102 Auszeichnungs- und Dokumentennachlaß mit Vorläufigem Besitzzeugnis zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes für den Obergefreiten Josef Schuss, 3. I.R. 520

Provisional certificate of ownership for the Knight's Cross issued to Lance Corporal Schuss, 3rd Company, 1st Infantry Regiment 520, for the award on 4 September 1942. Bearing the official seal of the Army High Command – Army Personnel Office – and the original signature of General of the Infantry Bodewin Keitel.

A very fine, unperforated award document for this brave Knight’s Cross recipient of enlisted rank.

Iron Cross 1st Class 1939. Iron core with silver-plated bezel. Below the pin hook, the manufacturer’s mark “3” (Wilhelm Deumer, Lüdenscheid). Also included is the certificate of award for the Iron Cross 1st Class dated 20 August 1942, bearing the official seal ‘Kdo 296 Inf. Div.’ and the original signature of Major General and Division Commander Karl Faulenbach.

Iron Cross 2nd Class 1939. Iron core with silver-plated bezel. On the original ribbon. The manufacturer’s mark “3” (Wilhelm Deumer, Lüdenscheid) is stamped on the ring. Also included is the certificate of award for the Iron Cross 2nd Class dated 12 October 1939, bearing the official seal “46th Division” and the original signature of Major General and Divisional Commander Paul von Hase.

Infantry Assault Badge in silver. Fine zinc version, on a pin. Manufacturer’s mark “GWL” on the reverse. Certificate of ownership for the Infantry Assault Badge in silver. Issued on 17 September 1942 with the official seal “Inf. Rgt. 520” and the original signature of Colonel and Regimental Commander.

Black Wound Badge. Black lacquered, hollow-embossed iron version. On pin. Accompanied by the certificate of ownership for the Wound Badge in black. Issued on 17 September 1942 with the official seal ‘Dienststelle F. P. No. 175196’ and the original signature of the Captain and Battalion Commander.

Eastern Front Medal. Fine zinc version, on the original ribbon. Also included is the certificate of award for the Eastern Front Medal 1941/42 dated 1 August 1942, bearing the official seal and the original signature of the Second Lieutenant and Company Commander.

Certificate of award for the 1941/42 Eastern Front Medal dated 8 August 1942 for Knight’s Cross recipient Corporal Schuss bearing the official seal “Gren. Ers. Bal. 97” and the original signature of a Captain.

Medal commemorating 1 October 1938 (Annexation of the Sudetenland) Non-ferrous metal version, on the original ribbon. Also included is the certificate of award for the Commemorative Medal for 1 October 1938 dated 18 October 1939, bearing the official seal ‘46th Division’ and the original signature of Major General Paul von Hase.

Army service record for Josef Schuss, containing entries for the following decorations

19 March 1940 Medal commemorating 1 October 1938

3 October 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class

8 August 1942 Medal for the Winter Campaign in the East 1941/42

20 August 1942 Iron Cross 1st Class

4 September 1942 Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross

17 September 1942 Wound Badge in Black

17 September 1942 Infantry Assault Badge in Silver

Letter of congratulations on the award of the Knight’s Cross from the Commander-in-Chief of the Army Group, Field Marshal von Kluge. Dated 5 September 1942. With original signature.

Letter of congratulations on the award of the Knight’s Cross from the Commander of the 296th Infantry Division, Major General Faulenbach. Dated 15 September 1942. With original signature.

Letter of congratulations on the award of the Knight’s Cross by the Commander-in-Chief of the 2nd Panzer Army, Colonel-General Rudolf Schmidt. Dated 13 September 1942. With original signature.

Letter of congratulations on the award of the Knight’s Cross by Colonel and Regimental Commander of I.R. 520, Colonel Hüttner. Dated 14 September 1942. With original signature.

Letter of congratulations on the award of the Knight’s Cross from Captain Flath, Captain Eckardt and comrades.

In addition, 11 very fine original photographs of Knight’s Cross recipient Lance Corporal Josef Schuss, mostly wearing the Knight’s Cross, or from the Knight’s Cross award ceremony in the military hospital.

Obituary dated 29 January 1995

Various documents, letters, discharge papers, letters of referral, newspaper clippings regarding the Knight’s Cross award, etc.

A very fine, extensive and complete collection of the estate of this brave Knight’s Cross recipient of enlisted rank.

Provenance: Wolfgang Schneider Collection