Den Ritterkreuzträgern der SS

[badge5050]

Hi
<O

Can somebody tell the story about this one?<O</O

I have had it in my collection since 1973, and never know very much about it, - other than I can read on it.<O</O
<O</O

Any information would be welcome, - and some might even take a “shoot” on the value?<O</O
<O</O

Thanx…<O</O

[max history]

The Obergruppenführer is Wilhelm Rediess.
Max.

[badge5050]

The Obergruppenführer is Wilhelm Rediess.
Max.

Thanx Max

I was hoping someone had more, but it seems nobody know about this one.. Darn.. <O</O<O

[Simon O.]

What is it, a book?

[Michael Miller]

Appears to be a card specifically intended for Knight's Cross holders of the Waffen-SS, sent in "heartfelt comradeship" on the occasion of Hitler's last birthday. A facsimile signature, I'd say, but still quite unique/very cool, in great condition, and probably valuable; there were probably fewer than 400 living RKT's in the Waffen-SS as of 20. April '45. Just a couple weeks later, Rediess committed suicide.

~ Mike

[pep]

find out some dateils. here come ......

Wilhelm Rediess (October 10, 1900 – May 8, 1945) was the SS and Police Leader during the German occupation of Norway in the Second World War. He was also the commanding General (Obergruppenführer) of all SS troops stationed in occupied Norway, assuming command on June 22, 1940 until his death in 1945.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o></o>
Rediess was born in Heinsberg, Prussia, German Empire, the son of a court employee. After school, Rediess became an electrician. In June 1918, he enlisted in the German army, serving as an infantryman until the end of the First World War in November 1918. He then worked as an electrician until losing his job in the German economic crisis of 1929.<o></o>
In May 1925, Rediess joined the SA and in December 1925 was approved for membership in the Nazi Party. He led a Düsseldorf SA company in 1927 and was transferred to the SS with his unit in 1930. Promotion swiftly followed for Rediess, achieving the rank of Lieutenant General (SS-Obergruppenführer) in 1935.<o></o>
At the onset of World War II, Rediess was responsible for implementing German racial laws in Prussia, overseeing the deportation of Jews from East Prussia. Rediess was then given the task of eradicating 1,558 Jewish deportees deemed mentally ill. Rediess borrowed "gas vans" and personnel from other SS units, offering a bounty of ten Reichsmark for each Jew killed. It took seventeen days to accomplish these killings, whereupon Rediess reneged on the payment.<o></o>
Rediess was commended for his initiative and given command of SS units in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Norway</st1lace></st1:country-region> as a reward.<o></o>
In March 1941, citing reports of large numbers of Norwegian women impregnated by German soldiers, Rediess implemented the German Lebensborn program in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Norway</st1lace></st1:country-region>. This program encouraged the production of "racially pure" Aryan children, usually sired by SS troops. Ultimately, 8,000 children were born under the auspices of this program, making <st1:country-region w:st="on">Norway</st1:country-region> second only to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Germany</st1lace></st1:country-region> in registered Aryan births during World War II.<o></o>
Rediess committed suicide by a self-inflicted gunshot wound upon the collapse of the Third Reich in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Norway</st1lace></st1:country-region> on May 8, 1945. His remains were destroyed when Reichskommissar Josef Terboven detonated fifty kilograms of dynamite in a bunker on the Skaugum compound the same day.<o></o>

[badge5050]

Appears to be a card specifically intended for Knight's Cross holders of the Waffen-SS, sent in "heartfelt comradeship" on the occasion of Hitler's last birthday. A facsimile signature, I'd say, but still quite unique/very cool, in great condition, and probably valuable; there were probably fewer than 400 living RKT's in the Waffen-SS as of 20. April '45. Just a couple weeks later, Rediess committed suicide.

~ Mike

Hi Mike

Correct, it is a card, - and as you describe, and yes I also find it very cold to, - I got it along the next to (okay tree), postings, - it was inside that “Post sparbuch” but is a book, - sparbuch, last entry 3-?? -45 (I geuss april 45 Stehttin?), and yep there are stil money on it

[badge5050]

“Post sparbuch”
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o></o>

[badge5050]

“Post sparbuch” <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o></o>

[badge5050]

“Post sparbuch” Karte<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o></o>

[badge5050]

No body knows this aside from the Generals name? There must be some more out there?

[badge5050]

Just for your info, - the item are open for offers..

[Robin Lumsden]

....there were probably fewer than 400 living RKT's in the Waffen-SS as of 20. April '45...

.............but a lot more SS RKTs in the Wehrmacht. Most SS men were in the Wehrmacht, not the Waffen-SS, during the war. (Rudel, Diddens, Strachwitz, etc. etc.)

[Fritz]

.............but a lot more SS RKTs in the Wehrmacht. Most SS men were in the Wehrmacht, not the Waffen-SS, during the war. (Rudel, Diddens, Strachwitz, etc. etc.)

Hi Robin,
what would be more correct, to say that Rudel was a ss man in the Wehrmacht or a Wehrmacht member in the SS?

I don't know the backround on him but I think he was first in the Wehrmacht and later also in the (Allgemeine) SS...? Do you know the answer to the question where he was first?

Thanks!

Fritz

[Robin Lumsden]

Fritz.

Rudel was in the SS before the war broke out.

Whether he joined the SS or the Luftwaffe first, I could't say off the top of my head. Too lazy to check the books.

Many SS men were in the SS before they were taken into the Wehrmacht.

To most of them, the SS was a long term commitment and a 'way of life'. The Wehrmacht was just a 'temporary job'.