KNIGHTS CROSS SIGNED CARDS

A SELECTION OF ORIGINAL SIGNED CARDS BY KNIGHTS CROSS WINNERS FROM THE HEER.

Each Card measures 5.5 Inches x 4 inches and Packing & Postage is FREE!

I have tried to include details for each winner where possible.

HEER.

Oberst Arnulf ABELE

Served with the 44th ReichsGrenadier Division in Italy and took part in some of the major battle in that theatre, including the Sangro, Rapido river crossings and the campaign against Monte Cassino. On 27th January 1944 his position was attacked by French Morocan troops, which resulted in heavy hand-to-hand fighting. When the Germans ran out of grenades they pelted stones at the enemy! His Regiment finally captured Colle Abate against and entire French Regiment. For this action he was awarded the Knights Cross on 12.02.44. Abele passed away on 2nd July 2000.

*** SOLD ***

 Oberst Johannes BARGE

Barge joined the Police in 1933 before joining Infantry Regiment 17 in 1940. He participated in the Invasion of the Soviet Union, before being sent to the Mediterranean as Commander of the island of Cephalonia. He was awarded the Knights Cross on 4th May 1945, becoming a British POW four days later. Barge passed away on 28th February 2000.

*** SOLD ***

 Hauptmann Emil BAUERLE

Bauerle joined the 14th (pzAbw) of Infantry Regiment 56 in 1938, serving in this Unit through until 1941 in Russia. In December 1941 he was promoted to command the Pak Platoon of the Regiment and indeed won the German Cross in Gold for his fighting ability at Penna, south of Staraya Russa. It was his performance during the savage fighting at Kovel in 1944 that won him the Knights Cross on 4th May 1944. He continued to fight during the long withdrawal of German forces in 1944/45 until captured by the Soviets on 11th march 1945. He was released from Soviet Captivity in 1948.

*** SOLD ***

 Oberleutnant Karl-Heinz BECKER

Becker was wounded during the Battle for France in 1940 before joining the 1st Recon Battalion 158 in Russia in 1941. He moved to the jager Regiment 228 in 1943 and, the following year his Regiment was ordered to take the village of Konjuschewka, which was heavily defended by the Soviets with Pak guns and machine gun Teams. Skillfully putting these out of action one by one, Becker's force then came under fire from heavy guns at short range. Becker ordered the gun's positions charged by the Regiment - they were successfully stormed and captured. For this outstanding action Becker was awarded the Knights Cross on 20th March 1944. Becker was later very severley wounded, so much so that he was released from duty in 1944.

*** £10 ***

 Feldwebel Johann BIEHL

Biehl joined Infantry Regiment 124 in 1939 and served during the early campaigns in Russia. In 1942 Biehl's Regiment was involved in the huge effort to take the Soviet Fortified Port of Sevastopol in the Crimea. During this action Biehl and his Unit was deployed against the Forts on the right hand side of the attack and he put one after another out of action. For this action Biehl was awarded the Knights Cross on 30th July 1942. His contribution ensured that the Germans eventually captured the stronghold.

*** SOLD ***

 Obergefreiter Otto BINNIG

Binnig joined Infantry Regiment 463 in 1942. The following year he was wounded during the fighting for Novel. On 9th August 1944, whilst reconnoitering a position in a forest to clarify enemy strength, Binnig's Unit came under attack from a large Soviet force. Binnig held his position, covering his comrades and allowing the rest of his battalion to overcome the critical situation. He was awarded the Knights Cross for this action on 5th October 1944. He was eventually captured by the Red Army on 12th May 1945 but was released the same year. After the war Binnig returned to his Farm, where he passed away on 27th May 2005.

*** £10 ***

 Oberleutnant Fritz BURKHARDT

Burkhardt fought in Russia with Grenadier Regiment 417. In 1945 during the heavy fighting for Sonnenberg in Silesia, Burkhardt's Battalion was ordered to stand against heavy Soviet attacks to allow other German forces to withdraw. Overnight, during fierce fighting, his Unit destroyed 16 Soviet tanks and successfully held the attack. The Battalion then retired in good order to the newly established German defence line. For this action Burkhardt was awarded the Knights Cross on 17th April 1945. Burkhardt passed away on 26th December 2002.

*** £10 ***

 Major Hans BUSCH

No details known. He passed away 13th April 1998 in Hamburg.

*** £10 ***

Unteroffizier Josef DORRIES

As part of the 2nd Company Schutzen Regiment 115, Dorries was sent to North Africa and was wounded at El Alamein. After a protracted period in hospitals, he joined the 87th Infantry Regiment in Russia. In March 1944 near Beresina, Dorries succeeded in escaping a huge Soviet envelopment and, for his successful part in this operation, was awarded the Knights Cross on 5th April 1944. He was wounded again before wars end and after the conflict served with both the Bavarian Police and the Bundeswehr.

*** SOLD ***

 Obergefeiter Franz ERTOLITSCH

No details known

*** SOLD ***

MANY MORE SIGNATURES TO FOLLOW!