Johann Boos Grouping

From Andreas Thies auction :

Award and document grouping of the Knight's Cross Recipient Oberfeldwebel Johann Boos, 9/ Kampfgeschwader 55.

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Iron core with silver frame. Splendid example of the extremely rare production of the company Steinhauer & Lück, respectively Förster & Barth, Pforzheim.
The Knight's Cross itself is a typical Steinhauer & Lück A - piece with the large silver stamp "800" under the eyelet on the back. The ring with silver stamp "800" and maker's mark "L / 21" of the firm Förster & Barth, Pforzheim (cf. the comments by Dietrich März in his book The Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, Richmond 2007, p. 226 ff).
In the beautiful original case of issue made of black imitation leather. Inside with black velvet inlay and long, unassembled original ribbon. Inside cover with white artificial silk lining.Accompanied by the Priliminary Award Certificate of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross to Sergeant Major Johann Boos on 9 October 1943. Dated Headquarters, 20 October 1943, with official seal of the Reich Minister of Aviation and Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe and original signature of Colonel Wolff (in the name of the Chief of the Luftwaffe Personnel Office).

Award certificate for the German Cross in Gold to Sergeant Johann Boos. Dated Headquarters, 10 July 1942, with embossed seal and facsimile signature of Reich Marshal Hermann Göring and countersignature of General der Flieger Kastner - Kirdorf. The certificate originally perforated in the centre (holes subsequently closed by paper of the same colour).
Luftwaffe Honour Goblet for special achievements in the air war with award engraving to "FELDWEBEL JOHANN BOOS AM 19.9.41". Silver. In the bottom maker's mark "JOH. WAGNER & SOHN" and silver stamp "835". Crown, crescent moon and eagle. Very nice untouched example, the wall with clearly visible hammering.

Accompanied by the award certificate for the Luftwaffe Honour Goblet to Sergeant Johann Boos "in recognition of his outstanding bravery and special successes as a Kampfflieger". Dated Headquarters, 19 September 1941.with embossed seal and facsimile signature of Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring.
Frontflugspange für Kamfflieger  in Gold. Gilt tombac version. Reverse fitted with a broad pin. Beautiful, much worn example.Comes with the award certificate for the Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Gold to Feldwebel Johann Boos, 9th / Kampfgeschwader 55, dated 19 October 1941. With official seal and original signature of the Geschwaderkommodore.

Reconnaisance Clasp for Kamfflieger in silver . Silvered tombac version. Reverse fitted with broad pin. Maker's mark "G:H:OSANG DRESDEN" on the reverse. Beautiful, worn example.
Comes with award certificate for Frontflugspange for Kampfflieger pilots in silver to Feldwebel Johann Boos, 9th / Kampfgeschwader 55, dated 25 June 1941. With service seal and original signature of the squadron commodore.Frontflugspange for Kampfflieger in bronze. Tombac version. Reverse fitted with a broad pin. Beautiful, worn clasp.

Comes with the award certificate for the Frontflugspange for Kampfflieger in bronze to Sergeant Johann Boos, 9th / Fighter Squadron 55, dated 13 April 1941. With official seal and original signature of the squadron commander.
Award certificate for the Flugzeugführer - Badge to Private Johannes Boos, dated 3 June 1939. With original signature of Lieutenant General Kastner-Kirdorf.Award Certificate of the Crimean Shield to Oberfeldwebel Johann Boos, 9th / Kampfgeschwader 55, dated 15 March 1943. With official seal and facsimile signature of Generalfeldmarschalls v. Manstein.Appointment as sergeant for Unteroffizier Johann Boos, 9th / III. Kampfgeschwader 55, dated 01.04. 1942. With official seal and original signature of the group commander.

Appointment as Sergeant Major for Sergeant Johann Boos, 9th / Fighter Squadron 55. Dated 01.08. 1941. With official seal and original signature of the Squadron Commodore.
Letter from the commanding general of the IV Flieger Korps to the parents of Johann Boos on the occasion of the Knight's Cross award. Dated 25.10.1943. With original signature of the Lieutenant General.Letter of transmittal or congratulations from the Chief of the Air Force Personnel Office, Colonel General Bruno Loerzer, to the father of the recipient, farmer Johann Boos, on the occasion of the award of the Knight's Cross, proposed by the Reich Marshal and carried out by the Führer, to Oberfeldwebel Johann Boos, who was considered missing at the time."Since according to the available reports your son unfortunately has to be considered missing, I am sending you the enclosed high decoration with the request to keep it for your son until the possibility of handing it over arises....".
enclosures:1 Knight's Cross,En1 preliminary certificate of award"

Dated Berlin, 20 October 1943, with original signature of Colonel General Loerzer.

Letter of congratulations from the commanding general of the IV Air Corps on the award of the German Cross in Gold to Sergeant Johann Boos. Dated 23 July 1942, with original signature of General der Flieger Pflugbeil.
Letter from the Wehrmacht site elder of St. Goar to the father of the recipient with congratulations on the Knight's Cross and mention of the 1551 flights (according to the flight log).Letter from the Gauarchiv of the NSDAP (East Prussia) to Oberfeldwebel Boos with the request to send a photo with signature for the Gau - Archiv. Dated 27.11.1943.Congratulatory telegrams on the 400th enemy flight by General der Flieger Pflugbeil and on the E.K. by Lieutenant General Ritter v. Greim.The documents are mostly perforated and in good condition.


Johann Boos (1 August 1915 – 20 December 2003) was a German Luftwaffe bomber pilot and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II.

Johann Boos was shot down in May 1943 by Soviet forces, he was taken prisoner and was held until 1948. Johann Boos was born on 1 August 1915 in Ney. His military career commenced in the army, as part of the 6th Company of Infantry Regiment 55. After basic training he volunteered in 1936 volunteered for the Luftwaffe. His pilot training took place in 1938. At the start of the war was serving with 9./KG 55, and flew operations during the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain, when he was wounded. He flew his 416th operation on 16 May 1943, when his He 111 was shot down during an attack on Kropotkin. Boos and his flight crew were captured after 3 days by the Soviet forces. On 9 October 1943, in his absence the Knight's Cross was presented to his parents. After 5 years as a POW he was released on 2 June 1948. Boos returned to Germany, and learned for the first time of his award of the Knight's Cross.

Very nice and interesting grouping to this brave pilot and particularly rare as a Knights Cross award to a first sergeant.

18.000,00 €

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, Ehrenpokal and Frontflugspanges.

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.

Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe.

Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Bronze, Silber and Gold.

Ritterkreuz certificate.



Deutsches Kreuz in Gold certificate.



Ehrenpokal certificate.

Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Gold certificate.

Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Silber certificate.

Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Bronze certificate.

Krimschild certificate.



Flugzeugführerabzeichen certificate.



Promotion document to Feldwebel.



Promotion document to Oberfeldwebel.

Congratulatory telegrams on the 400th operational flight by General der Flieger Curt Pflugbeil.



Letter of congratulations from the commanding general of the IV. Fliegerkorps on the award of the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold to Feldwebel Johann Boos. Dated 23 July 1942, with original signature of General der Flieger Curt Pflugbeil.



Letter from the commanding general of the IV. Fliegerkorps to the parents of Johann Boos on the occasion of the Ritterkreuz award.

Letter from the Wehrmacht site elder of St. Goar to the father of the recipient with congratulations on the Ritterkreuz and mention of the 1551 flights (according to the flight log).

Letter from the Gauarchiv of the NSDAP (East Prussia) to Oberfeldwebel Boos with the request to send a photo with signature for the Gau-Archiv.

Letter of transmittal or congratulations from the Chief of the Air Force Personnel Office, Generaloberst Bruno Loerzer, to the father of the recipient, farmer Johann Boos, on the occasion of the award of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, proposed by the Reich Marshal and carried out by the Führer, to Oberfeldwebel Johann Boos, who was considered missing at the time."Since according to the available reports your son unfortunately has to be considered missing, I am sending you the enclosed high decoration with the request to keep it for your son until the possibility of handing it over arises....". enclosures:1 Ritterkreuz and 1 preliminary certificate of award". Dated Berlin, 20 October 1943, with original signature of Generaloberst Loerzer.

Source :
https://www.andreas-thies.de/auktionen/67-750774

Johann Boos with Added Ritterkreuz

Studio portrait of Oberfeldwebel Johann Boos (Flugzeugführer in 9.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 55) with added Ritterkreuz in his neck. By the time he received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (9 October 1943), Boos already became the POW of the Soviets. On 16 May 1943 previously he was reported missing after his Heinkel He 111H-16 (Werknummer 8529) "G1 + AT" bomber was shot down by enemy flak over Kropotkin. It was his 416th flight mission. Remaining crew (POW): Oberfeldwebel Helmuth Wagner (Observer), Oberfeldwebel Gustav Samorski (Radio Operator), Unteroffizier Eberhard Rode (Flight Engineer) and Unteroffizier Kurt Rothert (Gunner). They headed for German lines after force landing, but after three days, they were captured by Soviet troops. Boos was the last pilot to escape from the besieged Stalingrad Pocket after flying a supply mission, and evacuating casualties on the way out. He was released by the Soviets only after the war is over (2 June 1948).

Source :
https://www.andreas-thies.de/auktionen/67-750774
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28582/Boos-Johann-Kampfgeschwader-55.htm

Award Ceremony with Hitler at Führerhauptquartier in December 1943

Hauptmann Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Gruppenführer III.Gruppe / Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann") posed for the photographer after the audience with Hitler at Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze, Rastenburg (East Prussia), December 1943. Previously on 25 November 1943 Rudel was being awarded the Schwerter #42 for his achievement after flying 1600 sorties, during which he destroyed over 100 tanks. The picture was taken by Walter Frentz.



Hauptmann Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Gruppenführer III.Gruppe / Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann") with his rear gunner in the Junkers Ju 87 "Stuka", Oberfeldwebel Erwin Hentschel. The picture was taken after the audience with Hitler at Führerhauptquartier Wolfsschanze, Rastenburg (East Prussia), December 1943.

Source :
https://www.alexautographs.com/auction-lot/hans-ulrich-rudel_2DF46C6AB9

Hans-Ulrich Rudel in a Tita Binz Postcard

Brillantenträger Major Hans-Ulrich Rudel in a Tita Binz postcard Nr. P 365. Tita Binz (1903-1970) was a German photographer, who portrayed in her Atelier Binz many of the film stars of the Third Reich. For Film-Foto-Verlag, she also made portraits of the soldiers who were Ritterkreuzträger (holders of the Knight's Cross). Of course that is uncommon for a typical entertainment company, but apparently they were also under the control of the new rulers who needed as much means for propaganda. It is at this point that two differend worlds seems to run together at least in pictures. The actor, the hero of the silver screen and the soldier, the hero of the theater of war were both raised in the same way. Remarkably Binz photographed no soldiers of the Waffen-SS. This might be due to the fact that she was friends with Hans Oster (1887-1945), a convinced opponent of the Nazi regime. She knew by that friendship also the 'conspirators' Erwin von Witzleben (1881-1944) and Erich Hoepner (1886-1944) which she portrayed all three. These pictures where not made for Film-Foto-Verlag.

Source :
https://filmstarpostcards.blogspot.com/2015/02/tita-binz.html
http://pantorijn.blogspot.com/2013/06/tita-binz.html

Hans-Ulrich Rudel Being Interviewed

Stuka ace Hans-Ulrich Rudel is interviewed by unknown Kriegsberichter (war correspondent). The picture was taken in the Eastern Front, 1942 or 1943. From May 1941 to January 1942, Rudel flew 500 missions. In February 1943, Rudel flew his 1,000th combat mission, which made him into a national hero.

Source :
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek photo archive (Image-No.: 30033083)

The Sinking of Battleship Marat

The 20-year-old Silesian pastor’s son, Ulrich Rudel began his pilot training for the German Luftwaffe in 1936. Rudel volunteered for the new dive-bombing Stuka formations but started off as only an average pilot. His clean living, exercise and tea-toddling, further ostracized him from the hard-partying pilot culture. No one at the time, could have imagined the extraordinary combat career that lay ahead of the odd-ball Rudel.

With Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of Soviet Russia on June 22, 1941, Rudel was finally given a chance to show his mettle. By this time, Rudel’s flying skills and gunnery had improved greatly. Rudel was in the air from 3 am to as late as 10 pm, supporting the advance of Army Group Center into Belorussia.

In September 1941, Rudel’s Stukageschwader 2, the “Immelmann” Wing, joined Army Group North’s siege of Leningrad. It was here that Rudel would leave his first mark in military history. The Stukas’ targets included the Soviet battleships, cruisers and destroyers, which laid down devastating support fire for the defenders of the city. The fleet was based out of the island of Kronstadt, 12.5 miles from the harbor of Leningrad in the Gulf of Finland.

When on the 16th September reconnaissance spotted the battleship Marat in open water, the whole Stuka wing, some thirty aircraft, were ordered to attack in the foulest weather. With anti-aircraft fire bursting “like the clap of doomsday,”¹ the Marat appeared through a gap in the clouds. Rudel followed Hauptman Ernst Steen into the attack. Steen’s bomb was a near miss; Rudel’s was dead on. His thousand pound bomb hit the deck which erupted in flames. AA fire followed Rudel’s Stuka back into the clouds. Later it is confirmed that the Marat survived, lying in repair in heavily defended Kronstadt harbor. Rudel saw red.

Braving a gauntlet of enemy fighters and ultra heavy AA, Rudel followed Steen into the another attack on September 23rd. This time Rudel dove to within 900 feet. Rudel was so absorbed with hitting his target that he forgot that the new 2000 pound bomb he released had a fragmentation effect of 3000 feet!

“The ship is centered plumb in the middle of my sights. My Ju 87 keeps perfectly steady as I dive; she does not serve an inch. I have a feeling that to miss is now impossible. Then I see the Marat large as life in front of me. Sailors are running across the deck, carrying ammunition. Now I press the bomb release switch on my stick and pull with all my strength.”

Rudel momentarily blacked out, tugging at his stick. He regained consciousness at the sound of his rear-gunner Scharnovski’s voice, “she is blowing up, sir.” As Rudel’s Stuka skimmed ten feet above the water, he thought of the “thousands of grateful infantrymen.”

Marat was sunk at her moorings on 23 September 1941 by two near-simultaneous hits by 1,000-kilogram (2,200 lb) bombs near the forward superstructure. They caused the explosion of the forward magazine which heaved the turret up, blew the superstructure and forward funnel over to starboard and demolished the forward part of the hull from frames 20 to 57. 326 men were killed and the ship gradually settled to the bottom in 11 meters (36 ft) of water. Her sinking is commonly credited to the Stuka pilot Oberleutnant Rudel of III./StG 2, but Rudel dropped only one of the two bombs. The rear part of the ship was later refloated and she was used as a floating battery although all of her 120 mm guns were removed. Initially only the two rearmost turrets were operable, but the second turret was repaired by the autumn of 1942. She fired a total of 1,971 twelve-inch shells during the siege of Leningrad. In December 1941 granite slabs 40–60 millimeters (1.6–2.4 in) thick from the nearby harbor walls were laid on her decks to reinforce her deck protection. Another transverse bulkhead was built behind frame 57 and the space between them was filled with concrete to prevent her sinking if the original bulkhead was ruptured.

Hans-Ulrich Rudel continued his sorties over the Gulf of Finland, adding a cruiser to a prior destroyer and the battleship Marat. He nearly added a second battleship but his 2000 pounder failed to explode on target. Rudel’s sinking of the Marat was only one of his many exploits that would make him a legend in military history. During his 2530 combat missions, unmatched by any pilot, Rudel destroyed 547 tanks and 2,000 ground targets. Field Marshall Schörner did not exaggerate much when he praised Rudel as being “worth an entire division.”

Hans-Ulrich Rudel (2 July 1916 – 18 December 1982) was a German ground-attack pilot during World War II and a post-war neo-Nazi activist. The most decorated German pilot of the war and the only recipient of the Goldenem Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, Rudel was credited with the destruction of 519 tanks, one battleship, one cruiser, 70 landing craft and 150 artillery emplacements. He claimed nine aerial victories and the destruction of more than 800 vehicles. He flew 2,530 ground-attack missions exclusively on the Eastern Front, usually flying the Junkers Ju 87 "Stuka" dive bomber. It was Rudel who delivered the striking blow to Marat on the 23d of September 1941. His gunner reported back to Rudel seconds after he released the bomb that the "ship is blowing up, you got her". The 1000kg bomb fell down the "steam tower" and exploded inside the ship. Rudel thus also destroyed a battleship in addition to the hundreds of tanks he hit in the war. Marat sank in shallow water but three out of her four main gun turrets were operational and she was used as an artillery battery.

Marat was the third of the four Gangut-class dreadnoughts built before World War I for the Imperial Russian Navy, the first Russian class of dreadnoughts. Her first name was Petropavlovsk, named after the Russian victory in the siege of Petropavlovsk during the Crimean War. The ship was completed during the winter of 1914–1915, but was not ready for combat until mid-1915. Her role was to defend the mouth of the Gulf of Finland against the Germans, who never tried to enter, so she spent her time training and providing cover for minelaying operations. Her crew joined the general mutiny of the Baltic Fleet after the February Revolution of 1917 and she was the only dreadnought available to the Bolsheviks for several years after the October Revolution of 1917. She bombarded the mutinous garrison of Fort Krasnaya Gorka and supported Bolshevik light forces operating against British ships supporting the White Russians in the Gulf of Finland in 1918–1919. Later, her crew joined the Kronstadt Rebellion of 1921 and she was renamed Marat after the rebellion was crushed. Marat was reconstructed from 1928 to 1931 and represented the Soviet Union at the Coronation Naval Review at Spithead in 1937. Two years later, she bombarded a Finnish coastal artillery position during the Winter War once before the Gulf of Finland iced up. Shortly afterwards, her anti-aircraft armament was upgraded. When the Germans invaded on 22 June 1941 she was in Kronstadt and provided gunfire support to Soviet troops in September as the Germans approached Leningrad. Later that month she had her bow blown off and sank in shallow water after two hits by 1,000-kilogram (2,200 lb) bombs (dropped by two Ju 87 Stukas, one of which was piloted by Hans Ulrich Rudel) that detonated her forward magazine. The remaining rear section was refloated several months later and became a stationary artillery battery, providing gunfire support during the siege of Leningrad. Marat resumed her original name in 1943 and plans were made to reconstruct her after the war, using the bow of her sister Frunze, but they were not accepted and were formally cancelled in 1948. Petropavlovsk was renamed Volkhov in 1950, after the nearby Volkhov River, and served as a stationary training ship until stricken in 1953 and broken up afterwards.

Sinking of the Soviet Battleship Marat, 23 September 1941. Painting.

Stuka hits the Soviet battleship Marat in the Kronstadt naval port on 23 September 1941. The picture was taken by Karl Bayer.

Stuka hits the Soviet battleship Marat in the Kronstadt naval port on 23 September 1941. The picture was taken by Karl Bayer.

Source :
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek photo archive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mybH4W6siBc
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_battleship_Petropavlovsk_(1911)
https://kronnews.ru/history/23-sentyabrya-1941-goda-podvig-marata/
https://pastvu.com/p/118270
https://www.picture-alliance.com/webseries/28673-WWII%201939%20-%201945/271318-WWII%20-%20Siege%20of%20Leningrad-detail(popup:webseries/image/67665155)#list-item-67665155
https://www.reddit.com/r/BattlePaintings/comments/vittd6/sinking_of_the_soviet_battleship_marat_23/
https://tacticmedia.ru/news/chernyy-den-kronshtadta-gibel-marata/
https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5626.html
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/featured/the-day-that-stuka-pilot-hans-ulrich-rudel-sank-the-soviet-battleship-mara.html
https://warspot.ru/11694-samaya-krupnaya-zhertva-lyuftvaffe-na-vostoke

Hans-Ulrich Rudel as a Member of Naumann Circle

This picture was taken on 8 August 1953 and it shows the former State Secretary in the Goebbels Ministry, Dr. Werner Naumann, and the retired Luftwaffe Stuka pilot Hans-Ulrich Rudel (right). Rudel just came from Argentina to compete in the elections in Germany. He is attempting to become a candidate of the SRP party. He gave an election speech in Lüneburg. After Germany's defeat, Dr. Naumann lived under an assumed name for five years and worked as a farm worker, later completing an apprenticeship as a mason. He reemerged in early 1950 after an amnesty law had taken effect, and became the manager of an import-export company in Düsseldorf. Naumann soon began making contact with other former Nazi functionaries politically active on the far-right, including Hans-Ulrich Rudel, Ernst Achenbach, Artur Axmann, Otto Skorzeny and many others. This group came to be known as the "Naumann Circle" (Naumann-Kreis) or the Gauleiter Circle. They infiltrated the Free Democratic Party for a period of about two years. Naumann, together with six co-conspirators, was arrested by the British Army on 15 January 1953 for being the leader of a Neo-Nazi group that attempted to infiltrate West German political parties. Naumann was turned over to the German authorities on 1 April and, after over six months in custody, was released from pre-trial detention on 28 July 1953 by a decision of the Federal Constitutional Court at Karlsruhe. On 5 August 1953, barely a week after his release, Naumann declared his intention to run for a seat in the Bundestag as a candidate of the right-wing Deutsche Reichspartei (DRP), which had benefited heavily from the banning of the Socialist Reich Party the previous year. However, on 23 August, just two weeks before the election, the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia, acting as a denazification tribunal, classified him as a Category II offender. As such, he was prohibited from belonging to any political party, engaging in any political activity, holding any political office, or working as an author, journalist or broadcaster for a period of five years. His Bundestag candidacy was thus abruptly ended.

Source :
Bundesarchiv Bild 183-21125-0004
https://www.alamy.com/aug-08-1953-pictured-is-former-nazi-party-members-hans-ulrich-rudel-image69284329.html
https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en/noartistknown/aug-29-1953-hans-ulrich-rudel-came-from-argentina-to-run-for-a-post-for-the-srp/photograph/asset/4874528
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Naumann
https://www.gettyimages.ch/detail/nachrichtenfoto/hans-ulrich-rudel-a-former-oberst-in-the-german-nachrichtenfoto/91873723
https://www.imago-images.com/st/0061898088

Hans-Ulrich Rudel Edited Photo

This picture was published on 2 January 1945, shortly after Stuka ace Oberst Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Geschwaderkommodore Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann") received the Goldenem Eichenlaub for his Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, while it is actually an older photo by Kriegsberichter Fiedler that was taken while he was still as a Major and Gruppenkommandeur (note the edited kragenspiegel and schulterklappen!). Original caption: "Goldenes Eichenlaub mit Schwertern und Brillanten für Oberst Rudel. Der Führer hat durch Verordnung vom 29.12.44 das Goldene Eichenlaub mit Schwertern und Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes als höchste deutsche Tapferkeitsauszeichnung gestiftet. Sie wird im ganzen höchstens 12 Mal verliehen. - Als erster Soldat der deutschen Wehrmacht erhielt am 1.1.45 Oberstleutnant Hans-Ulrich Rudel, Kommodore des Schlachtgeschwaders "Immelmann", diese höchste deutsche Auszeichnung aus der Hand des Führers. Gleichzeitig beförderte der Führer Oberstleutnant Rudel in Würdigung seines unablässig bewiesenen höchsten Heldentums, seiner einmaligen fliegerischen und kämpferischen Erfolge zum Oberst." (Golden oak leaves with swords and diamonds for Colonel Rudel. By decree of December 29, 1944, the Führer donated the Golden Oak Leaves with Swords and Diamonds to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross as the highest German award for bravery. It will be awarded a maximum of 12 times in total. - On January 1, 1945, Lieutenant Colonel Hans-Ulrich Rudel, commodore of the battle squadron "Immelmann", was the first soldier in the German Wehrmacht to receive this highest German award from the Führer. At the same time, the Führer promoted Lieutenant Colonel Rudel to colonel in recognition of his consistently demonstrated supreme heroism and his unique flying and fighting successes.)

Source :
https://www.alamy.com/the-most-successful-german-airforce-ace-colonel-hans-ulrich-rudel-awarded-new-grade-of-knights-cross-as-first-soldier-of-the-german-army-commodore-of-famous-german-stuka-fleet-immelmann-received-highest-german-military-award-issued-by-the-fuehrer-knights-cross-with-golden-oak-leaves-with-swords-and-diamonds-latest-portrait-of-colonel-rudel-shown-jan-6-1945-ap-photo-image525065718.html
https://www.alexautographs.com/auction-lot/hans-ulrich-rudel_97D4FFA897

Hans-Ulrich Rudel and Ernst Gadermann

Brillantenträger Oberstleutnant Hans-Ulrich Rudel (left, Geschwaderkommodore Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann") with his Stuka rear gunner, Stabsarzt Dr.med. Ernst Gadermann. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Rothkopf in early September 1944 and was first published on 18 September 1944. Gadermann joined the Luftwaffe in 1941, where he worked as a doctor in Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann" on the Eastern Front. In addition to his medical work, he was quickly coopted to the wing staff. Later he became an observer and gunner in the III. Group. During World War II he flew more than 850 combat missions in Junkers Ju 87 (Stuka) aircraft as a rear gunner. From May 1944 until 8 February 1945, he flew with the most decorated German serviceman of the war, Hans-Ulrich Rudel. On this last mission, a 40 mm shell hit their Ju 87. Rudel was badly wounded in the right foot and crash landed inside German lines. Gadermann saved Rudel's life by pulling him from the severely damaged Ju 87 and stemming the bleeding. Later, Rudel's leg was amputated below the knee. Gadermann served the remainder of the war in a Medical Observation Center in Brunswick.

Source :
https://alchetron.com/Ernst-Gadermann
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2011/11/album-foto-terbaik-hans-ulrich-rudel.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Gadermann

Hans-Ulrich Rudel Celebrates His 2000th Mission

This picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Rothkopf and it shows Major Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Gruppenkommandeur III.Gruppe / Schlachtgeschwader 2) celebrates the successful completion of his 2,000th combat mission - and 301 tanks destroyed - on 1 June 1944. He was among the first pilots of l./St.G 2 "Immelmann" to test the Ju 87D, armed with two Flak 18 cannons, which became the prototype of the Ju 87G. A true master of anti-tank combat, Rudel fought almost exclusively with Stukas until the end of the war, ending it with no less than 519 Soviet tanks destroyed. Saluting at left is Oberleutnant Hendrik Stahl (Staffelkapitän 8.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Schlachtgeschwader 2).

Major Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Gruppenkommandeur III.Gruppe / Schlachtgeschwader 2) celebrates the successful completion of his 2,000th combat mission - and 301 tanks destroyed - on 1 June 1944.

Source :
https://military.wikireading.ru/62401

Wilhelm Fahrmbacher and Ambassador Oshima at Atlantikwall

Period press photograph of "Generalleutnant Oshima am Alantikwall". Original caption: "Der Kaiserlich-Japanische Botschafter in Berlin, Oshima, befand sich in diesen tagen auf einer besichtigungs-fahrt in den besetzten Westgebieten. U.B. zeigt General der Artillerie Fahrmbacher (Kommandierender General XXV. Armeekorps) führt Generalleutnant Oshima durch die Bunker und kampfstände eines stützpunktes" (The Imperial Japanese Ambassador in Berlin, Oshima, was currently on a sightseeing trip to the occupied western territories. Here shows General of the Artillery Fahrmbacher leading Lieutenant General Oshima through the bunkers and fighting positions of a base). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Haring on 4 November 1943.

Source :
https://www.ea-militaria.com/generalleutnant-oshima-am-atlanticwall-press-photograph.html

Bio of Major Herbert Megow (1913-1981)

Herbert Megow

Date of Birth: 09.03.1913 - Sønderborg, Region Syddanmark (Denmark)
Date of Death: 14.01.1981 - Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg (West Germany)
Buried: Hauptfriedhof Freiburg

Mother: Katharina Bruhn (1889-1976)

Promotions:
00.00.194_ Major

Career:
00.00.194_ Kommandeur Heeres-Artillerie-Pak-Abteilung 1037 (bo)

Awards and Decorations:
00.00.19__ Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
00.00.194_ Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
09.12.1944 Ritterkreuz des, Eisernen Kreuzes, as Hauptmann and Kommandeur Heeres-Artillerie-Pak-Abteilung 1037 (bo)

Gefreiter Herbert Megow.

Leutnant Herbert Megow.

Herbert Megow in white summer uniform.

Herbert Megow. With his father?

The grave of Herbert Megow at Hasbach bei Freiburg.

Vorläufiges Besitzzeugnis (Preliminary Certificate) of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes dated 15 December 1944 for Hauptmann Herbert Megow (who formally received it on 9 December 1944), signed by Generalleutnant Viktor Linnarz. At first, usually the recipient receives a brief telegram with the news that he has been awarded the Ritterkreuz (or a medal of the equivalent/higher grade). With this announcement, he is entitled to have a Vorläufiges Besitzzeugnis as well as the posting of the date of the award on his Soldbuch. Next, he will receive an official award document known as "Ritterkreuzurkunde" (Certificate of the Knight's Cross). This document always comes with the medal which is housed in a red leather case bearing the Reichsadler's insignia. Most of the times the Hitler's signature was printed, but when there was time, the Führer always took the time to write his own signature.

A complete Ritterkreuz for Hauptmann Herbert Megow with its presentation box and outer card cover, It is rare to find these and this card cover is maker marked for the firm of Klein and Quenzer, of Idar-Oberstein.

Newspaper clipping of the award of the Ritterkreuz for Hauptmann Herbert Megow.

Source :
https://www.andreas-thies.de/auctions/78-752714
https://www.thirdreichmedals.com/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/50593/Megow-Herbert.htm
https://warbadges.tripod.com/jamie_cross.htm
https://www.weitze.net/militaria/73/Wehrmacht_Vorlaeufiges_Besitzzeugnis_fuer_das_Ritterkreuz_des_Eisernen_Kreuzes_fuer_Hauptmann_Herbert_Megow_Art_Pak_Abt_10378__461273.html