Germany. The Dkig & Awards With Documents To Artillery Battalion Hauptmann

This collection of documents and awards to Artillery Battalion Leader Hauptmann Theodor Timme includes 1) A German Cross in Gold with its preliminary German Cross in Gold Certificate, and accompanying letter, 2) An Iron Cross 1939 First Class with its award certificate, 3) An Iron Cross 1939 Second Class with its award certificate, 4) An Iron Cross 1914 Second Class, 5) A Regimental Marksmanship Certificate, and 6) A newspaper cutout.

1) The German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold); light version; with its trademark four hollow rivets on the reverse; double-overlaid sunburst pattern with eight points; the center with a black enameled rotated (mobile) swastika, with the enamels well preserved without chipping of any kind and only two minor scratches; within a stamped gilded circular wreath impressed with oak leaves, ribbons, and the introduction year “1941”; the inner and outer sides of the wreath feature a thin red enameled rings with a silver core in the middle; the reverse plain but with a broad vertical pinback with a functional barrel hinge and a thick, slightly rounded catch; marked “20” for “Fritz Zimmermann, Stuttgart” on the reverse of the pin; measuring 63.02 mm x 62.99 mm; weighing 45.4 grams. The preliminary German Cross in Gold certificate is named to Hauptmann (Captain) Timme, leader of the 3rd Battalion of Artillery Regiment 183. It is dated to November 23, 1944 and carries a facsimile of General Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel. It measures 148 mm x 210 mm. It is accompanied by a letter, dated to January 3, 1945 and is signed in blue pencil by a Hauptmann, the name is illegible. It measures 147 mm x 210 mm.

2) The Iron Cross 1939 First Class (Eisernes Kreuz 1939 1. Klasse); a cross pattée of multi-piece construction with a blackened iron core (magnetic) within a ribbed border; the obverse with a raised central mobile swastika with the re-institution date “1939” in raised numbering on the lower arm; the reverse plain, with a slender vertical pinback, a barrel hinge, and a flat wire catch; measuring 43.69 mm (w) x 43.78 mm (h); weighing 16.3 grams. The Iron Cross (1939) 1st Class certificate is named to Oberleutnant (Senior Lieutenant) Timme of the 4th Battalion of Artillery Regiment 183. It is dated to December 6, 1942 and carries a facsimile of the Commander of the 59th Army Corps, General of the Infantry Kurt von der Chevallerie (1891–1945), a recipient of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. It measures 139 mm x 199 mm.

3) The Iron Cross 1939 Second Class (Eisernes Kreuz 1939 2. Klasse); a cross pattée of multi-piece construction with a blackened iron core (magnetic) within a ribbed border; on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon; the obverse with a raised central mobile swastika with the re-institution date “1939” in raised numbering on the lower arm; the reverse with the original institution date “1813” in raised numbering on the lower arm; measuring 44.11 mm (w) x 44.16 mm (h); weighing 20.0 grams. The Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class certificate is named to Lieutenant Timme of the 10th Company of Artillery Regiment 183. It is dated to June 27, 1940 and carries a strong signature in black ink of the above mentioned Kurt von der Chevallerie, at the time Commander of the 83rd Infantry Division and Major General. It measures 141 mm x 199 mm.

4) The Iron Cross 1914 Second Class (Eisernes Kreuz 1914 2. Klasse); a cross pattée of multi-piece construction with a blackened iron core (magnetic) within a ribbed border; on loop for suspension - marked “K.O.” for “Königliches Münzamt”; with a correct replacement ribbon; the obverse with a raised central “W”, with the re-institution date “1914” in raised numbering on the lower arm, and the royal crown on the upper arm; the reverse with a central oak-leaf branch consisting of three oak leaves, with the original institution date “1813” in raised numbers on the lower arm, a raised Prussian crown on the upper arm, with “FW” in equally raised lettering directly below; measuring 43.01 mm x 43.21 mm; weighing 18.9 grams.

5) The regimental marksmanship certificate is named to Oberleutnant Timme of the 4th Battalion of Artillery Regiment 183, winning first prize in the regimental pistol marksmanship competition. It is dated to Opuchliki, Russia on August 1, 1942 and signed in green ink by the Commander of the Regiment, Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) Paul Schräpler, a recipient of the German Cross in Gold. It measures 148 mm x 208 mm.

6) The newspaper cutout is a list of recipients of the German Cross in Gold from Lower Saxony during the month of November, 1944. It lists Hauptmann Timme, from Bruchhausen-Vilsen (south of Bremen), born in Oldenburg-Osternburg. It measures 71 mm x 140 mm.

Overall, this is a fine collection of second war German awards, with most being accompanied by their respective award certificates. In overall extremely fine condition. The German Cross in Gold accompanied by a letter of expertise by Detlev Niemann.

Footnote: Artillery Regiment 183 was part of the 83rd Infantry Division. It was stationed in Poland (1939–1940), France (1940–1941), and Russia (1942–1945), ending up in the Courland pocket towards the end of the war. From there the units were shipped to East Prussia where they capitulated after a last stand.