Germany, Luftwaffe. A Formal Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross Award Document to Hauptmann Heinrich Wittmer, Kampfgeschwader 55

(Urkunde zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). A rare and well-preserved formal Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross award document, constructed of a heavy card stock binder with a red saffian (goatskin) leather exterior liner, the cover bearing a gilded and embossed German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, opening to reveal covers lined with off-white parchment and situated within gilt borders, the lower edge of the back cover bearing a gilt inscription of “FRIEDA THIERSCH” for the noted bookbinder and preferred manufacturer of award documents for important political and military certificates, retaining an off-white calf paper award document secured in place with a red ribbon emanating from the binder’s spine, bearing a hand-painted German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, situated above a handwritten dedication to “HAUPTMANN HEINRICH WITTMER”, with the recipient’s name presented in striking regulation raised gilt lettering executed in double strokes, dated “12. NOVEMBER 1941”, certified by the handwritten signature of the Führer, measuring 35.5 cm (w) x 45 cm (h), demonstrating moderate material fatigue to the binding, including wear of the leather and sporadic denting through the frame with the loss of some of the gilt finish, in addition to some discolouration and warping of the document, a rare formal Knight’s Cross award document to a noted Luftwaffe bomber pilot in better than very fine condition.

Footnote: Hauptmann (later Oberst) Heinrich Wittmer served as a Group Commander of Kampfgeschwader 55 “Greif”, flying 184 combat missions and distinguishing himself in actions over both the Eastern and Western fronts. His Knight’s Cross largely resulted from heavy damage the unit inflicted on the Westland Aircraft Factory in Yeovil, Somerset in 1940, as part of its wider participation in the Blitz, followed by actions against the Soviet Union during Operation Barbarossa.