Germany, Wehrmacht. The Trousers, Insignia, And Award Documents Of Werner Grün, Afrika Korps Knight’s Cross Recipient

(Uniform, Insignien, und Verleihungsurkunden für Ritterkreuzträger). A rare and desirable collection of trousers, insignia, and award documents from the estate of Werner Grün, a highly decorated veteran of the Afrika Korps and Hermann Göring Division who received the Knight’s Cross for meritorious actions at the Second Battle of El Alamein. This lot consists of:

1. An Afrikakorps cuff title, constructed of an olive-drab rayon base, the obverse bisected by a central dark green stripe, trimmed along both the top and bottom edges with silver aluminum wire tresses, bearing a central machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire inscription of “AFRIKAKORPS”, the reverse plain, unmarked, measuring 35 mm (w) x 292 mm (l) as presented, the ends have been wrapped around and stitched into loops and there is evidence of uniform-removal, a field-worn example in better than very fine condition

2. An Afrika cuff title, constructed of brown camelhair cloth, the obverse trimmed along both the top and bottom edges by machine-embroidered silver-grey tresses, bearing a central inscription of “AFRIKA” flanked by palm trees of identical construction, unmarked, measuring 35 mm (w) x 205 mm (l) as presented, with evidence of uniform removal in addition to some material fatigue, a field-worn example in near extremely fine condition; accompanied by its award document, named to Grün as a Major at the Kriegsakademie (War Academy) of Panzer-Regiment 5, issued on 16 February 1944, featuring a handwritten signature of Generalleutnant Kurt Weckmann (German Cross in Gold, 26 February 1942), measuring 142 mm (w) x 195 mm (h), with a central folding crease, in extremely fine condition.

3. An award document for a 1939 Iron Cross II Class, named to Grün as a Leutnant of Panzer-Regiment 5, issued in the field on 23 October 1939, featuring a handwritten signature of Generamajor Horst Stumpff (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, 29 September 1941), measuring 140 mm (w) x 198 mm (h), with a central folding crease visible, in near extremely fine condition.

4. An award document for a Sudetenland Medal, named to Grün as a Leutnant of Panzer-Regiment 5, issued in Berlin on 14 November 1939, featuring a facsimile signature of Otto Meissner, measuring 210 mm (w) x 295 mm (h), with a central folding crease visible, in near extremely fine condition.

5. An award document for a Panzer Assault Badge, Silver Grade, named to Grün as a Leutnant of Panzer-Regiment 5, issued in the field on 20 May 1940, featuring a handwritten signature of Generalmajor Horst Stumpff (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, 29 September 1941), measuring 150 mm (w) x 210 mm (h), with a central folding crease visible, in extremely fine condition.

6. An award document for a 1939 Iron Cross I, named to Grün as an Oberleutnant of Panzer-Regiment 5, issued in the field on 13 August 1940, featuring a handwritten signature of Generalmajor Horst Stumpff (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, 29 September 1941), measuring 140 mm (w) x 200 mm (h), with soiling and a central folding crease visible, in very fine condition.

7. A preliminary award document for a German Cross in Gold, named to Grün as an Oberleutnant of Panzer-Regiment 5, issued at Oberkommando des Heeres headquarters on 25 March 1942, featuring a handwritten signature of Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, 30 September 1939), measuring 135 mm (w) x 200 mm (h), with a central folding crease visible, in near extremely fine condition.

8. A preliminary award document for a Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, named to Grün as a Hauptmann of Panzer-Regiment 5 (and now commander of I. Kompanie), issued on 12 February 1943 and effective 8 February, featuring a handwritten signature of Generalmajor Rudolf Schmundt (a casualty of the 20 July Plot and a posthumous recipient of the German Order), measuring 140 mm (w) x 202 mm (h), with a central folding crease visible, in extremely fine condition.

9. An award document for an Order of the Star of Romania, Knight’s Cross with Swords, named to Grün as a Major, dated 24 July 1944 with a bestowment date of 13 September 1943, featuring a handwritten signature of a Major Voigt, measuring 210 mm (w) x 146 mm (h), with a central folding crease and some material fatigue evident, in very fine condition.

10. An mixed group of documents, including a May 1943 engagement announcement for Grün to Sieglinde Knickmann, constructed of off-white paper stock with black ink text, measuring 370 mm (w) x 142 mm (h) when unfolded, in extremely fine condition; a Wehrmacht driver’s license, constructed of green oilcloth, issued in Wünsdorf on 27 December 1940, measuring 105 mm (w) x 152 mm (h) when folded, with some material fatigue evident, in near extremely fine condition, and; a postwar identity document, constructed of oil cloth, issued on 12 June 1945 and valid until 11 June 1950, measuring 105 mm (w) x 145 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

11. A small collection of 31 private wartime photographs, all printed on period glossed and matte paper and pasted to card stock backers, featuring handwritten inscriptions dating the images between 1940 and 1943, depicting Grün in the field and at leisure, notably including two images of him in Africa and wearing his newly-received Knight’s Cross; supplemented by an additional collection of 32 loose wartime photographs, many depicting Grün in uniform and wearing the Knight’s Cross in the African and European theatres, all printed on glossed and matte wartime paper; a fascinating look at Grün’s wartime service in overall extremely fine condition.

12. An exceptionally well-preserved pair of Panzer crew trousers, constructed of a high-quality black wool. The front of the waistband features four black bakelite buttons set onto the right, meeting a flap with two reinforced buttonholes on the left for an adjustable fit. The trousers close with a French fly consisting of three black bakelite buttons on the right meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left, hidden by the trouser’s outer fabric. Dual side pockets are set into the upper right of each leg, both closing with vertical non-magnetic metal zippers. Two further pockets are set into the reverse at the top of each leg, both closing with horizontal flaps meeting black bakelite buttons. Each ankle features an international elastic band, ensuring a flush and customizable fit with the wearer’s footwear. The interior features a partial cotton-blended liner set around the waistband, affixed with a suspension loop for storage. Stitched onto this liner is a maker’s label reading “REINTHALER & SOHN, NÖRDLINGEN”, while the reverse left pocket features an additional Reinthaler label and name tag reading “MAJOR WERNER GRÜN”, with an issue date of “JUN. 44”. The trousers measure approximately 415 mm across the waistband, with an inseam of 330 mm, and an overall length of 1160 mm. With the exception of minor soiling to the interior waistband, the trousers are in an extremely fine condition. Notably, these rare and superb trousers date from Grün’s transfer from Heer service to the 1st Fallschirm-Panzer Division Hermann Göring.

Footnote: Werner Grün was born on 23 November 1913, and entered Wehrmacht service on 1 April 1935. His time in the Heer was spent with Panzer-Regiment 5, as part of both 3. and 21. Panzer Divisions. Serving in several companies, Grün rose to commander of I. Kompanie by 1943. A noted soldier of the Afrika Korps, Grün distinguished himself during the Second Battle of El Alamein in October 1942. In his capacity as commander of I. Kompanie, Grün was in charge of Kampfgruppe Grün which, alongside Kampfgruppe Pfeiffer, successfully attacked Allied forces and relieved Panzergrenadier-Regiment 125 on 30/31 October. Grün received the Knight’s Cross for his actions in these latter stages of the North African Campaign. Following the evacuation of Africa, Grün attended the War Academy and became a General Staff Officer. He then transferred to Luftwaffe service with the 1st Fallschirm-Panzer Division Hermann Göring, where he was assigned as a Logistics Officer in 1944, eventually becoming Corps Logistics Officer through the end of the war. Grün survived the conflict and died in Haan, Germany on 5 May 2004.