Two Signed Letters & Envelope from Panzer Commander Major Sandrock to Author John R. Angolia
Item #G28035
$60
Two Photographs (both are black and white, one with a gloss finish, obverse illustrating a kneeling Sandrock in his Panzer uniform with a dog at his right side, his signature "H Sandrock" in blue ink and dated "19. 5. 83" (May 19, 1983), 90 mm x 127 mm, the other with a matte finish, obverse illustrating a seated Sandrock in his Army uniform and wearing the German Cross in Gold and the Iron Cross 1st Class, his signature "Hans Sandrock" in black ink, 97 mm x 148 mm, both photos with a personalized message inscribed in black ink to Lieutenant Colonel John R. Angolia on the reverse); two Letters in German (one is original on official letterhead, inscribed "Ordensgemeinschaft der Ritterkreuzträger e. V. / - Orden vom Militär-Verdienst-Kreuz e. V. - / SCHATZMEISTER / HANS SANDROCK / Am Duffesbach 23 / 5000 Köln 1 / Tel. (02 21) 31 81 92" (loosely translated from the German: "Hans Sandrock, Treasurer for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Holders Organization"), dated May 19, 1983, typewritten, addressed to "Sehr geehrter Mr. Angolia", text in German, his original signature "Hans Sandrock" in black ink, 210 mm x 297 mm; the other is a photocopy of a typewritten letter detailing his biography, the letter originally two-sided with both sides copied, his original signature "Hans Sandrock" in black ink added on the second page, 210 mm x 297 mm and 140 mm x 210 mm respectively); and Mailing Envelope (masthead printed in black ink, inscribed "ORDENSGEMEINSCHAFT DER RITTERKREUZTRÄGER / SCHATZMEISTER HANS SANDROCK / Am Duffesbach 23 / 5000 Köln 1 / Tel. (02 21) 31 81 92", typewritten addressed to: "Mr. / LTC. J. R. Angolia / 18070 Berryhill Drive / Stilwell, Kansas 66085 / U S A", with three stamps and an air mail label, postmarked "Köln", May 19, 1983, 114 mm x 162 mm). Extremely fine.
Footnote: Hans Sandrock was born in April 1913 in Saarbrücken. He was an officer in the German Army during the Second World War. Sandrock enlisted in the army on September 1, 1934. After attending the Hanover War School in 1936, he was posted to a panzer regiment and commissioned as a Lieutenant. He was promoted to Oberleutnant (Senior Lieutenant) on September 1, 1939 and served with the 1 Company, Panzer Regiment 5, during the Polish campaign. Sandrock received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on October 22, 1939. During the Battle of France, Panzer Regiment 5 was part of XVI Panzer Corps. On March 10, 1941, Panzer Regiment 5 was sent to North Africa as part of the Afrika Korps. For his service in North Africa, Sandrock was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class in April 1941, the Italian Bravery Medal in February 1942 and the German Cross in Gold on June 1, 1942. He was promoted to the rank of Hauptmann (Captain) on April 1, 1942. Sandrock was posted to Fallschirm-Panzerregiment Hermann Göring on July 25, 1943, which saw action in Sicily, Italy and Poland. On October 18, 1944, he was promoted to Major. During the retreat from East Prussia, he was decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on October 21, 1944. He surrendered to United States forces in May 1945. Panzer Commander and ace Major Hans Sandrock is credited with 120 confirmed tank kills. He died in 1995 at the age of 82.