Germany, Luftwaffe. A Rare Luftwaffe Tank Badge Group, 2Nd Hermann Göring Division

Acquired directly from the family estate, this is group of career awards to NCO Peter Wöcker of the Fallschirm-Panzergrenadier Division 2 “Hermann Göring, consisting of a known field-made Tank Badge of the Luftwaffe, accompanied by its official award certificate, an Iron Cross 1939 First Class, accompanied by its official award certificate, and an Iron Cross 1939 Second Class, accompanied by its official award certificate.

1) The Tank Badge of the Luftwaffe “Panzerkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe” is a known field-made example, consisting of a late war manufacture Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge “Erdkampfabzeichen”, with the cloud and lightning bolt removed, and substituted with the tank of a late war manufacture Wehrmacht Tank Badge “Panzerkampfabzeichen. It is constructed of cast zink, and consists of an oval oak wreath with a ribbon at the bottom and a traditional Luftwaffe eagle at the top, with a Panzerkampfwagen IV superimposed in the centre on grassy ground, with its left tank track extending over the edge of the badge; the reverse is plain, with the cracks that would have been made during modification filled in. It has an integrated hinge, and was made with an integrated catch, which has been broken off. It measures 43.54 mm (w) x 56.72 mm (h) and weighs 40.2 grams. It is accompanied by an official award certificate to Non-Commisioned Officer (Unteroffizier) Peter Wöcker of the Fallschirm-Panzergrenadier Division 2 “Hermann Göring”. It is signed by Generalmajor and Divisionsführer Hans-Horst Necker at his headquarters on February 2nd, 1945, and bears the official seal of the Divison Hermann Göring in the bottom left corner. It measures 148 mm (w) x 209 mm (h).

2) An Iron Cross 1939 First Class “Eisernes Kreuz 1939 1. Klasse”; a cross pattée of multi-piece construction with a blackened iron core (magnetic) within a ribbed border; the obverse with a raised central mobile swastika with the re-institution date “1939” in raised numbering on the lower arm; the reverse plain, with vertical narrow banjo style pinback, with a barrel hinge, and a round wire catch; measuring 44.76 mm (w) x 44.91 mm (h); weighing 18.7 grams. It is accompanied by an official award certificate to Senior Lance Corporal (Obergrefreiter) Peter Wöcker of the Fallschirm-Panzergrenadier Division 2 “Hermann Göring”. It is signed by Oberst and Divisionsführer Hans-Horst Necker at his headquarters on November 21st, 1944, and bears the official seal of the Divison Hermann Göring on the bottom of the page. It measures 147 mm (w) x 210 mm (h).

3) An Iron Cross 1939 Second Class “Eisernes Kreuz 1939 2. Klasse”; a cross pattée of multi-piece construction with a blackened iron core (magnetic) within a ribbed border; on loop for suspension (unmarked); with its slightly soiled period original ribbon; the obverse with a raised central mobile swastika with the re-institution date “1939” in raised numbering on the lower arm; the reverse with the original institution date “1813” in raised numbering on the lower arm; measuring 44.27 mm (w) x 44.41 mm (h); weighing 20.1 grams.  It is accompanied by an official award certificate to Senior Lance Corporal (Obergrefreiter) Peter Wöcker of the Fallschirm-Panzergrenadier Division 2 “Hermann Göring”. It is signed by the Hauptmann and Adjutant on August 20th, 1944, and bears the official seal of the Divison Hermann Göring in the bottom left corner. It measures 149 mm (w) x 211 mm (h).

4) A photograph, presumably of Peter Wöcker at the rank of Private First Class (Grefreiter); visible is his Luftwaffe “Hermann Göring” cuff title; fastened onto a piece of cardstock; the photograph measuring 87 mm (w) x 133 mm (h).

Overall, this is an interesting grouping of awards and decorations, consisting of a unique field-made Luftwaffe Tank Badge, as well as a First and Second Class Iron Cross 1939, all accompanied by their respective official late-war issue award documents, as well as a photograph of Peter Wöcker himself. All awards were proudly worn and show signs of period wear. The documents were neatly kept and are free of rips, tears and folds. In overall better than very fine condition.

Footnote: General Hans-Horst von Necker was born on August 23rd, 1903 in Rudolfstadt. He entered the army on April 1st, 1923 and achieved the final rank of Generalmajor as the commander of the Parachute-Panzer Division “Hermann Göring on September 24th, 1944. He was captured by British forces on May 8th, 1945 and was released from interment on June 7th, 1947. He died on February 27th, 1979 in Bad Münstereifel. He received the Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge, the Iron Cross 1939 Second Class, the Iron Cross 1939 First Class, the German Cross in Gold, as well as the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross on June 24th, 1944.