Germany, Third Reich. The Award Documents, Identity Papers, And Correspondence Of Sa-Gruppenführer Heinrich Knickmann

(Verleihungsurkunde und Ausweispapiere). An extensive lot of award documents, identity papers, and miscellaneous papers to SA-Gruppenführer Heinrich Knickmann, consisting of:

1. A lot of three NSDAP event invitations, all constructed of off-white card stock with black ink, including one dated 30 March 1935 and issued from Munich, inviting Knickmann to a leadership event and issued in the name of Deputy Führer Rudolf Hess, named to Knickmann as an SA-Gruppenführer, measuring 185 mm (w) x 124 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition; one dated 4 April 1935 and inviting Knickmann and his wife to an evening audience with AH, with instructions that the dress code requires uniforms and evening wear, measuring 196 mm (w) x 130 mm (h), in extremely fine condition, and; one dated 11 March 1937 and inviting Knickmann and his wife to an audience with AH at the House of the Reichs Chancellor, with instructions that the dress code requires uniforms and evening wear, measuring 190 mm (w) x 131 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A mixed lot of documents from the funeral of Knickmann, including two memorial cards distributed at his funeral service, each constructed of off-white card stock with black ink, both measuring 185 mm (w) x 145 mm (h), in overall extremely fine condition; a memorial booklet from the service, constructed of an off-white card stock binding with non-paginated interior pages featuring typewritten Fraktur script, measuring 152 mm (w) x 216 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; accompanied by nine period newspaper extracts from various publications concerning Knickmann’s death on the Eastern Front, demonstrating age-appropriate discolouration, in overall near extremely fine condition.

3. A lot of award documents and correspondence to Knickmann, including a document for a 1939 Iron Cross II Class, named to Knickmann as a Hauptmann and issued at divisional headquarters on 10 June 1940, featuring the handwritten signature of Generalmajor Theodor Freiherr von Wrede (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, 22 February 1942) in his capacity as commander of 290. Infanterie-Division, measuring 140 mm (w) x 198 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; one for a 1939 Iron Cross I Class, named to Knickmann as a Hauptmann, issued at divisional headquarters on 24 June 1940, featuring the handwritten signature of Generalmajor Theodor Freiherr von Wrede, measuring 140 mm (w) x 200 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; one for a Sudetenland Medal, named to Kickmann as an SA-Obergruppenführer and resident of Düsseldorf, issued in Berlin on 5 October 1940, certified by a stamped signature of Otto Meissner, measuring 210 mm (w) x 295 mm (h), in extremely fine condition, and; one for a Sudetenland Medal, named to Knickmann as an SA-Obergruppenführer and resident of Düsseldorf, issued in Berlin on 5 October 1940, measuring 210 mm (w) x 298 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; accompanied by a letter to Knickmann’s widow following his death in combat on the Eastern Front, informing her that her husband has been posthumously awarded the German Cross in Gold (officially bestowed on 16 February 1942), compiled and signed by General der Infanterie Gerhard Glokke (German Cross in Silver, 1 August 1943), dated 1 March 1942, measuring 210 mm (w) x 295 mm (h), in extremely fine condition, and; a second letter to Knickmann’s widow informing her that her husband has been posthumously promoted to Major, compiled and signed by an unidentified Oberstleutnant, dated 23 September 1942 and issued from Düsseldorf, measuring 210 mm (w) x 295 mm (h), with minor tearing evident, in very fine condition.

4. A pair of identity documents Knickmann, including an Imperial Militärpaß, constructed of a slate-grey card stock binding with 20 paginated interior pages, featuring handwritten entries indicating the Knickmann service with Infanterie-Regiment 55 (II Erstaz-Bataillon), with the uniformity of entries indicating that the Militärpaß is likely a Zweitschrift (second issue), measuring 85 mm (w) x 140 mm (h), in extremely fine condition, and; a NSDAP staff membership dues card, constructed of card stock with multi-coloured ink, the reverse featuring stamps for paid dues for the years 1935 and 1936, measuring 100 mm (w) x 130 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

5. A rare handwritten Police promotion document, constructed of off-white paper stock with black ink, named to Knickmann, confirming his promotion to Polizeipräsident of Duisburg-Hamborn, issued in Berlin on 23 November 1934 and featuring the handwritten signature of Hermann Göring in his capacity as Ministärpresident Preußens (equivalent to Prime Minister of the State of Prussia), featuring an embossed and fully-legible seal of the former, measuring 210 mm (w) x 296 mm (h), with minor creasing evident, in near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Heinrich Knickmann was born on 25 September 1894 in Horstermark (Gelsenkirchen). He saw combat in the First World War and was wounded twice. After the war, Knickmann served with various Freikorps units and participated in actions of sabotage against French occupation forces in the Ruhr. He joined both the NSDAP and SS in the 1920s, and was a later recipient of the former’s Golden Party Badge. Active in party politics, Knickmann was elected a member of the Reichstag, representing his Westphalian constituency until his death in combat. He simultaneously served as Police Chief of Duisburg-Hamborn and as leader of SA-Gruppe Niederrhein. Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, Knickmann returned to combat duty with Infanterie-Regiment 501 (embedded with 290. Infanterie-Division). As a Hauptmann, he was awarded the 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross II Class, the 1939 Iron Cross I Class, and the Infantry Assault Badge. He was killed in action on 5 August 1941 near Zabolotye.