GERMAN WWII KNIGHTS CROSS TO THE IRON CROSS CITATION.

The full presentation citation for the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross to Luftwaffe fighter pilot Oberfeldwebel Mink. Wilhelm Mink born in Koln, joined the 5th Staffel Jagdgeschwader 51 early in 1940 and participated in the French campaign of May/June 1940. During the Battle of Britain Mink claimed no victories but was shot down by Royal Air Force fighters over the English Channel and was rescued by the German Air Sea Rescue Service. His first victory a RAF Blenheim was confirmed on the 29th April 1941, followed by a British Hurricane on the 21st May 1941. In June 1941 JG51 was transferred to the east for the invasion of Russia. In March 1942 with 40 victories Mink was awarded the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, he reached his 50th victory in July 42 and transferred to Erganzungs Gruppe Ost as an instructor, he was injured in a bombing raid and returned to action in November 43, by now fighting in Italy. Injured in combat with a B26 U.S. Army Air Force Marauder near Rome on the 3rd February 1944 bailing out of his Messerscmitt 109G. Mink was killed in action when his Messerschmitt was shot down by allied fighters near Hadersleben Denmark. During his career he was credited with 72 aerial victories, 8 on the Western Front and 64 of the Eastern Front. He was a winner of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, German Cross in gold, Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class, Wound Badge 1939, Honour Goblet September 1941, Flyers Qualification Badge and a Front Flying Clasp for fighters of the Luftwaffe. The presentation document, the outer folder has suffered at some time in its life from dampness and has twisted and bowed, there are also various scuffs to the corners and edges as can be seen by our web images. The internal document is in excellent condition, good clear lettering with all of the gold of the recipient’s name complete with an original Adolf Hitler signature to the base of the award document. Slight damp staining to the right hand side of the inner document. The folder has its thin strip of Morocco leather, which holds the document in place missing. The document again is complete with its ‘Frieda Thiersch’ name at the base of the document, the gilding to the Reich eagle on the front cover is excellent with a small area of thinness.

Code: 82075