BACKGROUND: Artwork, as a propaganda tool, was widely used during the Third Reich and Hitler’s own humble artistic background also helped foster a general interest in German art. Many art exhibitions were held through-out German during the time period with the largest being held annually, ever summer from 1937 to 1944, at the German House of Art in Munich. As early as 1938 the OKW, Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, (High Command of the Armed Forces), actively began recruiting artists who were assigned to a units Propaganda Company along with photographers and journalists. By the end of the war almost two hundred war artists had served in the Wehrmacht. One of the most prolific, and as a result one of the best known German war artists was Feldwebel Wolfgang Willrich. Willrich a WWI veteran, had volunteer for military service prior to the outbreak of WWII but had been rejected on the basis of his age, (42), and was assigned to Landwehr I as a trained reserve. Through his personal friendship with Irwin Rommel Willrich was able to secure a position in the OKH visual arts section of the Propaganda department. In this position Willrich painted and drew numerous personalities and regular soldiers in all branches of service through-out the war. Many pieces of his artwork were featured on assorted series of postcards developed by the "VDA, "Volksbund für das Deutschtum im Ausland", (National League for Germans Abroad), among others. The VDA was originally a pre-war organization formed to assist German nationals living in foreign countries and during the Third Reich era the VDA was taken over by the NSDAP and placed under the jurisdiction of the SS. In mid-1942 the OKH decided to have portraits of all the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross holders and Willrich was assigned the task.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 15cm x 10.5cm, mid-weight card stock, charcoal artwork postcard features a close up of Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross and Oak-leaves holder, Generalleutnant Ludwig Crüwell in uniform, greatcoat, and M38 overseas cap. Visible details include the cap insignia including branch of service soutache, the Generals "Larisch" style collar tabs and his Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross and Oak-leaves. The background features the faint "ghost" emblem of the 11TH Panzer Division and Willrich’s distinctive "W" cypher flanked by the date, "1941". The reverse of the postcard has black printed Gothic script which includes, "Generalleutnant Crüwell kommandeur einer besonders erfolgreichen Panzerdivision", (Generalleutnant Crüwell Commander of an exceptionally successful Panzer Division.) The reverse also has additional printed script that includes, "VDA, "Volksbund für das Deutschtum im Ausland", (National League for Germans Abroad). The postcard was produced by the VDA, as number nineteen in the "E" series of fund raising postcards. Of Note: Crüwell, a brilliant tactician, successfully led the 2ND Motorized Infantry Division in the French campaign as a Generalmajor before transferring to command the 11TH Panzer Division in 1941. Under Crüwell’s command the 11TH Panzer Division distinguished itself in battle in the Balkans capturing Belgrade in April 1941 which resulted in Crüwell being awarded the Knight’s Cross on May 14TH 1941. Crüwell transferred to the Afrika Korps, was promoted to the rank of Generalleutnant and was awarded the Oak-Leaves to his Knight’s cross on September 1ST 1941. Crüwell repeated his success with the Afrika Korps during "Operation Crusader" which resulted in his promotion to General der Panzertruppe on December 1ST 1941. On May 29TH 1942 Crüwell’s reconnaissance aircraft was shot down over the Gazala line in Africa and he was taken prisoner by the British being released in 1948.