Cross traced to flak general

[Military Trader]

Thought you guys might like to see this little trench art piece. I originally bought it for $35 then traded it off then got it back. The Iron Cross 1st class is a good one and on the back is a signature. To me it looked like either Ch Herbert or Th Herbert Generalmajor. I decided to research the piece and after looking at generalmajors from the British army and German army I think I found the owner. There is only one person who fits this signature, Luftwaffe Generalmajor Theodr Herbert. Herbert started the war as a colonel then fought in Africa. Later he took over various units on the Russian front. In 1945
He took over the 15th Flak Division made up of pieces of survivors of other units. He fought his way into Romania then made it back to Germany to give up to the Americans. This cross could likely have been given to a guard of his while interned. Herbert dies in the 1980s.

[Military Trader]

Front

[Military Trader]

Backside

[GELIS44]

Interesting piece. Where did you find this???

[Military Trader]

My friend who used to advertise a lot (in local freebie papers etc.) got a call from a lady whose husband was a truck driver and picked up stuff all over. Much of her stuff was fake but she had some good pieces. My friend was tempted to pry the iron cross out but I talked him out of it. I don't believe this is faked at all. First why would they put a good EK1 in a piece of wood and only ask $35 for it? Also, why put the name of a relativley unknown general on the back -- why not Rommel etc.? It took me a year to find his name.

[Calvin Hall]

Interesting piece.

Wonder why it was marked 'Germany' as opposed to 'Deutschland'?
The only Third Reich stuff that I have seen marked 'Germany' were marked for import purposes.

[Military Trader]

I thought about that. It could be the US soldier (jailer, interpretor, whatever) made friends with his captor and Herbert gave the American his iron cross. Then the American might of made the wooden shield in remembrance of his stay and asked the general for his signature which he applied to the back. Or not. Any other ideas?