A rectangular postcard with a studio portrait of Hermann Graf, labeled “MAJOR GRAF” in the bottom right corner, signed across the centre in blue ink, the reverse is stamped and marked “Photo - hoffman, Munhen, friedrichstr. 34 Nachdruck verboten”, measuring 92 mm (w) x 142 mm (h), very fine.
Footnote: Hermann Graf (1912–1988) was a highly decorated Luftwaffe ace during World War II. Graf joined the Luftwaffe in 1935 and initially only flew transport missions. At the start of the war, Graf was limited to patrol and instructing duties. It was during the attack on Russia that Graf managed to show his skill as a fighter pilot and in (approximately) half a year on the Eastern Front he had claimed 45 aerial victories. For his victories, he was awarded the Knight’s Cross in January 1942. By September of the same year he had claimed 172 victories - a feat which won him the Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. At the end of September he claimed his 200th victory, becoming the first person in aviation history to do so. This success elevated him to hero status by the Luftwaffe and he was forbidden to fly combat missions. In late 1943 he returned to flying combat missions and in March 1944 he achieved his 212th victory. He later took command of the Fighter Wing 52, a position he held until the end of the war. Graf flew over 830 combat missions and was decorated with: Wound Badge in Silver, Combined Pilot’s Observation Badge in Gold with Diamonds, Romanian Pilot’s Badge. Crimea Shield, Romanian Knight Order of the Crown, Iron Cross I and II Class, Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Fighter Pilots in Bronze, Silver and Gold, German Cross in Gold, Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, and a Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe.