A Rare 1940 Operation Büffel (Narvik) Award Document

Measuring 209x314mm, near very fine condition with folding creases, light scuffing, some creasing, two punched holes, and some discolouration. It states that Unteroffizier (NCO) Hartmann of Group Feurstein participated in the campaign in northern Norway between May and June of 1940. The certificate is signed in pencil by Commander of the 2nd Mountain Division, Lieutenant General Valentin Feurstein and carries a stamps of the 2nd Battery of Heavy Artillery Detachment (motorized) 730.

Footnote 1:

Operation Büffel (Buffalo) was supposed to be a relief operation for Eduard Dietl and his units fighting against Allied forces for the Norwegian harbour of Narvik. In the last week of May 1940 2,500 soldiers of the 2nd Mountain Division were specially picked for the operation. They had to be able to undertake a several day long march of roughly 200 kms and still be able to immediately join the battle upon arrival. The March began on June 2 in Sørfold and was estimated to take ten days. The terrain was arduous and mountainous, with no roads or paths whatsoever, through a completely empty region. The difficult conditions were also reflected by the weather, since even though it was early summer the men had to make their way through rain, snow, and mostly mud which was due to the melting snow. Despite this the troop advanced right on schedule. However, the Allies retreated from Narvik on June 9, so most of the men participating in Operation Buffalo turned back at the halfway point and only a small number actually completed the march.

Footnote 2:

Valentin Feurstein was born on January 18, 1885 in Bregenz, Austria. He joined the Austrian 2nd Tyrolese Imperial Mountain Regiment as a Lieutenant in 1906. During the First War he served as a General Staff Officer in several different units. He remained in the army after the war. During the 1930s Feurstein served in the Ministry of Defense. On April 1, 1937 he was promoted to Major General and appointed Military Commander of Lower Austria. After the Anschluss Feurstein became Commander of the 2nd Mountain Division which he led during the campaigns in Poland and Norway. On September 1, 1941 he was promoted to General der Gebirgstruppen. He went on to lead different Army Corps, one of them being the 51st Mountain Army Corps over which he took command in August 1943. Feurstein led his unit in the Battle for Monte Cassino in northern Italy for which he was awarded the Knight’s Cross on August 12, 1944. He died on June 8, 1970.