Original German WWII War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords Award Certificate Dated 1944
Original German WWII War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords (Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern) Award Certificate dated October 20, 1944, awarded to Betriebsmeister Ernst Rapp of Oberhausen/Rheinland.
The War Merit Cross with Swords was instituted in 1939 and awarded to military personnel and civilians for meritorious service contributing to the German war effort under combat or combat-related conditions. Civilian recipients such as factory foremen, technicians, and industrial supervisors were often recognized for maintaining wartime production during Allied bombing campaigns and difficult wartime conditions.
This certificate was issued in Münster/Westf. and bears the facsimile signature of General der Flieger August Schmidt, who served as “Kommandierender General und Befehlshaber im Luftgau VI” (Commanding General and Commander of Air District VI) from 1938 until April 1945. The Luftgau VI district was responsible for administrative and logistical Luftwaffe operations in western Germany.
About August Schmidt:
August Schmidt (1 February 1883 – 23 November 1955) was a German general of the Luftwaffe who attained the rank of General der Flakartillerie during World War II. He is chiefly remembered for commanding Luftgau VI and for receiving the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, one of Germany’s highest military awards for leadership or bravery.
The document retains its original Luftwaffe service seal stamp (Luftgaukommando VI) and is printed in the desirable wartime blackletter and script style fonts commonly seen on mid-to-late war award documents. The certificate shows period fold lines, light age toning, scattered discoloration, and handling wear consistent with age. Overall, it remains in very good condition and displays well.
Interesting period handwritten notes remain on the reverse side. While difficult to fully decipher, they appear to be a handwritten list of surnames or personnel names, possibly related to coworkers, recipients, or administrative notations. Some names that can partially be made out include:
Hemming
Jensen
Heim
Heinemeyer (or similar)
Hallefeldt (or similar)
Rintzfeldt (or similar)
Bongers
Gorski
The handwriting is faint and somewhat difficult to interpret with complete certain
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