Lot 4372

Description

Large, double-page parchment document with calligraphic national eagle and text, the name "Theodor Graf v. Sponeck" in hand-cut gold letters, issued "Führerhauptquartier, den 12. September 1941", underneath it Adolf Hitler’s pantographic signature in ink. Dimensions 43.2 x 34.7 cm. Folder of red-brown Morocco leather with embossed gold eagle on the front, golden decorative lines and parchment inserts (stained) on the inside, the edge trim on the lower right with gold signature "Frieda Thiersch". Dimensions 45 x 36 cm. Lightly knocked, strap torn.
Duke Karl Anton Theodor von Sponeck (1896 – 1982) joined the Cadet Academy Groß-Lichterfelde in 1912, became Lieutenant in 1914, 1st Lieutenant in 1920, Captain in 1929 and later completed a general staff training course. At the beginning of World War I in 1939, he was 1st General Staff Officer with the XV (mot.) Army Corps, in 1940 he became Colonel and Commander of the Rifle Regiment 11. He was awarded the Knight’s Cross on 12 September 1941. After being wounded for a lengthy period of time, he became Commander of the 90th Light Africa Division in the autumn of 1942 and was promoted to General Major during the second Battle of El Alamein. He became Lieutenant General in 1943. The last distinction was the mention of von Sponeck and the 90th Light Division in the Wehrmacht Bulletin of 11 May 1943. The day after, they were captured by the British in Tunisia.Condition: II - Questions about the lot?