Description:

AWARD RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A STUKA PILOT
Excellent lot of three typed D.S.s, each 1p. 4to., recommending Stuka pilot Gunter Hirtz for different levels of the "Frontflugspange" ("Front Flying Clasp") of the Luftwaffe, which was awarded in recognition of the number of missions a pilot had flown against the enemy. The first document, dated June 14, 1941, awards Hirtz the Frontflugspange in Bronze for completing 51 missions as part of Sturzkampfgeschwader 77, then operating in the Balkans. The second document, dated July 9 of the same year, awards Hirtz the Frontflugspange in Silver for completing 62 combat missions. By this time, StG 77 was operating on the Eastern Front against the Soviet Union as part of Operation Barbarossa. The final document, dated Dec. 9, 1942, awards Hirtz a special pennant for his Frontflugspange in Gold for completing 405 ground attack missions. It notes that he had already received his Frontflugspange in Gold on Oct. 7, 1941. Each document is signed at the conclusion by a superior officer. Further biographical information included in this lot tells us that Hirtz was killed on Nov. 11, 1944, while attacking artillery and flak positions near Khodachkiv in modern Ukraine. A superb group of documents which attest to the heavy combat load of pilots on the Eastern Front.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipments are sent via USPS Priority, USPS International Priority, DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 14 - 21 days for shipments to arrive after receipt of payment due to the high volume of package being shipped.

August 23, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000