Original German WWII War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords (Kriegsverdienstkreuz II. Klasse mit Schwertern) Award Certificate Dated 1943
The War Merit Cross was designed by AH in 1939. It was typically granted for exceptional service during the war above and beyond the call of duty. It was designed to recognize exceptional service that contributed to the war effort but did not necessarily qualify for the more prestigious Iron Cross.
Original German WWII War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords (Kriegsverdienstkreuz II. Klasse mit Schwertern) Award Certificate dated April 20, 1943, awarded to Obergefreiten Leopold Kleeschulte.
The War Merit Cross with Swords was instituted in 1939 and awarded for meritorious wartime service performed under combat-related conditions. The addition of swords denoted service connected to military operations or performed in a combat zone.
This wartime certificate features the desirable early-to-mid war style layout and retains its original blue ink service seal at the lower left. The seal appears to reference a German infantry formation, although the full unit designation is difficult to decipher. The printed title below the signature reads:
“Generalmajor u. Div.-Kdr.” (Generalmajor and Division Commander)
The exact identification of the Generalmajor and Division Commander cannot be confirmed with certainty. The award was issued on 20 April 1943, AH’s birthday, a common date for wartime decorations and promotions.
The document was printed by Heidelberger Gutenberg-Druckerei GmbH, Oslo, and bears the wartime issue number 2049/43 at the lower right. The reverse side has an old collector notation reading “Maine Flea Mkt Jan 90,” likely indicating where the document was acquired decades ago.
Condition is very good overall, showing expected age toning, light staining, handling wear, and period fold lines from storage. An attractive and displayable original WWII German award document from the combat period of the war. Measures approximately: 15.24cm x 20.32cm (6" x 8")
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