A superb SS group (12 items) for SS-Rottenfuhrer Willi Zwenzner serving in the 8th SS Motorized Infantry Regiment (part of the 1st SS Motorized Infantry Brigade) and later the 18th SS Panzergrenadier Division "Horst Wessel". It includes 2 photos that are simply as good as they get. Also includes award documents for Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze, Black and Silver wound badges, 2 confirming testament letters, US Certificate Of Discharge, Saxon Police document, Soviet Military Administration document, Disability document and his Soviet Zone ID document with photo and fingerprints.
Willi's unit was formed from Totenkopfstandarte 8 in February 1941. It was employed during the 1st part of the Russian Campaign in "Rear Area Duties" combating partisans and maintaining order in the newly occupied territory. It was not long however before his unit was called upon for front line duty. The brigade (closer to division strength) was thrown into the line south of Tula to protect the flank of the final German attempt to capture Moscow from the south. The photo of Willi tells us that he was with his unit during that first terrible winter as he is wearing the 1941/42 Winter Campaign ribbon in his 2nd button hole. He is also wearing his Sturmabzeichen which he received in July 1942 and is hand signed by his regimental commander SS-Oberführer Claasen. We can also see his HJ Proficiency Badge and just the top of his Black Wound Badge (awarded in September 1942). The most interesting item in the photo though is his regimental number 8 on his shoulder tabs. This unit is rare enough to find but to see it documented in a photograph is really a nice find. It also places the time frame of the photo between September 1942 and November 1943. The 8th Motorized Infantry Regiment was converted to the 39th SS Grenadier Regiment in November 1943. The Silver Wound Badge document was awarded in August 1944 when he was serving with the 18th Panzer Grenadier Field Replacement Battalion (the Field Replacement Battalion for the Horst Wessel Division). Interestingly it shows the earned date as being June 29, 1942 which is the same date as on the Black Wound Badge. This upgrade to the Silver grade indicates Willi's wound was very serious. This is substantiated by two of the documents in the group. The US discharge shows that his medical exam indicated he had scars on his right front and back and that he had a wounded right lung. The Soviet Military Administration document indicates he was 55% disabled. His wounds also suggest perhaps why he was serving in the Division's Field Replacement Battalion. The replacement battalion was often a good place to assign wounded and recovering experienced combat veterans. They were invaluable in training the new recruits. The battalion was also used frequently as a divisional reserve to plug holes and stop breakthroughs.
# 1575
Unit - 2nd SS Division "Das Reich"
Superb framed Iron Cross 2nd Class Document awarded to SS Sturmmann Franz Hagewald of the 2nd Flak Battalion, 2nd SS Division Das Reich. He was awarded his Iron Cross on January 27th, 1944. During this time, while much of the "Das Reich" division was withdrawn from the Russian Front for the purpose of refit and reorganization, after having been mauled at Kursk, Franz's unit and other elements of "Das Reich" were left behind in Russia to fight on. His battle group was surrounded by the Russian winter offensive and then latter rescued. It was during this period of intense fighting that Franz was awarded his Iron Cross. Either Franz or someone very proud of his service had the document nicely framed quite a long time ago. Also found with the document at the same estate was the medal that is also being presented. It is a post war medal recognizing Adolf Hitler. It is also sometimes referred to as the unrepentant "Nazi Medal".
# 1965
# 1724
# 3850
# 3076
# 3077
Sleeve patch for SS Mountain Troops. Very good condition.
# 3075
Sleeve patch for SS Mountain Troops. Very good condition. Some soiling.
# SS 001
