(Wehrmacht Verleihungsurkunden). A fascinating lot of award documents to Walther Lorenzen, Luftwaffen Pionier-Bataillon 16, including:
1. A document for a War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, constructed of off-white paper stock with multi-coloured ink, named to Lorenzen as a Leutnant of Pionier-Bataillon 16 (Luftwaffe), issued at company headquarters on 30 October 1943, featuring the handwritten signature of General der Flieger Egon Doerstling in his capacity as commander of Air District Holland, measuring 147 mm (w) x 209 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
2 . A document for an Eastern Front Medal, constructed of off-white paper stock with multi-coloured ink, named to Lorenzen as a Leutnant without unit accreditation, issued on 1 March 1944, featuring the handwritten signature of an unidentified Hauptmann and battalion commander, measuring 140 mm (w) x 200 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
3. A document for a Black Grade Wound Badge, constructed of off-white paper stock with black ink, named to Lorenzen as a Leutnant of Luftwaffen Pionier-Bataillon 16, issued at headquarters on 17 August 1944 for a single wound suffered on 13 August, featuring the handwritten signature of an unidentified Hauptmann and battalion commander, measuring 138 mm (w) x 199 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
4. A document for a 1939 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of off-white paper stock with black ink, named to Lorenzen as a Leutnant of Luftwaffen Pionier-Bataillon 16, issue at headquarters on 23 August 1944, featuring the handwritten signature of an unidentified Oberstleutnant and stand-in signatory for the Supreme Commander of Panzerarmeeoberkammando 5, measuring 140 mm (w) x 200 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
5. A document for a 1939 Iron Cross I Class, constructed of off-white paper stock with black ink, named to Lorenzen as a Leutnant of Luftwaffen Pionier-Bataillon 16, issued at headquarters on 16 October 1944, featuring the handwritten signature of General der Panzertruppe Walter Krüger (German Cross in Gold, 27 August 1942; Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, 15 July 1941; Oak Leaves, 5 June 1944), measuring 140 mm (w) x 200 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
Footnote: Initially subordinated to Luftwaffen-Feld-Division 16, Luftwaffen Pionier-Bataillon 16 was formed when Lorenzen’s unit was transferred to Heer service. After occupation duty in the Netherlands, it was transferred to Normandy following the Allied landings on D-Day, with frontline duty beginning on 2 July. It attempted to counter the British advance launched the following day, embarking on a fighting retreat which culminated in its effective destruction shortly before the fall of Caen. Formally dissolved on 4 August 1944, the unit’s remaining personnel were divided up between 21. Panzer-Division and 16. Infanterie-Division. The documents offered are a rare example of a complete award record to a soldier serving throughout the Normandy campaign.