Germany. A War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords to Female Recipient

Measuring 147x208mm, near very fine condition with folding crease, and some scuffing and creasing. The certificate is named to “Volksgenossin” (female national comrade) Ursula Klotz in Kiel. She was awarded the War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords on January 24, 1944. The document is signed in blue crayon by the Commanding General and Commander-in-Chief of Luftgau XI, General der Flieger Ludwig Wolff.

Footnote: Ludwig Wolff was born on August 31, 1886 in Schlettstadt (present-day Sélestat, Alsace, France). He joined the Prussian Army in 1904. During the First War Wolff served, among other positions, in the staff of the leader of military railway system, later in the staff of German military missions in the Ottoman Empire, and eventually he became Chief of the General Staff of the 8th Turkish Army. He received the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class, among other awards. After the war he was taken over into the Reichswehr. Wolff joined the Luftwaffe in March of 1934 and was appointed Chief of Staff of Air District Command V. In April of 1939 Wolff became Commanding General and Commander-in-Chief of Luftgau XI, a position he held throughout the entire Second War. He was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the War Merit Cross with Swords on September 27, 1943, and also received the Clasp to the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class during the war. Wolff died on May 17, 1950.