An Extensive Family Group to the SS Germania Regiment Commander

An Extensive Family Group to the SS Germania Regiment Commander; This is a unique and superb document group to the Mühlenkamp family which includes actions in the Franco Prussian War, the First War, and the Second War. Three generations of military involvement which culminated in Johann Rudolf Mühlenkamp who won the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with oakleaves as Commander of the SS Germania Regiment. 1st Generation: This includes 6 double sided pages of war dairy outlining his daily activity during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71. These pages are fragile, with neatly executed handwriting. 2nd Generation: Emil Mühlenkamp The documents for Emil are extensive. They include but are not limited to the following: A copy of his Diploma from the construction school of Holzminden; Promotion Document for the rank of Feldwebelleutnant, July 30, 1915; Count Ernst August War Merit Cross Document, July 18th, 1916; 1914 Iron Cross II. Class Document, July 27, 1915; Graduation Document from Oberrealschule, November 6, 1918. Several newspaper clippings and articles; documents pertaining to a shooting club he was a member; Several Telegrams; Army Songs; A Algerian French newpaper; several letters; as well as his dog tag; repatriation notice in French; Most importantly is the absolutely extensive and excellent large photo album which Emil kept throughout the war. it is perhaps the best of its type we have offered. It includes roughly 400 original period photographs depicting his time in the army as an engineer; rebuilding trenches, towns, and bridges across the Western Front. 3rd Generation: Johann Rudolf Mühlenkamp Johann Mühlenkamp was born on October 9th, 1910 in Monigny les Metz, in Lorraine. In September of 1934 he volunteered for the SS Regiment “Germania.” After having completed officer training at the SS Junkerschule in Braunschweig on April 20th, 1936, he was promoted to Untersturmfuhrer. In 1936 he continued special training with motorized machine gunnery, with the 2nd Motor Gunnery Battalion with the army, and in 1938 took over the command of the 15th SS Company “Germania.” He led this company in their invasion of Poland, during which time he won the Iron Cross First and Second Class. After having suffered a grievous shrapnel wound in October 1942, he returned from the hospital to command the 5th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment “Wiking.” He held this command until March 1943, during which time they were active as part of Army Group South active in Ukraine and the Caucasus. He suffered five wounds in the line of duty, thus earning the Wound Badge in Gold. They are as follows: September 6th, 1941 he suffered a shrapnel wound to the neck. October 15th 1941 he suffered a gunshot wound to the left underarm; on the same date he suffered a shrapnel wound to the left leg. October 7th, 1942 he suffered a shrapnel wound to the right foot. January 13th, 1943 he suffered a shrapnel wound to the chin; the scar left behind is visible in his photos. He was a recipient of the Knight’s Cross which he received for the successful capture of the Ukrainian town of Rostov, as well as the German Cross in Gold. He was awarded the SS Honour Ring and Sword, as well as a Panzer Badge, and the Croatian Order of the Crown of King Zvonimir. His “Wiking” Division was among those SS units held responsible for the July 11th, 1941 reprisal for Soviet Brutality in which hundreds of Ukrainian Jews were killed outside of L’viv. The unit was also involved in killing of Polish Jews during their march through that country in 1941. His Regiment fell back in 1944 to fight along the Vistula in Poland, and then further back to defend Budapest. His regiment surrendered to American forces outside of Vienna, and he lived the rest of his life in Germany. He died in Goslar in 1986. Johann Rudolf Mühlenkamp Document Grouping: 9 Photographs, 2 pieces of original congratulatory poetry with watercolours, 5/SS Germania Scrapbook with campaign photos, Statutory Deposition by a comrade, blue ribbon for long service in the SS, internment camp ID. Perhaps the centre pieces of this group at the water colour drawings and poems given to Mühlenkamp by his troops upon him being awarded the Knight's Cross and for his Birthday. Birthday Poem: Once again we stand on the battlefield With hearts ablaze Ready to bear any pain For our great Fatherland   The battle is hard The enemy holds us in no regard But at the end of our long way We will meet German victory   As on the wide steppe of Kuban On the Laban passage The Panzers’ treads chime on Their battle-tune   At Malgobek and Ssagopschin As Panzer faced Panzer There stood the 2nd Company With glory by the first tank battle.   Protected in all cases On Russia’s wide expanse So has fortune Brought you here today   Ready at all times In hours good or not To follow and to do battle In the sacred bond of the warrior   Congratulatory Poem for the Knight’s Cross: The 2nd SS Panzer Company congratulates the commander of the 5th SS Panzer Division SS Sturmbannfuhrer Mühlenkamp on his Knight’s Cross Caucasus, September 20, 1942  The second company is reporting in For their division commander Him, today we honour For his honourable glory   Rostov, a cornerstone of the division, Was our first great victory A send off from the Great Reich In this Holy War   So we were on the second day In Russia’s wide expanse The first battle fought The SS Panzers fight on!   So here we are In the heart of hostile land We have sworn allegiance To Commander Mühlenkamp