Significant Collection of 8 German Award Certificates with Research

Significant Collection of 8 German Award Certificates with Research

Code: 56254

SOLD

A very fine and scarce group of 8 Award Certificates relating to Feldwebel and senior warrant officer Heinrich Langer, a veteran of the Demjansk Pocket, who served with 8th (MG) Company, 502nd Grenadier Regiment 29th Infantry Division.

The collection has been extensively researched and includes some 48 pages of research material covering details of the relevant actions, histories of the Document signatories, divisional histories, fold out maps etc. all contained in clear sheets in a ring binder.

The Iron Cross 2nd Class was awarded for an act of bravery whilst his unit was cut off in the actual Demyansk pocket. The Iron Cross 1st Class was awarded for an act of bravery in the very heavy defensive combat in the Nevel area in late 1943. The award of the Gold Wound Badge being linked to the third wounding on the 7th November 1943 – the same wounding which led to the initial award of the Silver Class – would indicate the wounding was probably so serious as to mean Lange became totally disabled and was either invalided out of the Army or transferred to a German Replacement Army for the rest of the war.

He would have seen active service on the West Front in 1939 and in the campaigns against France in 1940 and Russia from 1941 to a least 1944

Several of the docs are signed by Knights Cross Winner Generals and there is a whole binder full of research with details of the places where the awards were earned, who signed the Award Certificates, maps (including a fold out colour map) and battle reports. Virtually everything that could be needed in terms of research.

                            AWARD CERTIFICATES

                 (in chronological order of award date)

West Wall Medal.

28 Feb 1940, Munster iW Gefreiter, 8 (MG)/39 Inf Regt (26 Inf Div). Signed by Von Viebahn as Oberst and Commanding Officer o behalf of Generalleutnant Fromme as GOC Wehrkreis V1

Infantry Assault Badge in Silver

20 Sept 1941 in the field. Unteroffizier, 8 (MG)/502 Inf Reg. Signed by Nickel (RK. EL, & DKiG) as Oberstleutnant and Commanding Officer.

Nickel was awarded the Knights Cross on 16.10.40 as Oberstlt & CO 111/26 Inf Rgt. (30 Inf Div), the 543rd Oakleaves on 8.8.44 as Genmaj & GOC 342 Inf Div and the German Cross in Gold on 29.3.43 as Oberst and CO 502 Gren Regt.

Iron Cross Second Class

7 Feb 1942. In the field. Unteroffizier , 8 (MG)/502 Inf Regt. Signed by Freiherr von Wrede (RK & DKiG) as Generalleutnant and GOC 290. Von Wrede was awarded the Knights Cross on 22.2.42 as Genlt & GOC 290 Div and the German Cross in Gold on 26.12.41

Black Wound Badge

8 June 1942 Meerane. 1st wounding on 3.5.42. Unteroffizier, 8 (MG) /502 Inf Regt. Signed by the Oberstarzt and Chief Doctor of the Reserve Hospital Meerane

Iron Cross First Class

11 Nov 1943 Div Hq. Feldwebel, 8 (MG)/502 Gren Regt. Signed by Chill (RK & DKiG) as Generalleutnant and GOC 122 Infantry Division.

Chill was awarded the Knights Cross on 25.10. 43 as Genlt and GOC 122 Inf Div and the DKiG 1.12.41 as Oberst & CO 45 Inf Regt (21 Inf Div)

Silver Wound Badge

8th Dec 1943, Billets. 3rd wounding on 7.11.43. Feldwebel, 8 (MG)/502 Gren Regt. Signed by Onasig as Oberfeldarzt and Chief Doctor of 608 War Hospital Battalion, War Hospital 4.

The 60th War hospital Battlaion was formed on 10.4.41 before being moved to WK XX in August 1944

Demjansk Shield

1 March 1944, Corps HQ. Feldwebel, 8(MG)/502 Gren Regt. Facsimile signature of von Brockdorf – Ahlfeld as general of Infantry and GOC 11 Army Corps and signed for correctness by a Major.

Gold Wound Badge

28 Apr. 1944, Leslau. 3rd Wounding on 7.11.43. Feldwebel, 8 (MG)/502 Gren Regt. Signed by Mauer as Oberstabsarzt and Chief Doctor of the Reserve Hospital Leslau.

The award for the gold class for the 3rd wounding on 7.11.43 the same wounding which led to the initial award of the silver class, clearly indicates the physical health of Lange had deteriorated to such an extent that he was completely disabled.

Document groups of this quality and completeness are now very difficult find, this archive having been formerly part of the Gordon Williamson collection.