Germany, Waffen-Ss. A Kc Recommendation To Ss-Obersturmbannführer Rumohr, “Florian Geyer”

The grouping consists of the official recommendation for Rumohr to receive the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, measuring 210 (w) x 296 (h) mm, with light scuffing of the edges, two punched holes, and a folding crease, remaining better than very fine; an official period press photo, measuring 131 (w) x 179 (h) mm, with light scuffing of the edges and a folding crease, remaining near very fine; a handwritten letter sent by Rumohr to the SS Race and Settlement Main Office, measuring 220 (w) x 273 (h) mm, with light fraying, two punched holes, and two folding creases, remaining near very fine.

The recommendation for the awarding of the Knight’s Cross was received on October 2, 1943. Rumohr served as Regiment Commander of the Artillery Regiment of 8th SS Cavalry Division “Florian Geyer”, since June 1, 1942. The recommendation was written by Division Commander SS-Brigadeführer and Major General of the Waffen-SS, Hermann Fegelein, Eva Braun’s brother-in-law and recipient of the KC with Swords. It only contains a typed signature. According to Fegelein, Rumohr became worthy of being awarded the KC due to his actions on August 26 to 28. Numerous Russian forces attacked the German position during those days, trying to break through. Rumohr’s leadership of the Artillery Regiment was a main factor in the continued repelling of the Russian forces. Eventually, Rumohr realized that the enemy was about to finally break through for sure, and that reinforcements would arrive too late to keep them from doing so. In response, Rumohr gathered all the men of the Artillery Regiment he could find, including machine operators, drivers, clerks, etc. He then personally led the counter-attack and was able to take back the position that had been lost, thwarting the Russian efforts to scatter and push back the German forces.

The press photo was taken by SS war correspondent Ferdinand Fritsch. It shows Rumohr in uniform in the rank of SS-Obersturmbannführer. He wears the Knight’s Cross, the German Cross in Gold, and the Iron Cross I Class.

The letter to the SS Race and Settlement Main Office (SS Rasse- und Siedlungshauptamt) is dated to Wismar on July 18, 1935. Rumohr informs them of his plans to get engaged and asks for the office to send the necessary paperwork. (The SS Race and Settlement Main Office was tasked with keeping the SS “racially pure” and would have needed to perform a background check on Rumohr’s future bride.) According to the letter, Rumohr was an SS-Untersturmführer in the SS-VT at the time. The letter includes the addresses of Rumohr, his superior in the SS, his future bride, Gertrud Kabel, his doctor, and two witnesses who, according to Rumohr, know Gertrud very well.

Footnote: Joachim Rumohr was born on August 6, 1910 in Hamburg. He commanded the 12th Company of SS-Standarte “Germania” during the attack on Poland. Rumohr also saw action during the French campaign. He led the 2nd Battery of SS Artillery Regiment “Das Reich” during the Balkan campaign and afterwards became commander of the SS Artillery Regiment of the infamous 8th SS Cavalry Division “Florian Geyer”. Rumohr received the Knight’s Cross on January 16, 1944. On April 1 that same year he took command of the Division “Florian Geyer”. Towards the end of the year, the division fought in the siege of Budapest. On February 1, 1945 Rumohr received the Oak Leaves for his actions during the defending of the city. Rumohr was severely wounded on February 11 during an attempted break out of the siege. Rather than surrendering to the Russian forces, Rumohr decided to take his own life and shot himself.