WW2 German Wehrmacht 161st Infantry Division – WAR MERIT CROSS 2nd CLASS AWARD DOCUMENT – SIGNED BY HEINRICH RECKE – RARE!

Description

You are bidding on a SUPERB and RARE example of an WW2 German Wehrmacht 2nd Class War Merit Cross Award Document! Awarded to Unteroffizier Fritz Wickmann, a member of the 161st Infantry Division (Artillery Regiment 241), it is HAND SIGNED by General Heinrich Recke!

Heinrich Recke (25 August 1890 – 18 August 1943) was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded several infantry divisions. He was also a recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

The 161 Infantry Division was a major unit of the German Wehrmacht. It fought in the Battle of France, and then later on in the Eastern Front. The division was formed in December 1939 as part of the 7th wave of German mobilization, and used the replacement battalions in Wehrkreis I (East Prussia) to form its combat units. The 161st was organized as a standard triangular infantry division with 3 Infantry Regiments, with 9 battalions and 1 Artillery Regiment plus supporting units. It was a sign of the Wehrmacht’s rapid expansion that the division was short of artillery with only 6 medium batteries instead of 9 and no heavy artillery. It was also short of motor transport, and had a small mixed battalion of an anti-tank company and a bicycle company instead of an anti-tank battalion and a reconnaissance battalion.

Made of paper, this award document is in VERY NICE condition for it’s age! Though it has some marks and wear, it is still VERY solid, and all information is clearly legible! It is hand-signed by Recke, as Generalmajor and Divisional Commander of the 161st Infantry Division.  Would make a PERFECT addition to any collection or display!