A Fine Collection Of Documents Awarded To Luftwaffe Paratrooper Georg Nachtrab

This is a one-of-a-kind collection of documents of Gefreiter (Lance Corporal) Georg Nachtrab’s military career as a Luftwaffe Paratrooper, also containing an award document for an Iron Cross 1914 Second Class, presumably originally issued to his father, Julius Nachtrab, of the 1st Battery of the 10th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment. The document was awarded to Julius Nachtrab on October 17, 1916, and carries a signature in black ink of the Major of the unit, possibly named Schreyer, as well as a stamped seal. The document measures 210 mm x 149 mm, and is in mint condition. The collection of Georg Nachtrab’s personal military career documents contains

1) a registration notice from the receiving and discharging office of the Luftgau Commando XII, stating that Nachtrab has been chosen as a candidate to become a non-commissioned officer in the Luftwaffe Fliegertruppe. He was born on April 3, 1926, a tool and die maker by trade, and resided at Limbach/ Kreis Schwabach/Mittelfranken House Number 37. The document is signed twice by a captain, with the signatures being indecipherable. Measuring 286 mm x 211 mm; has been separated into five pieces through age. However, the document is still readable.

2) A certificate of good conduct “Führungszeugnis”, stating that Nachtrab was born in Schwabach and worked in the Reich Labour Service from August 20 to November 16, 1943. His conduct was deemed “gut” (good). It is signed in Kirchstetten in late 1943, with both the date and the signature being indecipherable. The document measures 147 mm x 210 mm and is generally very well preserved without any rips or tears, but some signs of wear, and two hole-punch holes on the right side.

3) An award document for a Black Grade Wound Badge, stating that because of being wounded on March 9, Nachtrab, serving in the 14th Company of the Paratrooper Regiment 23, is awarded the Wound Badge in Black on March 19, “im Felde” (in the field). The document is signed in blue pencil crayon by Major Walter Liebing (1912–1998), the leader of the regiment, who eventually held the rank of Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel). He was also a recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross. Measuring 140 mm x 210 mm, and generally very well preserved without a 65 mm long rip along the bottom half of the document, with two hole-punch holes on the right side.

4) An Award document for an Iron Cross 1939 Second Class, stating that Nachtrab, serving in the 14th Company of the Paratrooper Regiment 23, was awarded the “Eiserne Kreuz 2. Klasse” on March 24, at the division command post (Divisions-Gefechtsstand). It is signed in black ink by Generalleutnant and Division Commander Walter Lackner (1891–1976), and measures 139 mm x 199 mm. It is generally very well preserved without any rips or tears, but some signs of wear, and two hole-punch holes on the right side.

5) A certificate of discharge, in both English and German, stating that Nachtrab is officially discharged from the Luftwaffe and fit for full labour. It is certified by an officer of the Allied Forces, part of either the 159th of 59th Infantry unit. The document holds a stamp that is dated to September 4, 1945. Measuring 190 mm x 251 mm, generally very well preserved without any rips or tears, but some signs of wear, and two hole-punch holes on the right side.

Overall, this is a very fine and unique collection of Georg Nachtrab’s military career as a decorated Luftwaffe Parachutist.