Wehrmacht field tunic of an Artillery Hauptmann. Manufactured from field-gray gabardine, dark green collar, complete with all insignia. Hand-embroidered bullion breast eagle, hand-sewn, the collar tabs machine-sewn, sewn-in mismatched shoulder boards. Complete with all decorations of Hauptmann Meyne: on the right breast the German Cross in Gold, heavy manufacture by Deschler, reverse with 4 rivets, without maker mark. In the buttonhole the Army Honor Roll Clasp originally sewn. On the breast a small ribbon bar with 3 awards: Iron Cross 1939 2nd Class, Medal for the Winter Campaign in the East and Commemorative Medal 1 October 1938. Pinned below the Iron Cross 1939 1st Class, the General Assault Badge and the Wound Badge 1939 in Silver. Sewn on the right upper arm the “Demyansk Shield 1942”, iron on field-gray cloth backing. The field tunic is clearly worn with various moth damage, condition 3. The awards all worn, the Demyansk Shield with surface rust. Included is the visor cap as Artillery officer, typical manufacture by Erel, Berlin. Soft saddle form, complete with the visor cap eagle in aluminum, hand-embroidered bullion oak leaf wreath with hand-embroidered cockade. Interior with light sweatband, side marked “Erel Stirnschutz D.R.G.M. D.R.P. angem.”, yellow silk lining, under the celluloid diamond marked “Erel Sonderklasse Extra”. The visor cap heavily worn, on the cap crown with light moth damage, interior sweatband damaged.
Included is a very fine portrait photograph of Hauptmann Meyne. Furthermore the award certificate for the Demyansk Shield, issued 31 December 1943 and for the Medal for the Winter Campaign in the East, awarded 15 August 1942.
Additionally 2 binders filled with numerous original documents of Hauptmann Meyne, including: participation certificate in the 1st Reich Performance Competition of Students at German Universities and Technical Schools in the Reich Vocational Competition 1936, a certificate of the Reich Hunting Association dated 23 May 1944 for the annual hunting license, newsletter for the unit commander on National Socialist leadership of the troops, dated 24.2.1944 with reports from various fronts and the home war zone. Circular of the Commander-in-Chief of Army Group North dated 12.2.1944, a letter of commendation from the Adjutant General Command X. Army Corps to Hauptmann Meyne, dated 12.5.1944 - for “the excellent care and maintenance of horses at the 1st Battery”. Various division daily orders from 1944, partly stamped “Secret”. A document from the I. Battalion Artillery Regiment 30 dated 17.10.1942, report on a dispute within the unit. Maneuver documents from 1941, a large report “The Time in the Rhineland/Campaign in the West” from 1940, totaling 45 pages. Furthermore 65 field post letters from and to Meyne from the period 20 June 1941 to the end of the war on 3 April 1945. Additionally a “cover sheet for deloused wounded and sick” dated 18.3.1944 and an early photograph from peacetime as a recruit.
All letters, certificates, documents and field post letters were translated into English by the previous owner and are included in printed form.

An extensive estate of a brave artillery officer, in untouched original condition, as found.

Willi Meyne, born 6.9.1917 in Schmielau, Schleswig-Holstein. His two brothers also fought on the Eastern Front. After the Western Campaign, Meyne participated in the entire Russian Campaign. After his wounding in March 1944 he returned to his unit in September 1944, further wounding in October/November 1944, transfer to the military hospital in Bad Harzburg, the last letter from him was on 9 January 1945. Willi Meyne survived the war through his wounding and died in 1974 in his homeland in Lauenburg district, Schleswig-Holstein.

456696

€ 12.500,00

Wehrmacht Extensive Order, Uniform and Document Estate from the Possession of German Cross in Gold Recipient Hauptmann Willi Meyne, Commander 1st Battery/Artillery Regiment No. 30, 10th Infantry Division

This estate of a German artillery officer from World War II provides an extraordinary insight into the military decoration culture and daily life of the Wehrmacht during the Eastern Campaign. The uniform, personal documents, and extensive correspondence document the life and experiences of an artillery captain who received several significant decorations for his service.

The field tunic represents the typical Wehrmacht officer's uniform, made from field-gray gabardine with a dark green collar. The hand-embroidered breast eagle in metal thread and collar patches correspond to the uniform regulations for artillery officers. The shoulder boards indicate the rank of captain, who in the Wehrmacht hierarchy held a company commander position.

Particularly noteworthy is the German Cross in Gold, one of the Wehrmacht's highest decorations, instituted on September 28, 1941. It was awarded for repeated distinguished service in combat and represented an intermediate grade between the Iron Cross 1st Class and the Knight's Cross. The present example comes from the firm of Deschler & Sohn of Munich, one of the leading manufacturers of military decorations. The heavy construction with four rivets on the reverse corresponds to the early production method of this prestigious award.

The Honor Roll Clasp of the Army was another significant decoration, awarded only for exceptional individual acts in combat. It was instituted on January 30, 1944, and required detailed documentation of the heroic deed. Wearing it in the buttonhole of the field tunic corresponded to wearing regulations.

The Demyansk Shield, attached to the right upper arm, commemorates one of the hardest pocket battles of the Eastern Campaign. From February 8 to April 21, 1942, approximately 100,000 German soldiers were encircled at Demyansk and could only be supplied by an airlift. The shield was instituted on April 25, 1943, and awarded to participants in this battle. The award certificate dated December 31, 1943, documents the official recognition of this combat participation.

The Medal for the Winter Campaign in the East 1941/42, colloquially known as the “Frozen Meat Medal,” was awarded for participation in the first winter campaign. It documents the extreme conditions under which German troops fought during the first Russian winter, when temperatures reached minus 40 degrees Celsius.

The visor cap by the firm Erel of Berlin represents one of the highest quality productions of Wehrmacht officer caps. The Erel firm was known for its “Special Class Extra” manufacture, distinguished by exceptional material quality and workmanship. The hand-embroidered oak leaf wreath and saddle form correspond to the typical officer's version.

The extensive documents provide deep insight into military daily life. The field post letters from June 20, 1941, to April 3, 1945, cover almost the entire duration of the Eastern Campaign. The beginning of the correspondence immediately after Operation Barbarossa (June 22, 1941) documents participation from the start.

The division daily orders and documents stamped “Secret” illustrate the administrative and operational reality of an artillery unit. The letter of recognition from May 12, 1944, for the “excellent care and maintenance of horses” underscores the continuing important role of horse-drawn artillery in the Wehrmacht, which was never fully motorized.

Artillery Regiment 30 belonged to the 10th Infantry Division, a unit established in October 1934 that served on various fronts throughout the war. In the Western Campaign of 1940 and subsequently in the Eastern Campaign, the division fought in heavy defensive battles.

The “Report on the Time in the Rhineland/Campaign in the West” from 1940, comprising 45 pages, offers valuable primary source material on military operations during the French campaign. Such contemporary reports are of inestimable value for historical research.

The biographical information documents a typical career path of a young Wehrmacht officer. Born in 1917, he belonged to the generation that received its formative military training in the pre-war period. The participation certificate in the Reich Achievement Competition of 1936 shows the integration of military values into the educational system of the NS era.

The multiple wounds in 1944 and subsequent hospital stays reflect the increasing intensity of fighting in the final year of the war. Survival until 1974 makes this estate a testament to a complete life trajectory, from the pre-war period through the war to the post-war era.

This estate is a significant ensemble of military-historical objects that not only documents the material culture of the Wehrmacht but also, through extensive correspondence and documentation, offers personal perspectives on one of the darkest chapters of German history.