Measuring 91x140mm, extremely fine condition with minimal scuffing. The picture postcard is part of the propaganda series “Ritterkreuzträger des Heeres” (Knight’s Cross recipients of the Army) and depicts Oberfeldwebel (Master Sergeant) Walter Ohlrogge.
Footnote: WalterOhlrogge was born on January 15, 1909 in Bochum (western Germany). He had already been working as a pilot in his life as a civilian before joining the Luftwaffe in the late 1930s. After completing his training as a fighter pilot, Ohlrogge was placed in the 5th Squadron of Fighter Wing 3 in May of 1940 in the rank of Feldwebel (Sergeant). He flew his first combat missions in the campaign against France and achieved his first aerial victory during the Battle of Britain on August 28, 1940. While successfully shooting down his enemy, he was hit as well and had to bail out. Ohlrogge spent three hours floating in the waters of the Channel before being rescued. Even though up to this point he hadn’t won a lot of aerial victories, Ohlrogge was awarded the Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe on June 1, 1941. Shortly after, his unit was redeployed to take part in the attack on Russia. At the Eastern Front Ohlrogge finally acquired the title of Luftwaffe ace and went on to become the most successful pilot in his unit. On November 4, 1941 he won the Knight’s Cross for his 39th aerial victory. In early 1942 Ohlrogge flew bombing missions in the Mediterranean theater, specifically the island of Malta, but just a few months later he was reassigned to the 9th Squadron of Fighter Wing 3 and back at the Eastern Front. He was promoted to Lieutenant in August, the highest rank he would hold during the war. Shortly afterwards Ohlrogge was shot down and severely wounded. The recovery took 18 months during which he received the German Cross in Gold on November 3, 1942. He went back to flying front missions in March 1944 and claimed his final victories in the south of France. His final contribution to the war effort was done on the Eastern Front again where he destroyed six tanks of the advancing Red Army. At the end of the war Ohlrogge had flown more than 400 combat missions and won 77 aerial victories, three of which on the Western Front, the rest in Russia. He died on April 30, 2003 at the age of 94.