This is an authentic WW2 Nazi Germany award grouping of Friederich "Fritz" Klaus, a soldier assigned to the 16th Panzer & Infantry division. This grouping contains the following:
1). War Merit Cross 1st Class w/award document (dated 20 January 1942).
2). Iron Cross 2nd Class w/award document (dated 21 June 1940).
3). Heer (Army) Officer's Shoulder Boards - Rank Hauptmann (Captain).
4). Heer (Army) Officer's Shoulder Boards from infanterie-Regiment 16 (16th Panzer Division).
5). Matching Officer's Collar Tabs
6). Heer (Army) Field Post Letter (Feldpostbrief) addressed to/from the soldier.
7). Military Identity Disc/Dog Tag Identification - Standard oval German "Erkennungsmarke" slotted down the middle so it could be cleanly broken in half if the soldier was killed in action. Inscriptions include the unit markings stamped on both halves (1. N/16 over the roster number 256) which translates to...1. Kompanie / Nachrichtentruppe 16 (1st Company, 16th Signals Battalion), which directly corresponds to the organic signals units attached to support the 16. Panzer-Division referenced above.
8). 16th Panzer Division Cap Badge - This shield-shaped enamel badge features a stylized yellow/gold "Y" with a crossbar on a dark background. It is the distinct unit symbol for the 16th Panzer Division of the German Wehrmacht. This division fought extensively on the Eastern Front and was completely destroyed during the Battle of Stalingrad, later being reformed to fight in Italy and Ukraine.
9). Framed Portrait of Captain Friederich "Fritz" Klaus, owner of the war relics Grouping.
10). Copy of Gedanken eines Soldaten (Thoughts of a Soldier - The book is hand-written a dedication to Captain Klaus for his performance as a radio operator, dated 5 May 1937. The text reads, "To the radio operator "Klaus" for good performance as a telephone operator - Muenster, May 5, 1937" & is signed by Captain & company officer.
11). A publication, Conscription Medical Examination of the Birth Cohort 1935 (Musterung des Jahrgangs 1935) - This publication pertains to the compulsory military registration and screening system under the Third Reich following the reintroduction of general conscription in 1935.
12). A book titled, A Telephone Company in the West 1939/40 w/subtitle, Memories of the 1st Signal Battalion 16 (Eine Fernsprechkompanie im Westen 1939/40, w/subtitle, Erinnerungen der 1. Nachrichten-Abteilung 16. This is a unit history or commemorative photo booklet detailing the operations of a German army signal corps unit during the Western Campaign (the invasion of France and the Low Countries) early in World War II. It features a Swastika and an image of military vehicles on the front cover.
13). Veteran Reunion (Treffen) Program Booklet - Historical program booklet for a veteran reunion of the German 16th Panzer & Infantry Division. It was held from 2-3 May 1953 in Münster, Germany. The emblem depicts the dedicated symbol of the unit & corresponds to the cap badge in the lot of Fritz Klaus. Below the booklet are two printouts suggesting the value of just the 16th panzer division cap badge.
14). Invitations & Address Lists - Ephemera of select invitations & address lists of Former members of the 16th Panzer Division to the annual reunion events.
15). Historical Newspapers of the Reunions - newspaper displays of the post reunion events. The papers are dated 1 May 1961 & feature photos and write-ups of the events.
16). Certificate of Authenticity (COA) - A document from an antique dealer certifying the items as authentic historical militaria.
