A Post-War Signed & Dedicated Photo of Wilhelm Osterhold
Item #G31105
$40
A photo, measuring 88x130mm, mint condition. Osterhold signed it in black ink.
Footnote: Wilhelm Osterhold (1914–2002) joined the Wehrmacht in 1935 and was deployed to the Infantry Regiment 48. On January 1, 1938 he was promoted to Lieutenant of the Reserve. During the attack on Poland, Osterhold served as a Platoon Leader in the 8th Company of Infantry Regiment 27, during the attack on France as Adjutant in the 3rd Battalion. He was then promoted to Senior Lieutenant and made Company Leader of the 12th Company. With his unit Osterhold went to Russia where he distinguished himself in the Demyansk pocket, receiving the German Cross in Gold on June 3, 1942. He was promoted to Captain on November 1, became the leader of the 3rd Battalion of Füsilier Regiment 27, and received his promotion to Major on April 1, 1943. Distinguishing himself again during the fightings near Mogilev (Belarus), Osterheld was awarded the Knight’s Cross on March 26, 1944. He became Commander of Grenadier Regiment 48 of the 12th Volks Grenadier Division, which he lead in the Battle of the Bulge. For achieving a breakthrough at the Losheim Gap north of Prüm, Osterhold was awarded the Oak Leaves on February 10, 1945. After the war, Osterhold joined the Bundeswehr. At the time of his retirement, he held the rank of Colonel.