Germany. A Bronze Driver’s Proficiency Badge Document to SS-Unterscharführer

Measuring 146x207mm, extremely fine condition with light scuffing. The document states that SS-Unterscharführer Walter Remus of the 2nd Company of SS Reconnaissance Detachment 105 has been awarded the Driver’s Proficiency Badge in Bronze. The document carries a stamp of the Convalescent Commando of the 5th SS Mountain Corps. The corps was tasked with fighting partisans in Bosnia. The document is dated to February 8, 1944 and signed in black ink by SS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Waffen-SS, Artur Phleps, the Commander of the 5th SS Mountain Corps. Footnote: Artur Phleps was born on November 29, 1881 in Birthälm (Transylvania, then Austria-Hungary, today Romania). He was a highly decorated veteran of the First War, leaving the Austro-Hungarian army in 1918 in the rank of Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel). In 1919, his home region became part of Romania, and Phleps joined and helped establish a modern Romanian army. In 1941 he left Romania to join the Wehrmacht, however he soon became part of the SS instead, leading the Regiment “Westland” in the SS Division “Wiking”. In 1942 Phleps was promoted to SS-Gruppenführer and tasked with establishing a new SS unit made up of ethnic German minorities from foreign countries, namely Yugoslavia, Hungary, and Romania. This unit eventually became the SS Mountain Division “Prinz Eugen”. In June of 1943 Phleps was promoted to Obergruppenführer, and in July he received the Knight’s Cross. He went on to establish another unit, the 5th SS Mountain Corps. Like “Prinz Eugen” this unit was mainly tasked with fighting partisans in Yugoslavia. On September 21, 1944 Phleps was stationed in Romania when he and his adjutant were ambushed and caught by the Red Army, and subsequently shot. Most likely the Russians weren’t even aware who they had caught. On November 24, Phleps was awarded the posthumous Oak Leaves to his Knight’s Cross.