Germany, Luftwaffe. A Rare Medal Bar and Document Set to Oberleutnant Heinrich Bohne, Condor Legion Veteran and Narvik KIA

(Legion Condor Ordensschnalle mit Verleihungsurkunden). A rare and desirable medal bar and award document group to Oberleutnant Heinrich Bohne, a distinguished combat veteran of the Condor Legion who was later killed in action during the Battle of Narvik, consisting of a medal bar featuring five decorations, including:

1. A 1939 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central mobile swastika, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1939”, the reverse six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, without visible marks but demonstrating the characteristics of a Schinkel-form cross produced by the firm of Paul Meybauer, Berlin, measuring 42.65 mm (w) x 47.67 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A Spanish Commemorative Medal for the Campaign of 1936-1939, constructed of gilded and patinated bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 36.30 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

3. A Spanish Military Medal, constructed of silvered tombak, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a circular laurel and oak leaf wreath interspersed with national lions and ribbon, the obverse joined together at the bottom by a plaque bearing an inscription of “AL MÉRITO EN CAMPAÑA” (“TO MERIT IN THE CAMPAIGN”), surrounding a central raised female figure representing Hispania, clutching a shield and laurel wreath above a radiant sunrise, the reverse bearing a central raised Franco-era Spanish coat of arms, marked “EGAÑA” for Industrias Egaña, measuring 37.38 mm (w) x 45.15 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. A Wehrmacht 4-Year Long Service Decorations, constructed of magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with a Luftwaffe device, the obverse bearing a raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, circumscribed by an inscription of “TREUE DIENSTE IN DER WEHRMACHT” (“FAITHFUL SERVICE IN THE WEHRMACHT”), the reverse bearing a wreathed number “4”, unmarked, measuring 30.33 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition.

5. A Sudetenland Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing two raised figures, one of which is clutching a flag and the other a length of broken chain, above a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central date of “1. OKTOBER 1938”, circumscribed by an inscription of “EIN VOLK, EIN REICH, EIN FÜHRER” (“ONE PEOPLE, ONE NATION, ONE LEADER”), unmarked, measuring 30.28 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition. All suspended from a 145 mm-long magnetic metal bar with a horizontal pinback and field-grey wool liner, unmarked, with moderate mothing visible to the liner, in near extremely fine condition.

Also accompanied by:

6. A 1939 Iron Cross I Class, constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central mobile swastika, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1939”, the reverse with a block hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a round wire catch, the pinback maker marked with LDO code “L/13” for Paul Meybauer, Berlin, with Bohne’s initials hand-etched across the three and nine o’clock arms, measuring 43.97 mm (w) x 44.22 mm (h), weighing 15.6 grams, in extremely fine condition.

7. An award document for the Medal for the Campaign of 1936-1939, constructed of off-white paper stock with multi-coloured ink, named to “BRIGADA HEINRICH BOHNE”, issued in Burgos on 1 December 1938, measuring 29 cm (w) x 39 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.

8. An award document for the Military Medal, constructed of off-white paper stock with multi-coloured ink, named to “BRIGADA HEINRICH BOHNE”, issued in Burgos on 1 December 1938, measuring 29 cm (w) x 39 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Oberleutnant Heinrich “Heinz” Bohne served as a Stuka commander with Kampfgruppe 88 (K/88), and in this capacity was one of only 63 members of the Condor Legion to be awarded the Military Medal (automatically qualifying him for the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords). Having survived the Spanish Civil War, Bohne continued his Luftwaffe service during the Second World War. As a member of Sturzkampfgeschwader 1, based out of an airfield in Norway, on 1 May 1940 Bohne participated in an attack on the British aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal, erroneously claiming to have struck the vessel with a bomb. His war came to an end on 2 June 1940, when Bohne and his gunner were downed by a Royal Air Force (RAF) Gladiator. He is buried in the German Cemetery in Narvik.