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Large award document for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, awarded to Oberfeldwebel Rudolf Schlee, dated “Führerhauptquartier, 23 October 1941”. With original ink signature of the Führer and Reich Chancellor “Adolf Hitler”. The document on large double-leaf parchment handwritten, the name of the recipient “Rudolf Schlee” in raised gold. The Knight's Cross portfolio of red leather with gold-embossed national eagle. The inside covers with parchment mirrors and hand-gilded line borders. On the rear lower edge with signature “Frieda Thiersch”. The presentation portfolio shows minimal signs of age, the corners only slightly bumped, the red retaining strap for the parchment leaf is detached top and bottom but completely intact. The document and portfolio in good condition.

Included in photocopy the personnel files of Schlee from the Oberkommando des Heeres, Heerespersonalamt, last entries dated 8.8.1944 with detailed description of Schlee's role in suppressing the uprising of 20 July 1944 with the request for his preferential promotion to Hauptmann.

Rudolf Schlee was born on 10 November 1913 in Ludwigshafen, he entered the 5th Company of Infanterieregiment 13 in Ludwigsburg, Württemberg on 5 April 1934. After rigorous infantry basic training he was promoted to Unteroffizier on 1 June 1936. With his regiment he participated in the Western Campaign and was awarded the Iron Cross Second and First Class within only three months. Through transfer of the I. and II. Battalions of Infanterieregiment 13 to the newly established 4. Gebirgsdivision, Rudolf Schlee joined Gebirgsjägerregiment 13. As platoon leader in the 6th Company he participated in the Yugoslav Campaign and marched in the following war years with his division as part of Heeresgruppe Süd through Southern Russia to the Caucasus and into the Kuban bridgehead. During his regiment's advance on Pultowzy he succeeded through prudent leadership of his men in accelerating the capture of the city and neutralizing the heavy weapons positioned on the southern edge. For this he was awarded the Knight's Cross on 23 October 1941. On 30 November 1941 he was admitted to Reserve-Lazarett Gulaj-Pole after a severe wound. In October 1942 he was appointed commander of the 6th Company, only one day later severely wounded by a shell splinter on the left side of his neck. As a result of this wound he was transferred to Gebirgs-Jäger-Ersatz-Bataillon II/98. On 6 April 1943 the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross were awarded for his renewed proven bravery in combat within the 4. Gebirgs-Division in the Kuban bridgehead. In August 1943 after his promotion to Leutnant he became platoon leader in the 4th Company of Wach-Bataillon “Großdeutschland” in Berlin, with which he participated in suppressing the coup attempt in connection with the assassination attempt on Hitler on 20 July 1944. On 20 July he was arrested in the office of General Olbricht. He succeeded in freeing himself from arrest and under the command of Major Ernst Remer suppressed the uprising. A few minutes after midnight, in the courtyard of the Bendlerblock, Stauffenberg, Haeften, Olbricht and Mertz von Quirnheim were shot by the guard battalion under Schlee's command. As a result of his services in suppressing the uprising of 20 July 1944, his preferential promotion to Hauptmann took effect on 1.8.1944.
On 30 April 1945 he was captured by Soviet forces near Frankfurt an der Oder, from which he was released in 1947.

Large award document for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, awarded to Oberst Theodor Graf v. Sponeck, dated “Führerhauptquartier, 12 September 1941”. With original ink signature of the Führer and Reich Chancellor “Adolf Hitler”. The document written by hand on large double-leaf parchment in the early version in brown “sepia” ink. The document written by hand on large double-leaf parchment, the name of the recipient “Theodor Graf v. Sponeck” in raised gold. The Knight's Cross presentation case of red leather with gold-embossed eagle. The inner covers with parchment mirrors and hand-gilded line border. On the lower rear edge with signature “Frieda Thiersch”. The presentation case shows minimal signs of age, the corners only slightly bumped, the red retention strap for the parchment leaf is detached at the bottom but completely intact. The document and case in good condition, exterior with slight signs of age and storage, corners slightly bumped. Condition 2.

Karl Anton Theodor Graf von Sponeck (born 24 January 1896 in Offenburg; died 13 June 1982 in Heidenheim an der Brenz) was a German Generalleutnant in World War II and commander of the 90th Afrika Division, with which he participated in the Second Battle of El Alamein. Sponeck descended from an old Baden noble family. He was the son of Major and district officer at Mosbach Anton von Sponeck (1848–1905) and his wife Therese, née Freiin von Cornberg (1854–1940). Hans von Sponeck (1888–1944), also Generalleutnant of the Wehrmacht, was one of his cousins.

After attending the gymnasium in Mosbach, he pursued a military career and entered the Hauptkadettenanstalt Groß-Lichterfelde in 1912. Commissioned as a Leutnant at age 18, he fought during World War I on the Western and Eastern Fronts. For his achievements he received, in addition to both classes of the Iron Cross, the Knight's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords, the Knight's Cross 2nd Class of the Order of the Zähringer Lion with Swords, and the Wound Badge in Black.

After the war's end, Sponeck took his discharge in January 1920 with the rank of Oberleutnant and transferred to the security police. Already in May of the same year he joined the transitional army of the Reichswehr and was initially assigned to Reichswehr-Schützen-Regiment 113. During the further reduction of the armed forces, Sponeck came as signals officer to Infanterie-Regiment 14 in Konstanz. There Sponeck remained almost ten years. In 1925 he became company commander; on 1 April 1929 he was promoted to Hauptmann.

Sponeck experienced the beginning of World War II during the Polish campaign as First General Staff Officer (Ia) of XV (mot.) Armeekorps under Hermann Hoth. In March 1940 he was promoted to Oberst and appointed commander of Schützenregiment 11, which belonged to 9. Panzer-Division. With this he participated in the Western and Balkan campaigns. Due to his successful deployment in the campaign against the Soviet Union, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 12 September 1941. On 1 November 1941 he suffered a knee wound during the attack on Kursk, which resulted in several months of convalescent leave. In September 1942 he was transferred to North Africa, where he assumed command of the 90th Light Afrika Division in place of the wounded Ulrich Kleemann and was promoted to Generalmajor on 1 November.

During the Second Battle of El Alamein in October/November 1942, Sponeck and his division were successfully deployed repeatedly at critical points, but he also conducted the withdrawal to the Fuka position deliberately and concerned for the welfare of his soldiers. Even opposing commanders, including Montgomery, repeatedly acknowledged Sponeck's notably caring treatment of his men. On 11 May 1943 he was mentioned by name in the Wehrmacht communiqué:

“On the African theater of war, the Light Afrika Division under the command of Generalleutnant Graf Sponeck and the 15. Panzer-Division under the command of Generalmajor Borowietz particularly distinguished themselves.”

On 12 May 1943 Sponeck had to capitulate with the remnants of his division in Tunisia and became a British prisoner of war. Shortly before, he had been promoted to Generalleutnant.

After his return in 1947, he worked for some time as sales manager of a Württemberg machine factory and lived until his death at Schloss Bächingen an der Brenz. He died at age 86 in the hospital in Heidenheim.

Large award document for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, awarded to Generalmajor Ernst Dehner, dated “Führerhauptquartier, 18 October 1941”. With facsimile ink signature of the Führer and Reich Chancellor “Adolf Hitler”. The document on large double-sheet parchment handwritten, the name of the recipient “Ernst Dehner” in raised gold. The Knight's Cross presentation case of red leather with gold-embossed national eagle. The interior covers with parchment mirrors and hand-gilded line border. On the reverse lower edge with signature “Frieda Thiersch”. The presentation case shows minimal signs of age, the corners only slightly bumped, the red retaining strap for the parchment sheet is detached at the top but completely intact. The document and case in good condition, complete with the original felt strip to protect the gold script.

Additionally a beautiful portrait photograph as reproduction and as photocopies the extensive military personnel file of Dehner, Knight's Cross index card, correspondence with the Federal Archives etc.

Ernst Dehner (born 5 March 1889 in Hersbruck; died 13 September 1970 in Königstein im Taunus). Dehner joined the Bavarian Army on 1 October 1908 as a one-year volunteer and served in the 14th Infantry Regiment “Hartmann”. After the outbreak of World War I, Dehner was wounded at the front in September 1914. From 1915 he was company commander in the 23rd Reserve Infantry Regiment. One year later he was captured by the French and remained a prisoner of war from 12 August 1916 to 15 December 1917. Subsequently he was interned in Switzerland until 8 August 1918 and finally returned to Germany. On 22 March 1918 promotion to Hauptmann. After 1918 transferred to the Reichswehr. In January 1929 he was transferred to the staff of the 6th Division in Military District VI. There he was promoted to Major on 1 February 1931. In 1934 he became commander of the 2nd Battalion of the 18th Infantry Regiment and later of the 2nd Battalion of Infantry Regiment “Münster”. In July 1934 he was promoted to Oberstleutnant. At the outbreak of war in 1939, Dehner (Oberst since 1 October 1936) was commander of Infantry Regiment 87.

On 1 October 1940 Dehner received his promotion to Generalmajor and on 22 November 1940 received command of the newly established 106th Infantry Division. His division was trained until June 1941 at the Wahn training ground and subsequently assigned to Army Group Center at Smolensk in central Russia. Dehner participated with his division in the double battle of Vyazma and Bryansk, the attack on Moscow. As part of Panzer Group 4 he experienced the winter battle before Moscow and the heavy withdrawal battles. From May 1942 the 106th ID, reduced to a battle group, was reconstituted in France within the 15th Army. There Ernst Dehner received his promotion to Generalleutnant on 1 October 1942. From 6 November 1942 Ernst Dehner received command of LXXXII Army Corps and was promoted to General der Infanterie on 1 December 1942. Effective 15 July 1943 he was transferred to the southeastern theater and received command of LXIX Reserve Army Corps in Croatia, which he led until 31 March 1944.

After some time in the Führer Reserve, Ernst Dehner was appointed on 5 August 1944 as successor to General der Infanterie Theodor Geib, who had fallen victim to an attack by French partisans on 30 July 1944 and died from its consequences on 26 November 1944, as Commander of Army Area Southern France. Dehner played a major role in organizing the subsequent withdrawal movement of the Wehrmacht from southern and western France. As of 17 November 1944 his office was formally dissolved and Dehner again placed in the Führer Reserve. From 22 January 1945 he was assigned as “General for Special Tasks” to Army Group A, but without conducting any major operations. On 8 May 1945 he was captured by American forces and released from captivity in 1947.

In the Generals in Southeast Europe Trial (Hostage Trial) he had to answer for his role in Yugoslavia. He was sentenced to seven years imprisonment on 19 February 1948. Dehner was released on 3 February 1951 together with 32 other prisoners from Landsberg War Crimes Prison.

Large award document for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, awarded to Oberleutnant Willi Dous, dated “Führerhauptquartier, 5 July 1941”. With original ink signature of the Führer and Reich Chancellor “Adolf Hitler”. The document on large parchment double sheet hand-written in the early version in black ink (later a brown “sepia” ink was used), the name of the recipient “Willi Dous” in raised gold. The Knight's Cross presentation case of red leather with gold-embossed national eagle. The inside covers with parchment mirrors and hand-gilded line borders. On the lower edge of the reverse side with signature “Frieda Thiersch”. The spine of the presentation case was professionally restored by a master bookbinder, slight signs of age, the corners only slightly bumped, the red retaining strap for the parchment sheet is completely preserved. The document and case in good condition, complete with the original felt strip to protect the gold script.
Together with the large promotion document to Hauptmann “effective 1 September 1941” (posthumous promotion), dated Headquarters of the Ob.d.L., 24 August 1941, with original ink signature “Göring”. The document folded on the right edge and somewhat bumped, condition 2-.

Willi Dous born 16 February 1916 in Passenheim/Ortelsburg, killed in action 2 September 1941 near Jarcevo/Soviet Union, received as Oberleutnant and aircraft commander in 8./Kampfgeschwader 3 “Lützow” on 5 July 1941 the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Two months later he had already fallen in Russia.

Large award document for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, awarded to Unteroffizier Helmut Harth, dated “Führerhauptquartier, 22 January 1943”. The document handwritten on large double-sheet parchment, the name of the recipient “Rudolf Schlee” rendered in raised gold. The document is one of the last Knight's Cross presentation folders delivered by Frida Thiersch and was never signed. The Knight's Cross presentation folder in red leather with gold-embossed national eagle. The inside covers with parchment lining and hand-gilded border lines. On the lower edge of the reverse side with signature “Frieda Thiersch”. The double-sided document sheet has dark spots in the upper area of the flyleaf; the spots show through slightly on the upper right of the document side. The presentation folder itself was damaged; the binding/spine was professionally restored and renewed. Condition 2-3.

Helmut Harth, born 18 May 1917 in Berleburg/Wittgenstein, died 27 January 1992 in Schüllar/Bad Berleburg. First deployed as gunner in the Russian campaign, he received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 4 July 1941. As Unteroffizier and tank commander in 12./Panzer-Regiment 21, he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 22 January 1943 for the destruction of an enemy battery southeast of Toropez. Award of the Wound Badge in Black on 18 February 1943.  He was later promoted to Oberfeldwebel and had destroyed over 50 Soviet tanks by the end of the war.

Large award document for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, awarded to Lieutenant Wilhelm Henz, dated “Führerhauptquartier, 8 August 1941”. With original ink signature of the Führer and Reich Chancellor “Adolf Hitler”. The document on large double-leaf parchment handwritten in the early execution in brown “sepia” ink, the name of the recipient “Wilhelm Heinz” rendered in raised gold. The Knight's Cross case of red leather with gold-embossed national eagle. The interior covers with parchment mirrors and hand-gilded line border. On the rear lower edge with signature “Frieda Thiersch”.
The Knight's Cross case was nailed to the wall after the war! The spine and holes in the award case were professionally restored by a master bookbinder, the parchment leaf still shows the old holes at the edge. Due to the damage and restoration of the case, we have priced the case significantly below the usual market value.

Included are 2 original photographs of Henz, a snapshot at the award ceremony of the Knight's Cross as well as another portrait photograph with the freshly awarded Knight's Cross.

Also included is the issue “Der Landser No. 289” - “Lieutenant Willi Henz Poland, France and Stalingrad were the theaters of war where the later battalion commander participated in the great battles of World War II...”.

Wilhelm Henz, born 1 October 1915, fallen 30 January 1943 at Stalingrad. Henz received on 8 August as Lieutenant and Commander of 2nd Company, Motorcycle Rifle Battalion 29 the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. As part of the 29th Infantry Division (motorized), his motorcycle rifle battalion participated in the Battle of Stalingrad, where he fell on 30 January 1943.

This is only the individual parchment document. Calligraphically designed award text in sepia-brown and gold “...I hereby award General der Infanterie Paul Laux the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross... Führerhauptquartier, 17 May 1943”. The name of the recipient “Paul Laux”. The document was never completed, as General Laux succumbed to his wounds on 29 August 1944. Therefore, the ink signature of the Führer and Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler is missing, as well as the presentation folder, dimensions 43.2 x 34.7 cm. The document sheet slightly wavy, condition 2.
The document was war booty of a US soldier in 1945, who took it home. Back in Germany for the first time since 1945.

Paul Laux (born 11 November 1887 in Weimar; died 2 September 1944 in Riga) was a German General der Infanterie in World War II. Laux entered the 10th Infantry Regiment No. 134 of the Saxon Army in Plauen as an officer cadet on 20 February 1907, promoted to Leutnant in 1908. At the outbreak of World War I, he was battalion adjutant with his parent regiment. On 28 November 1914, he was promoted to Oberleutnant. After Laux was promoted to Hauptmann on 1 August 1916, he was employed as a staff officer. Shortly before the end of the war, Laux received command of a battalion. For his service during the war, he was decorated with both classes of the Iron Cross, the Knight's Cross of the Military Order of St. Henry, the Knight's Cross 1st Class of the Albert Order, the Wilhelm Ernst War Cross, as well as the Knight's Cross 2nd Class with Swords of the Saxon Merit Order and the House Order of the White Falcon. After the war, he was transferred to the Reichswehr and initially served in spring 1920 as a general staff officer with the commander of the 19th Brigade. Later, in spring 1923, Laux was assigned to the staff of the III Battalion of the regiment, and was subsequently stationed in Leipzig. After serving in this staff for about half a year, he was transferred on 1 October 1923 for two years to the general staff of the Artillerieführer IV based in Dresden. After this period, Laux became a staff officer with Infanterieführer IV, which also had its headquarters in Dresden. Laux was transferred on 1 October 1927 to the general staff of the 4th Division, where he would remain for four years. During this time, he was promoted to Major on 1 April 1929. He was then transferred before the planned end of his service with Infanterieführer IV for another four years to Artillerieführer VI in Münster/Westfalen, and during this time was promoted to Oberstleutnant on 1 August 1933. During the expansion of the Reichswehr, he moved with the staff of Artillerieführer VI, which was now merely a cover name for a divisional staff, to Hannover. After promotion to Oberst on 1 July 1935, Laux became commander of Infantry Regiment Marienburg, which after the unveiling of units on 15 October 1935 became Infantry Regiment 24 based in Braunsberg.

National Socialism
His regimental command was withdrawn on 1 October; thereafter Laux was directly subordinated to the Commander-in-Chief of the Army for special assignment. After promotion to Generalmajor on 1 April 1938, he became Infanteriekommandeur 10 in Passau on 10 November of the same year, giving him command of the infantry units of the 10th Infantry Division.

In the first year of World War II, from August 1939 to May 1940, he held the rank of Oberquartiermeister of the 1st Army. In October, he was appointed commander of the 126th Infantry Division, which he led into northern Soviet Union during the German-Soviet War in summer 1941. Laux was promoted to Generalleutnant on 1 January 1941. For his achievements in 1941, Paul Laux was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 December 1941. After the end of his command of the 126th Infantry Division, he briefly commanded “Korps Laux” from 10 October to 28 November 1942, and subsequently was Commanding General of II Army Corps until July 1944. He relinquished his command on 1 April 1944 and resumed it on 11 May. During his time as commander of this corps, he was promoted to General der Infanterie on 1 December 1942 and was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (237th award) on 17 May 1943 for his leadership during the defensive battles in the Demjansk salient. Thereafter, Laux was again relieved of his command on 2 July 1944, but was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the 16th Army for nearly two months until his death.

General Paul Laux's grave in Ogre
Due to enemy fire, the Fieseler Storch in which Paul Laux was conducting a reconnaissance flight in the Riga area on 30 August 1944 crashed. He succumbed to his severe injuries on 2 September at Field Hospital 158 in Riga.

This lot consists of the single parchment document only. Calligraphically executed in sepia-brown and gold award text “...I hereby award General der Panzertruppe Hans Reinhardt the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross... Führerhauptquartier, 17 February 1942”. The name of the recipient “Hans Reinhardt” rendered in raised gold. With original ink signature of the Führer and Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler. The double-leaf parchment has been cut, dimensions 43.5 x 35 cm. The white presentation folder is no longer present. The document leaf slightly wavy, condition 2.
The document was war booty of a US soldier in 1945, who cut the document and took it home. For the first time since 1945 back in Germany.

Georg-Hans Reinhardt (born 1 March 1887 in Bautzen; died 24 November 1963 at Tegernsee) entered the Saxon Army in 1907 as an officer cadet (Fahnenjunker) in the 8th Infantry Regiment “Prinz Johann Georg” Nr. 107 in Leipzig. Promoted to Leutnant in 1908. As Oberleutnant he fought in France in 1914 and later on the Eastern Front. In addition to both classes of the Iron Cross, Reinhardt was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Military Order of St. Henry on 22 August 1915, and on 30 August 1918 the Knight's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords. At war's end he was a Hauptmann and First General Staff Officer (Ia) of the 192nd Infantry Division (8th Royal Saxon). Subsequently he served with Grenzjägerbrigade 19 and was transferred to the Reichswehr on 16 May 1920. Various assignments followed and in 1928 he was assigned to the Reichswehrministerium. In 1932 he became battalion commander in the 10th (Saxon) Infantry Regiment as Oberstleutnant, and in 1933 Chief of Staff of the 4th Division for a few months. In autumn 1933 he returned to the Reichswehrministerium, where he became Chief of the Army Training Department. In this capacity he was promoted to Oberst on 1 February 1934 and to Generalmajor on 1 April 1937.

On 12 October 1937 he became commander of the 1st Rifle Brigade (Schützen-Brigade) of the 1st Panzer Division, on 10 November 1938 he assumed command of the 4th Panzer Division. For his division's performance during the Polish Campaign he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 October 1939, after being promoted to Generalleutnant on 1 October 1939. On 15 February 1940 he was appointed Commanding General of XXXXI Army Corps (motorized), which he led in the Western Campaign. For the corps' achievements during the breakthrough through the Ardennes and the advance to the English Channel he was promoted to General der Panzertruppe on 1 June. Reinhardt also participated with his corps in the Balkan Campaign in early 1941.

From June 1941 Reinhardt led XXXXI Army Corps in the Russian Campaign up to Leningrad. On 5 October 1941 he assumed command of Panzer Group 3, which from 1942 was designated 3rd Panzer Army. With this force he participated in the Battle of Moscow. After being awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross on 17 February 1942 for the Panzer Army's performance during the defensive battles of winter 1941/42, he was promoted to Generaloberst in mid-March with effect from 1 January. With his Panzer Army he formed the northern flank of Army Group Center in the area north of Smolensk in 1942 and 1943, conducting successful defensive operations there in winter 1943/44. For this he was awarded the Swords to the Knight's Cross on 26 May 1944. However, like all of Army Group Center, the now heavily weakened 3rd Panzer Army was unable to withstand the Soviet summer offensive (“Operation Bagration”). Large portions of this army were captured or destroyed defending the region around the city of Vitebsk.

On 16 August 1944 Reinhardt became Commander-in-Chief of Army Group Center. Reinhardt succeeded in re-establishing a front line at the East Prussian border after the devastating losses of summer. On 26 January 1945, following the collapse of the front at the Vistula and after disagreements with Adolf Hitler, he was relieved of command and placed in the Führer Reserve.
In June 1945 Reinhardt was arrested by the US Army and sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment on 27 October 1948 in the Nuremberg OKW Trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In 1952 Reinhardt was released from the American war crimes prison. That same year Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer received Reinhardt and other “symbolic military figures” to advocate for the release of other convicted prisoners.
From 1954 he assumed the chairmanship of the Gesellschaft für Wehrkunde and authored numerous memoranda. As official recognition for this work he was awarded the Grand Cross of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany on 24 November 1962.

This item consists of the individual parchment document only. Calligraphically designed in sepia-brown and gold award text “...I hereby award Leutnant Fritz Dinger the Knight's Cross... Führerhauptquartier, 23 December 1942”. The name of the recipient “Fritz Dinger”. The document was never completed, as he was killed in action on 27 July 1943. Therefore, the ink signature of the Führer and Reichskanzler Adolf Hitler is missing, as well as the folder cover. Dimensions 43.2 x 34.7 cm. The document sheet slightly wavy, condition 2.
The document was war booty of a US soldier in 1945, who took it home with him. Back in Germany for the first time since 1945.

Fritz Dinger (born 20 August 1915 in Ottweiler; died 27 July 1943 in Scalea, Italy) was a German officer and fighter pilot of the Luftwaffe. After completing school, he was inducted into the Luftwaffe on 1 May 1939, where he completed training as a fighter pilot and rose to the rank of Hauptmann of the Luftwaffe (promoted 1 July 1943). He last served as commander of IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 53 Pik As. He flew a total of over 600 combat missions and recorded 67 aerial victories, including 41 kills on the Eastern Front, 27 aerial victories on the Western Front, of which 10 kills in Tunisia, as well as one 4-engine bomber. On 27 July 1943, he lost his life from bomb splinters during an air raid by Anglo-American forces on Scalea in the Calabria region.