Germany. A Post-War Signed Photo of SS Obersturmführer Werner Meyer; KC, Close Combat Clasp in Gold

A photo, measuring 126x91mm, extremely fine condition with light scuffing. It is a post-war copy of a photo taken in February 1944, showing SS Obersturmführer WernerMeyer, the leader of the 1st Battalion of SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment 9 “Germania” in SS Panzer Division “Wiking”. He signed the photo in black ink in 1989. The picture shows him with Knight’s Cross with Swords recipient General Field Marshal Erich von Manstein (1887–1973) during the Battle of the Korsun-Cherkassy Pocket.

Footnote: Werner Meyer was born on September 18, 1919. He joined the SS as a volunteer on November 1, 1938 and was placed in the 1st Company of SS Regiment 2 “Germania”. After participating in the campaigns against Poland and France, Meyer spent nine months at the SS Junker School in Bad Tölz. He returned to his unit in early 1941 as a platoon leader. As such he participated in the attack on Russia at the southern front and worked his way up to adjutant of the 1st Battalion in the rank of SS Untersturmführer. In March of 1943, Meyer led the 1st Company for a short period, for which he was awarded the German Cross in Gold in October of the same year. Meyer, meanwhile an SS Obersturmführer, played an important role during the breakout from the Cherkassy pocket by taking a key village. For this and other successful fights he earned the Close Combat Clasp in Gold on April 12, 1944. Subsequently he was severely wounded and received a Wound Badge in Gold. For the role he had played in early 1944, Meyer was then awarded the Knight’s Cross on May 4, 1944. Recovery took until early 1945. After the war and the release from war captivity, Meyer joined the Bundeswehr in 1956. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel of the Reserve. Meyer died on August 17, 1996.