Germany, Heer. A 1939 Iron Cross, Ii Class, And Documents To Leutnant Karl Friedrich

(Eisernes Kreuz 1939 II. Klasse mit Papiere). Reinstituted 1 September 1939. (1939-1945 issue). Constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central mobile swastika, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1939”, the reverse six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, unmarked, measuring 43.5 mm (w) x 47.5 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition; accompanied by its award certificate, dated 24 April 1941, signed by General Friedrich Kühn, measuring 155 mm (w) x 215 mm (h), in extremely fine condition, both set within a black frame; accompanied by a typewritten letter to Friedrich’s father Julius informing him of his son’s death on 29 June 1941, dated 20 July 1941, measuring 210 mm (w) x 295 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition, and; a death notice certified from the US Military Government for Karl’s brother Kurt, also addressed to Julius Friedrich, who was killed in action on 11 February 1945, dated 31 May 1946, measuring 148 mm (w) x 105 mm (h), in very fine condition.

Footnote: Kurt Friedrich was born on 7 June 1922 in Mönchengladbach and served with the 5th Company of Schützen-Regiment 103, attached to the 14th Panzer Division. He reached the rank of Leutnant, and while serving on the Eastern Front, was shot in the back by a Red Army soldier on 27 June 1941. Despite an evacuation to a field hospital where blood transfusions took place, he died two days later.