(Deutsches Kreuz in Gold Verleihungsurkunde). A rare posthumous award document for a German Cross in Gold, constructed of off-white paper stock with multi-coloured ink, named to “HAUPTMANN HEINRICH KNICKMANN” of II. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 501, issued at Oberkommando des Heeres (Supreme Command of the Army) headquarters on 16 February 1942, certified by the handwritten signature of Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel and an OkH stamp, measuring 254 mm (w) x 355 mm (h), with only minor material fatigue evident, a scarce document in extremely fine condition.
Footnote: Heinrich Knickmann was born on 25 September 1894 in Horstermark (Gelsenkirchen). He saw combat in the First World War and was wounded twice. After the war, Knickmann served with various Freikorps units and participated in actions of sabotage against French occupation forces in the Ruhr. He joined both the NSDAP and SS in the 1920s, and was a later recipient of the former’s Golden Party Badge. Active in party politics, Knickmann was elected a member of the Reichstag, representing his Westphalian constituency until his death in combat. He simultaneously served as Police Chief of Duisburg-Hamborn and as leader of SA-Gruppe Niederrhein. Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, Knickmann returned to combat duty with Infanterie-Regiment 501 (embedded with 290. Infanterie-Division). As a Hauptmann, he was awarded the 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross II Class, the 1939 Iron Cross I Class, and the Infantry Assault Badge. He was killed in action on 5 August 1941 near Zabolotye.