[KNIGHT'S CROSS]: An interesting, small group of T.Ls.S. and ...

[KNIGHT'S CROSS]: An interesting, small group of T.Ls.S. and Ds.S. relating to a proposed recommendation for Hauptmann Robert Menzel, Squadron Commander of 3rd Squadron, to be awarded with a Knight's Cross, comprising (in chronological order) a contemporary typed copy of a letter from Major Berendsen of the 8th Armoured Division, one page, 4to, Divisional Command Post, 11th July 1941, to Major Heinsius, Group Commander, in German, stating, in full, 'The proposed recommendation of Capt. Menzel for the Knight's Cross has my warm support. In Poland, France, Yugoslavia and now in Russia, the squadron, frequently operating under the most difficult conditions, has assisted the divisional command in the making of operational decisions by the production of clear, accurate reports. In this connection, Capt. Menzel has often flown personally as observer, particularly in France, since - owing to enemy air superiority - his squadron's losses reached a very serious level. On the previous day, during the advance on Utena via Vilkomierz, we were able to lay the basis for the subsequent success at Dunaburg, because we were informed in such good time of the move of stronger Russian forces from Jonava to Vilkomierz that suitable defensive measures could be put in train. On that day in particular, the timely arrival of a reconnaissance report also saved the division from an unpleasant surprise and serious casualties. In the same way, it was on the basis of the pilots' reconnaissance reports regarding the Ariogalla bridgehead, which gave early warning of the approach of strong armoured forces from Kovno towards Kedainia, that the division decided to form a defensive front. The reconnaissance sorties, which were flown continuously on that day, provided complete proof of a change of course of these forces towards the advance patrols of 6th Armd. Div., and thus produced the basis for the division's decision to continue to press forward towards Dunaburg', signed at the foot by an adjutant to certify that the text is a true copy; a typed statement signed ('Bogatsch') by Rudolf Bogatsch (1891-1970, German Luftwaffe General of World War II, Knight's Cross winner), one page, 4to, Headquarters, Army High Command, 20th September 1941, on the printed stationery of the Air Force General attached to the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, in German, stating, in full, 'I support very warmly the proposal regarding this Squadron Commander, who has shown exemplary courage and eagerness for action. His contribution to 8th Armoured Division's successes cannot be regarded as other than decisive'; a T.L.S. by Oberstleutnant von Wrede, one page, 4to, Headquarters, Army High Command, 25th September 1941, to the Reichsminister for Air and Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, in German, submitting the recommendation for the award of the Knight's Cross to Menzel and remarking that it had the support of Bogatsch; a typed draft (with many pencil corrections in an unidentified hand) of the Summary of reasons for recommendation for Menzel, prepared on behalf of the Reichsmarschall [Hermann Goring], one page, 4to, Berlin, 1st October 1941, in German, stating, in part, 'In the course of numerous bold reconnaissance flights and in the successful directing of artillery fire, Captain Menzel has, with his squadron, as his army superiors unanimously report, taken an outstanding - at times, decisive - part in the victorious battles of this division in Poland, France, Yugoslavia and in particular Soviet Russia. It is characteristic of the exemplary attitude of this officer that he flew the most difficult assignments himself, and so provided his air crews with an inspiring model of soldierly courage and constant readiness for action. The reconnaissance results from sorties which he has flown personally have been of prime importance for the armoured division's operations. I consider this officer who, in his role of carrying out tactical reconnaissance for an army formation……to be worthy of being decorated with the Knight's Cross', initialled at the foot in purple indelible pencil by Ernst Cabanis (1890-1968, German Generalleutnant, an advisor in the Luftwaffe Personnel Office) and with a further annotation at the head requesting a copy of Menzel's flight logbook; the official copy of Menzel's recommendation for a Knight's Cross, three pages, 4to, Berlin, 1st October 1941, in German, the partially printed Vorschlagsliste completed in typescript and providing details of Menzel's date of birth, rank, unit etc., as well as a photograph of him in a head and shoulders pose in uniform, the summary with the same content as the draft initialled by Cabanis, the cover annotated and initialled in green indelible pencil by Gustav Kastner-Kirdorf (1881-1945) German aviator who served in the Luftwaffe during World War II, Chief of the Luftwaffe Personnel Office 1939-43. Two file holes to the left edge of each of the documents and with some light overall age wear, generally VG, 5

 

Despite the recommendations of Hermann Goring and others, Hauptmann Robert Menzel did not ultimately receive a Knight's Cross, but was awarded with a Deutsche Kreuz in Gold (DKG). The War Order of the German Cross was instituted by Hitler in September 1941. It was awarded in two divisions: in gold for repeated acts of bravery or military leadership; and in silver for distinguished non-combat war service.