W-SS EK II Signature?

[mwliles]

Greetings,
Does anyone have an idea as to the signature on this document. The Regiment number is blurred and that would have lead quickly to a Division and the name of its commander at the time. It is a little unusual that it is signed by an Obersturmbannfuhrer Division Commander but it is April 1945 a busy time for most of the W-SS.

Thanks in advance for the information.

Marion

[hucks216]

Looks like a signature of Martin Braune who commanded a batterie in Flak-Abt SS-Division 'Nord' in February 1943 but the Führerliste has him down as commanding SS-Flak Abt 17 in April 1945.
Strange how the citation has an authorising stamp of a regiment though (the stamp also looks quite fresh as well - as do the rest of the hand written details.)

Mark Yerger's W-SS Commanders books have no-one with the surname of Braune as reaching divisional command.

I have my doubts about it to be honest.

[hucks216]

Using the Führerliste the only officer with that name and rank in 1945 are:

Braun, Erich (note lack of 'e' at end of surname) - Kdr Pz.Gren.Rgt 26 of 12-SS-Pz.Div Hitlerjugend (commanded by Hugo Kraas).

Braune, Fritz - Kdr SS-Pi.Btl 5 (Oct 1944)

[Hundestaffel]

I have my doubts about it to be honest.

Your doubts are well founded Kevin - it's a SStinker.


"Hundestaffel"

[Ludwig]

An Obersturmbannführer as Div. Kommandeur?
No way! Divisions-Führer (leader) OK, but not Kommandeur (Commander).
IMO a fake citation.