(Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939). Offered is a Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by C.E. Juncker of Berlin. This Knight’s Cross features a regulation post-1940 silver frame that is marked with a micro “800” for silver content centrally on the top arm of the reverse. It is unmarked by the maker but exhibits all manufacturing characteristics and die flaws of a textbook example of Juncker manufactured Knight’s Crosses. The numerals “1939” on the obverse, and “1814” on the reverse are identical to proven examples of the same period. The reverse of the cross is inscribed “IR (Infanterie Regiment) 272 Oblt. Scheunemann - Dem tapferen Chef der Komp”. It is suspended from a period original double-looped suspension ring that is likewise marked “800” for silver content. It measures 48.64 mm (w) x 54.50 mm (h - with its suspension loop), and weighs 32.2 grams in total. An extremely well preserved example. Accompanied by a Certificate of Expertise by Dietrich Maerz.
Footnote: Walter Scheunemann was born on March 26, 1909 in Bankau, Western Prussia (present-day northern Poland). He joined the German police force in 1930, and in 1935 was transferred to the army to serve in Infantry Regiment 50. Here, he became a platoon leader and saw action in the Polish campaign. On February 1, 1940, Scheunemann was promoted to Oberleutnant (Senior Lieutenant) and appointed company leader of the 9th Company of Infantry Regiment 272. During the attack on France, he managed to take Werk (small fort) 789 of the Maginot Line, south of Cappel (south of the Saarland region). For this, he was awarded the Knight’s Cross on August 5, 1940. With the attack on Russia, Scheunemann was stationed on the Eastern Front. Here, he was promoted to Hauptmann (Captain) on April 1, 1942 during the siege of Leningrad. Scheunemann went on to distinguish himself multiple times during battles south of Lake Ilmen as the commander of the 1st Battalion of Grenadier 272 and was awarded the Oak Leaves on March 6, 1943. His promotion to Major followed on March 10, backdated to January 1, 1943. In early 1944, he took command of Grenadier Regiment 270, stationed near Kholm. Scheunemann was promoted to Oberst (Colonel) on September 1, 1944 and in 1945 placed in the Führer Reserve OKH (Supreme Army Command). Some sources speak of another promotion to Major General shortly before the end of the war, but while possible, this cannot be confirmed. Scheunemann died on December 29, 1949 in Göttingen (Lower Saxony) at the young age of 40. The circumstances of his post war life and early death are unknown.