254 Award and document grouping of the Knight's Cross Recipient Oberfeldwebel Johann Boos, 9/ Kampfgeschwader 55.

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Iron core with silver frame. Splendid example of the extremely rare production of the company Steinhauer & Lück, respectively Förster & Barth, Pforzheim.

The Knight's Cross itself is a typical Steinhauer & Lück A - piece with the large silver stamp "800" under the eyelet on the back. The ring with silver stamp "800" and maker's mark "L / 21" of the firm Förster & Barth, Pforzheim (cf. the comments by Dietrich März in his book The Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, Richmond 2007, p. 226 ff).

In the beautiful original case of issue made of black imitation leather. Inside with black velvet inlay and long, unassembled original ribbon. Inside cover with white artificial silk lining.

Accompanied by the Priliminary Award Certificate of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross to Sergeant Major Johann Boos on 9 October 1943. Dated Headquarters, 20 October 1943, with official seal of the Reich Minister of Aviation and Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe and original signature of Colonel Wolff (in the name of the Chief of the Luftwaffe Personnel Office).

Award certificate for the German Cross in Gold to Sergeant Johann Boos. Dated Headquarters, 10 July 1942, with embossed seal and facsimile signature of Reich Marshal Hermann Göring and countersignature of General der Flieger Kastner - Kirdorf. The certificate originally perforated in the centre (holes subsequently closed by paper of the same colour).

Luftwaffe Honour Goblet for special achievements in the air war with award engraving to "FELDWEBEL JOHANN BOOS AM 19.9.41". Silver. In the bottom maker's mark "JOH. WAGNER & SOHN" and silver stamp "835". Crown, crescent moon and eagle. Very nice untouched example, the wall with clearly visible hammering.

Accompanied by the award certificate for the Luftwaffe Honour Goblet to Sergeant Johann Boos "in recognition of his outstanding bravery and special successes as a Kampfflieger". Dated Headquarters, 19 September 1941.with embossed seal and facsimile signature of Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring.

Frontflugspange für Kamfflieger  in Gold. Gilt tombac version. Reverse fitted with a broad pin. Beautiful, much worn example.

Comes with the award certificate for the Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Gold to Feldwebel Johann Boos, 9th / Kampfgeschwader 55, dated 19 October 1941. With official seal and original signature of the Geschwaderkommodore.

Reconnaisance Clasp for Kamfflieger in silver . Silvered tombac version. Reverse fitted with broad pin. Maker's mark "G:H:OSANG DRESDEN" on the reverse. Beautiful, worn example.

Comes with award certificate for Frontflugspange for Kampfflieger pilots in silver to Feldwebel Johann Boos, 9th / Kampfgeschwader 55, dated 25 June 1941. With service seal and original signature of the squadron commodore.

Frontflugspange for Kampfflieger in bronze. Tombac version. Reverse fitted with a broad pin. Beautiful, worn clasp.

Comes with the award certificate for the Frontflugspange for Kampfflieger in bronze to Sergeant Johann Boos, 9th / Fighter Squadron 55, dated 13 April 1941. With official seal and original signature of the squadron commander.

Award certificate for the Flugzeugführer - Badge to Private Johannes Boos, dated 3 June 1939. With original signature of Lieutenant General Kastner-Kirdorf.

Award Certificate of the Crimean Shield to Oberfeldwebel Johann Boos, 9th / Kampfgeschwader 55, dated 15 March 1943. With official seal and facsimile signature of Generalfeldmarschalls v. Manstein.

Appointment as sergeant for Unteroffizier Johann Boos, 9th / III. Kampfgeschwader 55, dated 01.04. 1942. With official seal and original signature of the group commander.

Appointment as Sergeant Major for Sergeant Johann Boos, 9th / Fighter Squadron 55. Dated 01.08. 1941. With official seal and original signature of the Squadron Commodore.

Letter from the commanding general of the IV Flieger Korps to the parents of Johann Boos on the occasion of the Knight's Cross award. Dated 25.10.1943. With original signature of the Lieutenant General.

Letter of transmittal or congratulations from the Chief of the Air Force Personnel Office, Colonel General Bruno Loerzer, to the father of the recipient, farmer Johann Boos, on the occasion of the award of the Knight's Cross, proposed by the Reich Marshal and carried out by the Führer, to Oberfeldwebel Johann Boos, who was considered missing at the time.

"Since according to the available reports your son unfortunately has to be considered missing, I am sending you the enclosed high decoration with the request to keep it for your son until the possibility of handing it over arises....".

enclosures:

1 Knight's Cross,En

1 preliminary certificate of award"

Dated Berlin, 20 October 1943, with original signature of Colonel General Loerzer.

Letter of congratulations from the commanding general of the IV Air Corps on the award of the German Cross in Gold to Sergeant Johann Boos. Dated 23 July 1942, with original signature of General der Flieger Pflugbeil.

Letter from the Wehrmacht site elder of St. Goar to the father of the recipient with congratulations on the Knight's Cross and mention of the 1551 flights (according to the flight log).

Letter from the Gauarchiv of the NSDAP (East Prussia) to Oberfeldwebel Boos with the request to send a photo with signature for the Gau - Archiv. Dated 27.11.1943.

Congratulatory telegrams on the 400th enemy flight by General der Flieger Pflugbeil and on the E.K. by Lieutenant General Ritter v. Greim.

The documents are mostly perforated and in good condition.

Johann Boos (1 August 1915 – 20 December 2003) was a German Luftwaffe bomber pilot and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II.

Johann Boos was shot down in May 1943 by Soviet forces, he was taken prisoner and was held until 1948. Johann Boos was born on 1 August 1915 in Ney. His military career commenced in the army, as part of the 6th Company of Infantry Regiment 55. After basic training he volunteered in 1936 volunteered for the Luftwaffe. His pilot training took place in 1938. At the start of the war was serving with 9./KG 55, and flew operations during the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain, when he was wounded. He flew his 416th operation on 16 May 1943, when his He 111 was shot down during an attack on Kropotkin. Boos and his flight crew were captured after 3 days by the Soviet forces. On 9 October 1943, in his absence the Knight's Cross was presented to his parents. After 5 years as a POW he was released on 2 June 1948. Boos returned to Germany, and learned for the first time of his award of the Knight's Cross.

Very nice and interesting grouping to this brave pilot and particularly rare as a Knights Cross award to a first sergeant.

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