Original Items: One of a Kind Set. This is a very interesting group of four post war signed photographs of notable German WWII veterans, including three Knight’s Cross recipients and Rochus Misch, who served for much of the war in the Führer’s personal bodyguard and communications staff.

Collecting signed photographs of prominent military figures became increasingly popular after WWII. Many German veterans attended reunions, military history gatherings, and collector events during the post war decades, where they gave talks and signed photographs, books, and other memorabilia. These four photographs appear consistent with that type of post war autograph collecting.

The first photograph measures approximately 3 3/8 x 4 3/4 inches and is signed by Kapitänleutnant Rudolf Heinz Franke, a Knight’s Cross recipient and U boat commander. Franke commanded U 262 for five patrols during WWII.

The second photograph measures approximately 4 x 6 inches and is signed by SS Obersturmbannführer Fritz Darges, a Knight’s Cross recipient who served as an adjutant to Martin Bormann and later as one of the Führer’s personal adjutants. Darges fell out of favor shortly before the July 20, 1944 assassination attempt and was transferred to the Eastern Front. He later commanded SS Panzer Regiment 5 of the 5th SS Panzer Division “Wiking” and received the Knight’s Cross near the end of the war.

The third photograph measures approximately 3 5/8 x 5 3/4 inches and is signed by SS Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen SS Otto Kumm, recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. Kumm commanded both the 7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division “Prinz Eugen” and later the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte during the later stages of the war. After the war, he became one of the founders of HIAG, a Waffen SS veterans organization that promoted a revisionist interpretation of the Waffen SS and its wartime record.

The fourth photograph measures approximately 5 7/8 x 4 1/8 inches and is signed by SS Oberscharführer Rochus Misch. Misch served in the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf H and was severely wounded during the Polish campaign. After recovering, he became part of the Führerbegleitkommando, or Führer Escort Command, serving as a bodyguard, courier, and telephone operator for the Führer for much of the war.

All four photographs appear to be post war prints bearing post war signatures rather than wartime signed photographs.

Together, the group represents several very different aspects of the German war effort, including the Kriegsmarine U boat service, Waffen SS armored formations, senior command, and the Führer’s personal headquarters staff.

A very nice grouping for an advanced German WWII autograph collection, particularly with three Knight’s Cross recipients represented alongside Rochus Misch.