Germany, Waffen-SS. An Official Recommendation for a Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross to Otto Meyer, Regiment Commander in 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen, KIA, c.1944

(Vorschlag für die Verleihung Ritterkreuzes zum Eisernen Kreuz). A document constructed of off-white paper, the obverse presents the title Vorschlag Nr. 2 für die Verleihung des Deutschen Kreuzes in Gold, however, the des Deutschen Kreuzes in Gold part is crossed out and replaced with the typewritten title Ritterkreuzes zum Eisernen Kreuz (Recommendation Nr. 2 for the Award Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross), dated 25 April 1944, signed in black ink by Division Leader Wilhelm Bittrich, stamped by the Personal Staff Reichsführer-SS main office and dated 19 May 1944, marked in pencil Verliehen: 4.6.44 (Awarded 4 June 1944), the reverse of page one presents personal information regarding Otto Meyer in addition to his previous awards and appointments, below that are the reasonings and opinions of his superiors regarding his recommendation for the Knight’s Cross, it states:

 Meyer gelang mit seinem Panzer-Regiment nach dreitägigem härtesten Kampf der Division der Durchbruch durch die tiefgestaffelten Verteidigungslinien der Bolschewisten am Strypa-Wosuska-Abscnitt sudlich der Rollbahn Brzezany nach Tarnopol. In funftagigen ununterbrochenen Panzergefechten kampfte sich Meyer mit seinem Panzer-Regiment durch mehrere hintereinanderligende Pakfronten und Artillerie-Stellngen des Feindes durch, nahm nach schwerem Ortskampf Chodaczkow-Wielki und griff weiter entlang der Rollbahn nach Nord-osten auf Tarnopol an. Durch seinen Vorstoß war es ermöglicht, Teile der nach Westen ausgebrochenen Besatzung von Tarnpol aufzunehmen, nachdem er durch eigenen Entschluß eine durch die Bolschwisten mit Panzern und Pak besonders hartnäckig verteidigte Höhe von ruckwarts genommen hatte. Durch sein Panzer-Regiment wurden in diesen Gefechtstagen insgesamt erbeutet oder vernichtet: 39 Panzer, 60 Geschütze, 158 Pak, 22 Panzerbüchsen, 6 Lkw und 6 Mun.-Protzen. Dieser erfolg ist dem rücksichtslosen Einsatz seiner ganzen Person und seiner Tapferkeit zu verdanken. (After three days of hard fighting, Meyer's Panzer Regiment made a breakthrough through the staggered defensive lines of the Russians on the Strypa-Wosuska section south of the Brzezany runway to Tarnopol. In five-day continuous tank battles, Meyer fought his Panzer Regiment through several consecutive anti-tank and artillery positions of the enemy, after heavy fighting took Chodaczkow-Wielki and attacked further along to the northeast on Tarnopol. He decided to take a Russian position of tanks and Pak on a hill from the rear, which made it possible for a unit under threat by the Russians in Tarnopol to merge with his Regiment. His Panzer Regiment either destroyed or captured: 39 armoured vehicles, 60 guns, 158 Pak, 22 man-portable anti-tank rifles, 6 trucks, and 6 ammunition limbers. This success is due to the ruthless dedication of his whole person and his bravery.)

 This continues on to the second page and is signed in black ink by Bittrich, the reverse of the second page presents an addendum, stating: Zusatz des Generalkommandos II. SS Panzer-Korps. Die 9. SS-Panzer Division war dem Generalkommando während des Vorstoßes auf Tarnopol nicht unterstellt. SS-Obersturmbannführer Meyer führte eine gepanzerte Gruppe mit 2 Gren. Btlen, 1 Pz.Abt., 1 Pz.Art.Abt. und 1 Pz.Pion.Komp. Unter Ungunst der Witterungs und Wegeverhältnisse zeichnete sich Meyer besonders während der letzten beiden schweren Kampftage aus, als alle Funkverbindungen ausgefallen waren und er nur nach eigenen Entschlüsseln führte. Seiner persönlichen Tapferkeit ist zu verdanken, daß ein Teil der besatzung von Tarnopol erreicht und aufgenommen werden konnte. Die Beutezahlen sind durch Meldungen der Kommandeure bestätigt. Der Vorschlag wird daher befürwortet. (Addition of the General Command II. SS Panzer Corps. The 9th SS Panzer Division was not subordinate to the General Command during the attack on Tarnopol. SS-Obersturmbannführer Meyer led an armoured group with the 2nd Grenadier Battalion, 1st Panzer Battalion, 1st Panzer Artillery Division, and 1st Panzer Pionier Kompanie. Under unfavorable weather conditions, Meyer excelled especially during the last two days of heavy combat, when all radio communications had failed and he was only able to make his own decisions. It was thanks to his personal bravery that part of the Tarnopol crew could be reached and taken. The loot numbers are confirmed by messages from the commanders. The proposal is therefore supported.) This section is signed in blue crayon by SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer Paul Hausser.

 The document measures 20.9 cm (w) x 29.5 cm (h), presenting a single folding crease as well as two punch holes along the left margin, and in otherwise extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Otto Meyer was born on 23 December 1912 in Moldenit, Germany. He volunteered for service in the year 1934, was selected to become an officer two years later, and went to the SS-Junckerschule Bad Tölz. After graduation, he received a promotion to Untersturführer (First Lieutenant) and served with the SS Deutschland Regiment, participating in the Polish Campaign, the Battle of France, Operation Marita in the Balkans, and the invasion of Russia Operation Barbarossa. On 2 March 1939, Meyer received the Anschluss Commemorative Medal (Die Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13.3.1938) and the Sudetenland Medal (Die Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Okt. 1939). On 29 May 1940, Meyer received the Iron Cross, II Class (Eiserne Kreuz 2. Klasse), on 8 August 1940 he received the Iron Cross, I Class (Eiserne Kreuz 1. Klasse), and on 13 December 1940 he received the Infantry Assault Badge (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen). In November 1941, he was promoted to Sturmbannführer (Major). In the new year, he received the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold). On 26 February 1942, Meyer was awarded a Wound Badge (Verwundetenabzeichen), and, that autumn, was awarded the Eastern Front Medal (Ostmedaille). In 1943, Meyer was transferred to the 9th SS-Panzer Grenadier Division in France and promoted to Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel). In January 1944, he received command of the 9th Panzer-Regiment Hohenstaufen, and, for his leadership during the battle for Tarnopol, was awarded the Knight’s Cross on 4 June 1944. That same month, his division fought in Normandy, where he distinguished himself and his regiment by destroying over 300 Allied tanks. After escaping from the Falaise Pocket, he was killed crossing the River Seine on 28 August 1944. In September, he was awarded a posthumous award of the Oakleaves to the Knight’s Cross.