Germany, Imperial. Award Documents to Regimental Commander, Oberstleutnant Wetzerich

The award certificate collection to Rudolf Wetzerich include:Saxon Albert Order Knight’s Cross 1st Class with Swords certificate; Red Eagle Order 4th Class certificate with accompanying letter; Iron Cross 1914 2nd Class certificate; 25 Year Long Service Cross certificate; Hindenburg Cross certificate. The collection also includes photocopies of Wetzerich’s service records from 1890 to 1920.

The Albert Order Knight’s Cross 1st Class with Swords certificate was sent by the Saxon Ministry of War and is dated to September 18, 1918. The award is abbreviated to AR1X. The recipient is Major Wetzerich, Commander of the Army Artillery Shooting School, Mouzon. The award was sent with the certificate. Measuring 208 mm (w) x 164 mm (h), presenting multiple folding creases and age-related discolouration, remains near very fine.

The Red Eagle Order 4th Class certificate is named to Hauptmann (captain) Rudolf Wetzerich. It is dated to Berlin on January 18, 1914. Measuring 210 mm (w) x 330 mm (h), presenting multiple folding creases and light creasing of the edges, remains near very fine. With accompanying letter, measuring 211 mm (w) x 264 mm (h), presenting two folding creases, remains near extremely fine.

The Iron Cross 2nd Class certificate is named to Hauptmann Wetzerich, Battery Leader of 4th Battery Reserve Field Artillery Regiment No. 22. The cross was awarded on September 16, 1914. The certificate is dated to the battlefield at the river Aisne on January 29, 1915. Measuring 210 mm (w) x 165 mm (h), presenting two folding creases and light overall creasing, remains near very fine.

The 25 Year Long Service Cross certificate is named to Major Wetzerich. The cross was awarded on December 10, 1920. The certificate is dated to December 31, 1920. Measuring 208 mm (w) x 175 mm (h), presenting two folding creases and light overall creasing, remains near very fine.

The Hindenburg Cross certificate is named to retired 350 Oberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel) Wetzerich. It is dated to Minden on April 3, 1935. Measuring 210 mm (w) x 149 mm (h), presenting a folding crease and some overall creasing, remains near very fine.

Footnote: Rudolf Gustav Albert Wetzerich was born on July 29, 1869 in Negrepi, Pomerania (present day northwest Poland). He joined the army on October 1, 1890 as an officer candidate in the Thuringian Field Artillery Regiment No. 19. Wetzerich was promoted to Second Lieutenant in 1891, to First Lieutenant in 1899, and to Hauptmann (captain) in 1906. In 1912, he began teaching at the War School in Hersfeld. With the outbreak of the First War, Wetzerich was appointed Leader of the 4th Battery of Reserve Field Artillery Regiment No. 22. Wetzerich went on to serve as Battalion Leader in Reserve Field Artillery Regiment 7, then 64. In January of 1915, he was promoted to Major. In April, Wetzerich went back to teach at shooting schools, first in Jüterbog, then in Warsaw. In 1917, he was appointed Regiment Commander, first the Field Artillery Regiment 99, then 62, and in 1918 Regiment 302. Wetzerich took command of Army Artillery Shooting School Mouzon in April of 1918. On August 30, 1918, Wetzerich retired from active service. He was promoted to acting Oberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel) and Commander of the Landwehr of the district of Hersfeld in 1920. In addition to the awards mentioned above, Wetzerich also received the Knight Honour Cross 2nd Class with Silver Crown of the House and Merit Order of Herzog Peter Friedrich Ludwig of Oldenburg, the Iron Cross 1914 1st Class, the Oldenburg Friedrich August Cross 1st and 2nd Class, the Brunswick War Merit Cross, and the Military Merit Cross 3rd Class with War Decoration.