Germany, Heer. A Long Service Award Iv Class Document, Signed By Generalleutnant Franz Halder (Kc)

The Long Service Award 4th Class certificate for 4 years of service in the Wehrmacht is named to Unteroffizier (NCO) Friedrich Hegendörfer of Nachrichten-Abteilung (signals detachment) 7. It is dated to Munich on October 2, 1936 and signed by the Commander of the 7th Infantry Division, Generalleutnant Franz Halder. Measuring 204 mm (w) x 296 mm (h), presenting light overall creasing and minimal scuffing of the edes, remaining extremely fine.

Footnote: Franz Halder was born on June 30, 1884 in Würzburg (Bavaria). His family had been part of the Bavarian military for over 300 years. Halder enlisted in 1902 as an officer cadet and joined the regiment commanded by his father, Maximilian Halder. Between 1911 and 1914, Halder learned at the War Academy and finished top of his class. During the First War, he served on both the western and eastern front. His awards from this time include the Knight’s Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords, and the Knight’s Cross 1st Class of the Albert Order.

Halder continued to climb the rank ladder during the time of the Weimar Republic, being promoted to Oberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel) in 1929. After the NSDAP came to power, Halder met A.H. and made a good impression on the Führer, allowing him to receive further promotions (to General of the Artillery in 1938) and to be named Chief of the General Staff of the Wehrmacht. As such, he was involved in the planning of war strategies, namely the attack on Poland, France, and Russia. Halder received the Knight’s Cross on October 27, 1939 in the wake of the successful conquering of Poland. He was promoted to Generaloberst (colonel general) in June of 1940. During the attack on Russia, Halder criticised A.H.’s decision to split Army Group South into two parts in order to reach two goals at once, instead of one after the other. According to Halder, doing so would lead to the units being too vulnerable to succeed. As a result of this, Halder was relieved from duty and forced to retire.

Halder was implicated in the assassination attempt on A.H. on July 20, 1944. Although not involved, he and his family spent the rest of the war as prisoners in several concentration camps. After the war, Halder worked as a military historian for the US Army. He was largely responsible for blaming A.H. and his inner circle for the war and painted the picture of a “clean” Wehrmacht that was unaware and uninvolved in any war crimes. Halder was awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Award of the US Army for his historical work in 1961. He died on April 2, 1972.