Description:

RULES FOR THE AWARD OF THE KNIGHT'S CROSS ARE EASED LATE IN THE WAR
Important typed D.S., 1p. folio, [Berlin], Mar. 15, 1945, in which General WILHELM BURGDORF(1895-1945), Hitler's Chief Adjutant, and Wehrmacht Supreme High Command staff member and Knights Cross awardee JOACHIM DOMASCHK(1914-1986) approve a draft of new rules required for the issuance of Germany's highest military award, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Both the current requirements and proposed new requirements are indicated, and essentially the conditions are eased: the words "can be awarded..." are replaced with "will be awarded...", and generally it is recognized that smaller groups of combatants fighting under less supervision should be more easily rewarded for their bravery and not be obliged to face the enormous amount of bureaucracy and paperwork previously required. Even those who had not previously been awarded Iron Crosses would become much more eligible for the Knight's Cross. At bottom, Burgdorf notes in his hand: "Approved by the Fuhrer March 18, 1945...", makes three minor holograph corrections, and signs, further ordering that this new standard be properly distributed. Signed by both in indelible pencil. Vertical fold, files holes in blank margins, else very good. Clearly, this action was meant not solely to more easily recognize heroism on the battlefield, but also to boost morale among Hitler's armies, which were rapidly being crushed between the Russians on the east, and the Americans on the west.

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September 10, 2013 11:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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