Germany. A War Merit Cross 2nd Class Award Document to Navy Motor Company Tunisia

Measuring 149x212mm, better than very fine condition with light scuffing, light soiling, and folding creases. It is named to Kraftfahr-Obergefreiter (Motor Master Sergeant) Hans Lohe of Navy Motor Company Tunisia, stating that he was awarded the War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords. The certificate is dated to Rome on April 15, 1943 and signed in blue ink by Commander-in-Chief of the German Navy Command in Italy, Rear Admiral Wilhelm Meendsen-Bohlken.

Footnote:Wilhelm Meendsen-Bohlken was born on June 25, 1897 in Brake (northern Germany). He volunteered for service in the Imperial Navy in January of 1915. He participated in the Battle of Jutland. In early 1918 Meendsen-Bohlken transferred to the U-boat branch. At the end of the war he held the rank of Lieutenant. Meendsen-Bohlken was taken over into the Reichswehr. In 1927 he was promoted to Captain Lieutenant and received his first command position on a torpedo boat. In 1933 he took command of the 3rd torpedo boat half flotilla. Meendsen-Bohlken was eventually transferred to the Supreme Command of the Wehrmacht to be the head of the defence economy department. On October 1, 1939 he was promoted to Kapitän zur See. He was promoted to commanding the heavy cruiser “Admiral Scheer” in June of 1941. In late 1942 Meendsen-Bohlken was transferred to northern Africa to become Navy Commander-in-Chief in Tunisia. On February 1, 1943 he was promoted to Rear Admiral. In March he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the German Navy Command in Italy. In June of 1944 he received his final promotion to Vice Admiral. Meendsen-Bohlken was awarded the Knight’s Cross and the German Cross in Gold. He died on August 20, 1985.