Germany, Heer. A Private Wartime Photo Album, Battle of France with Award Documents, to Obergefreiter Benedikt Kellermann

(Heer Fotoalbum mit Verleihungsurkunde). An interesting and well-presenting compilation of photos and award documents, constructed of a card stock binding with with a grey canvas exterior liner, the cover bearing blackened inscriptions of “WEHRDIENST-EHRENDIENST” (“ARMED SERVICE - HONOUR SERVICE”) and “ERINNERUNG AN MEINE DIENSTZEIT” (“MEMORIES OF MY SERVICE TIME”), both in Fraktur script and topped by a Reichskriegsflagge, the interior content consisting of glossed and paginated pages featuring text extolling the virtues of the German military and service therein, interspersed with award documents to the owner, including one for a Panzer Assault Badge, Silver Grade, named to “BENEDIKT KELLERMANN”, an Obergefreiter serving with 4. Kompanie, Panzer-Regiment 3, awarded at Salins (Salins-les-Bains), France on 24 June 1940, certified by the handwritten signature of Generalleutnant Rudolf Veiel (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, 3 June 1940), a fantastic award document to a Panzer soldier who distinguished himself during the Battle of France, along with an award document for the Anschluss Medal, named to Kellermann as a Gefreiter of 6. Kompanie, Panzer-Regiment 3, awarded from Berlin on 23 January 1939 and certified by the facsimile signature of Otto Meissner, all followed by 12 black card stock pages bearing 73 private photos and postcards assembled by Kellermann, opening with family photos and private images of his mandatory Reichsarbeitsdienst (Reich Labour Service/RAD) service in Coburg, followed by depictions of Kellermann in both Heer service uniforms and Panzer wraps (complete with berets), alongside comrades with a Panzer I, interspersed with tourist-style images of German cities, followed by further images of the owner and Panzer soldiers along the French border during the start of the campaign in the west, measuring 22.5 cm (w) x 30.5 cm (h), demonstrating minor material fatigue to the covers and binding, a rare and fascinating look into the career of a Panzer soldier in the west in near extremely fine condition.