Germany, Heer. A Pair of Award Documents to Oberst Hans Messinger, German Cross in Gold Recipient

(Heer Urkundengruppe für einen Deutsches Kreuz in Gold Träger). A pair of award documents to later-Oberst Hans Messinger, a decorated First World War serviceman and recipient of the German Cross in Gold (20 May 1944), the latter achieved while serving with artillery units during the Second World War, including:

1. One for a War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, awarded to Messinger a Major of Schwerer Artillerie-Ersatz-Abteilung 97, dated 24 December 1940 and issued in Vienna, certified by the handwritten signature of General Alfred Streccius (German Cross in Silver, 5 August 1943), measuring 14.5 cm (w) x 21 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. One for a 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross I Class, named to Messinger as an Oberstleutnant of 3. Batterie, Artillerie-Regiment 31, dated 31 July 1942 and issued in the field, certified by the handwritten signature of Generalmajor Kurt Pflieger (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, 10 February 1945), measuring 14 cm (w) x 20 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.

3. A small period newspaper clipping, indicating that Messinger received the German Cross in Gold for exceptional bravery in the field, measuring 7 cm (w) x 1.5 cm (h), in very fine condition.

Footnote: In an exceptional career that encompassed two World Wars, Hans Messinger was the recipient of numerous awards, including a Hesse Bravery Medal (4 January 1917), Hesse Military Merit Cross (1917),  1914 Iron Cross II Class (1918), Black Grade Naval Wound Badge (1918), 1914 Iron Cross I Class (1919, backdated), Prussian Observer's Badge (1918), Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants (1934), Wehrmacht 4-Year Long Service Award (2 October 1936), Wehrmacht 12-Year Long Service Award (13 November 1938), Slovak Cross of Merit for the Defence of the States in Bronze (1940), West Wall Medal (1 July 1940), War Merit Cross II Class with Swords (24 December 1940), 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross I Class (31 July 1942), Eastern Front Medal (1942), all culminating in the German Cross in Gold (20 May 1944, while serving as Commander of Artillerie-Regiment 336, 336. Infanterie-Division).