Certificate of scientific qualification as an officer dated 19.9.1912, with stamp and original signature of an Oberst. Report of the Military Marksmanship School on Fähnrich Otto Deindl dated 28.9.1912
Bavarian Pilot's Badge for Military Aircraft Pilots. This is a very early production, manufactured from an Imperial Pilot's Badge. Silver-plated hollow-embossed brass and hollow-soldered, the Imperial crown was cleanly removed and replaced with a Bavarian crown. Reverse with pin and pin safety. A typical production from the beginning of World War I, when Bavarian pilots had not yet received Bavarian badges. Together with the rare certificate of ownership dated 27.9.1914, with original signature of Generalmajor z.D. Heinemann.
2 pilot's certificates for L.V.G. biplane (100 HP Mercedes) dated 28.8.1914, 8.9.1914 and 25.9.1914. Double sheets with stamp and original signature Oberstleutnant Engelhardt.
Provisional certificate of ownership for the Iron Cross 1st Class 1914 for Leutnant Deindl with Kampfgeschwader Nr. 2 O.H.L. With official seal of the Chief of Field Aviation and original signature Oberstleutnant Thomsen. Together with the certificate of ownership dated 8.3.1916.
Award document for the Iron Cross 2nd Class 1914. Dated 28.12.1914, for Leutnant Deindl, Feldfliegerabteilung VI B.
Provisional certificate of ownership for the Iron Cross 1st Class dated 20.7.1916 (!), with original signature of the Chief of Field Aviation, Oberstleutnant Thomsen. Certificate of ownership for the Iron Cross 1st Class dated 8.3.1916, with original signature of the Commander Kampfgeschwader 2, Hauptmann Kastner.
Award document for the Bavarian Military Merit Order 4th Class with Swords dated 2.3.1915, with facsimile signature of the Order's Grand Chancellor Frh. v. Kress.
Award document for the Austrian Military Merit Cross 3rd Class with War Decoration 3rd Class dated 2.1.1918, with paper seal and facsimile signature of the Lord Chamberlain.
Award document for the Bavarian Military Merit Order 4th Class with Crown and with Swords dated 8.4.1918, with facsimile signature of the Order's Grand Chancellor v. Hellingrath. Together with the confirmation of the order award by the Bavarian War Archive dated 2.11.1934.
Confirmation of the award of the Wound Badge in Black by the Bavarian War Archive dated 3.11.1934.
Award document for the Honor Cross for Front Fighters dated 1.12.1934.
Award document for the Medal in Commemoration of 1 October 1938, with original signature of the Commander-in-Chief of Army Group 4, General der Artillerie v. Reichenau.
5-piece miniature chain: Bavarian Military Merit Order with Crown and Swords; Iron Cross 2nd Class 1914; Austrian Military Merit Cross with War Decoration; Badge for Military Aircraft Pilots 1913-21; Wound Badge in Black WWI. 2 miniatures of the Iron Cross 1st Class 1914-18. Silver-plated, with brooches.
Wehrmacht 2 Long Service Awards for 18 and 4 years of service. Silver-plated, without ribbons. Together with 1 silver-plated Wehrmacht eagle for a ribbon.
Award document for the Long Service Award 1st-4th Class dated 2.10.1936 with original signature of the Commander of the 7th Division, Generalleutnant Halder.
1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross 2nd Class, 2nd pattern. Silver-plated brass, mounted on single-button ribbon with split pins. Together with the award document dated 17.6.1940. Award document for the 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross 1st Class. Dated 15 September 1942. With official seal and original signature Generalfeldmarschall and Commander-in-Chief of Panzer Army Africa “Rommel”. Together with the congratulatory letter from Generalfeldmarschall Rommel dated 16.9.1942 for the defense against the attack directed at the fortress of Tobruk. On letterhead of Panzer Army Africa and with original signature Erwin Rommel. Together with related transcript.
2 cuff titles “AFRIKA”. Machine-embroidered versions on camel hair cloth. Both lightly worn, condition 2. Together with the award document dated 22.1.1944, with original signature General d. Inf. Schroth. Including the award proposal dated 18.5.1943 with award notation dated 3.9.1943.
2 cuff titles “AFRIKAKORPS”. Original metal-thread woven versions. Both lightly worn, condition 2. Together with 2 large PK photos of General Deindl upon arrival in Africa, inscribed on reverse March 1942.
Award document for the War Merit Cross 1st Class with Swords. Dated 20 April 1944. With official seal and original signature General der Infanterie Schroth.
Award document for the War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords dated 1.9.1942 by OKH, with original signature of General d. Inf. Keitel. Together with congratulatory letter from the High Command of the German-Italian Panzer Army dated 1.11.1942.
1 pair of shoulder boards for Generalmajor. Execution in gold-plated metal threads/silver braid, for sewing in.
Medal bar from World War II with 8 awards: Iron Cross 1914 2nd Class with 1939 Clasp, Bavaria Military Merit Order 4th Class with Crown and Swords, Austria Military Merit Order, Wehrmacht Long Service Award for 25 and 12 years with ribbon eagles applied, Medal in Commemoration 1.10.1938. Together with another medal bar from World War I with 4 awards.
Wreath for generals' cap (broken), gold-plated aluminum; miniature of a student tassel; ribbon piece for the Italian-German Africa Campaign Medal; miniature of the HJ Achievement Badge 1st Grade, zinc on pin, ribbon for War Merit Cross 2nd Class; brooch for Red Cross nurses; Red Cross pin 1934-37.
Wehrmacht Soldbuch, issued on 19.08.1939. With entries of all awards, promotion to Generalmajor 1942, last entry military pay on 1.11.1945. Together with military driver's license dated 21 March 1935. With very beautiful uniform photo as Major, the Bavarian Pilot's Badge from the estate is clearly visible!
Italy Colonial Order of Merit of the Star of Italy, Grand Officer set. The neck cross silver gilt and enamel, on ready-made neck ribbon. Worn, the enamel at the top on both sides with slight enamel damage under the crown suspension. The breast star silver-plated with gilt and enameled overlays, on pin. Worn, with slight enamel damage, on reverse the applied decorative plate is bent. The order set together with 2 medal bars and overlays in brown presentation case with manufacturer designation of jeweler Cravanzola, Rome. Together with the award document dated 7.5.1942 with original signature of the Order's Chancellor, as well as transmittal letter dated 5.6.1942 and congratulatory letter from the High Command of the Panzer Army dated 29.8.1942. Original photo Generalmajor Deindl in tropical uniform wearing the Italian order. Together with 4 additional photos General Deindl in Africa together with the Italian Duce Benito Mussolini.
Award document for the Medaglia d'Argento Al Valore Militare (Silver Medal for Military Valor). Dated 31 January 1943. Together with two German accompanying letters, with transmittal letter from the Deputy General Command IV Army Corps dated 14.5.1943 and decree for granting the award.
Wehrmacht hanger for officer's dagger (Army). Silver braid on field-gray velvet, silver-plated zinc fittings.
Patent to Fähnrich dated 24.06.1911, double sheet with seal. Patent to Leutnant dated 28.10.1912. Double sheet with seal and original signature Prince Luitpold. Patent to Oberleutnant dated 16.3.1916. Double sheet with seal and original signature.
Weimar Republic appointment document of the Ministry of the Interior to Polizeihauptmann dated 18.12.1930, with original signature Dr. Stützel.
Appointment document to Major of the Reichsheer dated 26.2.1935, with seal and original signature of the Reich Minister of War v. Blomberg.
Wehrmacht appointment document to Oberstleutnant with the Motor Transport Section Straubing dated 1.6.1938, with seal and original signature of the Reich Chancellor “Adolf Hitler” and countersignature v. Blomberg.
Promotion document to Oberst dated 30.9.1937, with seal and original signature of the Führer and Reich Chancellor “Adolf Hitler” with countersignature von Brauchitsch.
Double sheet in envelope with embossed gold double eagle.
Postcard with picture of Generalfeldmarschall v. Hindenburg with original signature in ink.
Large photo of General Erich Ludendorff with signature “Ludendorff” as well as handwritten dedication “In memory of 22.12.37 Mathilde Ludendorff”. Framed under glass.
Photo Generalmajor Schatz with Knight's Cross and German Cross, dated on reverse Dec. 1944 with original signature.
Lot of documents from the interwar period (14): Including citizenship certificate of the Free State of Bavaria dated 31.10.1923; permission from the Bavarian Ministry of State to wear the uniform of the Aviation Troops dated 23.4.1921; certificates for discharge from active army service by II Bavarian Army Corps dated 21.5.1920 and 22.9.1920; copy of appointment as Major with Motor Transport Section Straubing by Military District Command VII dated 20.2.1935; congratulatory letter from the Chief of Staff of the Inspection for Army Motorization in the Reich Ministry of War on transfer to the army dated 21.3.1935; letter from the Lord Mayor of Augsburg regarding Deindl's departure to another position dated 8.2.1938; wedding newspaper for the marriage celebration with texts of the table songs dated 4.2.1924.
Lot of documents from the time of World War II (15): Letter from the liaison officer with the Italian High Command North Africa dated 1.6.1942; special garrison orders as senior garrison officer of Panzer Army Africa; copy of a letter of recognition by the Commander-in-Chief of Panzer Army Africa GFM Rommel dated 19.9.1942; teletype Tobruk dated 2.10.1942 regarding Deindl's illness with request for prompt replacement assignment; letter from Deindl as Wehrmacht and Fortress Commander of Posen regarding a possible promotion in view of his responsibilities in North Africa; military medical certificate for Deindl's transfer to Europe due to illness; congratulatory telegram from GFM Rommel for Deindl's birthday; congratulations from the officer corps of the Fortress and Wehrmacht Command Posen with many signatures and watercolor; letter from company commander Ltn. v. Bülow (= known after the war as Loriot!) regarding the death of Deindl's son Uffz. Herbert Deindl to the general's wife dated 19.10 and notification of posthumous promotion to Fähnrich dated 29.10.1944, as well as condolence letter from General der Polizei v. Grolmann to the parents dated 20.11.1944.
Postwar documents. Deindl's correspondence from the prisoner of war camp Garmisch PWE 8 to family members; requests for support for release from the prisoner of war camp; several affidavits for submission to the denazification tribunal 1946/47, including Prince Fugger, Frh. v. Waldenfels, Generalmajor Krieger, General Bodenschatz and others; certified excerpt from the Soldbuch with original signature Gen. d. Inf. Petersen and Oberst i.G. Frank; death notice and family's letter of thanks dated 17.6.1947.
Congratulatory telegram from Generalfeldmarschall Rommel to Generalmajor Deindl for his birthday, dated 23.11.1942.
Drawn greeting card from the officer corps of the Fortress Wehrmacht Command Posen to Generalmajor Deindl for the new year 1945. With original signatures of all officers.
Large colored portrait drawing Generalmajor Otto Deindl in white summer uniform, with artist's signature, dated 1942. In contemporary frame under glass.
Highly interesting and very extensive lot of this brave aviation officer and Generalmajor in Rommel's Afrika Korps.

Otto Deindl (23.11.1890-14.6.1947) joined the Bavarian Infantry Regiment 16 on 1.10.1910 and was transferred as Leutnant to the Bavarian Aviation and Motor Transport Battalion on 2.2.1914. After training as a pilot, he was deployed in Kampfgeschwader 2 and later with various other units. He then directed Flight School 3 in Fürth, subsequently Flight School 1 in Schleißheim. After the end of World War I he transferred to the Bavarian State Police and was taken over as Major into the Reichswehr on 1.5.1935 and became commander of Panzer-Abwehr-Abteilung 27. As Oberst he held various service positions. He participated in the North African campaign as Generalmajor and was transferred back to the Führer Reserve on 7.3.1943. On 21.4.1943 he was appointed commandant of the training area Bitsch and on 13.8.1944 Wehrmacht Commander Posen and on 1.10.1944 Fortress Commander Posen. After further assignments he was captured on 8.5.1945 and died in captivity on 14.6.1947.

509675

€ 22.500,00

Wehrmacht Large Estate from the Property of Generalmajor and Afrika Korps Commander Otto Deindl, Bavarian Pilot in World War I

The extensive estate of Major General Otto Deindl (1890-1947) documents the military career of an extraordinary officer who served in both World Wars and witnessed the development of German military aviation from its beginnings to the African campaign.

Early Years as a Bavarian Pilot

Deindl's military career began on October 1, 1910, with his entry into the Bavarian Infantry Regiment 16. After his promotion to lieutenant, the decisive transfer to the Bavarian Air and Motor Transport Battalion followed on February 2, 1914. This early dedication to military aviation made him a pioneer of the German air force. The Bavarian pilot badge in his estate is of particular historical significance. It represents a very early production from the time of World War I, in which an imperial pilot badge was converted into a Bavarian badge by replacing the imperial crown with a Bavarian crown. This practice was typical for the first months of the war in 1914, when official Bavarian badges were not yet available.

World War I Service

During World War I, Deindl served with various aviation units, including Combat Squadron 2 of the Supreme Army Command. His military achievements were honored with significant decorations. He received the Iron Cross 2nd Class as early as December 28, 1914, followed by the Iron Cross 1st Class on March 8, 1916. Notably, the provisional certificates of ownership were personally signed by the Chief of Field Aviation, Lieutenant Colonel Thomsen. The Bavarian Military Merit Order 4th Class with Swords (1915) and later with Crown (1918), as well as the Austrian Military Merit Cross 3rd Class (1918), testify to his outstanding services.

After the war, Deindl directed Flying School 3 in Fürth and subsequently Flying School 1 in Schleißheim, contributing significantly to training the next generation of aviators.

The Interwar Period

After the end of World War I and the forced dissolution of German air forces by the Treaty of Versailles, Deindl transferred to the Bavarian State Police, where he was appointed police captain on December 18, 1930. This transitional period was characteristic for many former military pilots who could continue to apply their expertise in police service.

On May 1, 1935, following the official reintroduction of the Wehrmacht by the National Socialist regime, Deindl was accepted into the Reichswehr as a major. His further military career led him through promotions to lieutenant colonel (1938) and colonel (1937), eventually reaching the rank of major general during his deployment in North Africa.

The Africa Campaign

The most significant chapter of Deindl's World War II career was undoubtedly his participation in the African campaign under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. As a major general, he was deployed with the German Africa Corps and received the coveted sleeve badges “AFRIKA” and “AFRIKAKORPS”. These decorations, of which several examples are preserved in the estate, were only awarded to members of troops fighting in North Africa and were considered special honors.

On September 15, 1942, Deindl received the Clasp to the Iron Cross 1st Class 1939, personally awarded by Field Marshal Rommel. The accompanying congratulatory letter from Rommel dated September 16, 1942, particularly honors the successful defense against an attack on the fortress of Tobruk. These documents bearing Rommel's original signature are among the most valuable pieces of the estate.

Another outstanding honor was the award of the Italian Colonial Order of the Star of Italy with the rank of Grand Officer on May 7, 1942. This order was rarely conferred upon German officers and documents the close German-Italian brotherhood in arms in North Africa. The Silver Medal for Military Valor (Medaglia d'Argento al Valore Militare) of January 31, 1943, additionally underscores Italian recognition of his military achievements.

Final War Years and Post-War Period

After his return from Africa due to illness, Deindl assumed various command posts, including as Wehrmacht Commander of Posen (from August 13, 1944) and Fortress Commander (from October 1, 1944). On May 8, 1945, he was taken prisoner of war, where he died on June 14, 1947, in Camp Garmisch PWE 8.

Historical Significance of the Estate

This exceptional estate documents not only the career of a single officer but also reflects the entire development of German military history over more than three decades. From the pioneering days of military aviation in World War I through the interwar period to the African campaign of World War II, the collection offers unique insights into the military culture and practice of these epochs. The personal documents bearing signatures of significant historical figures such as Rommel, Hindenburg, and Ludendorff, as well as photographic documentation of his encounters with Mussolini, make this estate a valuable testimony to 20th-century military history.