Germany, Heer. A War Merit Cross Award Document to Female Office Helper Margarete Urtel

A certificate, measuring 148x210mm, near mint condition with two punched holes. It states that female Bürohilfskraft (office helper) Margarete Urtel is awarded the War Merit Medal on April 20, 1945. The document carries a stamp of the Supreme Command of the Luftwaffe and a facsimile of Hermann Göring. It is signed by General der Flieger and Knight’s Cross recipient Rudolf Meister.

Footnote: Rudolf Meister (1897–1958) was a veteran of and wounded in the First War. Both the Second and First Class of the Iron Cross were awarded to him. He took part in the secret development of the Luftwaffe in the 1920s, for which he went to Russia. In late 1939, Meister became the Staff Chief of the 1st Flying Corps. He was awarded the German Cross in Gold on November 30, 1941. In 1943, Meister was made Chief of the Luftwaffe Leader Staff, then became Commanding General of the Luftwaffe in Denmark, and Commander of the 4th Flying Corps on September 4. Towards the end of 1944, he led the Luftwaffenpersonalamt (Luftwaffe Personnel Department). Shortly before that, he had been awarded the Knight’s Cross on September 5, 1944.