Germany, Heer. A Medal Bar and Award Documents to Feldwebel Wilhelm Keldenich, Technische Bataillon 26 (mot) Bergbau

(Heer Ordensschnalle mit Urukunden). An interesting group of awards and documents named to Feldwebel Wilhelm Keldenich, 2. Kompanie, Technische Bataillon 26 (mot) Bergbau, an interesting technical unit which made use of captured Soviet mines and mining equipment, consisting of:

A medal bar featuring three awards,  including:

1. A 1939 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of zink and silver, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened zink 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 but demonstrating the characteristics of a non-magnetic variant produced by C.E. Juncker, Berlin, measuring 43.76 mm (w) x 48.64 mm (h), weighing 18.9 grams, demonstrating minor loss of finish to high-contact points of the core exposing the zink base metal, in near extremely fine condition, accompanied by its original award document, named to Keldenich as a Feldwebel of 2. Kompanie, Technische Bataillon 26 (mot) Bergbau, issued from headquarters on 21 October 1944, certified by the handwritten signature of Generalleutnant Friedrich Stephan (executed by Yugoslav Partisans on 5 June 1945), measuring 14 cm (w) x 20 cm (h), perforated with two eyelets consistent with previous album storage and demonstrating minor creasing, in better than very fine condition.

2. A War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a wreathed date of “1939”, with an illegible Präsidialkanzlei code stamped onto the suspension loop, measuring 49.32 mm (w) x 49.05 mm (h), weighing 24.9 grams, in extremely fine condition, accompanied by its original award document, named to Keldenich as a Feldwebel of 2. Kompanie, Technische Bataillon 26 (mot) Bergbau, issued from headquarters on 1 September 1943, certified by the facsimile signature of Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein, measuring 14 cm (w) x 20 cm (h), perforated with two eyelets consistent with previous album storage and demonstrating minor creasing, in better than very fine condition.

3. An Eastern Front Medal, constructed of silvered and toned zink, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a Heer-style German national eagle clutching a swastika, the reverse bearing an inscription of “WINTERSCHLACHT IM OSTEN 1941/42” (“WINTER BATTLE IN THE EAST 1941/42”), above a crossed sword and laurel branch, topped by a Stahlhelm and stick grenade, unmarked, measuring 35.92 mm (w) x 43.92 mm (h), weighing 19.0 grams, demonstrating loss of finish throughout, in very fine condition, accompanied by its original award document, named to Keldenich as a Feldwebel of 2. Kompanie, Technische Bataillon 26 (mot) Bergbau, issued from headquarters on 18 August 1942, certified by the handwritten signature of an unidentified Hauptmann and Company Commander, measuring 14 cm (w) x 20 cm (h), perforated with two eyelets consistent with previous album storage, in near extremely fine condition.

All suspended from 10 cm-long bar with a horizontal pinback, red wool liner, and non-magnetic metal core, in extremely fine condition, accompanied by a matching ribbon bar, presented on a 4 cm-long magnetic metal core with a horizontal pinback and black wool liner, unmarked, demonstrating some soiling to the ribbons, in very fine condition.

Footnote: Walter Tengelmann, Chairman of Essener Steinkohlenbergwerke (Essen Coal Mines) and “Sonderbeauftragte für Bergbau der Wirtschaftsinspektion Süd” (“Special Representative for Mining of the Southern Economic Inspectorate”) formed the Tengelmann Group (also known as the Tengelmann Commando). This unit followed Wehrmacht troops during their advance into the Dnieper-Donets region through 1941 and 1942, inspecting captured Soviet mining infrastructure for the state-monopolized Berg- und Hüttenwerksgesellschaft Ost mbH (Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control/BHO). In January 1942, the unit was reorganized as Technische Bataillon 26 (mot) Bergbau, and continued to serve as a vehicle for mining experts to exploit captive Soviet industry for Germany’s wartime economic and material needs.