Germany, Heer. An Iron Cross II Class Document, Signed By Generalmajor Alexander von Hartmann (KIA Stalingrad)

The document is named to Unteroffizier (NCO) Wilhelm Engelbart. It is dated to November 27, 1941 and signed in blue ink by the commander of the 71st Infantry Division, Alexander von Hartmann. Measuring 140x200mm, extremely fine condition with minimal scuffing and creasing.

Footnote: Alexander von Hartmann was born on December 11, 1890 in Berlin. His male ancestors had had a tradition of serving in the military, his father being the Prussian officer Heinrich von Hartmann (born 1854), who had five brothers that also served in the army, and his grandfather being the Prussian General of the Infantry Eberhard von Hartmann (1824–1891), a recipient of the Red Eagle Order 1st Class with Oak Leaves. Alexander von Hartmann joined the army in 1910 as an Officer Cadet. With the beginning of the First War, he served as a platoon leader of a machine gun company in the rank of Lieutenant. Fighting on both the Western and Eastern Front, he was promoted to Oberleutnant (Senior Lieutenant) in 1915 and to Hauptmann (Captain) in 1918. He was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross, as well as Knight’s Cross 2nd Class of the Order of the White Falcon, among many other decorations. After the war, he was taken over into the Reichswehr. At the beginning of the Second War, Hartmann was in the rank of Oberst (Colonel), seeing action during the French campaign. In March of 1941, he was appointed commander of the 71st Infantry Division, now in the rank of Generalmajor. He led the unit as part of Army Group South in the Battle of Stalingrad, during which he was awarded the Knight’s Cross on October 8, 1942. On December 1, he was promoted to Generalleutnant. Hartmann died on January 26, 1943 during a shootout with enemy troops. Before his death, he stated “I intend to go to my infantry in the front line... I will seek death among their ranks. Captivity for a general is dishonourable.” Posthumously, Hartmann was promoted to General der Infanterie.