Ek2 Normandy, Zeeland (NL)

[matthias_AC]

Fellow paperwork lovers,


my recent acquisition, two citations Iron Cross 2nd class which fit perfectly into my collection!

- 1.) Pionier Bataillon 272, 272. Infanterie-Division. Seen action in Normandy around Caen and in the following battles. Fought side by side famous divisions like the 116th Panzer-Division. Suffered heavy losses in the Falaise pocket (soldier was most likely awarded the Ek2 for action in Falaise).

- 2.) Artillerie Regiment 1712, 712. Infanterie-Division. IMO an outstanding citation as it is the first one I´ve ever come across which is linked to the battle of the Scheldt north of Antwerp (dutch province of Zeeland)! The 712th defended the island of Walcheren against canadian and british troops until the middle of November 1944 and was sent east by the beginning of 1945. Signed by Generalleutnant Neumann. Interesting citation for our dutch friends!

Both folded and slightly crinkled, but uncut and unperforated, just the way I like them!


Best,


Matthias

[Brian R]

Great additions, Matthias. I especially like the second one to 712. ID. That's some underrated fighting relative to the border battles farther to the south.

[matthias_AC]

Great additions, Matthias. I especially like the second one to 712. ID. That's some underrated fighting relative to the border battles farther to the south.

Brian, you are absolutely right. You hardly ever hear about the battle of the Scheldt because other battles around that time are just too overpowering... Arnhem, Hürtgenforest, Ardennes etc., but nevertheless the Zeeland-theatre is a very interesting late-war chapter!

[Tom B]

Both very nice doc's !!! Tom

[Luft 76]

Nice docs, in particular the first, INMO... It's interesting to see that the EK 2 Besitzeugnis isn't signed by the general Schack. I know why but I would be very curious to know who is this general ?
Note that 272.ID didn't fought in Falaise pocket.

[matthias_AC]

Nice docs, in particular the first, INMO... It's interesting to see that the EK 2 Besitzeugnis isn't signed by the general Schack. I know why but I would be very curious to know who is this general ?
Note that 272.ID didn't fought in Falaise pocket.

As far as I can "decode" the handwriting, the name of the general who signed the doc is "Bertram". Could be Georg Bertram...

Do you have any further information on the 272. ID? Where did they exactly fight?

[Luft 76]

This name is unknow for me. When Gen. Schack leaved his command on 3 sept., officialy, Oberst Kossmala took the command of the division. But it's not Gen. Bertram... Probably this general was very temporary. Yet, his signature of the award is "im Vertretung".
272.ID fought first southern of Caen and after end of july, eastern of Caen, at the place of 21. Pz D. This place of front allowed it to escape in the formation of Falaise pocket. During august, the division continued to fight in the higher sector of the Normandy, beside the 346.ID.
To my knowledge, 272.ID never fought beside 116. Pz Div in Normandy.

About the fight of the division, you can buy this book of M. Jenner : it's not a "bible" about normands fights but it helps :
https://books.google.fr/books/about/...AJ&redir_esc=y