Description:

SS-OBERFUHRER FRIEDRICH BOCK IS RECOMMENDED FOR THE GERMAN CROSS IN GOLD BY BOCK AND BITTRICH


Group of three documents, all related to the service of SS-Oberstleutnant Friedrich-Wilhelm Bock, includes: typed D.S., 4pp. 4to., Sep. 21, 1942, a recommendation by an unidentified colonel suggesting that Bock receive the German Cross in Gold for his actions leading an artillery unit on the Eastern Front. In part: " ...[Bock was] deployed to fight against the Russian forces in the south of Tschudowo...The unit''s task was to prevent a breakthrough at Riabowo-Bolodnitza...[Bock] was able to repel a force that outnumbered him by 1500 men...able to advance and expand German-held territory...On March 10, 1942 he was deployed by the Artillery Abteilung to Korowi Rutschi, where strong enemy forces were located, attempting to break through the railroad defense there. Bock was able to defend the position...in the next three weeks, he repelled continuous assault...organized the fire of his unit on such a way that the enemy suffered heavy losses...The Russian army made a second attempt to assault Ljuban from the south was unsuccessful...unable to advance due to the leadership of Bock...On April 17, 1942, Bock was leading an artillery division near Molodi...offered successful support of German shock and scout troops...the success of the assault on the forested peninsula is largely due to Bock''s actions...this operation yielded many prisoners of war and captured supplies...Bock exposed himself to enemy grenade and sniper fire...he is to be credited for the fact that his troops were always prepared for battle despite the cold and snow...at the front lines before Leningrad Bock''s division played a significant role repelling enemy by Jam Ishora and by the mouth of the river Tosa, and also withstood strong assault on Aug. 16-17, 1942 on the October Railway...was able to handle small breaks in the defense with logical detachment...". WITH: typed D.S. by Waffen-SS Gen. WILHELM BITTRICH (1894-1979), commanded the 8th SS Cavalry Division "Florian Geyer" in anti-partisan operations in the Soviet Union, 1p. 4to., Dec. 6, 1944, relating the action for which Bock was awarded the Knight''s Cross with Oak Leaves. Boldly signed at the conclusion in black ink. Also present is Bock''s personnel data sheet, 4pp. 4to., setting forth his biographical information, and signed by him twice. All three documents have been stapled together at the upper left corner, else very good. FRIEDRICH-WILHELM BOCK (1897-1978) commanded three divisions during his career in the Waffen SS: the 9th SS Panzer Division "Hohenstaufen", the 4th SS Polizei Division, and the Latvian 19th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS. He participated in anti-partisan actions following the invasion of Poland, and took part in Operation Barbarossa and the siege of Leningrad during the winter of 1942-43. Interestingly, despite the exhaustive recommendation presented here, Bock never received the German Cross.

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September 13, 2017 11:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

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