Description:

MISSING IN ACTION LUFTWAFFE PILOT GROUPING
An extraordinary, large grouping of fresh material from the military career Luftwaffe radio officer and gunner Alfred Wagner, who until at least January, 1942 was attached to heavy and medium bomber group K.G. 26, primarily on the Eastern Front. Included in this excellent grouping is: two signed "Fliegerschutzen" award certificates, Jan. 8, 1942, the preliminary and official certificates, along with Wagner's Radio Gunner Badge, marked by maker "W. DEUMER" on reverse, retaining 80-90% of its original silver wash and in very good condition, with gold-stamped presentation case; award certificate signed for Combat Clasp in Silver, "In the field", July 3, 1942 with the medal which is marred only by a broken pin; award certificate signed for Combat Clasp in Bronze, "In the field", Jan. 17, 1942 with the medal in original marked presentation case (fine); award certificate signed for the Eastern Front Medal, Sep. 1, 1943, with medal and ribbon in original paper sleeve; award certificate signed for the Iron Cross, 2nd Class, "In the field", Jan. 2, 1942, as well as the certificate awarding the Iron Cross, First Class, July 14, 1942; Luftwaffe Krim Shield, 2 1/2" x 3" overall, gray felt backing, excellent; Wagner's diary covering the period from Nov. 27, 1941 (his first combat flight) to Feb. 5, 1942, 46pp. 8vo., all entries in ink and very legible, including daily entries of take-off and landings hours, targets and damage done, bomb sizes, flight conditions, with mention of repeated bombings of Moscow, Sebastopol, villages, trains and roads, increasing flak resistance and damage from ground fire, barrage balloons, his firing on enemy ground targets, losses of other aircraft, attacking a Russian column, dropping a 1,000 kg. bomb on a village church, and mentions that he has dropped 40,000 kilos each of HE and incendiaries, etc.; Wagner's flight book, Dec. 10, 1940 with the last entry made on July 23, 1942 (approx. the time he went M.I.A.), and shows over 16,000 hours of flight time. His combat entries begin on Nov. 27, 1941 flying in an He 111 in bombing attacks on Moscow, Sebastopol, flak units, field positions, etc. which are all listed in the comments column; about 30 small photos, many showing his He 111 bomber, one with him in flight gear within, images of mud-bogged and wrecked bombers, training, camp life, etc., his field manual Der Dienst-Unterricht in der Luftwaffe, signed; bound Reichsarbeitsdienst song book, 1939, signed; small photo album with about fifty images from his service in the Reichsdienst and early military training, Deutsch Reichspost savings booklet; appointment to KG 100; and several letters and documents relating to his racial heritage. The last items included is a Aug. 9, 1942 official copy of a letter from one of Wagner's senior officer's to Wagner's parents, 1p. 4to. [n.p.]. The officer, also a friend of Wagner's, advises that the young radio officer was missing in action, likely over enemy territory. He suggests that Wagner may be a prisoner of the British, and hopes that they will hear more news shortly. A Sep. 23, 1942 German Red Cross form letter states that Wagner's name appears on no P.O.W. lists. A superb archive!

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February 18, 2014 11:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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