This collection consists of:
1) An award certificate for a Paratrooper Loyalty Necklace,
2) An original Soldbuch in post war binding,
3) An award certificate for an Iron Cross 1939 Second Class,
4) An award certificate for a Kreta cuff title,
5) An award certificate for a War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords.
1) The Paratrooper Loyalty Necklace in its period case; the badge constructed of stamped silver (marked “800” for silver content), and with an Italian silver hallmark; the obverse in the shape of a standard paratrooper badge; on a loop for suspension from its silver chain; measuring 13.18 mm (w) x 20.10 mm (h); weighing 3.1 grams. Accompanied by its original box of issue; constructed of heavy pressed paper; with a burgundy faux leather (leatherette) exterior; functional closing hook, with an intact fabric hinge cover, and a functional exterior metal hinge; measuring 58 mm (w) x 98 mm (h); previously cleaned, with light residue of cleaning paste on the surface of the badge. The Paratrooper Loyalty Necklace is given to Mrs. Ruth Hartwig as a sign of the ties she has with the 1st Paratrooper Division. It is dated to December 24, 1944 and signed in blue ink by Oberst (Colonel) and Division Commander Karl-Lothar Schulz (1907–1972), a recipient of the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. The accompanying letter is dated to December 29, 1944 and signed by a Stabsarzt and Chief Medical Officer, the name is illegible. The document measures 204 mm x 276 mm (better than very fine condition), with the accompanying letter measuring 207 mm x 262 mm (fair condition).
2) The Soldbuch is dated to September 13, 1939. It states that Heinz Hartwig was born on February 29, 1920 in Prenzlau (northeast Germany). He joined the army on August 29, 1939 as a medical student in the Medical Replacement Company 8 of the Landwehr. On October 1, 1939 he was promoted to Medical Soldier, and on April 1, 1940 to Medical Lance Corporal. Hartwig trained for a month with the 2nd Students Company of Paratrooper School 2 in Stendal between July and August 1940. Afterwards he was redeployed to the Transport Company of Paratrooper Division 7 with which he stayed until mid December. In October he had to spend a few days in the hospital due to appendicitis. Between mid December of 1940 and mid November of 1941 Hartwig served with the Transport Company of the 11th Paratrooper Corps. During this time he received his promotion to Medical Corporal on April 1 as well as being awarded the Knight’s Cross 2nd Class on June 15, 1941. Hartwig took part in the capture of Crete and was awarded the Kreta commemorative cuff title on May 20, 1943. On May 24 Hartwig was hospitalised. The reason given is illegible, however one word might be fissure. Hartwig took part in the defending of the Cassino line. On September 1, 1944 he was promoted to Medical Staff Corporal. On the same day he was also awarded the War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords. Hartwig received his final promotion to Medical NCO on November 1, 1944. Presumably he survived the war, as the Soldbuch states that payments were made until May 31, 1945. It measures 105 mm x 144 mm (near very fine condition with extensive repairs, presumably post war).
3) The Iron Cross 1939 Second Class “Eisernes Kreuz 1939 2. Klasse”; a cross pattée of multi-piece construction with a blackened iron core (magnetic) within a ribbed border; on loop for suspension (unmarked); with its lightly soiled period original ribbon; the obverse with a raised central mobile swastika with the re-institution date “1939” in raised numbering on the lower arm; the reverse with the original institution date “1813” in raised numbering on the lower arm; measuring 44.21 mm (w) x 44.60 mm (h); weighing 18.3 grams. The Iron Cross 2nd Class certificate is named to Obergefreiter (Corporal) Hartwig, dated to June 15, 1941 and signed in black ink by Commander of Paratroopers, General der Flieger Kurt Student (1890–1978), a recipient of the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves. It measures 140 mm x 200 mm (better than very fine condition).
4) The Kreta Campaign cuff title; constructed of white cotton, with machine embroidered script “Kreta” in lemon-yellow threading, flanked on both sides by Acanthus designs in the same colour; the top and bottom edges ordained with matching horizontally running lemon-yellow braiding; measuring 415 mm (w) x 30 mm (h); lightly soiled, in overall better than very fine condition. The Kreta cuff title certificate is named to San.-Obergefreiter (Medical Corporal) Hartwig as Chief Medical Officer Supply Leader 1st Paratrooper Division. The document is dated to May 20, 1943 and carries a facsimile of Student. It measures 148 mm x 209 mm (in better than very fine condition).
5) The War Merit Cross Second Class with Swords “Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern”; maltese cross in bronzed alloy; on loop for suspension - marked “95” for “Adolf Scholze”; with its soiled period original ribbon; the obverse pebbled, with a circular raised border of oak leaves on the obverse with a raised mobile swastika in the center; the reverse with a circular raised border of oak leaves bearing the institution date “1939” in raised numbering; measuring 47.05 mm (w) x 47.07 mm (h); weighing 22.3 grams. The War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords certificate is named to Obergefreiter Hartwig, dated to September 1, 1944 and carrying a facsimile of Commander of the 1st Paratrooper Division, Lieutenant General Richard Heidrich (1896–1947), a recipient of the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. It measures 148 mm x 210 mm (better than very fine condition). An extremely fine collection of second war period medals, awards, and decorations belonging to an established Luftwaffe Paratrooper. This grouping is crowned with a rare and very desirable loyalty necklace, which was awarded to the wives of especially reliable paratroopers who helped save the art treasures of the Monte Cassino abbey. The award was made from silver that had been gifted to the 1st Paratrooper Division by abbot Gregorio Diamare. In overall near extremely fine condition.