Germany, Luftwaffe. A Post War Signed Print Of Hajo Herrmann (Kc W/Swords)

The photo shows Herrmann (in the middle) with two other Luftwaffe officers. He wears the uniform of an Oberleutnant (Senior Lieutenant), as well as the Knight’s Cross, the Iron Cross 1st Class, and a Front Flying Clasp. Herrmann signed the picture in black ink on the reverse “with comradely greetings”. Measuring 88x120mm, near mint condition.

Footnote: Hans-Joachim “Hajo” Herrmann was born on August 1, 1913 in Kiel (northern Germany). He joined the Luftwaffe on August 1, 1935. Between August 1936 and April 1937 Herrmann flew in the Condor Legion, for which he was awarded the Spanish Cross in Bronze with Swords. With the beginning of the Second War, he was transferred to the 7th Squadron of Bomber Wing 4 where he became Squadron Leader in June of 1940. In this position, he took part in the Battle of Britain. For his achievements, Herrman was awarded the Knight’s Cross on October 13, 1940 in the rank of Oberleutnant. On December 19, he was promoted to Hauptmann (Captain). Herrmann was appointed Group Commander of the 3rd Group of Bomber Wing 30 in September of 1941. Hermann joined the Luftwaffenführungsstab (Leaders’ Staff) in 1942 and was subsequently promoted to Major. He was instrumental in the forming of Fighter Wing 300 “Wilde Sau” (wild boar), which revolutionised the defensive measures against Allied night bombing raids by engaging them with single-seat day-fighters. Herrmann became the wing’s first Commodore and was awarded the Oak Leaves on August 2, 1943, a day after he had been promoted to Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel). The promotion to Oberst (Colonel) followed on December 1. For his contributions in the defence of the Reich, Herrmann was awarded the Swords on January 23, 1944, at the time serving as Inspector of Nightfighters and Commander of the 30th Fighter Division. Herrmann also was the initiator of Sonderkommando Elbe (special commando Elbe). This unit was tasked with destroying enemy heavy bombers by crashing into them mid-air. The pilots were supposed to parachute to safety right before or shortly after the crash, but chances of survival were slim. However, the unit ended up only flying a single mission. At the end of the war, Herrmann was credited with 370 combat missions. He was captured by Soviet forces and remained in Russia as a POW until 1955. Herrmann died on November 5, 2010.