Lot 202

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Description:

KNIGHTS CROSS RECOMMENDATION FOR SS-OBERFUHRER HERMANN PRIESS
Rare, fine content typed D.S. (signed carbon), "Headquarters O.K.H.", 4pp.4to., [Berlin], Apr. 24, 1943, the recommendation that Waffen-SS Obefuhrer HERMANN PRIESS, SS Panzergrenadier Div. "Totenkopf", be awarded the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross. The document cites his actions: "...by the closing of the ring around Demjansk by the Russians on 3.2..42... Priess took over as artillery commander... the available combined batteries of the Group Eicke... Priess with his great experience... and week-long attacks by the Russians... destroyed the enemy... due to his leadership... they did not lose a foot of the 41 km. front held by Group Eicke... and held Fortress Demjansk...". Approved and signed at conclusion by RUDOLF SCHMUNDT (1896 - 1944), General and Chief Adjutant of the Wehrmacht and a close friend of Hitler, mortally wounded in the July 20, 1944 bomb attempt on Hitler's life. The first page of the citation bears an ink notation that the Knights Cross: "...was awarded by the Fuhrer 28.4.43...". File holes and a vertical plit between leaves, else very good. Sold with a period 5" x 7" photo with paper caption on verso showing Priess with Knights Cross, Oak Leaves and Swords. HERMANN PRIESS (1901–1985) was the commander of 3rd SS Division Totenkopf following the death of Theodor Eicke in February 1943. He would also receive Oak Leaves and Swords. Post-war, Priess was imprisoned for complicity in the murder of American prisoners at Malmedy.

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March 17, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

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