Description:

KNIGHT''S CROSS AWARD GIVEN TO HANS-HENNING EICHERT

A RARE EXAMPLE WITH HITLER''S OWN SIGNATURE. One of the finest Knight''s Cross of the Iron Cross award documents we''ve seen, in nearly as-new condition, this example issued to HANS-HENNING EICHERT (1917-1943), a 9th Panzer Div. Panzer Grenadier officer killed at Kursk. The ornate document is 4pp. 13 1/2" x 17" parchment, issued at "Fuhrerhauptquartier" [Berlin], March 14, 1942. This is a much rarer, earlier example brearing an original Adolf Hitler handwritten signature versus the "painted" signatures which soon followed on such documents. The ornately-lettered document is accomplished in India ink and gold with Hitler''s cramped signature added by him at the bottom. Produced at the workshop of the brilliant bookbinder and decoration designer Frieda Thiersch. In near untouched condition. Sold with the presentation red leather folder with gilt trim, bearing Thiersch''s name embossed in gold within, also in near-perfect condition with just a few marginal traces of mildew at edges which should wipe off. Also included: April 3, 1944 transmittal letter from Oberkommando des Heeres posthumously sending Eichert his award; three war-date photographs of the heroic soldier provided by the family, and the aforementioned letter from Eichert''s nephew. HANS-HENNING EICHERT joined the Schützen-Regiment 1 on April 1, 1935 and was promoted to lieutenant on Jan. 1, 1938. On January 3, 1939, he became a platoon commander in the 7th squadron of the Cavalry Rifle Reg. 11, which participated in the Polish campaign. With Schutzen Reg. 11, 9th Panzer Div. he participated in the Western campaign and in Barbarossa. From Dec. 22-24, 1941 Eichert and his company repulsed eight superior enemy attacks, and he especially distinguished himself in the succesful defense of the Kursk Oblast settlement of Tim-Bar which won him this coveted award. According to the text of a letter from Eichert''s nephew (included) which quotes Eichert''s widow, on July 7, 1943 Russians launched an air attack on the headquarters of Gen. Walter Scheller near Orel. Eichert dove into a trench nearby which took a direct hit, killing him instantly. A better example of this award, with a hand-signed Hitler signature, would be nearly impossible to locate.

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

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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