BACKGROUND: The bestowal of all awards during the Third Reich was regulated by the Statutes of Titles, Orders and Decorations which was originally revised on January 30^TH 1934, with numerous additional revisions as new awards and decorations were introduced. The regulations prescribed the criteria for bestowal and the specific form of wearing the award. Although the Statutes of Titles, Orders and Decorations held the ultimate decision in all matters of awards the OKW, Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, (High Command of the Armed Forces), was given control over the bestowal regulations of all military awards as long as they conformed to the appropriate statute. When bestowed the awards were usually accompanied by a "Vorläufiges Besitzzeugnis", (Preliminary Possession Certificate), followed by the official award presentation document. Depending on the specific award, bestowal authorization could be initiated by the commander of a divisional or smaller unit and the appropriate award information was entered into the recipients Soldbuch, (Pay Book), and his permanent Wehrstammbuch, (Military Service Book), which remained in the possession of the issuing recruitment authority. This example is for bestowal of an Iron Cross 2^ND class. On March 10^TH 1813, Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III established the Iron Cross as a temporary award for bestowal during times of war. Originally the Iron Cross was introduced in three grades with a Grand Cross intended for award to Senior Commanders for successfully leading troops in combat and the First and Second classes for award to all ranks for bravery or merit in action. The Iron Crosses were reinstituted by King Wilhelm I on July 19^TH 1870 for award during the Franco-Prussian War and again on August 5^TH 1914, by King Wilhelm II for award during WWI. On September 1^ST 1939 Hitler once more reinstituted the Iron Cross series of awards in the First and Second Classes and established the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross. The second class medal was for award to personnel who performed a single act of bravery in combat.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 7 3/4" x 5 1/2", (19.5cm x 13.8cm), light weight, paper document with black printed Latin script and the likeness of an Iron Cross and typed in particulars. The printed and typed script indicates that a, "Gefreiten" serving with, "le. Kol.. I./Werfer Rgt. 57", (1^ST Light Column 57^TH Mortar Regiment), was awarded an Iron Cross 2^ND class on, "23. 10. 1944". The document was issued at, "Div. Gef. St.", (Divisional Command Post), and has the authorizing signature of, "Generalleutnant und Kommandeur 211.J.D.", Johann Heinrich Eckhardt, with the 211^TH Infantry Division Command inkstamp. The document is in overall good condition with light age yellowing and light to moderate horizontal and vertical fold creases, resulting in some small, outer edge tears. The document also has two holes punched to both the top and bottom edges, presumably for insertion in a binder/folder. Of Note: A decorated WWI veteran, Generalleutnant Johann Heinrich Eckhardt was awarded a German Cross in Gold on January 25^TH 1942 as an Oberst and commander of the 38^TH Jäger Regiment, (Light Infantry Regiment), of the 8^TH Jäger Division and a Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross on May 20^TH 1942. Eckhardt assumed command of the 211^TH Infantry Division in July 1943 being promoted to the rank of Generalmajor on October 1^ST 1943 and to the rank of Generalleutnant on April 1^ST 1944. Eckhardt went on to be awarded the Oak-Leaves to his Knight’s Cross on November 3^RD 1944 as the 644^TH recipient of the award. Eckhardt survived the war but died days alter in American captivity on May 15^TH 1945.

GRADE ***1/4                             PRICE $119.00