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Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross to Major im Generalstab Heinrich "Heinz" Höfer (1911-1996).
Made by Klein & Quenzer, Idar-Oberstein. Three-part construction. Iron core. A real silver frame. "800" silver hallmark on the top. Major Höfer removed the swastika after 1945 so that he could wear it in the German Bundeswehr. Later, a swastika was reattached again (restored). Black repainted core. The four areas in the corners of the frame on the front were reworked. These were damaged when the swastika was removed. In addition, the ring on the top for the ribbon loop was also reworked.
Including the original ribbon loop. "800" silver hallmarked and "65" maker marked.
Weight: 30.0 gr.
Size: 54.11x48.35 mm.
Major Höfer served as commanding officer with II./Kampfgeschwader 55. He continued his military service with the German Bundeswehr from 15.12.1955 until 30.09.1971. His last military rank was Oberst im Generalstab.
- Luftwaffe Honor Goblet on 3. November 1941
- German Cross in Gold on 16. July 1942
- Knight's Cross on 3. September 1943
- Oak Leaves on 18. November 1944
Please note all items of Major Höfer in our 40. Contemporary Auction.
Condition
good condition
Historical information
NAME
Knights Cross of the Order of the Iron Cross
DATE OF INSTITUTION
1. September 1939 as the third and new grade of the re-instituted Order of the Iron Cross
AWARD CRITERIA
The Knights Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded for exceptional bravery in the face of the enemy and for outstanding merit in troop leadership. The awarding required the previous awarding of the two lower grades. The Knights Cross was solely awarded by the Führer upon the proposal of the soldiers unit and issued by the Heerespersonalamt. The Knights Crosses were stored at the Ordenskanzlei in Berlin, to be sent to the awardee after approval. There were no Knights Crosses stored at any level of the Wehrmacht before the end of April 1945.
MANUFACTURERS
The Knights Cross of the Iron Cross was produced by seven manufacturers, not including variations amongst the individual companies. The Knights Crosses can be found either unmarked (early Juncker and 3/4 Ring), with a silver content mark, with an LDO number (L/12 and L/52), and later on with the company’s Präsidialkanzlei number (2, 20, 65, and 4). Private sales were forbidden after October 1941.
AWARD NUMBERS
Accurate numbers are not known but the closest estimation is around 7,200, and most likely another couple of hundred on stock at the Präsidialkanzlei.
AWARD DOCUMENTS
The awardee received a preliminary document in A5 format and issued in the name of the Führer by the responsible personnel offices of the three branches of the Wehrmacht. The formal document (Große Mappe) was issued later and only until date of late 1942 / early 1943 due to the huge backlog.
WEARING METHOD
The Knights Cross was worn around the neck on a wider red white and black ribbon which came within the black award case of the Knights Cross.
.jpg "Brandt, Walter - Knight's Cross winner grouping - Crete and Africa")
