32nd Contemporary History Auction

Bidding on 154 lots has ended on 20th October 2019. 82% of all lots sold

0007 |

Major Mietusch - 1939 Iron Cross 1st Class

Major Mietusch - 1939 Iron Cross 1st Class

LOT 41-0007
SOLD
Auction ended        20th October 2019  |  02:04 pm CEST
RESULT
350,00
EXCL. BUYER’S PREMIUM: 17,5 %

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DESCRIPTion, DETaILS & Photos
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PERIOD
COUNTRY Deutschland
MATERIAL
DIMENSIONS
MAKER
WEIGHT
LOT 41-0007
EAN 2000000435374
LOT 41-0007
PERIOD
COUNTRY Deutschland
EAN 2000000435374
MATERIAL
DIMENSIONS
MAKER
WEIGHT
PERIOD
COUNTRY Deutschland
LOT 41-0007
MATERIAL
DIMENSIONS
EAN 2000000435374
MAKER
WEIGHT


Description

Iron Cross 1st Class to Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves fighter pilot ace Major Klaus Mietusch. Mietusch served as commander of III./Jagdgeschwader 26 when he was shot down on 17.9.1944 by a US fighter near Aldekerk. Mietusch claimed 72 aerial victories (15 in the East, 57 in the West including the Invasion Front).

We had Mietusch's personal visor cap as well as a selection of photographs available in our 26th Contemporary History Auction. We are proud to offer the rest of his personal belongings to our customers with this catalogue. Click here to review Mietuch's visor cap grouping.

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1939 Iron Cross 1st Class. Unmarked but attributed to maker no. 26. Lovely patina. Nicely worn. Iron core. Condition 2.


Condition
See description
Historical information

NAME

Order of the Iron Cross 1. Class

DATE OF INSTITUTION

1. September 1939 as the second grade of the re-instituted Order of the Iron Cross

AWARD CRITERIA

The Iron Cross was awarded for particular bravery in the face of the enemy and for outstanding merit in troop leadership. The awarding of a higher grade required the previous awarding of the lower grade. Divisional commanders were authorized to award the Iron Cross 1. Class and stocks were kept at divisional level.

MANUFACTURERS

The Iron Cross 1. Class was produced by at least 26 manufacturers, not including variations amongst the individual companies. The crosses can be found either unmarked, with Präsidialkanzlei number (after the end of 1942 / early1943), or with LDO number for private purchase.

AWARD NUMBERS

Accurate numbers are not known but the closest estimation is around 800,000 - 900,000 awarded and most likely double the number produced.

AWARD DOCUMENTS

The division issued the award document in the format A5 in the name of the Führer and Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht (after mid-1943 only in the name of the Führer) and was signed by the divisional commander.

WEARING METHOD

The cross was worn on the left breast pocket above any Wound Badge and war badges.

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