ANTON WEHINGER - Wehrmacht Knights Cross - Signed card

ANTON WEHINGER - KNIGHTS CROSS - Signed Photo

Anton Wehinger was chief of 1./ Grenadier Regiment 578 which fought in the long defence of the Italian mainland, where German forces were constantly attacked by the Allies forcing a slow but tenaciously fought retreat.

On 5 December 1944 the vital 'Hill 225' was captured by the Allies and elements of the 578 GR were forced to retreat. This loss compromised the entire German defence of the area and it was essential that the ground by re-captured. Fighting had also been going on around the tiny village of Pideura, which had also fallen. Wehinger's command and other elements of the 578GR counter-attacked and retook the position, which resulted in the Allies bringing down heavy artillery fire on the Hill and town, destroying most of the town and turning the site into a moonscape of craters. The Allies re-took the town with the help of Tanks. Anton Wehinger conducted a 'pincer' attack that almost succeeded in recapturing the ground - Wehinger himself destroyed a tank with a Panzerfaust. For his actions in this battle he was awarded the Knights Cross on 9 January 1945.

Wehinger died in 2012.

This is a very nice signed Card.