{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-iron-cross-2nd-class-1939-ekii-with-named-award-document-ribbon-luftwaffe-75th-light-flak-unit","title":"Original German WWII Iron Cross 2nd Class 1939 EKII with Named Award Document \u0026 Ribbon - Luftwaffe 75th Light Flak Unit","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an lovely example of a German WWII Iron Cross 2nd Class 1939 (\u003cem\u003eEisernes Kreuz II. Klasse 1939\u003c\/em\u003e) by desirable maker \u003cem\u003eFritz Zimmermann\u003c\/em\u003e, with an original rayon red, black, and white ribbon. Also included is the original \u003cem\u003ebesittzzeugnis\u003c\/em\u003e \"possession\/award\" certificate!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe award document indicates that it was awarded to \u003cstrong\u003eObergefreiten Wilfrid Kuhlmann\u003c\/strong\u003e of \u003cstrong\u003e3. \/ lei. Flakabteilung 75 (Sf)\u003c\/strong\u003e, short for 3\u003cem\u003e. Kompanie \/ leichte Flakabteilung (Selbstfahr)\u003c\/em\u003e, or \"3rd Company, 75th Flak Team (Self-propelled)\". \u003cem\u003eObergefreiter\u003c\/em\u003e (Senior Exempted) is a \u003cem\u003eMannschaften\u003c\/em\u003e (enlisted personnel) rank equivalent to a U.S. Army Private first class. The location it was presented is given as\u003cstrong\u003e Div.-Gef.Stand.\u003c\/strong\u003e, short for \u003cem\u003eDivisionGefechtsStand\u003c\/em\u003e (Division command Post), and it was awarded \u003cstrong\u003e12. 3. 1944.\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eDIENSTSIEGEL\u003c\/strong\u003e (official seal) stamp in the lower corner is for \u003cstrong\u003eTruppendienſtſtelle Feldpoſtnummer L 4370\u003c\/strong\u003e (Unit Service Post - Field Post L 4370), and the bottom indicates that the signature is of \u003cstrong\u003eDer Kommandeur der 2. Flakdivision (mot)\u003c\/strong\u003e, a motorized flak division. Their rank is given as \"Generalleutnant\", which research indicates is \u003cstrong\u003eGeneralleutnant Alfons Luczny\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the signature at the bottom is a match. He was a recipient Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross while commander of this unit, and surrendered to the American troops in May 1945. He was then handed over to Soviet forces. Convicted as a war criminal in the Soviet Union, he was held until October 1955.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe document measures about 7 3\/4\" x 5 1\/2\", (about 20cm x 14cm), printed on heavy-weight paper with black print and typed in particulars. It is in good condition, showing light staining, however it was folded into 8ths at one point, and shows the fold lines clearly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Iron Cross itself is a very nice example with crisp beading, and the silvering to the frame has a lovely lightly tarnished patina and looks great! The matte black core paint on the iron center on both sides is still in very good condition, showing just a bit of wear and oditiona where the core meats the frame. The original ribbon is properly threaded through the hanger ring, and shows light wear and staining from age and use, with a bit of fraying at the end. The hanger loop is also marked with \u003cem\u003ePräsidialkanzlei des Führers Lieferant\u003c\/em\u003e (Presidential Chancellery Supplier) number \u003cstrong\u003e3\u003c\/strong\u003e, which represents maker \u003cem\u003eWilhelm Deumer of Lüdenscheid\u003c\/em\u003e. Most EKIIs we see are unmarked, so this is a real treat!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease also note the edge seam for authentication, which is not present on reproductions. Iron crosses were commonly constructed from an iron core sandwiched in a surrounding two part silver frame, normally the seam of these two silver parts is visible around the edge of the cross as is seen on this fine example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe basic design of the WWII crosses is a central \u003cem\u003eTatzenkreuz\u003c\/em\u003e (cross pattée) struck from iron and mounted in a silver frame which has a raised crenulated decorative border. The obverse of the cross bears the date \u003cstrong\u003e1939\u003c\/strong\u003e under a \"mobile\" swas. Second class crosses would have a ring at the top where a ring was attached, and had more markings on the back. The first class award, however, was meant to attach directly to the front of the uniform.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lovely example of the most iconic of all German awards, complete with an original award document and ribbon, ready to research and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eGebirgsjäger\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003ematerial is among the most popular of all German WWII items. They were the light infantry part of the alpine or mountain troops (\u003cem\u003eGebirgstruppe\u003c\/em\u003e) of Germany and Austria. The word \u003cem\u003eJäger\u003c\/em\u003e (meaning \"hunter\" or \"huntsman\") is a characteristic term used for light-infantry or light-infantryman in German-speaking military context.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mountain infantry of Austria have their roots in the three \u003cem\u003eLandesschützen \u003c\/em\u003eregiments of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The mountain infantry of Germany carry on certain traditions of the \u003cem\u003eAlpenkorps\u003c\/em\u003e (Alpine corps) of World War I. Both countries' mountain infantry share the \u003cem\u003eEdelweiß\u003c\/em\u003e insignia. It was established in 1907 as a symbol of the Austro-Hungarian \u003cem\u003eLandesschützen\u003c\/em\u003e regiments by Emperor Franz Joseph I. These troops wore their edelweiss on the collar of their uniforms. When the \u003cem\u003eAlpenkorps\u003c\/em\u003e came to aid the \u003cem\u003eLandesschützen\u003c\/em\u003e in defending Austria-Hungary's southern frontier against the Italian attack in May 1915, the grateful \u003cem\u003eLandesschützen\u003c\/em\u003e honored the men of the \u003cem\u003eAlpenkorps\u003c\/em\u003e by awarding them their own insignia: the edelweiss. Together with the \u003cem\u003eFallschirmjäger\u003c\/em\u003e (Paratroopers) they are perceived as the elite infantry units of the German Army.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no more iconic German military award than the \u003cstrong\u003eIron Cross.\u003c\/strong\u003e The long history of this order began during the Napoleonic Wars. King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia instituted the “Eisernes Kreuz” (Iron Cross) in March of 1813. The award criteria changed somewhat with time, but generally speaking, Iron Crosses could be awarded for individual acts of bravery, or for leadership achievements on the battlefield. The design was created by a Karl Friedrich Schinkel, his choice of the black cross with silver outline was derived from the heraldic emblem of the Teutonic Knights. This central \u003cem\u003eTatzenkreuz\u003c\/em\u003e (cross pattée) struck from iron and mounted in a silver frame which has a raised crenulated decorative border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere were a number of different type and grades of Iron Cross awards throughout its long history, but the basic details of the most widely awarded grades: The Iron Cross 1st Class and Iron Cross 2nd Class- remained the same. The first class award was a breast badge, with fittings on the reverse to allow it to be worn on the uniform. These fittings varied widely over time and from maker to maker, and could be a simple in and catch, a screw post and retaining disc, or more elaborate setups. The second class award was suspended from a ribbon, originally in the Prussian colors of black and white, later in the Reich colors of black, red and white.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the original versions of these crosses, in 1813, the front of the iron core of each grade was bare, and only the second class award had ornamentation: a crown over the initials “FW” representing the King, a sprig of oak leaves, and the date 1813. The core was redesigned in 1870, when the cross was re-instituted during the Franco-Prussian War. The reverse ornamentation on the Iron Cross 2nd Class remained the same, but the front of the core on both grades now bore another crown, a “W” representing Kaiser Wilhelm, and the date 1870. This pattern repeated again when the cross was reinstituted for WWI- everything stayed the same, only the date 1870 was replaced with 1914.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe final reinstitution of the cross came in 1939. For this version, the front of the core for both grades bore a swas and the date 1939. The oak leaves, crown and royal initials were removed from the reverse, with only the date 1813 remaining as a reminder of the legacy of this award. In WWII, hundreds of thousands of Iron Cross First Class awards were bestowed, and four and a half million Iron Cross Second Class awards. Iron Crosses were made by a large number of authorized manufacturers. Some variants of these awards were mass produced in huge numbers. Others were made in very limited quantities.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44900261953605,"sku":"ONSV26PCS062","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26PCS062__01.jpg?v=1776870626","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-iron-cross-2nd-class-1939-ekii-with-named-award-document-ribbon-luftwaffe-75th-light-flak-unit","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}