A document and photo collection, consisting of three award documents (141x201mm, very fine, folding crease and minor rips; 141x190mm, extremely fine, folding crease and minor scuffing; and 138x200mm, fine, two folding creases, scuffing, staining), three photos (group: 91x61mm, near mint; class: 147x99mm, extremely fine, minor rip; and portrait: 82x121mm, very fine, substantial creases), and one copy of a photo (101x152mm).
An award certificate for the Iron Cross 1st Class to Unteroffizier (NCO) Wahl. The document is dated to March 14, 1945 and signed in blue crayon by Major General and Commander of the 126th Infantry Division, Knight’s Cross recipient Kurt Hähling (1897–1983).
An award certificate for the Panzer Badge in Silver for 25 deployment days. It is dated to February 14, 1945 and signed in grey crayon by Major and Panzer Battalion 510 Commander Kurt Gilbert (1914–2008).
An award certificate for the Wound Badge in Black, dated to March 1, 1943. It is signed in grey crayon by Major and Panzer Battalion 501 Commander Hans-Georg Lueder (1908–1989), eventually promoted to Colonel.
A photo showing 18 young soldiers in Panzer unit uniforms, holding the rank of Gefreiter (Lance Corporal), Wahl’s immediate group or platoon.
A photo showing several dozen soldiers posing in dress uniforms, Wahl’s class. The back says “Infa. Schule” (Infantry School).
A photo of Wahl in uniform that he gave to his brother. The back reads: “Zum steten Andenken an Deinen Bruder - Herbert!” (A keepsake for always of your brother - Herbert!). It is dated to Paderborn. A portion of the date has been cut off, but it seems to have been written in March of 1944.
A copy of a photo of Knight’s Cross recipient Major General Gotthard Fischer (1891–1969). He eventually held the rank of Lieutenant General and commanded the 126th Infantry Division.
Footnote: Herbert Wahl served in the 501st and 510th Heavy Panzer Battalions. These were specialised units using Tiger and Tiger II panzers. Only experienced men were recruited into these units, giving them an elite status. The units were meant to be the first to breach the enemy lines so that regular troops could push forward into the breach.
Parts of Wahl’s 510th Heavy Panzer Battalion surrendered to the Russian forces in the Courland pocket. This is also where Major General Fischer was captured. Wahl served as part of his 126th Infantry Division (as indicated by his Iron Cross award), which is why he paid tribute to him by including his picture.