Germany. A Post War Signed Photo of SS-Obersturmbannführer Max Seela (KC, Totenkopf Division)

Measuring 101x143mm, near mint condition. Seela signed it in black ink. The reverse contains another signature along with a message for the original autograph collector, Mr. Doden. Seela apologises for letting him wait so long before fulfilling his request, which was in part due to Doden moving house and not forwarding his new address.

Footnote: Max Seela was born on July 15, 1911 in Schöneiche near Berlin. He joined the Reichswehr in 1929 and the SS-VT in 1935. In September of the same year Seela was placed in an SS Pionier (Sapper) Battalion. He went on to take command of a company in 1939. During the campaign against France Seela received the Iron Cross 2nd Class in May 1940 and 1st Class in June. For his service during the Russian campaign he was awarded the German Cross in Gold on December 26, 1941. During the first half of 1942 SS-Hauptsturmführer Seela and his unit, the 3rd Company of the Pionier Battalion in the SS Totenkopf Division, were trapped in the Demyansk pocket. Seela and his men were able to successfully defend the Russian village of Korowitsch for an entire month, despite heavy casualties and being low on supplies, thus holding the important bridge over the Lovat river. This earned Seela the Knight’s Cross on May 3, 1942. After this feat he was given command of the 3rd SS Pionier Battalion of the Death’s Head Division, a position he held until April 1944. Seela went on to command the 2nd SS Panzer Corps Sappers, the 19th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment, and the 9th SS Panzer Division “Hohenstaufen”. He died on July 31, 1999.