213 Large Formal Award Document for the Oakleaves to the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross awarded to Hauptmann Heinrich Schüler, Commander II. / Grenadier Rgt. 525, 298. Infantry - Division.
Dated Führer Headquarters, 2 April 1943, signed by the Führer and Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler (pantograph). The document handwritten on large parchment sheet (double leaf), the emblem and the name of the honoured in raised gold. The oak-leaf folder of antique parchment with applied fire-gilt eagle. The inner covers with parchment mirrors and hand-gilt line edging. Signed "FRIEDA THIERSCH" on the lower back margin.
Heinrich Schüler joined the Reichswehr as a volunteer in 1924. After completing his service he was discharged from the army in 1936 and became a civil servant with the Reichspost. At the start of the war, he was called up again as a sergeant. In 1940, he joined the 298th Infantry Division, where he was promoted to lieutenant in the reserve on 1 February 1940. From June 1941 he took part in the Russian campaign. On 1 March 1942, he was promoted to Captain of the Reserve. In the summer of 1942, he led the II Battalion of the Grenadier Regiment 525. For his battalion's successes on the Don, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 18 September 1942.
On 12.03. 1943, the proposal for the oak leaves was received by the Army Personnel Office. In the battles of the 298th Infantry Division, Captain Schüler showed exceptional leadership combined with personal bravery. After the retreat to Oskol followed the positional fighting at Sapolow. Then, after a further withdrawal, the encirclement in the area of Ticho-Shuranskaya. After breaking out of this area, they were again surrounded in Chertkovo. The breakout succeeded in the direction of Kupyansk. Around Svetchenko, the 298th ID was again encircled. Once again, the breakout succeeded to Malinovka southwest of Isyum. The retreat led behind the Donets. In these aforementioned defensive battles, Schüler again distinguished himself.
On 2 April 1943, Captain Schüler was awarded the 218th Oak Leaf to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
The certificates and award cassettes are unique from an art-historical point of view. Through the collaboration of Professor Gerdy Troost with Frieda Thiersch, the most important German bookbinder of the 20th century, in the design and production of the cassettes and folders, the calligraphic excellence of the graphic artist Franziska Kobell, who together with her co-workers wrote the certificates by hand, and the skill and craftmanship of the goldsmiths Franz and Professor Hermann Wandinger in the execution of the goldsmith's work, artistic objects were created that rank among the absolute highlights of bookbinding art.
No other nation or government in the world before or after the period of the Third Reich has ever made a comparable effort in designing the award certificates of its highest honours. The simplicity of the wearable award, the Iron Cross designed by the most important German architect of classicism, Karl Friedrich Schinkel, in 1813, forms a striking contrast of high meaning.
Important award document in very fine condition. The fire gilding of the applied sovereign eagle somewhat oxidised but not cleaned.
Very rare.
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