Germany, Kriegsmarine. The Soldbuch Of Naval Adjutant To A.h., Rear Admiral Karl-Jesko Von Puttkamer

The Soldbuch is dated to August 8, 1941 and signed by proxy by a member of the Supreme Command of the Kriegsmarine, a Captain at Sea and Chief of Staff of the Supreme Command of the Wehrmacht, the name is illegible. Puttkamer’s photo carries two stamps of the Adjutantur der Wehrmacht beim Führer (Adjutancy of the Wehrmacht with the Führer). Underneath is a strong signature by Puttkamer in black ink. A second strong signature in blue ink can be found on page 2. Pages 18 and 19 show the entry of Puttkamer’s admission to Reservelazarett (field hospital) Kaltenburg on July 20, 1944. Interestingly, his condition is described with the code number for impairment due to accident (except enemy action) and self mutilation. He was released on August 15. Measuring 104x146mm, better than very fine condition with light scuffing of the edges and minimal creasing and warping.

Footnote: Karl-Jesko von Puttkamer was born on March 24, 1900 in Frankfurt/Oder (eastern Germany). He joined the Kriegsmarine in July of 1917 as an officer cadet. After the war, Puttkamer fought with paramilitary units in the eastern German regions, including Courland, against local independence movements. He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class on September 11, 1919. In 1920, he participated in the Kapp Putsch, a failed coup to overthrow the young Weimar Republic. Puttkamer had been taken over into the Reichsmarine after the war and became an Oberleutnant zu See (Naval Senior Lieutenant) in 1923. He was appointed commander of the torpedo boat Albatros in 1929, which was part of the 4th torpedo boat half flotilla, commanded by Karl Dönitz. On October 1, 1930 Puttkamer was promoted to Kapitänleutnant (Lieutenant Captain), and soon after became commander of the torpedo boat Seeadler. He passed the so-called Führergehilfenausbildung (Führer Assistant Training) in September of 1933. This was a code name for training to General Staff Officer, which as per the Treaty of Versailles was forbidden and had to be done in secret. Afterwards, Puttkamer served as Navy liaison officer on the Army General Staff until June of 1935. Then, he was redeployed to the Staff of the Supreme Commander of the Kriegsmarine, where he served as Naval Adjutant to A.H. As such, Puttkamer was promoted to Corvette Captain on February 1, 1936. During the next few years, he received several decorations, namely the Officer’s Cross of the Bulgarian Order of Saint Alexander on December 17, 1936, the Commander’s Cross of the Order of the Crown of Italy on September 29, 1937, and the Officer’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit on August 12, 1938. (Another entry states that he received the Komtur Cross of the Order of the Crown of Italy on January 19, 1939, however, Komtur is just another word for Commander of an order, so it is unknown what exactly this entry signifies.) After the beginning of the war, Puttkamer continued to serve as A.H.’s Naval Adjutant. He was promoted to Frigate Captain on November 1, 1939, to Captain at Sea on April 1, 1941, and finally to Rear Admiral on September 1, 1943. Puttkamer was present at the attempted assassination of A.H. during the 20 July Plot and was slightly injured. He received the 20 July Wound Badge. Towards the end of the war, Puttkamer was stationed at the Führerbunker in Berlin, yet left the city by airplane on April 21. He had orders to destroy A.H.'s papers and personal belongings at the Berghof. In May, he was taken prisoner by US forces and was released two years later, in May of 1947. Puttkamer died on March 4, 1981.