Oesau claimed a Spitfire for his first kill with JG 2. Over the next two days, he claimed four more Spitfires. He participated in the Luftwaffe air cover of the Channel Dash. Two B-17 C Flying fortresses of No. 90 Squadron attacked the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. In one of the highest altitude interceptions of World War II, the bombers were attacked by I./JG 2, resulting in the destruction of one. Oesau claimed his 100th kill on 26 October 1941, the third pilot to do so. This earned him 4th entry in the Wehrmachtbericht. He was then grounded from flying on operations, as his experience and leadership qualities were regarded as too valuable to risk further in front line combat. He did fly on occasional sorties, the most famous involving the shooting down of a Lancaster bomber of No. 44 Squadron RAF piloted by Warrant Officer G. T. Rhodes in April 1942, during a rare RAF daylight raid on targets in Augsberg. The ban on Oesau's combat flying was lifted while commanding JG 1, Oesau became an expert (Experten) at shooting down 4 engine bombers, with 14 bomber kills claimed. He was awarded the Combined Pilots-Observation Badge in gold and diamonds on 17 October 1943. He was awarded the German Cross in Gold on 10 January 1944. On 8 May 1944 he claimed a Thunderbolt shot down over Hanover his last kill.

Kdr. Fritz Muller - Wehrmacht

Lot #164 (Sale Order 165 of 226)

Fritz Müller was an Oberst in the Wehrmacht during World War II who received his Knights Cross for defending against over-whelming Soviet forces in the Kuban. Fritz Müller was captured by American troops in 1945. Awards: Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (28 October 1939), 1st Class (28 October 1939), Wound Badge (1939) in Silver, Eastern Front Medal, Infantry Assault Badge, German Cross in Gold on 19 May 1942 as Hauptmann in the II./Jäger-Regiment 38, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 25 August 1942 as Hauptmann and commander of II./Jäger-Regiment 38, the 477th Oak Leaves on 14 May 1944 as Oberst and commander Grenadier-Regiment 208 and mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 29 April 1944 - "In the heavy fighting in recent days, the German Grenadier Regiment 208 under the leadership of Knight's Cross bearer Colonel Fritz Müller, and the Romanian Cavalry Regiment 11 under command of Colonel Cheruvin have particularly distinguished themselves".

Franz Josef Beerenbrock - Luftwaffe Fighter Ace - 117 Victories

Lot #165 (Sale Order 166 of 226)

Franz-Josef Beerenbrock was one of the most successful German fighter aces of World War IIclaimed 117 aerial victories in approximately 400 combat missions, all on the Eastern Front. In November 1942 he became a Prisoner of War for the rest of the war in Russia. Beerenbock joined a flak artillery unit on 1 October 1938 and in 1939 was trained as a pilot. In March 1941, Beerenbrock was transferred to 12./Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51). Unteroffizier Beerenbrock was soon promoted to Oberfeldwebel. He achieved his first aerial victory on 24 June 1941. On 1 August 1942 he claimed nine more victories and reached his 100th aerial victory often flying as wingman of Karl-Gottfried Nordmann. At that point he was the most successful fighter pilot of JG 51. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. In air combat on 9 November 1942 with numeralically superior Russian fighters over Welish, he downed three Russian fighters but his Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-2 fighter received a hit in the radiator and he went down over Russian-held territory and was taken prisoner of war. A few days later, the Russian fighter units in this area suddenly started using the very same tactics as Beerenbrock had used with such success. Some of Beerenbrock's old friends in JG 51 were certain. Beerenbrock, who had a Russian mother, has gone over to the Russian side, although there are no facts and is merely speculation. It has been said that Beerenbrock in Russian captivity was one of the founders – together with General Walther von Seydlitz-Kurzbach and others – of the well-known pro-Soviet German prisoners' organisation, the League of German Officers (German: Bund deutscher Offiziere), but this also is only speculation. Several years after the war in mid-December 1949 Beerenbrock returned to West Germany. In 1955 he joined the Luftwaffe as an officer of the Bundeswehr. Franz-Josef Beerenbrock was credited with 117 victories in approximately 400 missions, all on the Eastern Front of which at least 12 were Il-2 Sturmoviks.

Heinrich Boigk - Wehrmacht Anti-Tank

Lot #166 (Sale Order 167 of 226)

Heinrich Boigk was a Leutnant der Reserves in the Wehrmacht during World War II, and received the Knights cCross for leading anti-tank operations against the Soviets during the fight at the bridgehead Wolchow in 1944. Awards: Iron Cross 2nd Class (27 June 1940), 1st Class (29 September 1941), Wound Badge (1939) in Black, in Silver, Eastern Front Medal, Crimea Shield, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 5 May 1943 as Oberjäger der Reserve and group leader in the 2./Jäger-Regiment 49/28.Jäger-Division, the 370th Oak Leaves on 18 January 1944 as Feldwebel der Reserve and platoon leader in the 2./Jäger-Regiment 49/28.Jäger-Division.

Willi Thulke - Wehrmacht Grenadier

Lot #167 (Sale Order 168 of 226)

Willi Thulke was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II and an Oberstleut in the Bundeswehr. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. His commanding officers had nominated Thulke for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords in December 1943 for his exceptional combat successes. This request was denied in February 1945 due to a paperwork error. Awards: Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (22 July 1941), 1st Class (17 December 1941), Wound Badge in Black, Eastern Front Medal, Infantry Assault Badge, Close Combat Clasp in Bronze, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 7 January 1943 as Oberleutnant der reserve and Chef 6. / Grenadier-Regiment 501, and the 424th Oak Leaves on 13 March 1944 as Hauptmann der Reserve and I. / Grenadier-Regiment 501.

Benno Reuter - Wehrmacht Jaeger

Lot #168 (Sale Order 169 of 226)

Benno Reuter was a highly decorated Leutnant der Reserve in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Awards: Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (9 November 1939), 1st Class (5 July 1940), Wound Badge (1939) in Black, Eastern Front Medal, Infantry Assault Badge, Crimea Shield Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 8 February 1944 as Stabsfeldwebel and commander of 7. / Jäger-Regiment 49, and the 633rd Oak Leaves on 28 October 1944 as Stabsfeldwebel and commander of 6. / Jäger-Regiment 49.

Erich Lorenz

Lot #169 (Sale Order 170 of 226)

Erich Lorenz was a highly decorated Oberst der Reserve in the Wehrmacht who commanded the 85. Infanterie-Division during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He was also awarded the very rare Close Combat Clasp in Gold, one of only 631 such decorations. Awards: Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (25 August 1941), 1st Class (26 September 1941), Wound Badge (1939) in Black, in Silver, in Gold, Close Combat Clasp in Bronze, in Silver (1 May 1944) in Gold (12 March 1945), Infantry Assault Badge, Eastern Front Medal, 2 Tank Destruction Badges for Individual Combatants, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 14 November 1943 as Major der Reserve and commander of Grenadier-Regiment 287, and the 467th Oak Leaves on 4 May 1944 as Oberstleutnant der Reserve and commander of Grenadier-Regiment 287

Ferdinand Wegerer - Panzergrenadier-Regiment 10

Lot #170 (Sale Order 171 of 226)

Ferdinand Wegerer was an Oberfeldwebel in the Wehrmacht during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. He fought in the Invasion of Poland, Battle of the Netherlands, Battle of France, Battle of Greece, Operation Barbarossa, Battle of Uman, Battle of Kiev (1941), Battle of Voronezh (1942), Battle of Kursk, Invasion of Normandy, Falaise pocket, Battle of Aachen, Battle of the Bulge and the Ruhr Pocket.

Kapitanleutnant Otto Weddigen - Imperial U-Boat Commander - Pour Le Merte

Lot #171 (Sale Order 172 of 226)

Otto Eduard Weddigen was a German U-boat commander during World War I. In 1910 he was given command of one of the first German submarines, U-9. On 22 September 1914, while patrolling in the region of the southern North Sea known to the British as the "Broad Fourteens", U-9 intercepted the three warships of the Seventh Cruiser Squadron. Weddigen fired off all six of his torpedoes, reloaded while submerged, and in less than an hour sank the three British armoured cruisers HMS Aboukir, HMS Hogue and HMS Cressy. Sixty two officers and 1,397 men were killed, only 837 survived. Weddigen was awarded the Iron Cross, second and first class. After sinking HMS Hawke and some merchant ships, Weddigen received Prussia's highest military order, the Pour le Mérite. He also received the highest military honors of the other kingdoms of the German Empire: The Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Max Joseph of the Bavaria (making him one of only six non-Bavarians to receive this), the Knight's Cross of Saxony's Military Order of St. Henry and the Knight's Cross of Württemberg's Military Merit Order. Weddigen died while commanding the submarine U-29. On 18 March 1915 U-29 was rammed by the British battleship HMS Dreadnought in the Pentland Firth. U-29 had broken the surface immediately ahead of Dreadnought after firing a torpedo at HMS Neptune and Dreadnought cut the submarine in two after a short chase. There were no survivors from the submarine.

Stabsobermaschinist Heinrich Dammeier - Kreigsmarine U-Boat Machinist

Lot #172 (Sale Order 173 of 226)

Heinrich Dammeier (9 February 1914 in Beckedorf – 16 May 2001 in Beckedorf) was a German U-boat machinist in World War II. Heinrich Dammeier started his naval career in July 1933 at the age of 19. He got a technical training and then rode on the cruiser Deutschland (renamed Lützow in 1940). On the Deutschland he took part on a patrol in Spanish waters during the Civil War. He received the Spanish Cross with Swords. In September 1940 he changed to the U-boat force and became the Obermaschinist on U-129. On 10 patrols he saved the boat on several occasions after it had been badly damaged during enemy attacks and thus became the first Obermaschinist to receive the Knights Cross. When U-129 was taken out of service in Lorient in July 1944, Heinrich Dammeier joined the crew of U-270. The boat tried to reach La Pallice in August 1944. Unfortunately U-270 was sunk by an Australian aircraft only three days after leaving Lorient. Heinrich Dammeier and the majority of the crew found themselves prisoners of war. He then spent more than three years in allied captivity.

Vice Admiral Frederich Ruge - Kreigsmarine - Naval Advisor to Erwin Rommel

Lot #173 (Sale Order 174 of 226)

Friedrich Oskar Ruge was an officer in the German Navy and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross as well as being the Naval advisor to Erwin Rommel. Joining the Imperial German Navy as a cadet in March 1914, he was soon a participant in the 1914, 1915, and 1916 Baltic Sea operations. In 1917 and 1918, he sailed with the destroyer raids in the North Sea and English Channel. After the armistice, Ruge was an officer aboard the German destroyer B-112, interned at Scapa Flow and in June 1919, he played a role in the scuttling of the German Fleet. Returning to Germany to continue his naval career in the service of the new Weimar Republic, for the next two decades he concentrated on mines and mine warfare. From 1921 to 1923, he commanded a minesweeper. After studies at Berlin Institute of Technology, he was the senior officer of a flotilla of minesweepers, and, in 1937, achieved the top post in that division. In World War II, he was a part of the Polish Campaign in 1939 and the North Sea-English Channel operations during 1940. From 1940 to 1943, he was stationed in France, rising through the upper ranks to become Vice Admiral in 1943. Sent to Italy in 1943, he served as Senior German Naval Officer until mid-summer. He was appointed as Naval Advisor to Field Marshal Erwin Rommel in November 1943. In August 1944, he became the Kriegsmarine's Director of Ship Construction, a position in which he served till the end of World War II. At the end World War II, he became a POW. In 1946, he started a new life as a translator, writer and educator in Cuxhaven. He was one of four Flag Officers who made up the Naval Historical Team at Bremerhaven, sponsored by the United States Navy. During the early 1950s, he advised as to how the navy could be restructured in the new Bundesmarine, as detailed in Searle's Wehrmacht Generals. Called out of retirement when Germany became a part of NATO, Ruge was appointed Inspector of the Navy (a position similar to the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations), a post he occupied until 1961. Two signed notes.

Kapitanleutnant Karl-Heinz Marbach - Kreigsmarine Type XXI U-Boat Commander

Lot #174 (Sale Order 175 of 226)

Karl-Heinz Marbach began his naval career in April 1937. He served for some months in 1939 on the light cruisers Leipzig and Nürnberg. Before he transferred to the U-boat force in autumn 1940, he spent a year in a staff position. After his U-boat training he was assigned to U-101, commanded by Kptlt. Ernst Mengersen. From March to November 1941 Marbach made three patrols on U-101, during which Mengersen sank three ships. He left U-101 in February 1942. After a short commander training course, Marbach was promoted to commanding the school boats U-28 and U-29 for over six months. In December 1942 he commissioned the Type VIIC U-boat U-953. After seven patrols he received the Knights Cross for acts of bravery. He was in Berlin to receive his decoration from the BdU, when US troops encircled the U-boat base at Brest in France. Oblt. Herbert A. Werner then took over U-953 and Marbach went to the AG Weser shipyard in Bremen to commission a new Type XXI U-boat. In December 1944 he took command of U-3014, but he never saw combat with this boat. After the surrender he became a POW and remained imprisoned until February 1948, being among the last U-boat men to be set free.

Korvettenkapitan Reinhard Hardigen - Top U-Boat Commander

Lot #175 (Sale Order 176 of 226)

Korvettenkapitän Reinhard Hardegen is a German U-boat commander who sank 22 ships, amounting to 115,656 gross register tons (GRT) sunk, making him the 24th most successful commander in World War II. After the war, he spent a year in British captivity before running a successful oil company and serving in Bremen's Parliament for over 32 years. Following his graduation from high school he enrolled in the Reichsmarine as a Seekadett, sailing around the world in the light cruiser Karlsruhe in 1933. In 1935, Hardegen was transferred as a Marineflieger in the Kriegsmarine?'?s air arm. He trained as a naval aircraft observer and, after, as a pilot, and was promoted to leutnant on 1 October 1936. Later that year, Hermann Göring declared all aircraft in German service as belonging to the Luftwaffe, effectively canceling the Navy Air Arm. Hardegen was then transferred to the Ubootwaffe and began training. After two war patrols, was given his own command, the Type IID U-boat U-147, operating out of Kiel. On the second day of the first patrol, Hardegen fired a torpedo which failed to detonate against a large merchant ship, before being forced to submerge after mistaking a destroyer for a merchant ship. During the dive, the tower hatch was damaged, forcing U-147 to resurface after a short while to make feverish repairs only a few hundred meters from the destroyer. The gathering darkness, however, saved the boat from being detected. The water leaks had damaged the diesel engines aboard the boat, forcing Hardegen to use his electric motors when, later in the night, he saw another merchant passing by. Although slowed, the U-boat had enough speed to close the distance and launch a torpedo which sank the freighter. On 23 December 1941, U-123 left for the first phase of Drumbeat. Five boats, which was all Dönitz could muster, were sent towards the American coast, to take advantage of the confusion in the Eastern Seaboard defense networks shortly after the declaration of war. Hardegen was ordered to penetrate the inshore areas around New York City. Hardegen was also to target merchant shipping off Cape Hatteras. On 12 January 1942, Hardegen drew first blood, sinking the British freighter Cyclops (9,076 GRT). On 14 January, he reached the approaches to New York harbour. Hardegen decided to proceed into the harbour on the surface. The still brightly burning shore lights helped immensely with the navigation through the unknown waters. During the morning hours, U-123 sighted the Norwegian tanker Norness (9,577 GRT) off the coast of Long Island and sank her. Following this, Hardegen decided to bottom the boat and wait for nightfall before proceeding into the harbour itself. During the night of 15 January, Hardegen entered the harbour, nearly beaching the boat when he mistook shorelight for a light ship. The crew of U-123 were elated when they came within the sight of the city itself, all lights burning brightly, but Hardegen did not linger long, due to the lack of merchant traffic. He did sink the British tanker Coimbra (6,768 GRT) on his way out. During the night of 19 January, Hardegen sank three freighters off Cape Hatteras in shallow waters close to shore. A couple of hours later, he happened upon five more merchants traveling in a group and attacked them with his last two torpedoes and his 105 mm deck gun, sinking a freighter and claiming the tanker Malay (8,207 GRT) as well. On 2 March 1942, Hardegen left for his final patrol, his second to American waters. The first successes were achieved when Hardegen sank the American tanker Muskogee (7,034 GRT) and the British tanker Empire Steel (8,150 GRT) on 24 March. The tanker, carrying gasoline, burned fiercely for five hours before sinking and no survivors could be spotted. The somber crew of U-123 nicknamed the night the "Tanker Torch night". On 26 March, Hardegen attacked the American Q-ship USS Atik (3,000 GRT), mistaking it for a merchant freighter. After torpedoing the ship, Hardegen surfaced to sink her with the deck guns, only to find the Atik trying to ram him and opening fire on him with guns that had been concealed behind false bulwarks. Making a getaway on the surface, U-123 received eight hits and one of the crew members was fatally wounded. Approaching the Atik submerged, Hardegen sank her with another torpedo. Hardegen's second patrol was along the Florida coast. He attacked the American tanker Liebre on 1 April with his deck gun. On the night of 8 April, U-123 was positioned off the shore of St. Simons Island, Georgia and torpedoed and sank two tankers: the SS Oklahoma and the Esso Baton Rouge. Setting course for home, Hardegen sighted the freighter SS Alcoa Guide (4,834 GRT) and sank her with fire from the 105mm deck gun, as well as the 37mm and 20mm flak guns on 16 April. In April, Hardegen received a signal confirming his award of the Oak Leaves to his Knights Cross. On 2 May, U-123 docked at Lorient, ending Hardegen's career as an active U-boat commander.

Kapitanleutnant Rolf Thompsen - Naval Aviator & U-Boat Commander

Lot #176 (Sale Order 177 of 226)

Rolf Thomsen was a Kapitänleutnant with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and later served with the Bundesmarine. Thomsen served as a naval aviator from 1939 until early 1943. He transferred to the U-boat service on 1 January 1944 and on 27 January 1944 commissioned U-1202. His first patrol as a U-boat commander took him into the North Atlantic. The first attack was carried out on 10 December 1944. All four torpedoes, which were aimed at merchant vessels of between 6,000 and 7,000 tons, found their mark. Thomsen claimed such as sunk, as corresponding sinking noises were heard. However the enemy only admitted the loss of the 7,176 ton American merchant ship Dan Beard. From 1 October 1962 to 30 September 1963 he served as adjutant to the Federal Minister of Defence Kai-Uwe von Hassel.

Kapitanleutnant Harald Gelhaus - U-Boat Commander - 19 Sinkings

Lot #177 (Sale Order 178 of 226)

Harald Gelhaus began his naval career in April 1935. He served on the light cruiser Karlsruhe and on the battleship Gneisenau. In October 1939 he transferred to the U-boat force. His first three patrols were as I WO on U-103 under Korvkpt. Schütze. He left the boat in March 1941 and took command of the Type IIB boat U-143. After four patrols he became the commander of U-107, the already famous boat of Korvkpt. Hessler. On the next six patrols he sank 19 ships with a total of little more than 100,00 tons. In June 1943 he became a staff member of the OKM, the High Command of the German Navy. From February 1944 Gelhaus was a training officer in the 22nd and 27th flotillas. The final months of the war he spent in staff positions, the last one being in Naval High Command North. After the war he spent three months in Allied captivity.

Kapitanleutnant Alfred Eick - U-Boat Commander - 9 Sinkings

Lot #178 (Sale Order 179 of 226)

Alfred Eick began his naval career in April 1937. Later he served for more than a year on the destroyer Hermann Beitzen, and he undertook 16 patrols in the first year of the war. In November 1940 he transferred to the U-boat force, where he accompanied U-176 on her first two patrols. In May 1943 he became commander of U-510. After a successful patrol in Brazilian waters, U-510 left Lorient on her second patrol assigned as one of the Monsun boats. Eick operated for a few months in the Indian Ocean before heading back in January 1945 with a load of important goods (tin, quinine, etc.) on board. After being supplied with oil southeast of Madagascar by Krvkpt. Oesten's U-861 (who was short of fuel herself), U-510 ran out of fuel in the North Atlantic, but managed to reach the U-boat base at St. Nazaire in France at the end of April 1945 (at that time the base was still in German hands). Alfred Eick was in French captivity from May 1945 to July 1947. He then studied business management at the University of Hamburg and worked later as a tax adviser.

Korvettenkapitan Helmut Witte - U-Boat Commander - 23 Sinkings

Lot #179 (Sale Order 180 of 226)

Helmut Witte began his naval career in April 1934. Later he served on the light cruiser Köln, on the destroyer Z-22, and on several torpedo boats. In July 1940 Witte transferred to the U-boat force. After the usual training he became IWO on the newly commissioned U-107 under Kptlt. Hessler. Before he left the boat in July 1941, he had taken part in the most successful patrol of the war. He commissioned U-159 in October 1941 and operated in the waters of Panama on his second patrol. On his third patrol U-159 was a part of the wolfpack Eisbär, which operated in the waters off Capetown in September 1942. He left the boat in June 1943 and served from then until the end of the war in several staff positions. After two months in British captivity, he worked for a time as a farm hand and factory worker. Later he built up a successful civil career and in the 1960s became personnel manager of a great German industry group. This lot has a total of three signatures!

Korvettenkapitan Jurgen Oesten - U-Boat Commander - 19 Sinkings

Lot #180 (Sale Order 181 of 226)

Jürgen Oesten began his naval career in April 1933. After the usual training he spent more than a year on the great ships Admiral Graf Spee and Karlsruhe. In May 1937 he transferred to the U-boat arm, and thus received a solid pre-war training. In October 1937 he became a watch officer on U-20. On 12 August, 1939 he commissioned U-61. The boat was on its first patrol, after two months of training, during the last days of October 1939. As a result of a few mine-laying patrols Oblt. Jürgen Oesten sank six ships with a total of 20,754 tons. After his eighth patrol he left the boat and one month later commissioned the larger Type IXB boat U-106. During her maiden patrol from Germany to her new base at Lorient, U-106 sank two ships with a total of 13,640 tons. Oesten won the Knights Cross on her second patrol in African waters, where he sank eight ships with a total of 44,820 tons. His attack on one vessel during the battle against convoy SL-68 was unintended but effective: he fired at the shadow of a recognized merchant ship in bad light conditions and did not realize that the torpedo hit and damaged the the British battleship HMS Malaya. Kptlt. Oesten left U-106 in October 1941 and became the commander of the 9th Flotilla in Brest (France). In March 1942 Jürgen Oesten became U-Boot-Admiralstabsoffizier with the Admiral Nordmeer and directed the U-boat war in Arctic waters. In July 1943 he left Norway and on 2 September, 1943 commissioned the Type IX D2 boat U-861. U-861 left Kiel on 20 April, 1944 as a so-called Monsun-boat because her destination was to be the Far East. But at first the boat operated in Brazilian waters, sinking two ships. The boat found her next victim south of Madagascar, and before she reached Penang on 23 September, 1944 she sank a ship near the Somalian coast. The boat had spent five months at sea. U-861 left Soerabaya (Indonesia) on 15 January, 1945 with a load of vital goods and only equipped with two torpedoes for self-defense. During the return journey the boat struck an iceberg south of Greenland, but Oesten, through good luck and seamanship, reached Trondheim, Norway on 19 April, 1945 with only five barrels of fuel remaining in the tanks.

Korvettenkapitan(ING.) Hellmut Rohweder - U-Boat Engineer

Lot #181 (Sale Order 182 of 226)

Helmut Rohweder started his naval career in April 1935. Since 1938 he served in the U-boat force, where he became in April 1939 LI of U-17. Later he rode on U-69 and U-514. He got his Knights Cross for some emergency measures to save the damaged U-boat from sinking. From May 1943 he served as leading engineer in the 12th, 4th and 6th Flotillas. In 1944 he became the LI of U-673 and was on board when the Turmumbau VI was tested on this U-boat. After this patrol he served in several staff positions to the end of war. Since 1956 he served in the Bundesmarine also in several staff positions. He left the Navy in March 1972 with a rank of a Kapitän zur See. Decorations include Iron Cross 2nd class (EK II), Ubootskriegsabzeichen 1939, Iron Cross 1st class (EK I), Deutsches Kreuz in Gold, Knights Cross, and U-Boots-Frontspange in Bronze.

Kapitan Karl-Friedrich Merten - U-Boat Commander - 27 Sinkings

Lot #182 (Sale Order 183 of 226)

After a ten-year stint on warships and serving on the WWI battleship Schleswig-Holstein during the attack on the Polish "Westerplatte" in September 1939, Merten joined the U-boat arm on 1 May, 1940. He operated all over the world, patrolling in the Atlantic, the Caribbean and the Indian Oceans. U-68 was in the U-boat wolfpack "Eisbär" (Polar bear), which in the course of a few weeks during September/October 1942 sank more than 100,000 tons of shipping off South Africa. In January 1943 Merten became the commander of the 26th U-boat-Flotilla in Pillau. There the new U-boat crews received their final training before going to the front. In March 1943 Merten moved to the 24th U-boat-Flotilla in Memel where he also was the flotilla commander. This was the training flotilla for future Commanders-to-be. After the war Merten salvaged sunken ships in the Rhine river along with another famous former U-boat commander, Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock. Later he worked in the shipbuilding industry.

Kapitan Kurt-Caesar Hoffman - Captain Battleship Scharnhorst.

Lot #183 (Sale Order 184 of 226)

Vizeadmiral Kurt-Caesar Hoffmann (26 August 1895 – 19 May 1988) was a Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipient during World War II and commander of the battleship Scharnhorst. Hoffmann joined the military service of the Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial Navy) on 1 April 1912 as a Seekadett (midshipman) and took his first ship training on the cruiser SMS Hansa. On 1 April 1913 he underwent further training at the Naval Academy Mürwik and on 12 April 1913 was promoted to Fähnrich zur See (ensign at sea). He relinquished command of the Coastal Artillery School and was appointed commander of the light cruiser Königsberg on 27 June 1939. After the outbreak of World War II, he initially remained in command of Königsberg. On 21 September 1939 he took over command from Kapitän zur See Otto Ciliax of the battleship Scharnhorst. Scharnhorst?'?s first operation began on 21 November 1939 lasting until 27 November 1939. Accompanied by her sister Gneisenau, the light cruiser Köln, and nine destroyers, Scharnhorst patrolled the area between Iceland and the Faroe Islands. The intent of the operation was to draw out British units and ease the pressure on the heavy cruiser Admiral Graf Spee, which was being pursued in the South Atlantic. Two days later, the German flotilla, under the command of Admiral Wilhelm Marschall aboard Gneisenau, intercepted the auxiliary cruiser Rawalpindi. At 16:07, lookouts aboard Scharnhorst spotted the British vessel, and less than an hour later Scharnhorst had closed the range. At 17:03, Scharnhorst opened fire, and three minutes later a salvo of her 28 cm guns hit Rawalpindi?'?s bridge, killing the captain and the majority of the staff. During the brief engagement, Rawalpindi managed to score at hit on Scharnhorst, which caused minor splinter damage. Rawalpindi was sunk within 40 minutes.

Oberleutnant Heinrich Petersen - U-Boat Executive Officer - 30 Sinkings

Lot #184 (Sale Order 185 of 226)

After serving three years in a Navy ground unit (Küstenwehr) Heinrich Petersen started his naval career in October 1923 on board of the cruiser Berlin. Later he served in the Reichsmarine on the minesweeper M-75 and on several torpedo boats. After the usual 12 years duty he left in September 1931 the Reichsmarine. In 1935 he joined the navy (then named Kriegsmarine) once more and served for 18 months on the torpedo boat T-156, before he became in October 1937 Obersteuermann (Quartermaster) on the type II U-boat U-23. In the same month Oblt. zur See Kretschmer took over the command for the U-boat, and the next 3 and a half year these two seamen served with great successes together on U-boats. Together, they sunk over 30 ships. After 8 patrols in 1939/1940 Petersen left U-23 along with the commander to take over the newly commissioned U-boat U-99. He participated in the great successes of U-99. Together with the greatest majority of the crew he was taken prisoner on 17 March, 1941 by the British. He spent more than 6 years in captivity, before he returned in June 1947.

Korvettenkapitan Werner Toniges - Kreigsmarine Schnellboot

Lot #185 (Sale Order 186 of 226)

Werner Töniges was a Korvettenkapitän with the Kriegsmarine during World War II. He sailed with the Schnellboot "S 24", "S 26" and "S 102", sinking eighteen ships on 281 combat patrols, for a total of 86,200 gross register tons (GRT) of Allied shipping. Werner Töniges transferred from the Handelsmarine to the Kriegsmarine in 1935. In 1937 he was promoted to Leutnant zur See. On board of the German pocket battleship "Admiral Graf Spee" he participated in Spanish Civil War. He then transferred to the Schnellboot service. He commanded the Schnellboote "S 24", "S 26" and "S 102". Töniges was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross after 88 combat patrols on 25 February 1941. He soon also received the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross on 13 November 1942, the first in the Schnellboot service. At this point Töniges had sunk 18 war and merchant ships plus two U-boat hunters. He was transferred to the Marineschule at Flensburg-Mürwik as company commander at the end of September 1942. Here he received the Fast Attack Craft War Badge with Diamonds. As of September 1943 he served as a training officer in the Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine, where he was promoted to Korvettenkapitän on 1 January 1945.

Kapitanleutnant (ING.) Gerhard Bielig - U-Boat Engineer

Lot #186 (Sale Order 187 of 226)

Gerhard Bielig started his naval career in April 1934. From October 1937 he spent then the whole time to the end of the war in the U-boat force. He rode on three U-boats for more than 650 days at sea on combat patrols. He saved the U-boat three times after heavy depth charge-attacks and therefore received, in February 1943, the Knights Cross. After leaving the U-177 he served as instructor in the 2nd ULD and from December 1944 in the Agru-Front (technical taining group for front U-boats)

Korvettenkapitan Friedrich Kemnade - Kreigsmarine - Schnellboot

Lot #187 (Sale Order 188 of 226)

Friedrich Walter Karl Kemnade was a Korvettenkapitän with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and later served with the Bundesmarine. Friedrich Kemnade finished his education in March 1931, he joined the Reichsmarine on April 1st 1931 as Seeoffiziersanwärter (candidate naval officer). On October 1st he was commissioned as Seekadett (cadet). After military training he served aboard a sailing training vessel. In 1932 he served aboard the cruiser Karlsruhe and was promoted to Gefreiter (sergeant) on April 1st. In 1933, Kemnade was sent to the Naval Academy in Mürwick and subsequently served as Divisionsfuhnrich aboard the cruiser Konigsberg. After being promoted to Fahnrich zur See and to Obermaar he was posted as Divisionsleutnant and 2nd torpedo officer aboard respectively the cruiser Königsberg and Nürnberg. After being promoted to Oberfähnrich zur See and to Leutnant zur See in 1935, he was made Schnellbootkommandant in 1.Schnellboot-Halbflotille in 1936. In 1937, following his promotion to Oberleunant zur See, he was posted to a torpedo school as an instructor. At the onset of WWII in September 1939, Kemnade was commissioned as 1st Torpedo officer and Adjutant on the cruiser Emden where he was promoted to Kapitänleutnant in October. In 1940 he was given command of 3.Schnellbootsflotille. On September 11th, 1940, during a British bombardment on Vlissingen, he was seriously injured whilst aboard Schnellboot S13. After recuperation, he came back to his old post and was promoted to Korvettenkapitän in 1943. Subsequently he served as Referent in the Oberkommando (Supreme Command) of the Kriegsmarine witihn the SKL (Seekriegsleitung, director naval operations), a post he held until Germany surrendered on May 8th, 1945. Immediately after he German capitulation, Kemnade was made liaison officer in the OkK (Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine, Supreme Comand Navy) for the Allied Naval Commission and placed under British supervision. On February 27th, 1946, he was released from supervision. Until 1956 he was employed as agent, later as district inspector and management assistent of the Allianz Versicherung-AG (Insurance comp. Ltd) and became branch manager in 1952. Awards: Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (30 April 1940), 1st Class (24 December 1940), Olympic Games Decoration (1936), Wound Badge in Black (20 September 1940), Fast Attack Craft War Badge (11 March 1941), German Cross in Gold on 2 February 1942 as Kapitänleutnant in the 3. Schnellbootflottille, 3 Medaglia d'Argento al Valore Militare 1st time on 21 May 1942, 2nd time on 24 January 1943, 3rd time in 1943, High Seas Fleet Badge (2 January 1943), armband "Afrika" (12 October 1943), Croce di Guerra al Valor Militare (17 March 1943), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 23 July 1942 as Kapitänleutnant and chief of the 3. Schnellbootflottille and the 249th Oak Leaves on 27 May 1943 as Korvettenkapitän and chief of the 3. Schnellbootflottille 3, mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 18 June 1942 and Great Cross of Merit (September 1970).

Kapitanleutnant Heinz Franke - U-Boat Commander & Midget Subs

Lot #188 (Sale Order 189 of 226)

Heinz Franke joined the Kriegsmarine in April 1936 and was a member of the so called Olympia-Crew. He served for more than two years on the battle cruiser Gneisenau and was on board during her two patrols in 1939, In October 1940 he transferred to the U-boat force and after the usual training he became first watch officer (IWO) on U-84. After three patrols he left the boat in December 1941 and took over the school boat U-148 which he commanded for 10 months in the Baltic Sea. In October 1942 he became commander of the front boat U-262 and just one month later on his first patrol he sank the Norwegian corvette Montbretia. In May 1943 Franke was to pick up some captured U-boat men who planned to escape in the Gulf of St. Lorenz, but the breakout failed and he returned home without them. In January 1944 Heinz Franke left U-262 and was attached to the BdU org staff. After serving in several other staff positions and in a midget U-boat unit, he took command of U-3509 in March 1945. When the U-boat was damaged on 4 April, 1945 he transferred to U-2502, which he commanded to the end of the war. After the war he spent six months in captivity, then served in a minesweeper unit. In 1957 he joined the Bundesmarine, where he worked in the Amt für Militärkunde (department for military subjects). He retired in March 1972 as Fregattenkapitän.

Korvettenkapitan Otto von Bulow - U-Boat Commander - 15 Sinkings

Lot #189 (Sale Order 190 of 226)

For the first ten years of his naval career, Otto von Bülow served on the large warships Deutschland and Schleswig-Holstein, and in several navy anti-aircraft units. In April 1940 he joined the U-boat arm and seven months later took command of the school boat U-3 in the 21st Flotilla. After the usual Baubelehrung, in August 1941 Bülow commissioned U-404 at Danzig. In January 1942 the boat left Kiel on her first war patrol. In the course of the next five patrols Bülow sank 14 ships, including the British destroyer HMS Veteran (1,120 tons). On April 23 1943 Bülow attacked an Allied escort carrier with two FAT and two G7e torpedoes. The four torpedoes were directed at the HMS Biter, but von Bülow thought he was attacking the USS Ranger. Upon hearing four explosions (probably the torpedoes dead end course), he considered them as hits, and transmitted the BdU the message "Ranger possible"; the answer was to confirm it (whether in his opinion he had sunk the carrier). Von Bülow answered with a "sinking assumed". The importance of this was that he received the Oak Leaves to this presumed sinking. It was announced in The German Press, and Hitler himself awarded the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves to von Bülow when the commander of U-404 returned home. The Americans reacted blaming the German commander as a coward, but it is well known that he really believed he had sunk the carrier, and for the rest had an excellent service record witnessing his bravery. Later, when the truth was available for the Germans, their records were changed, and the attack correctly reported as being against the Biter. Bülow left the boat after this patrol. In September 1943, Korvkpt. Bülow founded the 23rd Flotilla in Danzig, where future U-boat commanders got their first training. When he commissioned U-2545 in the spring of 1945 he was one of the highly decorated U-boat commanders (including Schnee, Cremer, Emmermann, Witt and Topp), who took command of the new Electro U-boats (type XXI and the smaller Type XXIII) in an attempt to turn the tide in the battle of the Atlantic. In last weeks of war Bülow commanded the Marinesturmbataillon I (Naval Assault Battalion I). After the war he spent three months in British captivity. In July 1956 he joined the newly formed German navy (Bundesmarine). In 1960 at Charleston, South Carolina he commissioned the destroyer Z-6, the former US destroyer USS Charles Ausburne. In March 1963 he became commander of the 3. Zerstörer- geschwader (3rd Destroyer Squadron). Before he retired in 1970, he spent his last five years as Kapitän zur See and garrison chief of Hamburg.

Oberbootsmann Rudolf Muhlbauer - U-Boat Bosun

Lot #190 (Sale Order 191 of 226)

Oberbootsmannmaat Mühlbauer was the only Maat (leading seaman), serving in the U-boats, that received the Knights Cross. He served since April 1939 in the Navy and switched in autumn 1939 to the U-boats. He was on board of U-123 from the commission and took part in very successful patrols under Moehle and Hardegen with a total sinkings of more than 200,000 tons. Also outstanding were his 748 days at sea, nearly two years and a 4 months on patrol! In two cases he, with his sure eyes, saved the boat from being sunk by the enemy. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded by Admiral Hans-Georg von Friedeburg on 10 December 1944 in Kiel.[2] In July 1945 Mühlbauer participated in Operation Deadlight, the sinking of various German submarines by the British

Korvettenkapitan Wirich von Gartzen - Kreigsmarine Torpedo Boats

Lot #191 (Sale Order 192 of 226)

Wirich von Gartzen was a Korvettenkapitän with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He commanded 12 Torpedo-Boats in the seas around Italy performing offensive and defensive including raiding. Awards include the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (15 November 1939), 1st Class (20 June 1940), Destroyer War Badge (19 October 1940), Minesweeper War Badge (20 February 1941), German Cross (30 October 1943), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 24 June 1944 as Korvettenkapitän and chief of the 10. Torpedobootflottille.

Kapitanleutnant Hans-Gunther Lange - U-Boat Commander - Soviet Artic

Lot #192 (Sale Order 193 of 226)

Leutnant Lange received his first experience as an officer on board the torpedo boat Jaguar. In September 1941 he joined the U-boat arm and only two months later started his first patrol as IWO on U-431 in the Mediterranean. In July 1942 he completed the usual Kommandantenschiesslehrgang (commander fire course) in the 24th Flotilla. Oblt. Hans-Günther Lange commissioned U-711 in September 1942. He commanded eleven patrols on this boat, all in Arctic waters and mainly against British and Soviet convoys. Three times U-711 attacked Soviet radio stations on small islands in the Barents Sea and nearby waters. His boat sunk three Soviet vessels and raided various Soviet islands. On 23 August, 1944 Kptlt. Lange fired torpedoes at the Soviet battleship Archangelsk (former HMS Royal Sovereign and a sister ship to HMS Royal Oak sunk by U-47 at Scapa Flow in Oct 1939) and a Soviet destroyer, but this attack was unsuccessful. U-711 was sunk on 4 May 1945 by British aircraft. The next three months Lange spent in British-Norwegian captivity. In October 1957 Lange joined the Bundesmarine. Here he took part in the construction of a new German U-boat weapon. For two years he commanded the 1. Ubootgeschwader (1st U-boot squadron) and in January 1964 became commander of the entire U-boat force. Later he held several staff positions, ending his second naval career in 1972 as staff officer in the Marinedivision der Nordsee (naval forces in the North Sea).

Kapitanleutnant Helmut Bastian - Kriegsmarine - Manned Torpedoes

Lot #193 (Sale Order 194 of 226)

Helmut Max Werner Bastian was a Kapitänleutnant with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and as commander of the torpedo boat Möwe he was involved in the sinking of the Norwegian destroyer HNoMS Svenner on 6 June 1944. Later that year he commanded Sprengbooten (Manned Torpedoes) in the Mediterranean. During the Anzio Invasion his Flotilla sank a British destroyer, an armed merchant vessel and numerous landing craft. A total of 14,350 tons were sunk.

Vize-Admiral Bernhard Rogge - Commander of the Commerce Raider Atlantis

Lot #194 (Sale Order 195 of 226)

Bernhard Rogge was a German naval officer who, during World War II, commanded a merchant raider. Later, he became a Konteradmiral in West Germany's Bundesmarine. He was awarded a Japanese ornate Samurai sword and the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his actions as the commander of the Hilfskreuzer (auxiliary cruiser) Atlantis (Schiff 16). Rogge eventually became a Vizeadmiral (vice-admiral—equivalent to a two star admiral during World War II) by the end of World War II, and, when the West German Bundesmarine was established after the war, returned to service as a Konteradmiral (rear-admiral—a two star admiral). Rogge also was one of the few German officers of flag rank who was not arrested by the Allies after the war. This was due to the way he had exercised his command of Atlantis. At the beginning of the Second World War, he took over as Captain of the auxiliary cruiser Atlantis (Ship 16). With this ship, he revolutionized merchant raider warfare. The trip took Atlantis around the world and would last more than 600 days - the longest continuous war effort of a German warship. Atlantis was the most active in the South Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. A total of 19 ships were sunk with nearly 128,000 GRT and 18,253 GRT applied three ships as prizes. Rogge also had an impact on the Japanese invasion of the British possessions in the Pacific, 1942, for Atlantis captured the freighter Automedon, that had extensive British secret materials on board, which was made ??available to Japan. For this Rogge was received by Emperor Hirohito on 27 April 1942 and awarded a special samurai sword. Apart from him, this award was only awarded to two other foreigners, namely, Hermann Goering and Erwin Rommel. Atlantis was sunk by the British heavy cruiser Devonshire between Brazil and West Africa. The crew was initially taken up by the German U-boat supply ship Python, however, after the sighting of the cruiser Dorsetshire sank itself. The sailors survived with the help of German and Italian submarines to make it back to their homeland. For his efforts, Rogge received the Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.

Oberleutnant Otto Westphalen - U-Boat Commander - 3 Merchant Ships Sunk as well as two Warships

Lot #195 (Sale Order 196 of 226)

Otto Westphalen was a German U-boat commander in World War II and joined the Kriegsmarine in October 1938. He took part in the invasion of Poland aboard the battleship Schlesien a year later. He then served on the torpedo boat Kondor for six months before joining the U-boat force in October 1940. He sailed on four patrols as watch officer of U-566 in 1941, and in May 1942 took command of the school boat U-121. In March 1943 he commissioned the Type VIIC U-boat U-968, and was attached to 13th U-boat Flotilla, based at Trondheim, Norway, for operations against convoys in the Arctic Sea. Westphalen sailed on seven combat patrols between March 1944 and May 1945, though all his victories were made in February and March 1945; he sank three merchant ships, damaged another, and sank the British sloops HMS Lark and HMS Lapwing. On 29 April 1945 he attacked but missed HMS Goodall which was sunk an hour later by U-286. Westphalen surrendered in May 1945 in Narvik.

Kapitanleutnant Albert Muller - E-Boat Commander

Lot #196 (Sale Order 197 of 226)

Karl Wilhelm Walter Müller was a German naval officer and a Schnellboot commander and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross in World War II. Müller, as commander of Schnellboot S-52, together with S-65 are credited with the sinking of the British destroyer Eskdale on 14 April 1943. Awards include: Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (24 April 1940), 2nd Class (18 September 1941), Sudetenland Medal (20 December 1939), Destroyer War Badge (23 December 1940), Minesweeper War Badge (6 January 1941), Fast Attack Craft War Badge (1 March 1942), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 8 July 1943 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of Schnellboot S-52 in the 5. Schnellbootflottille, and mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 7 January 1944 "German E-boats under the command of Captain Lieutenant Karl Müller attacked the British convoy routes on the southwest coast of England on 6 January. They sank from a heavily fortified convoy five ships of 12 500 GRT and a guard. Further ships were damaged by torpedo hits. The complete German task without damage returned to its base".

Kapitanleutnat Klaus Bargsten - U-Boat Commander - Total of 41 Ships from all his Commands

Lot #197 (Sale Order 198 of 226)

Klaus Bargsten was the captain and sole survivor of sunken U-521. In 1935 Bargsten entered the naval academy. As a midshipman, he served for a time on the Admiralty yacht Grille. This ship was frequently used by Hitler and other Nazi party leaders but, being only a humble midshipman, Bargsten had little contact with them. When the war began, he was serving at the U-Boot-Schule (submarine training school) in Neustadt. After a short time on U-6, he applied to be transferred to U-99. He was then posted to U-99 under Otto Kretschmer where he served as I. Wachoffizier (1st watch officer) for several patrols. He was a highly capable officer and Kretschmer recommended him for Commander Training and ultimately, for command of his own boat. He left U-99 in January 1941 and in March commissioned U-563 on March 27, 1941 and during battle against convoy HG-75, he sank a freighter, but unsuccessfully attacked a Royal Navy destroyer. On his second patrol he sank the British destroyer HMS Cossack. After the third patrol he left the boat on March 15, 1942 and three months later commissioned U-521 on June 3, 1942. On June 2, 1943 the United States submarine chaser PC-565 was 100 nautical miles (190 km) east of Cape Hatteras escorting convoy NG-355 when it picked up a sound contact. They had successfully made contact with U-521. PC-565 set the hydrostatic fuzes on her depth charges to 100 feet (30 m) and a pattern of five charges were dropped in a harassment action. he accuracy of the depth charges was devastating. Inside U-521, all instruments were shattered, all electrical circuit-breakers blown, and the diving planes and rudder were disabled. Cold seawater was coming down the main hatch. Bargsten gave the order to dive for cover. After a few seconds, Oberleutnant (Ing.) Henning reported that they were sinking. She was already down to 500 feet (150 m) and dropping rapidly. Even though it did not make sense to Bargsten that the U-boat could plummet so quickly, he gave the order to blow all ballast. The main depth gauge must have been knocked out by the depth charges. Before he knew it, the U-boat broke the surface. Bargsten snapped open the conning tower hatch and rushed outside to assess the situation.PC-565 was only a quarter mile away. She opened up with her 20 mm gun. Shells burst on and around the U-boat's conning tower. Realizing that U-521 was done for, Bargsten shouted down the conning tower to open the sea cocks and abandon ship. U-521 sank from under the Captain's feet with amazing speed. The last thing Bargsten saw as he looked down was a maelstrom of water pouring into the open hatch. U-521 was gone and Bargsten was left floating in the ocean alone. With professional conduct, PC-565 turned as U-521 sank under the surface. PC-565 dropped another depth charge. Huge bubbles of air rose to the surface. Oil and debris littered the surface, followed by large pieces of human remains. Bargsten rose to the surface and struggled swimming towards the nearest Allied ship. Ray Lankheim, a machine gunner of PC-565 had his 20 mm trained on this lone survivor of the crew as Bargsten was swimming for his life. Lankheim was under orders to 'kill them all' but he could not bring himself to shoot this lone man in the cold water, and so Bargsten survived the war. He spent more than three years in Allied captivity before being released in 1946.

Kapitanleutnant Carl-August Landfermann - U-Boat Engineer

Lot #198 (Sale Order 199 of 226)

Until the begin of the war Carl-August Landfermann served only in some reserve courses. After a few months in a Navy anti aircraft unit since October 1939, he changed in March 1940 to the U-boat force. After 5 months on U-146 he became in March 1941 the leading engineer (LI) of U-38, which he left in January 1942 after 3 patrols. The new position for Karl-August Landfermann was on the newly commissioned U-181 under the command of the famous Kptlt. Wolfgang Lüth. He took part in the incredible 205 day patrol of U-181 in summer 1943 and supported the great successes of the boat with great technical achievements. Two weeks after returning from that patrol he got the Knights Cross. On the next patrol on U-188 under the new commander Fregkpt. Kurt Freiwald he became ill and headed back from the Middle Atlantic with the returning U-188. Since October 1944 he was an instructor in the Agru-Front (Ausbildungsgruppe Front = training group front) where the new U-boats got their technical and dive training. After the war he spent some 4 months in captivity.

Kapitanleutnant Alfred Muser - Kommandant - R-Boat Flottila 8

Lot #199 (Sale Order 200 of 226)

Kapitanleutnant Alfred Muser was Kommandant of the R-Boat (Räumboote )Flottila 8 that operated 25 of these versatile warships. The R boats (Räumboote in German) were a group of small naval vessels built as minesweepers for the Kriegsmarine (German navy) before and during the Second World War. They were used for several purposes during the war, mostly coastal raiding, and were also used post-war by the German Mine Sweeping Administration for clearing naval mines.

Kapitanleutnant Paul Brasack - U-Boat Commander

Lot #200 (Sale Order 201 of 226)

Paul Brasack was a Kapitänleutnant with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and commander of U-737. As a U-boat commander Brasack was not credited with sinking any ships, but his U-boat was part of a wolf pack which operated against Convoy JW 56A and Convoy JW 56B. He fired at the destroyer HMS Milne on 31 January 1944, but missed, the torpedo exploded in the destroyers wake. His actions against the convoys pulled off the escorting destroyers enabling other U-boats of his wolf pack to attack. For these actions he was awarded the Knight's Cross. Following World War 2, Brasack joined the Bundesmarine of the Federal Republic of Germany on 1 October 1957. He commanded the destroyer Zerstörer 2 (D171) (formerly USS Ringgold (DD-500)) from September 1962 until March 1964. From 15 September 1968 to 1 September 1971 he served as naval attaché at the German Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Oberleutnant Horst von Schroeter - U-Boat Commander - 7 sinkings

Lot #201 (Sale Order 202 of 226)

Horst von Schroeter was a German U-boat commander in World War II. As a U-boat commander of U-123 Horst von Schroeter is credited with the sinking of six merchant ships for a total of 31,557 gross register tons (GRT), a warship of 683 GRT, and damaging a ship of 7,068 GRT. After World War II he joined the Bundesmarine of the Federal Republic of Germany and from 1976 to 1979 held the position of Commander of the NATO Naval forces in the Baltic Sea Approaches (COMNAVBALTAP).

Oberleutnant Hans-Georg Hess - U-Boat Commander - 4 Merchant Ships & 2 Warships Destroyed

Lot #202 (Sale Order 203 of 226)

Hans Georg Hess joined the Kriegsmarine at the age of 16 in April 1940 as a volunteer. He spent two years on various minesweepers before transferring to the U-boat force in April 1942. He commanded a single U-boat from September 1944 until the end of the war, and sank five ships for a total of 2,298 gross register tons (GRT), and caused another to be declared a total loss for 7,176 GRT. For this he received the Knight's Cross. He made five patrols on U-466, mostly in the North Atlantic. During her fifth patrol the boat managed to break through into the Mediterranean. In September 1944 Hess took over U-995 and made five patrols in the Arctic Ocean. The boat surrendered on 8 May 1945 in Trondheim. Hans Georg Hess then spent a year in Norwegian captivity. Later he became a lawyer in Hannover

Kapitanleutnant Heinrich-Andreas Schroeteler - U-Boat Commander - 3 Warships & a Merchant Ship Sunk

Lot #203 (Sale Order 204 of 226)

Heinrich Schroeteler joined the Kriegsmarine in April 1936 and was a member of the so-called Olympia-Crew. In September 1939 he began two years of service on several minesweepers. In September 1941 he transferred to the U-boat force and accompanied U-96 on one patrol as Kommandantenschüler (commander-in-training). In October 1942 he commissioned U-667 and made four patrols, mostly in the North Atlantic. In May 1944 he left the U-boat and became a staff member of BdU op, where in July 1944 he replaced 'Adi' Schnee. In January 1945 he served as training officer in the 27th flotilla for a month before taking command of the Type VIIC U-boat U-1023 in February 1945. In the last days of the war Heinrich Schroeteler damaged a British tanker of 7,345 tons and on the evening of 7 (!) May 1945 sank the 335 ton Norwegian minesweeper NYMS 382 (Rohwer, 1998). Three days later Schroeteler surrendered U-1023 at Weymouth (Niestlé, 1998). He then spent three years in British captivity.

Marineschreiber-Obergefreiter Walther Gerhold - Kreigsmarine Midget Submariner

Lot #204 (Sale Order 205 of 226)

Walther Gerhold was a Marine-Schreiber-Obergefreiter in the Kriegsmarine during World War II. Gerhold was awarded the Knight's Cross for his contribution in the Neger one man mini-submarine attack on the ORP Dragon in the night of 5/6 July 1944. The presentation of the Knight's Cross was made by Konteradmiral Hellmuth Heye on 14 July 1944 in Lübeck. Awards include: The Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (24 December 1942), 1st Class (8 July 1944), Destroyer War Badge (24 December 1942), Wound Badge (1939) in Black (23 February 1942), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 6 July 1944 as Marine-Schreiber-Obergefreiter and Einmanntorpedofahrer in the Kleinkampfflottille 361 and mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 18 July 1944 "Reported sinking of enemy ships by new weaponry of the Navy is caused by the deployment of torpedoes, which are brought to the enemy by a man. In these operations, the Sailor-Corporal Walter Gerhold has particularly distinguished himself".

Oberleutnant Karl Schulz - Fallschirmjäger

Lot #205 (Sale Order 206 of 226)

Karl-Lothar Schulz was a highly decorated German Fallschirmjäger and general. Göring decided that amongst his new elite troops would be a body of men trained as paratroopers. A call for volunteers went out, and Schulz was one of the first to come forward. He subsequently underwent paratrooper training and served as company commander of 15 (Pionier) Kompaniel during World War II. During the campaign in the West, Schulz and his men dropped into Holland to seize the airport at Waalhaven near Rotterdam, in order to allow the rapid landing of more German air-landing troops. The airport was defended by a battalion of Dutch troops supported by an AA battery of 7.5 cm guns, two light armoured vehicles [Vickers universal carriers] and a platoon of 2 cm anti-aircraft guns. The Dutch defenders opened fire on the German paratroops as they descended but the Fallschirmjaeger suffered only relatively light casualties. Shortly after the paratroopers had landed, elements of two companies of Infanterie-Regiment 16 (22. Infanterie-Division) arrived on the scene to give support, and with their help the Schulz-led paratroops secured the airfield. Schulz was able to send out a message giving the all clear for German aircraft to begin landing elements of 22 Air Landing Division. On the second day of the invasion Schulz and his III.Battalion (of 1.Fallschirmjaeger Regiment) were transferred to the Dordrecht areas, where another set of bridges was held by German airbornes. Schulz and his battalion got tied up in a series of battles and skirmishes with Dutch elements countering the German bridgehead. On the third day of the invasion the 9th Panzerdivision crossed the bridges at Moerdijk linking up with the airborne regiment holding these crossings. From then on the airbornes were more or less released of their duties, although few would still see some more action in the consecutive fights remaining during the last two days before the Dutch capitulation. For the part played by the troops under his command in seizing and holding the vital airfield against strong enemy counter-attacks, Schulz was decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 24 May 1940. He was promoted to Major on 19 July 1940, took part in the Battle of Crete, and subsequently served with great distinction on the Eastern Front, first as a battalion then as a regimental commander. He was awarded the Oak-Leaves to his Knight's Cross on 20 April 1944 as Oberst in command of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1. Subsequently promoted to command 1. Fallschirm-Division, he fought in Italy on the Anzio-Nettuno bridgehead and at Monte Cassino. On 18 November he received the Swords addition to his Oak-Leaves. He was promoted to the rank of Generalmajor on 17 January 1945.

Kapitanleutnant Horst Weber - Schnellboot Commander

Lot #206 (Sale Order 207 of 226)

Dr. jur. Horst Benno Fridigern Weber was a German Schnellboot commander in World War II and joined Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine in 1937. From December 1939 to June 1940 he served with the 1st S-boot flotilla, in the English Channel and North Sea. The same year he transferred to the 3rd S-boot flotilla serving on S-13 and S-35 in the Baltic in action around Leningrad. Later in July 1941 he served on S-55 as commander in the Mediterranean, until January 1944. He was promoted to Oberleutnant zur See and awarded the Knight's Cross on 5 July 1943, and in January 1945 he was promoted to Kapitänleutnant on S-191, of the 10th Flotilla. On the 14th June 1942, during a relief convoy to Malta (Operation Vigorous from Alexandria), S-55 torpedoed HMS Hasty about 90 nautical miles north-west of Derna, Libya. (Ship abandoned and sunk by HMS Hotspur the next day). The following March after sinking HMS Lightning, he was appointed Oberleutnant at Sea and awarded the Knight’s Cross on 5 July 1943. S-191 was subsequently sunk in collision with S-301 on 7 May 1945 in the Fehmarnsund (Baltic Sea off Kiel) the day before the war ended.The Schnellboot or S-boot ("fast craft") was a German small, fast torpedo boat, which saw service during World War II. The S-boats were approximately twice as large as its British and American counterparts. By comparison with the Allied craft, the S-boats were better suited for the open sea and had a substantially longer range at approximately 700 nautical miles. The allies called these small, fast torpedo boats "E-boats" whereas to the Germans they were "S-boats"

Kurt Fimmen - Schnellboot Commander

Lot #207 (Sale Order 208 of 226)

Kurt Fimmen (4 May 1911 – 6 May 2001) was a German Schnellboot commander in World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He led operations against the ships of the D-Day operation, sinking several vessels.

Kptlt. Peter Cremer - U-Boat Commander - 6 Ship Sinkings

Lot #208 (Sale Order 209 of 226)

Peter Erich Cremer began his naval career in August 1932 after studying law for six semesters. This was four months later than the usual start date, due to an accident in June of that year in which the German sailing school ship Niobe sank after capsizing, killing most of the cadets (27 men) of Crew 1932. Some men from the Reichsmarine thus went on to replace this loss. Cremer completed the one year of basic on-board training on the light cruiser Köln. After a few months on the heavy cruiser Deutschland, he served three years in the naval artillery, returning to service at sea as II WO on the destroyer Theodor Riedel and then transferring to the U-boat force in August 1940. In January 1941 Kptlt. Cremer commissioned U-152, a small coastal Type IID boat which was to serve as a school boat. A few months later he took command of the larger Type VIIC U-333, the 3 Little Fishes boat, an emblem suggested by the boat's number. Although 'Ali' Cremer went out for his first patrol on U-333 without any combat experience, he sank three enemy ships - but also, unfortunately, the German blockade-runner Spreewald.The subsequent official investigation exonerated Cremer, however. His next patrol, in US waters, was also successful, with four ships sunk, but it ended with Cremer nursing a badly damaged boat back to base after being rammed. On his third patrol Cremer was seriously wounded by gunfire from the British corvette HMS Crocus. Seven of the crew were killed, and a replacement WO from the milch cow U-459 was needed to assist Cremer in bringing a once more heavily-damaged U-333 to base. After this, Cremer got the nickname 'Ali Wrack' (Ali Wreck). But his crew members insisted that "Ali on board is the the best life insurance!". Cremer spent three months in hospital recovering from his wounds. Kptlt. Cremer returning from patrol (note the '3 Little Fishes' on his capband). From February to May 1943 he served on Dönitz' staff, but when Dönitz decided to send some experienced commanders out on patrol to investigate the situation following the massive U-boat losses of May 1943, Cremer was amongst them. And so once again Cremer took U-333 out on patrol, and in April 1944 once again returned with her badly damaged, this time from a severe depth charge attack. In July 1944 he left the boat, which was lost on the next patrol. Cremer then commissioned the new Type XXI Elektro boat U-2519, one of the highly decorated U-boat commanders (like Schnee, Bülow, Emmermann, Witt and Topp), given command of the new boats in an attempt to turn the tide in the battle of the Atlantic. Korvkpt. Cremer left U-2519 in February 1945 to become field commander of the Marine-Panzervernichtungsbataillon (Naval Tank Destroying Battalion) which was pitted against British tanks attempting to occupy the city of Hamburg. On 25 April, 1945 the daily Armed Forces' Wehrmachtsbericht announced: "A naval tank destroying unit under command of Korvettenkapitän Cremer, including volunteers from a U-boat base, destroyed 24 tanks during the last few days." In the last days of the war Cremer became commander of Dönitz's guard unit. Following Germany's surrender he spent one month in British captivity. After the war he was successful in a new career, managing several companies. Total of three signed photographes.

Hans Rudolf Rosing - Commander U-Boat 48 - 12 Ship Sinkings

Lot #209 (Sale Order 210 of 226)

Hans-Rudolf Rösing was a German U-boat commander in World War II and later served in the Bundesmarine of the Federal Republic of Germany. As a U-boat commander of U-48 Hans-Rudolf Rösing is credited with the sinking of 12 ships for a total of 60,701 gross register tons (GRT), further damaging one ship of 5,888 GRT. July 1939 saw Rösing promoted to Korvettenkapitän. Following a short spell of duty on the staff of the Befehlshaber der U-Boote Rösing was posted to command 7th U-boat Flotilla at Kiel. This command lasted until 21 May 1940, at which time he took over the Type VIIB boat U-48 from her highly successful previous commander, Herbert Schultze. His crew, among others, included the highly experienced 1st Watch Officer Reinhard Suhren, 2nd Watch Officer Otto Ites and chief engineer Erich Zürn. In the course of his two war patrols with U-48, Rösing sank 12 ships totaling over 60,000 tons and led a wolfpack dubbed Rösing's wolfpack. These achievements and earning himself the U-Boat War Badge, Iron Cross First Class and Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Rösing left U-48 in December 1940, and was appointed liaison officer to the Italian submarine force operating out of Bordeaux in occupied France. After some months he was given command of 3rd U-boat Flotilla, but in August 1941 returned to the staff of the Befehlshaber der U-boote. In July 1942, Rösing was appointed as FdU West (Führer der Unterseeboote West), with headquarters in both Paris and Angers; he was responsible for all boats committed to the Battle of the Atlantic, and thus a great majority of the entire U-boat fleet. In February 1943 he was promoted to Fregattenkapitän, and one month later to Kapitän zur See. He remained as FdU West until autumn 1944, when the Allied liberation of France forced the Kriegsmarine to transfer the remaining boats of 2nd and 7th U-boat flotillas to bases in Norway, Denmark, and northern Germany. After the German surrender in May 1945, Rösing spent about a year in British captivity before being released. Serving as a member of the Naval Historical Team he subsequently joined the post-war Navy, and was given command of German naval units operating in the North Sea. Three signatures - 0ne price.

Kapitanleutnant Friederich Guggenberger - U-Boat Commander - Sunk the carrier HMS Ark Royal

Lot #210 (Sale Order 211 of 226)

Friedrich Guggenberger (6 March 1915 – 13 May 1988) was a German admiral and U-boat commander in the Second World War. He was highly successful during the war. From November 1940 until his capture in July 1943, he sank 17 ships for a total of 66,848 gross register tons (GRT) and damaged another for 6,003 GRT. He was also responsible for sinking the British aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal in November 1941. For these achievements he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, among other commendations. After the war he became the Deputy Chief of Staff in the NATO command AFNORTH. Guggenberger then received command of U-81, commissioning her on 26 April 1941. He carried out three patrols in the Atlantic, encountering moderate success and sinking two ships. He was awarded the U-boat War Badge 1939 on 8 July and promoted to Kapitänleutnant on 1 September. He was then ordered to take U-81 into the Mediterranean to join 29th U-boat Flotilla. His first attempt failed when, attempting to force the Straits of Gibraltar, U-81 was spotted by RAF planes and attacked, causing heavy damage. U-81 retreated to Brest where she was repaired, and Guggenberger was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class on 9 September. U-81 sailed again to attempt to enter the Mediterranean in November 1941. Whilst transiting the Straits on 13 November, he met the ships of Force H, returning to Gibraltar. He was able to attack the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal, hitting her amidships with a single torpedo. He then escaped the depth charge attacks of the escorting destroyers. Despite attempts to salvage Ark Royal she had to be abandoned, and sank the next day. Guggenberger was awarded the Knight's Cross on 10 December

Kapitan Klaus Scholtz - U-Boat Commander - 25 Ship Sinkings

Lot #211 (Sale Order 212 of 226)

Klaus Scholtz was a Kapitänleutnant with the Kriegsmarine during World War II. He commanded the Type IXB U-boat U-108, sinking twenty-five ships on eight patrols, for a total of 128,190 gross register tons (GRT) of Allied shipping, to become the eighteenth highest scoring U-Boat ace of World War II.Scholtz joined the Reichsmarine in 1927 as member of "Crew 1927" (the incoming class of 1927) and served in torpedo boats, before transferring to the U-bootwaffe ("U-boat arm") in April 1940. From October 1940 he commanded U-108, sinking 25 ships on 8 patrols, for a total of 128,190 tons of Allied shipping, including the British armed merchant cruiser Rajputana. In October 1942 Scholtz formed and took command of 12th U-boat Flotilla based at Bordeaux, France. In August 1944 the approach of Allied troops meant that the base had to be evacuated. The last U-boats escaped by sea, and Scholtz attempted to lead the remaining men (about 220) back to Germany on foot. They left Bordeaux on 26 August, but were captured on 11 September by American forces in Loire. Scholtz spent the next 18 months in US captivity. Post-war, Scholtz served in the Bundesgrenzschutz-See - the naval arm of the Federal Border Guards - from 1953 to 1956, then transferred to the Bundesmarine, serving as commander of several naval bases, including Kiel, Cuxhaven, and Wilhelmshaven.

Handelschiffoffizier Wilhelm Schulz - 19 Ships Sunk

Lot #212 (Sale Order 213 of 226)

Georg-Wilhelm Schulz was a German U-boat commander of the Second World War. From September 1939 until retiring from front line service in September 1941, he sank 19 ships for a total of 89,885 gross register tons (GRT). For this he received the Knight's Cross, among other commendations. His next command was U-64, which he took over on 16 December 1939. He took her on her first patrol off the Norwegian coast in April 1940. The patrol was only eight days old when U-64 was detected by British naval air forces on 13 April, whilst in the Herjangsfjord near Narvik. She was attacked by a Fairey Swordfish from the battleship HMS Warspite and hit by a 350-pound bomb and raked with machine gun fire. U-64 was sunk, killing eight of the crew, but 38 survivors including Schulz managed to escape to be rescued from the water by German mountain troops. Two months later Schulz took over command of U-124 and took her on a number of successful patrols. His greatest success was on his fourth patrol, where he sank 11 ships for a total of 52,379 tons, whilst also having damaged two other merchants. He was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class on 25 September 1940, and the Knight's Cross on 4 April 1941. He stepped down as commander of U-124 on 7 September 1941, handing over to Johann Mohr. During this time several later successful U-boat captains had served under Schulz, including Mohr, Reinhard Hardegen and Werner Henke. Schulz then took over as commander of 6th U-boat Flotilla, initially based in Danzig, and later in Saint Nazaire. He was promoted to Korvettenkapitän on 1 April 1943, and in October 1943 he was attached to the Staff of the 'FdU Ausbildungsflottillen' (Commander Training flotillas) in Gotenhafen. He spent time here as a staff officer, and also as the leader of the 'Erprobungsgruppe U-Boote' (U-boat testing group). He briefly moved on 22 April 1945 to become the last commander of 25th U-boat Flotilla. Two photos for one money.

Kapitan Reinhard "Teddy" Suhren - U-Boat Commander - 19 Ships Sunk

Lot #213 (Sale Order 214 of 226)

Reinhard Johann Heinz Paul Anton Suhren was a German U-boat commander in World War II and younger brother of Korvettenkapitän (Ing.) and Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipient Gerd Suhren. He joined the navy in 1935 and began his U-boat career in March 1938. He spent a year as 1st watch officer on U-48 where he received the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross for his contribution in the sinking of 200,000 gross register tons (GRT) of merchant shipping. In April 1941 he took command of U-564. As a commander, he is credited with the sinking of 18 merchant vessels of 95,544 GRT, 1 war ship of 900 metric tons (890 long tons; 990 short tons) and damaged four merchant vessels of 28,907 GRT for which he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. Suhren left the boat and became an instructor in October 1942. He then served in the 27th U-boat Flotilla along with Korvettenkapitän Erich Topp. During the last year of the war Fregattenkapitän Suhren was the Führer der Unterseeboote Norwegen (Leader of U-boats in Norwegian waters) and from September 1944 the Commander-in-Chief of U-boats of the North Sea.

Korvettenkapitan Klaus Feldt - Schnellboot Commander

Lot #214 (Sale Order 215 of 226)

Gustav Waldemar Klaus Feldt was a Korvettenkapitän with the Kriegsmarine during World War II. He is credited with the destruction of HMS Exmoor on 25 February 1941 as commander of Schnellboot "S30". Awards include: Spanish Cross with Swords in Bronze (6 June 1939), Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (16 November 1939), 1st Class (28 April 1940), Memel Medal (26 October 1939), Sudetenland Medal (20 December 1939), Minesweeper War Badge (1940), Wound Badge in Black (27 June 1941), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 25 April 1941 as Oberleutnant zur See and commander of Schnellboot S-30 in the 2. Schnellbootflottille, the 362nd Oak Leaves on 1 January 1944 as Korvettenkapitän] and chief of the 2. Schnellbootflottille, Fast Attack Craft War Badge with Diamonds (19 December 1941), Finnish Order of the Cross of Liberty 4th Class (5 December 1942) and mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 18 April 1941. "In the speedboat attack against the British Southeast coast particularly distinguished themselves First Lieutenant at Sea Feldt, as chief of a Schnellbootflottille, and First Lieutenant at Sea Meentzen as speedboat commander."

Konteradmiral Rolf Johannesson - Kreigsmarine Destroyer Cpommander

Lot #215 (Sale Order 216 of 226)

Rolf Johannesson was a highly decorated Konteradmiral in the Kriegsmarine during World War II and Konteradmiral in the Bundeswehr. Rolf Johannesson was in charge of the destroyer Erich Steinbrinck on 8 June 1938 until 27 January 1942. The destroyer Erich Steinbrinck patrolled the Atlantic along with the battleship Gneisenau, and light cruiser Köln and destroyers Friedrich Eckoldt, Friedrich Ihn, Diether von Roeder, Theodor Riedel, Paul Jakobi, Bernd von Arnim, Max Schulz and Wilhlem Heidkamp. On 12 to 13 December 1939, Steinbrinck carries out mine laying operation against Newcastle. Along with the destroyers, Richard Beitzen, Bruno Heinemann, Friedirch Ihn and Hermann Künne. On the way back meet up with light cruisers Nürnberg, Leipzig and Köln. Nürnberg and Köln are both hit by torpedoes from the British submarine HMS Salmon escort the returning ships. In January 1940, Erich Steinbrinck carries out mine laying operations against the Thames estuary and in 1945, she Steinbrinck is seized as a prize of war by the British. Two phots - one price.

Four Knights Cross Recipient U-Boat Commander Autographs

Lot #216 (Sale Order 217 of 226)

Four Knights Cross Recipient Autographs including Korvettenkapitan Georg Wilhelm Schulz, Kapitanleutnant Reinhard Reche, Korvettenkapitan Robert Gysae, and Korvettenkapitan Peter Erich Cremer - together they accounted for over 60 ships sunk!

Kapitan Georg Schewe - U-Boat Commander - 16 Ships Sunk

Lot #217 (Sale Order 218 of 226)

Georg Schewe was a famous Korvettenkapitän with the Kriegsmarine during World War II. Schewe sailed with U-60 and U-105, sinking sixteen ships on ten patrols, for a total of 85.779 tons of Allied shipping of which 71,450 tons on one patrol alone. It was the second most successful patrol of World War II, second only to Günther Hessler's patrol on U-107. Awards: Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th Class (2 October 1936), Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (20 December 1939), 1st Class (13 June 1940), Sudetenland Medal (20 December 1939), U-boat War Badge (1939) (24 January 1940), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 23 May 1941 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-105, and mentioned twice in the Wehrmachtbericht (22 March 1941 and 17 May 1941). "In the attack against the enemy convoy on the African West Coast, the submarines under the command of Captain Lieutenant Oesten and Captain Lieutenant Schewe have particularly excellent results." And..."A submarine under the command of Captain Lieutenant Schewe reports the sinking of five British merchant ships with a total of 33,612 GRT". Four photos - two signatures.

Korvettenkapitan Friederich-Karl Paul - Kreigsmarine - 2. Torpedobootflottille

Lot #218 (Sale Order 219 of 226)

Friedrich-Karl Herrmann Otto Paul was a Korvettenkapitän with the Kriegsmarine during World War II. Friedrich-Karl Herrmann Otto Paul was given the command of the torpedo boat Jaguar on March 1941 and remained in command until May 1942. He was credited with the sinking of HMS Charybdis.

Gerd Kelbling - U-Boat Commander - 15 Ship Sinkings

Lot #219 (Sale Order 220 of 226)

Gerd Kelbling was a German U-boat commander in World War IIAs a U-boat commander he is credited with the sinking of nine merchant vessels for a total of 38,290 gross register tons (GRT) and three warships for a total of 2,902 tons, including the USS Skill and HMS Tynedale. He further damaged one ship of 4,853 GRT and one warship of 1,625 tons. A further vessel of 8,426 GRT and one warship 1,625 tons were so heavily damaged that they were a total loss. U-593 was sunk on 13 December 1943 in the western Mediterranean by depth charges from the US destroyer Wainwright and the British escort destroyer Calpe. The entire crew, without loss of life, was taken prisoner of war. Gerd Kelbling began his naval career in April 1934. After serving on minesweepers for a few years he transferred to the U-bootwaffe in January 1941. Following standard training he went to U-557 for one patrol as a Konfirmant (commander-in-training). In October 1941 he commissioned U-593, and took her on patrol for the first time in March 1942. After three patrols in the Atlantic, U-593 broke through the Straits of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean in October 1942. After enjoying some success over 12 patrols there, she was sunk on 13 December 1943 after being hunted for 32 hours by two destroyers. The commander and the entire crew were taken prisoner. Kelbling was held in a Canadian POW camp and didn't return to Germany until September 1947. Successes: 9 ships sunk, total tonnage 38,290 GRT, 4 warships sunk, total tonnage 2,954 tons, 1 ship damaged, total tonnage 4,853 GRT, 2 warships damaged, total tonnage 1,677 tons, 1 ship a total loss, total tonnage 8,426 GRT, 1 warship a total loss, total tonnage 1,625 tons

Otto Kretchmer - Most Successful U-Boat Commander of all time

Lot #220 (Sale Order 221 of 226)

Flotilla Admiral Otto Kretschmer was the most successful German U-boat commander in the Second World War and later an admiral in the Bundesmarine. From September 1939 until being captured in March 1941, he sank 47 ships, a total of 274,333 tons.He earned the nickname "Silent Otto" both for his successful use of the "silent running" capability of the U-boats as well and for his reluctance to transmit radio messages during patrols. After the war, he served in the German Federal Navy and retired in 1970 with the rank of flotilla admiral (commodore). The German invasion of Poland found Kretschmer in command of U-23, he was soon sent into action along with the rest of the Kriegsmarine's U-Boat fleet. His first war patrols ranged across the North Sea and around the British coast. His initial success came in the Moray Firth where he attacked and sank the Danish 10,517 ton tanker Danmark on 12 January 1940, using torpedoes. The British admiralty at that time thought that the tanker had struck a mine as they did not suspect there was a U-boat in the area. On 18 February, Kretschmer sank the 1,300 ton British fleet destroyer Daring off the Pentland Firth while she was escorting convoy HN-12 from Norway. U-Boat crews almost always avoided deliberately engaging enemy destroyers, so Daring?'?s destruction was rightly seen as a very skillful attack by both Kretschmer and U-23. In April 1940, after eight patrols, Kretschmer was transferred to the newly completed Type VII B U-99, and in a sense began his legacy. After two months' training and shakedown maneuvers in German waters, Kretschmer took the boat into action in June 1940. During U-99?'?s first four patrols, Kretschmer commenced attacking convoys at night on the surface, sinking merchant ships with highly accurate shots, using only one torpedo per target ship; the quote "one torpedo ... one ship" is attributed to Kretschmer around this time. Kretschmer's tactics were widely copied throughout the U-Boat force, although they achieved mixed results. His most successful patrol occurred in November and December 1940 when U-99 sank three British armed merchant cruisers (AMC), HMS Laurentic (18,724 tons), HMS Patroclus (11,314 tons) and HMS Forfar (16,402 tons). Laurentic and Patroclus were attacked on the night of 3/4 November after they responded to distress calls from the 5,376 ton British freighter Casanare, which U-99 had mortally wounded about 250 miles west of Ireland. Forfar was sunk on 2 December while steaming to join up with and escort the outbound convoy OB-251. The three AMCs totalled over 46,000 gross tons. These three successes earned Kretschmer the number-one spot on the Aces list, and was never surpassed. Klaus Bargsten served aboard U-99 under Kretschmer, before being promoted to captain himself and becoming the sole survivor of U-521 on 2 June 1942. Siegfried von Forstner was another of Kretschmer's student officers aboard U-99 who later received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for sinking 15 ships as commanding officer of U-402. Kretschmer was meticulous in his conduct towards the crews of torpedoed ships. When attacking lone merchantmen in the days before wolfpack tactics began in earnest, he had been known to hand down bottles of spirits and blankets into lifeboats and give them a course to the nearest land. On one patrol in September 1940, Kretschmer had also recovered a survivor of another torpedo attack who was alone in the Atlantic on a small raft and took him aboard, transferring him to a lifeboat after his next successful attack. On his last patrol in March 1941, he sank 10 more ships, but these were to be his last victims. On 17 March 1941, during a counterattack by the British escorts of Convoy HX-112, U-99 was disabled after repeated depth charge attacks by the destroyers Walker and Vanoc. Kretschmer surfaced and, under fire from the British vessels, scuttled his boat. Three of his men were lost, but Kretschmer and the remainder of U-99?'?s crew were captured. Ketschmer's usual standards of conduct were evident during the sinking of his boat; he signaled Walker asking for rescue for his men, taking care to ensure as many left the submarine as possible, and assisted some of his crew towards the rescue nets hung from the British destroyer. Kretschmer's strength was evidently failing in the cold ocean; his own rescue was at the hands of a British sailor who climbed down the nets and plucked him from the water. Even though Kretschmer only served for one and a half of the six years of World War II, he was never bettered in terms of tonnage sunk. He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class, the U-boat War Badge, the Iron Cross 1st Class, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, and the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.

KapitanLeutnant Wolfgang Lueth - Second Highest Scoring U-Boat Commander of all time

Lot #221 (Sale Order 222 of 226)

Kapitän zur See (Captain) Wolfgang August Eugen Lüth (15 October 1913 – 14 May 1945), was the second most successful German U-boat ace of World War II. His career record of 46 merchant ships plus the French submarine Doris sunk during 15 war patrols, with a total displacement of 230,781 gross register tons (GRT), was second only to that of Korvettenkapitän (Lieutenant Commander) Otto Kretschmer, whose 47 sinkings totaled 272,958 GRT.Lüth joined the Reichsmarine in 1933. After a period of training on surface vessels, he transferred to the U-boat service in 1936. In December 1939 he received command of U-9, which he took on six war-patrols. In June 1940 he took command of U-138 for two patrols. In October 1940 he transferred again, this time to the ocean-going submarine U-43 for five war-patrols. After two patrols on U-181, the second being his longest of the war, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten). He was the first of two U-boat commanders to be so honored during World War II, the other recipient being Albrecht Brandi. Lüth's last service position was commander of the naval academy at Mürwik (Flensburg). He was accidentally shot and killed by a German sentry on the night of 13/14 May 1945. Lüth was given the last state funeral in the Third Reich, the only U-boat commander to be so commemorated. During his career Lüth sank 46 commercial ships for 225,204 GRT, one warship of 552 GRT, and damaged two ships for 17,343 GRT. His last patrol saw U-181 at sea for 206 days, patrolling the waters between Cape Town and Madagascar, making it the second-longest patrol of the war.

Victor Oehrn - U-Boat Commander - 24 Ships Sunk

Lot #222 (Sale Order 223 of 226)

Victor Oehrn was a Fregattenkapitän with the Kriegsmarine during World War II. He commanded the U-boats U-14 and U-37, sinking twenty-four ships on four patrols, for a total of 104,846 tons of Allied shipping, to stand 28th on the list of highest scoring U-Boat aces of World War II.Oehrn joined the Reichsmarine in 1927, serving aboard the light cruisers Königsberg and Karlsruhe, before being one of the first officers to transfer to the newly formed U-boat arm in July 1935. He was appointed to command of U-14 in January 1936, and patrolled in Spanish waters during the Civil War in July–September 1936. In August 1939 he joined the staff of BdU as an Admiralstabsoffizier. In May 1940 Oehrn took command of U-37, in order to restore trust in the G7e/T2 torpedo, which had performed abysmally, often detonating prematurely or not at all. In four patrols he sank 23 merchant ships for a total of 103,821 GRT, damaged another of 9,494 GRT, and sank the British sloop HMS Penzance, before returning to the staff in August. From November 1941 Oehrn served on the Mediterranean U-boat staff, but during a mission to North Africa in July 1942, he was severely wounded and captured. After recovering at a British Military Hospital in Alexandria, Oehrn was sent to POW Camp 306 on the Suez Canal. He returned to Germany in October 1943 after being released in a prisoner exchange. Oehrn spent the remainder of the war serving on the staff in a number of posts. As a U-boat commander of U-37 Victor is credited with the sinking of 23 ships for a total of 103,821 gross register tons (GRT), further damaging a ship of 9,494 GRT and sinking one warship, the HMS Penzance, of 1,025 metric tons (1,009 long tons; 1,130 short tons).

Felix Zymalkowski - Schnellboot Commander

Lot #223 (Sale Order 224 of 226)

Prof. Dr. Felix Zymalkowski was a German Schnellboot commander in World War II, as the commander of the 8th. He sunk several ships during the waqr. His awards include: Schnellbootsflotilla. Offizierkreuz des Spanisch-Marokkanischen Mehdauia-Ordens (5 November 1937), Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th Class (1 April 1938), Spanish Cross in Bronze without Swords (6 June 1939), Marokko-Kalif-Majedi-Orden (6 July 1939), Memel Medal (26 October 1939), Sudetenland Medal (20 December 1939), Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (14 April 1940), 1st Class (6 March 1942), Fast Attack Craft War Badge (22 April 1941), High Seas Fleet Badge (22 July 1941), German Cross in Gold on 27 December 1943 as Korvettenkapitän in the 8. Schnellbootflottille, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (5 July 1943) as chief of the 8. Schnellbootflottille, and the Order of the Cross of Liberty IV. Klasse (20 February 1942).

Major Karl Heinrich Hofer He-111 Pilot - Stalingrad

Lot #224 (Sale Order 225 of 226)

Karl Heinrich Höfer was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II and was part of Kampfgeschwader 55 "Greif" (KG 55) (Battle Wing 55) a Luftwaffe bomber unit during World War II. The unit was one of the most famous in the Luftwaffe flying the Heinkel He111 medium bomber from it's conception through to the last days of the war. Hofer flew over 50 missions into Stalimgrad. His awards include: Aviator badge, Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe, Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (16 September 1939), 1st Class (12 June 1941), Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (18 November 1941), German Cross in Gold (16 July 1942), Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 3 September 1943 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of II./Kampfgeschwader 55, and the 656th Oak Leaves on 18 November 1944 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of II./Kampfgeschwader 55

Kapitanleutnat Klaus Bargsten - U-Boat Commander - Total of 41 Ships from all his Commands

Lot #225 (Sale Order 226 of 226)

Klaus Bargsten was the captain and sole survivor of sunken U-521. In 1935 Bargsten entered the naval academy. As a midshipman, he served for a time on the Admiralty yacht Grille. This ship was frequently used by Hitler and other Nazi party leaders but, being only a humble midshipman, Bargsten had little contact with them. When the war began, he was serving at the U-Boot-Schule (submarine training school) in Neustadt. After a short time on U-6, he applied to be transferred to U-99. He was then posted to U-99 under Otto Kretschmer where he served as I. Wachoffizier (1st watch officer) for several patrols. He was a highly capable officer and Kretschmer recommended him for Commander Training and ultimately, for command of his own boat. He left U-99 in January 1941 and in March commissioned U-563 on March 27, 1941 and during battle against convoy HG-75, he sank a freighter, but unsuccessfully attacked a Royal Navy destroyer. On his second patrol he sank the British destroyer HMS Cossack. After the third patrol he left the boat on March 15, 1942 and three months later commissioned U-521 on June 3, 1942. On June 2, 1943 the United States submarine chaser PC-565 was 100 nautical miles (190 km) east of Cape Hatteras escorting convoy NG-355 when it picked up a sound contact. They had successfully made contact with U-521. PC-565 set the hydrostatic fuzes on her depth charges to 100 feet (30 m) and a pattern of five charges were dropped in a harassment action. he accuracy of the depth charges was devastating. Inside U-521, all instruments were shattered, all electrical circuit-breakers blown, and the diving planes and rudder were disabled. Cold seawater was coming down the main hatch. Bargsten gave the order to dive for cover. After a few seconds, Oberleutnant (Ing.) Henning reported that they were sinking. She was already down to 500 feet (150 m) and dropping rapidly. Even though it did not make sense to Bargsten that the U-boat could plummet so quickly, he gave the order to blow all ballast. The main depth gauge must have been knocked out by the depth charges. Before he knew it, the U-boat broke the surface. Bargsten snapped open the conning tower hatch and rushed outside to assess the situation.PC-565 was only a quarter mile away. She opened up with her 20 mm gun. Shells burst on and around the U-boat's conning tower. Realizing that U-521 was done for, Bargsten shouted down the conning tower to open the sea cocks and abandon ship. U-521 sank from under the Captain's feet with amazing speed. The last thing Bargsten saw as he looked down was a maelstrom of water pouring into the open hatch. U-521 was gone and Bargsten was left floating in the ocean alone. With professional conduct, PC-565 turned as U-521 sank under the surface. PC-565 dropped another depth charge. Huge bubbles of air rose to the surface. Oil and debris littered the surface, followed by large pieces of human remains. Bargsten rose to the surface and struggled swimming towards the nearest Allied ship. Ray Lankheim, a machine gunner of PC-565 had his 20 mm trained on this lone survivor of the crew as Bargsten was swimming for his life. Lankheim was under orders to 'kill them all' but he could not bring himself to shoot this lone man in the cold water, and so Bargsten survived the war. He spent more than three years in Allied captivity before being released in 1946.


German WWII Knight's Cross Recipient Auction
Guns & Military Artifacts > Echoes of Glory International Military Auction House > German WWII Knight's Cross Recipient Auction
German WWII Knight's Cross Recipient Auction
by Echoes of Glory International Military Auction House Event Begins: Saturday, September 20, 1:00 AM Eastern First lots ends Saturday, October 25, 1:00 PM Eastern Last lot ends Saturday, October 25, 4:47:45 PM Eastern A collection of German WWII Nazi Knight's Cross Recipient Collectables - 100s of signatures & photos as well as a Knight's Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster & WWI-II Iron Cross Awards.