(Luftwaffe Verleihungsurkunden und Bilder). A rare lot of award documents and photographs to Unteroffizier Johann Stadler, a flak gun crewman who served in the Mediterranean theatre, including:
1. An award document for a 1939 Iron Cross II Class, named to Stadler as an Obergefreiter of Fährenflottille (Transport Flotilla) 3 der Luftwaffe, constructed of off-white paper stock with black ink, issued at headquarters on 23 June 1943, featuring the handwritten signature of Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, 30 September 1939; with Oak Leaves, 25 February 1942; Swords, 18 July 1942; and Diamonds, 19 July 1944) in his capacity as Supreme Commander of the Mediterranean, measuring 141 mm (w) x 200 mm (h), with a central folding crease visible, in near extremely fine condition.
2. An award document for a Luftwaffe Flak Badge, constructed of off-white paper stock with black ink, named to Sradler as an Obergefreiter of Fährenflottille der Luftwaffe 3, issued at headquarters on 3 July 1943, featuring the handwritten signature of Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring in his capacity of Chief of Luftflotte 2, measuring 148 mm (w) x 210 mm (h), with a central folding crease visible, in near extremely fine condition.
3. An extremely rare award document for a Luftwaffe Sea Battle Badge, constructed of off-white paper stock with black ink, named to Stadler as an Unteroffizier (NCO) of the staff of Flak-Regiment 5, featuring the handwritten signature of General der Flieger Maximilian von Pohl (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, 15 June 1944) in his capacity as Commander of Luftwaffe district Mittelitalien (Central Italy), measuring 140 mm (w) x 200 mm (h), with a central folding crease visible, in near extremely fine condition.
4. An extensive lot of 47 private wartime photographs depicting Stadler and Luftwaffe personnel in the field, with many featuring razor-sharp images of the Flak 88 with other equipment and vehicles, with clear details of uniforms and decorations, notably featuring several images of sea-based Luftwaffe Fährenflottille flak guns with crews visible, all printed on wartime photo paper (most with Agfa and Mimosa marks) of various sizes, a fascinating supplement to an historically-significant group of award documents in extremely fine condition.