Germany, Heer. A 1939 Iron Cross I Class, with Award Document, to Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier Wilhelm Nortz

(Eisernes Kreuz 1939 II. Klasse mit Urkunde). Reinstituted 1 September 1939. (1939-1945 issue). Constructed of iron and silver, 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 44.48 mm (w) x 47.52 mm (h), weighing 17.3 grams, accompanied by its original award document, named to “FHJ.-UNTEROFFIZIER” (Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier, junior NCO in training to become an Officer) “WILHELM NORTZ” of “1./KL.KW. KOLONNE 330” kleine Kraftwagen-Kolonne 330 (small motor transport unit), issued from headquarters on 3 September 1930 and certified by the handwritten signature of Generalleutnant Edwin Graf von Rothkirch und Trach, measuring 14 cm (w) x 20 cm (h), demonstrating some loss of silver finish and creasing to the award and document, respectively, in near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Edwin Graf von Rothkirch und Trach’s personal life and military career were filled with interesting anecdotes, including the fact that he was a professional show jumper and competed at the 1932 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, was captured captured by then-Colonel, and later-General, Creighton Abrams during a 58-hour long armoured assault on German forces along the Rhine in March 1945, and the fact that he was secretly recorded admitting knowledge of the Holocaust while in British captivity.