Rudolf Witzig Signed Bundeswehr Portrait Photo

[Mike Yokum]

I was fortunate to add this nice photo to my collection. An FJ RKT/EL, Rudolf Witzig, hand signed, Bundeswehr portrait photo! This is not a repop with facsimile signature. I'll include a close-up of his medal bar which shows his many awards.

I hope you like it!

[Mike Yokum]

medal bar

[Mike Yokum]

back side...

[Guardian 5]

Mike - Great stuff. Thanks for posting.

All the best - TJ

[Guardian 5]

Team - If Rudolf Witzig's name sounds vaguely familiar, it may be because of the key role he played in seizing the Belgian Fortress Eben-Emael during World War II. This audacious attack electrified the world and spurred the development of glider troop formations within the Allied Forces.

Below are some excerpts from a wiki on the late Colonel Witzig as well as a wartime photo. Note his wear of the Heer style parachutist badge which was rare even then.

"Rudolf Witzig (14 August 1916 in Röhlinghausen, Wanne-Eickel – 3 October 2001 in Oberschleißheim) was a highly decorated German Fallschirmjäger and Oberst in the Bundeswehr. He is most well known for his action against the Belgian fortress Fort Eben-Emael.

Rudolf Witzig re-joined the military service in the newly created Bundeswehr of the Federal Republic of Germany on 16 January 1956. He retired on 30 September 1974 holding the rank of Oberst."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Witzig

Mike - You made a great find.

All the best - TJ

[Mike Yokum]

Thanks TJ!

I'm an FJ collector and Witzig "fan" if you will.

This picture was dated at the latest to 1962 based on the three digit postal used in the studio address. Apparently in 1962/63 Germany switched to a four digit postal code. Thanks to WAF member "Seewolf" for that information.

I also have some other Witzig photos -

This one is a copy of a wartime photo signed by Witzig postwar.

[Mike Yokum]

Here's a wartime press release photo with Witzig (second from the left) at the Eben Emael RK award ceremony with Der Fuhrer himself. All of the FJ's present in this photo were personally awarded the RK by Hitler. The man holding the open RK or EKII case, not sure which, being addressed by Hitler is Walter Koch. I'm not sure which this one is as most of these men earned all grades of the EK, other than the DK, in this operation. You can see all the shiny EKII's proudly worn.

[Gordon Craig]

medal bar

Mike,

Excellent pictures of a BW post 57 ribbon bar in wear. One question. He wears two cuffband awards. The one on the viewers right seems to be the AFRICA cuffband award. True? What is the other one? I can not make it out from the photos you posted.

Regards,

Gordon

[Mike Yokum]

Thank you Gordon. I feel very fortunate to have added this photo to my FJ collection.

The second cuffband award is for Operation MERKUR in KRETA. Witzig led the 9th Company of the Parachute Assault Regiment during the Invasion of Kreta and was wounded there. He was a very brave man and well respected military leader.

I'm learning to appreciate this section of the forum and have been spending more time here. As I said earlier, this section and the 57er section have much overlap in interest and a great deal in common. Thanks for the warm welcome!

[Gordon Craig]

Mike,

Thanks for the quick response. It seemed reasonable to assume that one of the cuffbands was for Kreta but I asked to make sure.
As for making you welcome, we are the ones who should thank you for starting some interesting threads. We hope to see more posts/threads from you on this forum.

Regards,

Gordon

[Mike Yokum]

My pleasure Gordon, to be sure.

You will see me here more and more often.

Thanks again!

[Guardian 5]

Mike - Thanks for posting the additional photos.

It's good to see that Colonel Witzig wore his expression of readiness and determination throughout his career, in both war and peace.

Indeed, a remarkable man.

TJ