Germany, Heer. A Collection of Documents to Anti-Tank Oberfeldwebel Festerling (DOW)

The collection includes:

A Wound Badge in Gold certificate to Oberfeldwebel (master sergeant) Wilhelm Festerling of 1st Company of Panzer Jäger (anti-tank) Detachment 13 for being wounded a fifth time on 24 August 1943 (falsely dated to 24 August 1944). Dated to 16 February 1944 and signed by a Hauptmann (captain) and company leader, the name is illegible. Measuring 141 mm (w) x 199 mm (h), presenting a folding crease and light scuffing of the edges, remains near extremely fine.

The accompanying letter to the Wound Badge in Gold, dated to 2 March 1944 and addressed to Festerling’s widow. Signed by an Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) and company leader, the name is illegible. Measuring 200 mm (w) x 147 mm (h), presenting a folding crease and some creasing and fraying of the edges, including multiple minor tears, remains near fine.

A Wound Badge in Black certificate to Unteroffizier (NCO) Festerling of the same unit as above for being wounded on 16 August 1942. Dated to 3 October 1942 and signed by an Oberleutnant and company leader, the name is illegible. Measuring 140 mm (w) x 200 mm (h), presenting a folding crease and light creasing and scuffing of the edges, remains very fine.

A 4 Year Wehrmacht Long Service Award certificate to Unteroffizier Festerling of the same unit as above, dated to Magdeburg on 31 March 1937. Measuring 208 mm (w) x 296 mm (h), presenting two folding creases, light overall creasing, and light scuffing and fraying of the edges, remains better than fine.

Two obituaries, glued to a single sheet of paper, to Festerling, described as owner of the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class and the Wound Badge in Silver, having died of wounds on the Eastern Front shortly before his 30th birthday on 20 August 1943.