Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Manufactured by "Klein & Quenzer, Idar-Oberstein". Blackened iron core, the silver frame with the typical thick stamped eyelet, reverse marked "800" silver. Complete with jump ring, stamped "800 65". Lightly worn piece, with the original worn neck ribbon section. In original presentation case, inside with an unworn neck ribbon section. The lid of the case has warped slightly and no longer closes properly.
Army Honor Roll Clasp, tombac, the swastika separately inserted, complete mounted on ribbon, removed from field tunic, condition 2.
German Cross in Gold, lightweight version by Zimmermann, maker mark on inside of pin "20", reverse with 4 hollow rivets. The cross is lightly worn, condition 2.
Iron Cross 1939 1st Class. Clearly worn, reverse pin catch was repaired during the war, condition 2. Together with Iron Cross 1939 2nd Class on ribbon. Wound Badge 1939 in Gold. Tombac version, without maker mark, condition 2. Cuff title "Kreta", clearly worn, removed from field tunic, condition 2-.
Infantry Assault Badge in Silver, hollow-embossed version. Worn, condition 2-.
Bulgaria Military Order of Merit IV Class, in presentation case, condition 2. Together with a single shoulder board as Major in Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100. Clearly worn, condition 2.

Unfortunately, all award documents, Soldbuch and Wehrpass are no longer available due to the turmoil of war. However, there exist 4 photo albums, 1 photo folder, one binder with hundreds of photos of Pöschl with extensive photos, descriptions, combat reports, maps covering the entire course of the war, including very fine portrait photos as Hauptmann and Major with all decorations:
14 portrait photos, from Unteroffizier in Gebirgsjäger-Regt. 100 to Oberstleutnant with all decorations.
Photo album "Supplementary Volume IV Advance Bulgaria Metaxas Line Greece" 1940, 128 photos, partially captioned: rail transport through Bulgaria, advance, front life, battles and crossing of the Metaxas Line, Bulgarian soldiers, gun position in combat, Gebirgsjäger advancing, capture of enemy positions, destroyed German tank, the first German graves, Thermopylae, rest during advance with mule, entry into Athens.
Photo album "Supplementary Volume V/1 Crete", handwritten "Kreta 22.5.41-23.12.41 Part I", 110 photos completely captioned: advance in Greece, destroyed British and Greek aircraft on an airfield, journey to Chalkis on the coast, loading of III. Btl. in the port of Chalkis onto fishing boats, 1941, loading of Ju 52, preparing and takeoff 20.5.41, boarding the aircraft and flight to Crete, crash landing of the aircraft at Maleme, directly into combat, encounter with German paratroopers on mules, German cargo gliders at Maleme, Btl. command post in a farmhouse, advance and battles on 23.5. at 5 o'clock in the morning, attack through irrigation ditches, recovery of wounded, on 24.5. capture of a prison, converted to position, battles, Btl. command post on 26.5.41, attack on Chania 27.5.41 with heavy MG and Pak, British regimental staff captured after brief engagement 27.5., Chania after victory, pause after fighting in Chania captured British tank with German flag, battles on 28.5. Together with a series of newspaper clippings about the fighting in Crete, with handwritten comments by Pöschl.
Photo album "Supplementary Volume V/2 Crete" handwritten "Kreta 22.5.-23.12.41 Part II", 103 photos completely captioned: continuation of advance to coast and to Suda coast in the afternoon 28.5. In the background the cruiser Yorck, the harbor quay of Suda, liberated Italians, after a bivouac further advance in great heat, an abandoned British tank 29.5., Pak security on the pass, soldier's grave of a comrade fallen on 30.5., battles on 30.5., firing position of heavy mortars, advance on 1.6., the British capitulate 1.6.41 6000 prisoners, on the coast of Sfakia, recreation on the beach, soldier life in Kalyviani, trip into the former combat area with the commander's vehicle, construction of the memorial for the fallen of the company at Kalyviani.
Photo album "Supplementary Volume V/3 Crete" handwritten "Kreta 22.5.-23.12.41 Part III", 83 photos, partially captioned: Iron Cross award ceremony by General Ringl (Pöschl receives his EK 1 on 23.6.1941), another Iron Cross award ceremony by Obstlt. Schrank, in Kalivia (Kalyvia), Iron Cross award ceremony on the south coast, tour of historic ruins, impressions of Crete, airfield of Maleme with destroyed German aircraft, soldiers' graves of fallen comrades 3. Kp. Gb.Jg.Rgt.100, view of the paratrooper memorial, transport to Piraeus 23.12.41., unloading in the port of Piraeus, submarine and warships in the harbor.
1 binder with numerous additional photos, a large "Map of Southeastern Europe", with the handwritten route and battle of Pöschl's regiment through Bulgaria, Greece to Crete with all battles and dates, combat report of 3. Kompanie Geb. Jäg.Rgt. 100 from 17.4.1941, photos field service on 27.3.41, advance 18.4.41, newspaper clippings, additional photos of Crete: unloading of motorcycle from Ju 52 after emergency landing, combat report of 3. Kompanie Geb. Jäg.Rgt. 100 from 8 June 1941 over 18 pages detailed combat reports of the fighting in Crete, together with a detailed map with the recorded battles and graves of comrades in Crete (created after 1945), pictures of comrades and graves in Crete.
Small folder: transfer to Italy Cassino December 1943, photos of Monte Cassino, newspaper clipping "The personal commitment of the battalion commander restored the situation" (= the Knight's Cross action of Pöschl), Italian tactical map of the fighting at Monte Cassino, 9 very fine photos of the Knight's Cross award ceremony to Pöschl, 2 very fine portrait photos as Hauptmann with Knight's Cross. At the end a letter from prisoner of war camp 30.10.45.
Another folder with photos on home leave, fighting in Russia 1942 Volkhov Front, (including some reproduction photos) in winter camouflage clothing on skis with tank, at the front, in full cover, winter combat with mortar, position in snow, destroyed German and Russian tanks in the swamps, captured Russians, no man's land in front of the first trench, military cemetery with burial of comrades, photo with newly awarded German Cross in Gold February 1942, position, trench bunker, regimental commander Oberst Anton Glasl with Knight's Cross award ceremony, Iron Cross 2nd Class award ceremony, together with a bag full of tactical maps and additional loose photos.

The description can only give a small impression of the extensive photographic material and documents, almost unique in this scope.

Franz Pöschl, born 2 November 1917 in Munich, died 25.1.2011 in Hamburg. 1936 entry as officer cadet in the Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100 in Bad Reichenhall, 1937 Fähnrich at the Kriegsschule Munich. 1938 promotion to Leutnant, platoon leader I./Geb.Jäg. Regt. 100. 1939 army mountain leader candidate, staff leader at the army ski championships. Participation in the Polish campaign with I./Geb.Jäg.Regt. 100, on 14 September 1939 1st wound, award of Iron Cross II. In July 1940 ordnance officer I./Geb.Jäg.Regt. 100, promotion to Oberleutnant on 1.8., on 1.10.1940 appointment as company commander 3./Geb.Jäg.Regt. 100. 1941 deployment in Greece, Metaxas Line, airborne Battle of Crete, award of Iron Cross 1st Class and Infantry Assault Badge. 1942 deployment in Russia Lake Ladoga-Volkhov, award of German Cross in Gold on 30.7.1942 as commander, 3. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100, 2nd severe wound on 22.8.1942. From January 1943 regimental adjutant at Geb.Jäg. Regt. 100, 3rd wound on 9.4., award of silver Wound Badge on 20 April 1943, promotion to Hauptmann on 1.2.1943, from October battalion commander I./Geb.Jäg.Regt. 100, transfer to Italy (Monte Cassino). After 4th and 5th wounds award of Wound Badge in Gold on 28.1.1944. Award of Knight's Cross on 23 February 1944. On 12.01.1944 the French Expeditionary Corps launched an attack on German positions in Italy. One of the attacking units was the 3rd Algerian Division, whose objective was to capture the peaks of Monte Casale and Monte Acquafondata and subsequently advance to S. Elia. In this attack, Hauptmann Pöschl prevented at a decisive point the flanking of the defensive installations of 5. Gebirgs-Division, which led to his recommendation for the Knight's Cross. On 1.4.1944 promotion to Major, ordered to general staff training, after 20 July recalled and transferred in September to 6. Geb. Div. (Murmansk Front), in September regimental commander Geb.Jg.Rgt. 143, withdrawal battles via Hammerfest, promotion to Oberstleutnant on 1.11.1944, award of Army Honor Roll Clasp on 15.2.1945. On 8 May capitulation north of Narvik into British prisoner of war captivity, transfer as prisoner of war to France, released in February 1946.

After the war Pöschl entered the Bundeswehr on 1 January 1960. Initially deputy brigade commander, he commanded the Gebirgsjägerbrigade 23 in Bad Reichenhall from 1 July 1961 to March 1965. In March 1965 he was promoted to Brigadegeneral. From 1966 to 1970 he was commander of 1. Luftlandedivision in Bruchsal. From October 1972 to March 1978 Pöschl was the commanding general of III. Korps of the Bundeswehr. As a three-star general of the Bundeswehr, he was awarded the Grand Cross of Merit with Star of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1973 at the end of his service. Franz Pöschl died on 25.1.2011 in Hamburg.

We were able to acquire the estate directly from the family, the group has never been in a collector's hands. The estate is 100% associated and original in all parts. For this we give our lifetime guarantee of authenticity.
The Bundeswehr estate is our article no. 473782.

We could purchase the entire group directly from the son, all items belonged to Franz Pöschl, nothing has been ever added or removed. For the entire estate of Franz Pöschl, Oberstleutnant of the Wehrmacht and General of the Bundeswehr we will give you our unconditional life-time guarantee.

473608

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939. Large estate from the possession of Oberstleutnant Franz Pöschl, Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100, last assignment 6. Gebirgs-Division

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) stands as the highest regularly bestowed decoration of Nazi Germany, created to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or outstanding military leadership during the Second World War. Its roots reach back to the original Iron Cross, first instituted in 1813. With the outbreak of World War II on 1 September 1939, Adolf Hitler, in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the German armed forces, decreed the renewal of the Iron Cross through the Verordnung über die Erneuerung des Eisernen Kreuzes (Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573), introducing a new grade: the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

The Knight's Cross was second only to the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded only once during the entire war, to Hermann Göring in July 1940, making the Knight's Cross the de facto highest decoration among the awards of Nazi Germany. The Knight's Cross existed in five grades: the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross; the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves (instituted 3 June 1940); the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords and the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (both instituted in 1941); and the Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (instituted 29 December 1944).

Physically, the Knight's Cross takes the form of a cross pattée—a cross with arms that are narrow at the center and broader at the perimeter—featuring a blackened iron core set within a silver frame stamped “800” to denote 800-grade silver content. The obverse bears a swastika at its center with the date of institution “1939” on the lower arm, while the reverse carries the embossed date “1813,” referencing the original founding of the Iron Cross. The decoration measured approximately 48 mm wide and weighed roughly 28.75 grams.

Eight different manufacturers produced official award versions: Gebrüder Godet & Co., Deschler & Sohn, C. E. Juncker, Klein & Quenzer, Paul Meybauer, Steinhauer & Lück, Otto Schickle, and C. F. Zimmermann. The example in this estate is described as a production of Klein & Quenzer, Idar-Oberstein, featuring the characteristic thick co-struck suspension eye, a reverse “800” silver stamp, and a jump ring punched “800 65.” It is presented in its original award case with the original neck ribbon.

To qualify for the Knight's Cross, a soldier was required to already hold the 1939 Iron Cross First Class, though in certain cases the Iron Cross First Class was awarded concurrently with the Knight's Cross. U-boat commanders could qualify by sinking 100,000 tons of shipping, and Luftwaffe pilots could qualify by accumulating 20 “points,” with points awarded for shooting down aircraft and doubled for night engagements. The first presentation took place on 30 September 1939, following the German invasion of Poland. The last legal presentation had to be made before 23:01 Central European Time on 8 May 1945; a teleprinter message dated 3 May authorized commanders-in-chief of units still engaged in combat to award the Knight's Cross on their own authority.

Analysis of the German Federal Archives revealed evidence for 7,161 officially bestowed recipients. The Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR), founded in 1955 in Cologne by Alfred Keller, recorded 882 awards of Oak Leaves, 159 Swords, 27 Diamonds, one Golden Oak Leaves, and one Grand Cross. Among the most notable recipients were Hans-Ulrich Rudel, who on 1 January 1945 became the sole recipient of the Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, and Werner Mölders and Adolf Galland, who were the first recipients of the Diamonds grade.

This particular estate belonged to Oberstleutnant Franz Pöschl, born on 2 November 1917 in Munich. Pöschl entered military service in 1936 as a Fahnenjunker with Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100 in Bad Reichenhall and rose through the ranks from platoon leader to battalion commander during the war. His Knight's Cross was awarded on 23 February 1944 for his actions on 12 January 1944, when, as Hauptmann and commander of I./Geb.Jäg.Regt. 100, he personally prevented the French Expeditionary Corps’s 3rd Algerian Division from outflanking the defensive positions of the 5th Mountain Division during the fighting around Monte Cassino in Italy. The estate encompasses, alongside the Knight's Cross in its original case, the German Cross in Gold, the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class, the Wound Badge in Gold (after five wounds), the “Kreta” cuff title, the Infantry Assault Badge in Silver, the Honour Roll Clasp of the Army, and a Bulgarian Military Merit Order IV Class. These are accompanied by extensive photograph albums and combat reports documenting his service path from Poland through Greece, Crete, the Volkhov Front in Russia, and finally Italy.

In post-war Germany, the Federal Republic of Germany prohibited the wearing of Nazi insignia. In 1957, the German government authorized a replacement Knight's Cross featuring an oak leaf cluster in place of the swastika, allowing World War II veterans to continue wearing their decorations. Production of these denazified awards ceased in 1986. Franz Pöschl himself joined the Bundeswehr on 1 January 1960 and eventually rose to the rank of Generalleutnant before his death on 25 January 2011 in Hamburg.