Germany. A General Assault Badge Award Document Signed by General of Mountain Troops Eduard Dietl

Measuring 148x209mm, better than very fine condition with folding crease, light scuffing and creasing, and minimal soiling. It is named to Wachtmeister (Sergeant equivalent) Benno Goetze of Feldgendarmerie (Military Police) Troop 463 and states that he was awarded the General Assault Badge on January 22, 1942. The document carries a strong signature in blue ink by the Commanding General of Mountain Corps Norway, General of Mountain Troops Eduard Dietl. Footnote: Eduard Wohlrath Christian Dietl (1890–1944) joined the 5th Bavarian Infantry Regiment as an officer cadet in 1909. After studying at the War School in Munich, he was commissioned Lieutenant in October 1911. In October 1915, Dietl was promoted to Senior Lieutenant and served as a company commander with his regiment. In March 1918, he was promoted to Captain. Dietl was wounded four times during the First War and received a Wound Badge (1914) in Silver. He joined the DAP (German Labour Party), the precursor of the NSDAP, and Freikorps (Free Corps, paramilitary unit) of Franz Ritter von Epp in 1919. He was prepared with his company on November 9, 1923 to support A.H. and his rebels in the Beer Hall Putsch. However, it did not come to an intervention. Dietl continued to climb the ranks in the Reichswehr and the Wehrmacht, making Major in 1930 and Lieutenant Colonel in 1933. As Major General, Dietl had a part in organizing the 1936 Winter Olympics. During the German invasion of Norway, he commanded the 3rd Mountain Division. One of A.H.'s favourite generals, Dietl was the first officer of the Wehrmacht to receive the Oak Leaves, on June 19, 1940. He had been awarded the Knight’s Cross only two months prior to this. Dietl was popular in general, particularly with the Finnish soldiers. He commanded German forces in Norway, northern Finland and in Eastern Europe, eventually being promoted to Colonel General. Dietl led the 20th Mountain Army on the northern Eastern Front during the ultimately disappointing German Arctic campaign. On June 23, 1944, a Junkers Ju 52 aircraft carrying Dietl, General of the Infantry Thomas-Emil von Wickede, General of Mountain Troops Karl Eglseer, Lieutenant General Franz Rossi, and three other passengers crashed in the vicinity of the small village of Rettenegg, Styria. There were no survivors. Dietl was awarded the Swords posthumously.