Knight Crosses today

[Sepp45]

Close-up on the KC prelim. doc

(Photo credits to www.militaria-scholz.de)

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And the incredible mappe!

(Photo credits to www.militaria-scholz.de)

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RK preliminary award document to Unteroffizier Leopold Schrems
Gruppenführer StabsKp/GebJägRgt 85
Presented on: July 27th, 1944

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RK preliminary award document to Oberfeldwebel Otto Starosta
Zugführer 1. / Grenadier-Regiment 686
Presented on: May 8th, 1943

(Photo credits to www.auktionshaus-loesch.de)

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RK formal award document to Leutnant Karl-Heinz Kempf
7./Jagdgeschwader 54
Presented on: February 4th, 1942

(Photo credits to www.auktionshaus-loesch.de)

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Another view of the document.

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RK awarded to Generalmajor Johannes Hintz
Kommandeur FlakRgt 101 (mot.)
Awarded the Ritterkreuz: July 27th, 1940.

The complete group of Hintz.

(Photo credits to WAF member sszhj)

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Front and back of Hintz's KC.

(Photo credits to WAF member sszhj)

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RK preliminary award document to Generalmajor Hermann von Oppeln-Bronikowksi
Kommandeur, Panzer-Regiment 204, 22. Panzer-Division
Presented on: January 1st, 1943

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RK preliminary award document to Oberfernschreibmeister Herbert Berrer
Fernschreibmeister-obergefreiter, Kleinkampfflottille 362
Awarded on: August 5th, 1944

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RK with Oak Leaves and Swords awarded to Oberst Alfons König
Chef 6. / Infanterie-Regiment 199 / 57.Infanterie-Division
Awarded the Ritterkreuz: December 21st, 1940 - Oak Leaves: February 21st, 1943 - Swords: June 9th, 1944 (Kommandeur Grenadier Regiment 199 "List")

His Knight's Cross grouping was stolen by a US soldier out of the bombed apartment of König, in 1945.

An excellent view of König's grouping.

(Photo credits to "German War Booty: A Study in Photographs", by Thomas Johnson)

[chen]

That particular eagle on Konig's sword document.

[markus]

Does anyone have a rough idea how many swords documents bear a signature and how many are blank?

[chen]

Does anyone have a rough idea how many swords documents bear a signature and how many are blank?

Markus,
There are also citation without the cassette, so I assume your question is " How many signed and unsigned citation with the cassette?"
1. With 157-160 sword winners, the first 70 sword winners should receive citation with cassette.


2. From 1, Some may be destroyed/ Some in museum, eg, Rommel, Dietrich, Molders/ Some in family, eg Rudel / Some with collectors ...etc.
So far I account 18 signed, 9 unsigned and 9 unknown signed or not.

3. Forman once gives an estimation of app. half signed by Hitler. But again the question, how many survived?

[markus]

Markus,
There are also citation without the cassette, so I assume your question is " How many signed and unsigned citation with the cassette?"
1. With 157-160 sword winners, the first 70 sword winners should receive citation with cassette.


2. From 1, Some may be destroyed/ Some in museum, eg, Rommel, Dietrich, Molders/ Some in family, eg Rudel / Some with collectors ...etc.
So far I account 18 signed, 9 unsigned and 9 unknown signed or not.

3. Forman once gives an estimation of app. half signed by Hitler. But again the question, how many survived?

Thanks for your input Chen!

Most of the formal swords docs I have been offered in the past did not bear the signature.

I do not necessarily think this is because most formal swords docs in existence were unsigned. I think it has more to do with unsigned ones fluctuating more between collectors than signed ones.

I also have the feeling the ratio between signed and unsigned is about 50/50. Interesting topic ! I simply love the formal docs from an artistic point of view.

Cheers!
Markus