The collection includes two congratulatory telegrams on occasion of Hagen being awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross. Both are dated to February 20, 1942. One was sent by the 2nd Bomber Squadron of Fighter Wing 1, one by Major Hitschold, commander of the aerial base in Wertheim. Measuring 209 mm (w) x 152 mm (h) and 209 mm (w) x 295 mm (h), respectively, presenting one and two punched holes, respectively, two folding creases, and substantial fraying and tearing of the edges, remaining fine and fair, respectively.
A certificate, stating that while a prisoner of war in camp PWE 8 in Garmisch (southern Bavaria), Generalmajor Hagen did not take part in the historiography of the US Historical Division. It is dated to June 3, 1947 and signed by the German camp commander, the name is illegible. Measuring 209 mm (w) x 149 mm (h), presenting a folding crease, two punched holes, some overall creasing, fraying of the edges, and several minor tears and two minor holes, remains fair.
Footnote: Walter Hagen was born on March 16, 1897 in Kiel (northern Germany). He served as a volunteer during the First War, initially in a hussar regiment, and since 1917 with the 1st Naval Pilot detachment in Flanders. After the war, Hagen worked as a test pilot for plane manufacturer Junkers. In 1935, he joined the Luftwaffe in the rank of Hauptmann. Hagen took part in the campaigns against Poland and France as commander of a squadron. For his leadership role he was awarded the Knight’s Cross on July 21, 1940. After the French campaign, Hagen took command of Bomber Wing 1, stationed in the Mediterranean. Hagen coordinated attacks on Malta and Tobruk. With the attack on Russia, the wing was redeployed to the Eastern Front. Here, Hagen was awarded the Oak Leaves on February 17, 1942. In April of 1943, he became “Fliegerführer Balkan” (pilot leader of the Balkans), later renamed to 17th Aerial Division, a post he would hold for the remainder of the war. Hagen received his final promotion on July 1, 1944, to Generalmajor (major general). He died on November 24, 1963.