Germany, Heer. A Lot of Award Documents to Wilhelm Duschl, Battle of Crete Combatant

(Heer Verleihungsurkunden). An extensive lot of documents named to eventual-Feldwebel Wilhelm Duschl, a decorated Gebirgsjäger who distinguished himself in combat during the pivotal May-June 1941 Battle of Crete, with numerous examples of Knight’s Cross recipient signatures, including (in chronological order):

1. One for an Anschluss Medal, named to Duschl as a Schütze (Rifleman, Enlisted) of 9. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 20, issued in Berlin and dated 8 November 1938, certified by the facsimile signature of Otto Meissner, measuring 21 cm (w) x 29.5 cm (h), demonstrating some creasing, in near extremely fine condition.

2. One for a Sudetenland Medal, named to Duschl as a Gefreiter of 1. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 85, issued in Nuremberg and dated 18 October 1938, certified by the handwritten signature of Oberstleutnant August Krakau (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, 21 June 1941), measuring 20.5 cm (w) x 15 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.

3. One for a 1939 Iron Cross II Class, named to Duschl as an Oberjäger of 5. Kompanie, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 85, issued from headquarters and dated 30 June 1941, certified by the handwritten signature of Generalmajor Julius Ringel (Knight's Cross of the Iron cross (13 June 1941; with Oak Leaves, 25 October 1943) in his capacity as commander of 5. Gebirgs-Division, measuring 14 cm (w) x 20 cm (h), awarded for actions during the Battle of Crete (“Operation Mercury”), in extremely fine condition.

4. One for an Infantry Assault Badge, Silver Grade, named to Duschl as an Oberjäger of 2. Kompanie, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 144, issued in the field and dated 1 January 1942, certified by the handwritten signature of Oberstleutnant Friedrich Friedmann (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, 12 February 1943; killed in action on the Eastern Front 21 August 1943), measuring 14.5 cm (w) x 20.5 cm (h), demonstrating some creasing, in better than very fine condition.

5. One for a Kreta Cuff Title, named to Duschl as an Oberjäger of 2. Kompanie, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 144, issued in the field and dated 6 February 1943, certified by the handwritten signature of an unidentified Major, measuring 14.5 cm (w) x 21 cm (h), accompanied by a telegraph forwarded from a Hauptfeldwebel to Duschl’s wife, accompanying the physical award to their home at Führergasse 12 in Passau, and extending congratulations for this high honour, dated 19 July 1943, with the letterhead Feldpost number of "08825" appropriately assigned to the Staff of 1.-5. Kompanie, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 144, measuring 21 cm (w) x 14.5 cm (h), both documents in near extremely fine condition.

6. One for a Black Grade Wound Badge, named to Duschl as an Oberjäger of 2. Kompanie, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 144, awarded on 3 March 1943 for a single wound suffered on 29 September 1942, issued in Glasenbach and certified by the handwritten signature of an unidentified Hauptmann and stand-in Commander of I. Ersatz-Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Ersatz-Regiment 137, measuring 13.5 cm (w) x 20 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

7. One for a War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, named to Duschl as a Feldwebel, issued in Berlin and dated 30 January 1945, certified by the handwritten signature of an unidentified Generalmajor assigned to the Chef der Heeresrüstung und Befehlshaber des Ersatzheeres (Chief of Army Equipment and Commander of the Replacement Army), measuring 14.5 cm (w) x 21 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Following combat in mainland Greece during the Axis invasion in the spring of 1941, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 85 made an unsuccessful attempt to land in Crete by both air and sea during Germany’s airborne invasion of the island on 20-21 May, eventually returning to Milos. The following day, elements of the regiment were flown into the island at Maleme and immediately engaged in combat in support of Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100, capturing the town by the evening of 22 May. These units were then deployed to Alikianos and joined by their counterparts who had previously retreated to Milos.On 24 May, the regiment launched an attack on Galatas, defeating the British defenders and capturing the location on 26 May. The unit then participated in the capture of Chania and Ierapetra. With the island fully under German control by the beginning of June, the battalion remained in Crete on occupation duty for another six months.