Knight Crosses today

[Sepp45]

RK preliminary award document to Oberleutnant Eduard Schäfer
II./Grenadier-Regiment 1115
Presented on: February 10th, 1945.

He was awarded the RK posthumously (he died of wounds on 06.02.1945).

(Photo credits to Bene Merenti Auctions)

[Sepp45]

RK preliminary award document to Generaloberst Richard Ruoff
Commander V. Armeekorps
Presented on: June 30th, 1941

(Photo credits to Andreas-Thies)

[Tony T-S]

Wow that's a beautiful portrait. I wish it was in colour. So clear.

[Sepp45]

RK formal award document to Oberst Friedrich Jäger
Kommandeur II. / Infanterie-Regiment 8
Presented on: May 26th, 1940

(Photo credits to Andreas-Thies)

[Sepp45]

Full view of the document presented to Jäger

(Photo credits to Andreas-Thies)

[Sepp45]

Part of the KC group of SS-Obersturmbannführer August Dieckmann, before being sold by Winkler a few years back.

[Sepp45]

RK preliminary award document to Major Gerhard Dudeck
Kommandeur, III. Gruppe, Transportgeschwader 2, Luftwaffe
Presented on: June 9th, 1944

[Sepp45]

RK preliminary award document to Generaloberst Richard Ruoff
Commander V. Armeekorps
Presented on: June 30th, 1941

Ruoff's wartime KC

(Photo credits to Andreas-Thies)

[Tony T-S]

Now THAT is a nice RK.

[Sepp45]

RK formal award document to Oberst Karl-Heinz Becker
Chef, 11. Kompanie, III. Bataillon, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1, 7. Flieger-Division
Presented on: July 9th, 1941

[markus]

Gentlemen --

Is it safe to say that (basically) all 1940 dated formal Knight's Cross documents were signed personally by Hitler ?

Markus.

[chen]

Gentlemen --

Is it safe to say that (basically) all 1940 dated formal Knight's Cross documents were signed personally by Hitler ?

Markus.

Markus,
For 1940 KC documents, I think if Hitler personally presented those , he signed personally, otherwise autopen.

[markus]

Markus,
For 1940 KC documents, I think if Hitler personally presented those , he signed personally, otherwise autopen.

Thanks Chen -

Appreciate your reply/view. 1940 is tricky. What would you think in the case of 1941 and 1942? It's a difficult call and I'm not sure what to think myself yet.

Markus.

[chen]

Markus,
I think for 41 and 42, Hitler did both.
For example:
Rudel's KC document in Jan 6, 42 was hand signed by Hitler. The same for Stahl' KC document in April 16, 1942. Jany's one was signed even as late as March 31,43.
So I think there is no hard rule , all depending whether Hitler has mood or on what occasion .

[Hermann-12]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhwNx3KTenU