A War Time Signed Photo Of Oak Leaves & Swords Recipient Colonel General Eduard Dietl

A war time period photo postcard, measuring 97x137mm, near mint condition, of Eduard Dietl, which he signed in blue ink.

Footnote: Eduard Wolrath Christian Dietl (July 21, 1890 in Bad Aibling, Bavaria – June 23, 1944) was a German general during the Second World War. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.

Other notable awards include the Pilot/Observer Badge in Gold with Diamonds, the Blood Order Medal, and the Golden Party Badge. In 1909, he joined the 5th Bavarian Infantry Regiment as an officer cadet. After studying at the Kriegsschule in Munich, he was commissioned Leutnant in October 1911. In October 1915, he was promoted to Oberleutnant and served as a company commander with his regiment. In March 1918, he was promoted to Hauptmann.

Dietl was wounded four times during the First War and received a Wound Badge (1914) in Silver. Dietl joined the DAP (Deutsche Arbeiter Partei) and Freikorps of Franz Ritter von Epp in 1919. He was prepared with his company on November 9, 1923, to support Adolf Hitler and the rebels in the Beer Hall Putsch. However it did not come to an intervention. As a Generalmajor, Dietl had a part in organizing the 1936 Winter Olympics. During the German invasion of Norway, Dietl commanded the 3rd Mountain Division. One of Hitler's favourite generals, Dietl was the first German soldier to receive the Oak Leaves, on June 19, 1940. He was popular in general, particularly with the Finnish soldiers. He commanded German forces in Norway, northern Finland and in Eastern Europe, eventually being promoted to Generaloberst. Dietl led the 20th Mountain Army on the northern Eastern Front during the ultimately disappointing German Arctic campaign. On June 23, 1944, a Junkers Ju 52 aircraft carrying Dietl, General der Infanterie Thomas-Emil von Wickede, General der Gebirgstruppe Karl Eglseer, Generalleutnant Franz Rossi and three other passengers crashed in the vicinity of the small village of Rettenegg, Styria. There were no survivors.