Full image - THIS ITEM IS SOLD
Ritterkreuz Mappe for ELT Hauptmann Hansgeorg Bätcher, Top Bomber Ace of World War II, the formal award document folder measures approximately 45x36cm, the cover of deep red Moroccan leather has a large embossed eagle and swastika inlaid with gold leaf, the edges of the folder have gold colored cross hatches. the interior front and rear covers are of parchment vellum, the ward document itself is a single piece of parchment which is held to the spine by a thick and unbroken leather covered cord, the bottom rear edge has the name Frieda Thiersch letters in small gold letters, the award parchment itself is lettered in brown ink and gold leaf, Hitler's signature is believed to have been rendered by autopen, the award document is complete but a bit wrinkled at the edges, possibly from heat and/or moisture, the document folder's spine has been repaired with a closely matching leather as has the front upper right corner, several scratched and abraded areas have been touched up, the repairs are more evident in the detailed photos than when viewing in complete perspective, Hansgeorg Bätcher carried out 658 combat flights during World War II - a higher number than any other multi-engine bomber flier, Bätcher was awarded the Oak Leaves on 24 March 1944 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Kampfgeschwader 4 "General Wever", Bätcher's last bomber missions were made with the Ar 234 against British and American troops in February 1945, in February 1945, he was appointed to command the Me 262-equipped KG(J) 54, which he led until the end of the war, there are many and varied sources of information on the Internet about this officer, one sample is included below, please inquire to info@virtualgrenadier.com for additional information and photos, USD $15,000 SOLD
http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent?file=PRbatcher
