Description:

RECOMMENDATION FOR THE GERMAN CROSS IN SILVER SIGNED BY FOUR GERMAN GENERALS
An extraordinary war-date document signed by a German field marshal and three generals, 6pp. legal folio, [various locations], Feb.-Mar., 1944. The typed document is a rare recommendation for the award of the German Cross in Silver to Lt. Col. Franz von Gaertner, a staff member for the Army VII Corps. The final page bears a typed endorsement approving the recommendation, boldly signed in pencil by ERICH VON MANSTEIN (1887-1973), a German field marshal who devised the plan to conquer France and held various commands on the Russian front, sacked by Hitler for failing to hold his position. The previous page also bears a signed endorsement, in this case by Gen. HANS HUBE (1890-1944) 'The Man', a one-armed Panzer general who fought in Poland and the Ukraine, and was flown out of Stalingrad at the last minute to receive Swords for his Knight's Cross. He would be killed in a plane crash. He signs in bold purple indelible pencil. The initial recommendation is made by Gen. ERNST-EBERHARD HELL, (1987-1973), a General of Artillery who held several divisional commands and was later elevated to Corps level. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. He signs the cover page in pencil, as does Gen. BODEWIN KEITEL (18801953), General of Infantry in World War II, the brother of Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, and Chief of the OKW who initials the document 'K'. Very good.

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June 26, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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