Germany, Heer. The Awards And Documents Of Pionier Nco Josef Schmid (Ek1, Ccc)

The Awards part of the collection consists of the following:

A 1939 Iron Cross First Class, presenting as a Cross Pattée of multi-piece construction with a blackened brass core within a ribbed silver border, the obverse with a raised central mobile swastika with the re-institution date “1939” in raised numbering on the lower arm, the reverse plain with a barrel hinge and vertical banjo-style pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked, measuring 43.70 mm (w) x 44.09 mm (h) and weighing 13.3 grams, in better than very fine condition.

A 1939 Iron Cross Second Class, presenting as a Cross Pattée of multi-piece construction with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver border, the obverse with a raised central mobile swastika with the re-institution date “1939” in raised numbering on the lower arm, the reverse plain with the exception of original institution date of “1813” in raised numbering on lower arm, on loop for suspension from its period correct replacement ribbon, marked on loop with “40” for maker Berg & Nolte, Lüdenscheid, measuring 43.73 mm (w) x 47.68 mm (h), weighing 17.0 grams, in near extremely fine condition.

A Bronze Grade Close Combat Clasp, constructed of silvered zink, the obverse with a national eagle and a bayonet and hand grenade in the centerpiece, with sun rays emanating from the centre of the left and right sides, and with four oak leaves and two acorns on each side, the reverse plain, with a square magnetic back plate, horizontal banjo-styler pinback with a barrel hinge and a flat wire catch on the reverse, marked on reverse with designer “FEC. F. W. Peekhaus, Berlin” and with maker “C.E. Juncker, Berlin”, measuring 95.96 mm (w) x 25.47 mm (h), weighing 25.0 grams, in near extremely fine condition.

A Silver Grade Wound Badge, constructed of feinzink, vertical pinback, obverse depicts a Stahlhelm (Steel Helmet) bearing a mobile swastika on top of crossed swords on a pebbled field with laurel branch wreath, unmarked, measuring 36.57 mm (w) x 44.3 mm (h), weighing 24.6 grams, in near extremely fine condition.

A Black Grade Wound Badge, constructed of blackened bronze, vertical pinback, obverse depicts a Stahlhelm (Steel Helmet) bearing a mobile swastika on top of crossed swords on a pebbled field with laurel branch wreath, unmarked, measuring 36.53 mm (w) x 44.81mm (h), weighing 12.7 grams, in better than very fine condition.

A General Assault Badge, constructed of silvered zink, with an oak leaf border and a pair of acorns at the base, with a large Wehrmacht-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, and a crossed bayonet and stick grenade in the centre, the reverse plain with a vertical pinback, unmarked, measuring 42.36 mm (w) x 53.95 mm (h), weighing 30.5 grams, in very fine condition.

An Eastern Winter Campaign Medal, constructed of zink, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse presents with a central stylized German national eagle clutching a swastika with top adorned by a Stahlhelm (steel helmet) and stick grenade, the obverse is inscribed “Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42” (“Winter Battle in the East 1941/42”) with crossed sword and oak leaf branch at the bottom, unmarked, measuring 35.71 mm (w) x 44.26 mm (h), in extremely fine condition

The Documents part of the collection consists of the following:

An Iron Cross 2nd Class award document (141x200mm, near very fine); a Close Combat Clasp in Bronze award document (140x201mm, near very fine); a Wound Badge in Silver award document (140x200mm, fine); a Wound Badge in Black award document (140x200mm, very fine); a General Assault Badge award document (148x209mm, fine); an Eastern Front Medal award document (139x164mm, fair); a Company Leader’s letter to his convalescents (210x295mm, near very fine); a post war army discharge document (190x252mm, fair).

The Iron Cross 2nd Class award document is named to Gefreiter (Lance Corporal) Josef Schmid of the 1st Company of Pionier Battalion 753. It is dated to August 27, 1942 and signed in blue ink by the Commander of the 292nd Infantry Division, Oberst (Colonel) Wolfgang von Kluge (1892–1976), a recipient of the Knight’s Cross and brother of Generalfeldmarschall Günther von Kluge.

The Close Combat Clasp in Bronze award document is named to Unteroffizier (NCO) Schmid of the 1st Company of Pionier Battalion 753. It is dated to December 5, 1943 and signed in blue ink by a Major and the battalion’s Commander, the name is illegible.

The Wound Badge in Silver award document is named to Unteroffizier Schmid of the 1st Company of Reserve Pionier Battalion 26 for being wounded three times (or for a third time?) on August 21, 1943. It is dated to May 25, 1944 and signed in blue ink by a Hauptmann (Captain) and the battalion’s Commander, the name could be Hage.

The Wound Badge in Black award document is named to Gefreiter Schmid of the 1st Company of Pionier Battalion 753 for being wounded once on August 25, 1942. It is dated to September 18, 1942 and signed in blue ink by a Hauptmann and the battalion’s Leader, the name is illegible.

The General Assault Badge award document is named to Gefreiter Schmid on the 1st Company of Pionier Battalion 753. It is dated to November 28, 1942 and signed in pencil by a Hauptmann and the battalion’s leader, the name could be Koppe.

The Eastern Front Medal award document is named to Unteroffizier Schmid. It is dated to August 12, 1944 and signed in black ink by a Lieutenant and Company Leader, the name is illegible.

The letter is dated to September 21, 1941 and was written and signed in blue ink by an Oberleutnant (Senior Lieutenant) and Leader of the 10th Company of an unknown unit, the name is illegible. It is addressed at the convalescent men of the company with the hope that they will soon return, and with the assurance that the death of their comrades will not have been in vain.

The post war discharge document states that Schmid was born on December 29, 1921 in Roßhaupten (Bavaria). He was discharged from the Heer on July 1, 1945.