GERMAN WWII KNIGHTS CROSS CITATION WITH FOLDER.

A generally good condition large formal citation in Velum for the Knights Cross to the Iron Cross to Luftwaffe Oberfeldwebel Wilhelm Mink, dated ‘19th March 1942’ with original pen signature of Adolf Hitler. The velum citation has suffered slightly from damp staining on the right hand side and is slightly rippled and discoloured. All of the detail of the artwork and the gold lettering for the name ‘Mink’ is absolutely complete and untouched. The velum citation is fitted into its most highly impressive large Morocco red covered folder with the large gold blocked eagle and swastika of the Third Reich to the face side. All of these folders were created by the leather artisan Frieda Thirsch in her workshops. The velum to the interior front and rear covers are perfect with some age foxing, some minor creasing to the exterior folder, mainly on the reverse side and a very slight bend in the cover itself. Wilhelm Mink, born April 1912, died 12th March 1945, in early 1940 he joined Jagdgeschwader 51 and participated in the French campaign of May and 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 was a British Blenheim Bomber in April 1941 followed by a Hawker Hurricane on the 21st May 1941. In June 1941 JG51 was transferred for the invasion of Russia, he increased his tally of victories to 31 by the end of 1941, he served in various flying corps in Russia, in March 42 was awarded the Knights Cross for 40 aerial victories and he reached his 50 victory in July 1942. Wounded in a bombing raid in November 43, on the Italian Front, he was wounded in combat after bailing out of his Messerschmidt 109. On the 12th March 1945 Mink was killed in action when his 109 was shot down by allied fighters over Denmark. During his career he created 72 aerial victories 8 on the Western Front and 64 on the Eastern Front. In 1985 Mink’s body and the remains of his aeroplane were discovered during the expansion of the highway through Southern Denmark. More extensive, extra images can be seen on our new Premium website, type in regimentalsmilitaria.co.uk in to your web browser.

Code: 96028