A collection of documents, all in very fine to extremely fine condition. The recipient is Otto Harthaus, born June 3, 1925 in Nottleben near Erfurt, eastern Germany. The collection includes:
A certificate (105x133mm) stating that Harthaus, as a member of the 116th Panzer Division, is eligible to wear the division’s greyhound badge. It is dated to November 1, 1944 and signed in blue crayon by a Senior Lieutenant and Battery Chief, the name is indecipherable.
A certificate (140x199mm) for a Wound Badge in Black. Harthaus was serving in the 9th Company of the Artillery Regiment 146 (part of the 116th Panzer Division) at the time. He was wounded on January 7, 1945. During this time he was either fighting in the Ardennes region during the Battle of the Bulge or in the Battle of Hürtgen Forest. The document is dated to Bayreuth on February 27, 1945 and signed in blue ink by Oberfeldarzt and Chief Medical Officer of the Reserve Military Hospital I Bayreuth, the name is indecipherable.
A certificate for the Iron Cross 2nd Class and a letter (both 149x209) to Harthaus’s parents. Harthaus’s address is unknown, so his parents are asked to give the award to him instead. The letters are dated to February 6, 1945 and signed by a Senior Lieutenant and Battery Leader, the name is indecipherable.
A training certificate (199x140mm) outlining the different weapons and equipment Harthaus was trained to use. It is dated to November 12, 1943.
A Wehrmacht railroad ticket (142x103mm) to Harthaus, dated to December 6, 1943. He was drafted to serve in France, going from Erfurt, eastern Germany, via Paris to an unknown location on December 14.
An exemption from service certificate (149x104mm) due to unspecified medical reasons. The unit is the 1st Convalescence Company of Panzergrenadier Reserve and Training Battalion 71. It states that Harthaus is relieved of duty between March 31, 1945 and March 3, 1945, clearly a mistake that indicates it should have been April or May 3.
A certificate (148x106mm) stating that Pioneer Harthaus has been rejected by the Wehrmacht after having served from April 19, 1943 to May 17, 1943.
A Reich Labour Service discharge document (211x199mm), dated to April 1, 1943.
A document (148x109mm) stating that it is not necessary to bring food to work while working for the Reich Labour Service, as enough food will be provided.
An envelope (161x114mm) that contained a draft notice by the Reich Labour Service for Heinz Harthaus, possibly Otto Harthaus’s younger brother. The stamp dates it to March 28, 1944.