{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-1939-iron-cross-2nd-class-ekii-with-named-award-document-to-aufklarungs-abteilung-94-modern-custom-framed-10-x-10","title":"Original German WWII 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class EKII with Named Award Document to Aufklärungs-Abteilung 94 - Modern Custom Framed - 10 ½” x 10 ½”","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive German WWII 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class (\u003ci\u003eEisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse\u003c\/i\u003e, commonly abbreviated EKII), displayed together with a named period award document in a modern custom shadowbox-style frame measuring approximately \u003cb\u003e10 ½” x 10 ½”\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe document was issued to \u003cb\u003eGefreiten Franz Knoll\u003c\/b\u003e, serving with the Stab, \u003cb\u003eAufklärungs-Abteilung 94\u003c\/b\u003e, and records his award of the Iron Cross 2nd Class. It is dated \u003cb\u003eMünchen, 31 May 1943\u003c\/b\u003e, and bears the official seal of the \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eStellvertretendes Generalkommando VII. Armeekorps\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e. The handwritten signature at the bottom reads Kriebel, consistent with General der Infanterie Karl Kriebel, who had taken command of the Stellvertretendes Generalkommando VII. Armeekorps and Wehrkreis VII in March 1943.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe document reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIM NAMEN DES FÜHRERS\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e UND OBERSTEN BEFEHLSHABERS\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e DER WEHRMACHT\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eVERLEIHE ICH\u003cbr\u003e DEM\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eGefreiten Franz K n o l l\u003cbr\u003e Stab Aufklärungs-Abteilung 94\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eDAS\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e EISERNE KREUZ\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e 2. KLASSE\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eMünchen, 31. Mai 1943.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eDer Stellv. Kommandierende General\u003cbr\u003e und Befehlshaber im Wehrkreis VII:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKriebel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eGeneral der Infanterie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e(DIENSTGRAD UND DIENSTSTELLUNG)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe circular official stamp at lower left is partly indistinct, but reads approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eStellv. Generalkommando VII. A.K.\u003cbr\u003e (DIENSTSIEGEL)\u003cbr\u003e (In Abt. VII)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt roughly translates to:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIN THE NAME OF THE FÜHRER\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e AND SUPREME COMMANDER\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e OF THE WEHRMACHT\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e I AWARD\u003cbr\u003e TO\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ePrivate First Class Franz Knoll\u003cbr\u003e Headquarters, Reconnaissance Battalion 94\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTHE\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e IRON CROSS\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e 2ND CLASS\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eMunich, 31 May 1943\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eThe Deputy Commanding General\u003cbr\u003e and Commander in Military District VII:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eKriebel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eGeneral of Infantry\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e(RANK AND OFFICIAL POSITION)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Iron Cross remains in very good display condition, with an attractive darkened patina to the frame and only minor surface and high-point wear. The black center retains strong finish overall, while the ribbon remains presentable with light age and handling evidence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe award document shows expected period wear, including toning, a prominent horizontal fold, and some staining or discoloration toward the center and lower right. Importantly, the recipient's name, unit, award, date, official stamp, and signature remain clearly legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth pieces have been professionally arranged in a modern custom frame, making the group particularly suitable for display. Please consult the photographs for the exact condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class was the entry grade of the wartime Iron Cross series and was awarded for bravery and military merit in connection with combat. The decoration retained the traditional cross pattée form of the earlier Iron Cross, with the 1939 version carrying the central swas. and the date 1939. The EKII was suspended from a ribbon, and after the formal presentation it was common for the recipient to wear only the ribbon through the uniform buttonhole.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular interest is Knoll's unit. Aufklärungs-Abteilung 94 was the reconnaissance battalion of the 4. Gebirgs-Division. The unit had originally been formed in November 1940, was redesignated Radfahr-Abteilung 94 in October 1942, and then returned to the designation Aufklärungs-Abteilung 94 on 1 May 1943, only one month before Knoll's award document was issued. At the time of this 31 May 1943 award, the 4. Gebirgs-Division was serving with the German 17th Army in the Kuban region following the withdrawal from the Caucasus.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45756396634181,"sku":"ONSV26CBZ050","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26CBZ050__01.jpg?v=1789486767","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-1939-iron-cross-2nd-class-ekii-with-named-award-document-to-aufklarungs-abteilung-94-modern-custom-framed-10-x-10","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}