Description:

ARCHIVE OF WAFFEN-SS KNIGHT''S CROSS RECIPIENT MAX SCHAEFER
Fine group of six documents, all related to the military career and honors of SS-Standartenfuhrer ("colonel") MAX SCHAEFER (1907-1987), includes: Typed D.S., 5pp, 4to., [n.p.], Oct. 29, 1944, a recommendation that Schaefer be awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight''s Cross of the Iron Cross. The document states that Schaefer demonstrated exceptional bravery and leadership at during the Tartu Offensive in Estonia. Schaefer was responsible for the demolition of two bridges over the Embach River on the morning of Aug. 26, 1944, forestalling the advance of Russian forces and on Aug. 28 assembled a battle group to counterattack the enemy, enabling the recapture of a third bridgehead. The final page bears a biography of Schaefer, detailing his service history. The recommendation is signed on the front page by Waffen-SS general GEORG KEPPLER (1894-1966) in blue ink. A pencil notation on the first page notes that Schaefer received the award on Jan. 25, 1945. Shows a horizontal fold with some splitting thereto, with staple holes at upper left and file holes at the left margin, else very good. WITH: Typed D.S., 2pp. 4to., [n.p.], June 3, 1944, a brief positive assessment of Schaefer signed at the conclusion by Waffen-SS general FELIX STEINER (1896-1966) as commander of Schaefer''s unit, the III (Germanic) SS Panzer Korps. Shows damp stains at lower right, with file holes at the left margin, else very good. WITH: Typed D.S, 1pp. 4to., Stuttgart, Feb. 27, 1935, from SS Abschnitt ("section") X, to the SS-Oberabschnitt Southwest, transmitting Schaefer''s application to join the SS-Verfuegungstruppen ("dispositional troops"), or SS-VT, the predecessor to the Waffen SS [not present]. Shows slight soiling and file holes at the left margin, else very good. WITH: Partly-printed D.S., 1p. 4to., Berlin, Jan. 29, 1935, recommending that Schaefer be promoted to the rank of SS-Obersturmfuhrer. Shows file holes at the left margin, else very good. WITH: Partly-printed D.S., 1p. 4to., Karlsruhe, June 27, 1934, recommending that Schafer be named leader of SS-Sturm ("company") 5/86. Shows file holes at the left margin, else very good. WITH: Partly-printed D.S., 2pp. 4to., Karlsruhe, Oct., 28, 1933, a brief personnel file and assesment for Scahefer, noting that he had been unemployed since 19129 and was jailed for 12 days in 1932 for carrying out a bombing in Bade. Shows chips to the right edge and file holes at the left margin, and signs that an identity photograph has been removed, else very good. An excellent, quite definitive Knights Cross grouping. Six pieces.

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December 19, 2017 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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