Paratrooper Award Document Grouping to Wilhelm Grossmann

Paratrooper Award Document Grouping to Wilhelm GrossmannParatrooper Award Document Grouping to Wilhelm Grossmann The grouping consists of the following: 1) Award document for the Fallschirmschtzenabzeichen (Paratrooper Badge) issued in Berlin on 19 June 1942, having a facsimile signature of General der Flieger Gustav Kastner Kirdorf (awarded the German Cross in Gold on 21 April 1943; committed suicide in Berchtesgaden on 4 May 1945); 2) Second issue award document for the Fallschirmschtzenabzeichen issued

Paratrooper Award Document Grouping to Wilhelm Grossmann-The grouping consists of the following:

1) Award document for the Fallschirmschützenabzeichen (Paratrooper Badge) issued in Berlin on 19 June 1942, having a facsimile signature of General der Flieger Gustav Kastner-Kirdorf (awarded the German Cross in Gold on 21 April 1943; committed suicide in Berchtesgaden on 4 May 1945);

2) Second-issue award document for the Fallschirmschützenabzeichen issued in Berlin on 18 October 1943. The document is signed by a Hauptmann (Captain) Saeger(?), a subordinate officer of General der Flieger Kastner-Kirdorf within the Luftwaffe Personnel Office of the Air Ministry.

3) Certification document documenting Grossmann's military service from 21 July 1941 to 3 June 1943. As of 3 June 1943, he was deemed as unfit. This certification was signed by an Oberst (Colonel), the commanding officer of the Ausbildungs-und-Ersatz-Stelle of Luftgau VII (Training and Replacement Center of Air District VII) in München (Munich).

4) Award document for the Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (Wound Badge in Black) dated 13 July 1943. The document, which was issued by Reserve Hospital VIl in München, reveals that Grossmann was wounded on 12 November 1942. Document is signed by Dr. Hölzel, the Chief Medical Doctor of Reserve Hospital VII;

5) Award document for the Eiserne Kreuz 2. Klasse (Iron Cross 2nd Class) issued to Grossmann on 1 November 1943. The document is signed by Generalmajor Walter Barenthin (German Cross in Gold), the divisional commander of the 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division (2nd Paratrooper Division);

6) Award document for the Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz dated 20 April 1944. The stamp is impossible to read, so it can't be determined what hospital Grossmann was interned in. The document is signed by the Chief Medical Doctor of the hospital. This document is unique in that Grossmann had already earned the Wound Badge in Black and for his second wound, he should have been awarded the Wound Badge in Silver. This is an error made by the hospital, which may not have had information on Grossmann's previous wound. The document reveals that Grossmann was a member of the 3./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2 of the 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division;

7) Award document for the Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe (Ground Combat Badge of the Air Force) dated 25 June 1944 and hand-signed by Generalleutnant Bernhard Ramcke (Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds), the divisional commander of the 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division. Grossmann, who was still assigned to the 3./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2, along with the rest of the 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division, surrendered in Brest, France, on 20 September 1944. A great grouping for a long-serving paratrooper who earned several combat awards, and was captured by U.S. forces in France in 1944.