Desirable Paratrooper Document Grouping of Knight's Cross Recipient and Hermann Göring Division Member Unteroffizier Heinrich "Heinz" Probst

Desirable Paratrooper Document Grouping of Knight's Cross Recipient and Hermann Göring Division Member Unteroffizier Heinrich "Heinz" ProbstDesirable Paratrooper Document Grouping of Knight's Cross Recipient and Hermann Gring Division Member Unteroffizier Heinrich "Heinz" Probst The grouping consists of the following: 1) Field made award document for the Eiserne Kreuz 2. Klasse (Iron Cross 2nd Class) issued to Probst on 11 November 1943. The document reveals that Probst was then a Panzer Grenadier (Armored Infantryman) with the 6. Panzer Grenadier Regiment 1 (6th Company of Armored

Desirable Paratrooper Document Grouping of Knight's Cross Recipient and Hermann Göring Division Member Unteroffizier Heinrich "Heinz" Probst-The grouping consists of the following:

1) Field-made award document for the Eiserne Kreuz 2. Klasse (Iron Cross 2nd Class) issued to Probst on 11 November 1943. The document reveals that Probst was then a Panzer-Grenadier (Armored Infantryman) with the 6./Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 1 (6th Company of Armored Infantry Regiment 1 "Hermann Göring"). The document is signed by the Stellvertretender-Kommandeur (Deputy Commander) of the Division Hermann Göring (Hermann Göring Division). At the time the award was given, the division was fighting in Italy.

2) Ornate award document for the Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe (Ground Combat Badge of the Air Force) dated 29 February 1944 and signed by Generalleutnant (Three Star General) Paul Conrath (Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and German Cross in Gold), the divisional commander of Fallschirm-Panzer-Division (Paratrooper Armored Division) "Hermann Göring". The document was issued when Probst was still serving with the 6./Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 1 "Hermann Göring";

3) Award document for the Eiserne Kreuz 1.Klasse (Iron Cross 1 Class) issued to Probst on 17 November 1944. At that time, Probst was assigned to the 1./Fallschirm-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 4(1st Company of Paratrooper Armored Infantry Regiment 4 "Hermann Göring,") part of Fallschirm-Panzer-Grenadier-Division 2 "Hermann Göring," which was engaged on the Eastern Front. The document is signed by an Oberst (Colonel) in proxy for the divisional commander;

4) Award document issued on 21 March 1945 for the Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber (Wound Badge in Silver) for being wounded for the third time on 17 January 1945. The document is signed by the Chief Medical Doctor of a military hospital in Saalfeld/Saale;

5) Probst's Erkennungsmarke (Dog Tag) issued when he was a recruit with the 1./Ersatz-und-Ausbildungs-Regiment (1st Company of Replacement and Training Regiment "Hermann Göring"). Dog tag retains its original neck cord. Unteroffizier Heinrich Probst was awarded the Knight's Cross on 26 March 1945 as a Zugführer (Platoon Leader) of Fallschirm-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 1 "Hermann Göring." Probst's Knight's Cross recommendation reads as follows: Unteroffizier Probst has especially distinguished himself on account of the dutifulness and bravery he demonstrated whilst leading a Panzergrenadier Zug during the positional warfare around Hochfließ. On 15.01.1945 the Bolsheviks attacked with extremely powerful forces; however, Probst was able to repulse 3 attacks (each launched with 2 companies) in a massive expenditure of effort. The enemy then launched another 3 attacks, and because of their great superiority, they were able to capture the road junction on the right boundary of Probst's sector each time. However, on each occasion, Probst was able to throw them back during immediate counter-attacks. Then, after the 7th enemy attack, he launched a furious counter-attack with a handful of his remaining troops, throwing the Russians back more than 200 meters beyond the road, whilst also inflicting bloody losses upon them. Later, during the morning of the 17.01.1945, the enemy attacked in battalion strength, and repeatedly tried to force a breakthrough across the Grünweiden-Hochfleß road. However, Probst stood as a shining example of calm and ruthlessness, and thanks to this, he was able to repulse all attacks with just 10 men and 2 MGs. When the Russians managed to achieve a penetration 300 meters to the right of his sector with 60 men, Probst led a counter-attack with 6 men, and managed to eject the Russians from the trenches in close combat. The Russians then launched a renewed attack with 2 companies, but Probst was able to fiercely repulse them in a brutal battle despite having only 4 men and 1 MG left. He only pulled back, as per his orders, after he had been badly wounded. The Knight's Cross was reportedly bestowed upon Probst by General der Kavallerie (General of Cavalry Troops) Siegfried Westphal, the Chef des Generalstabes (Chief of the General Staff) of the Oberbefehlshaber West (Commander in Chief West).

A very unique grouping to a Knight's Cross recipient. It's captivating to think that the dog tag was around Probst's neck at all times at the front, including when he carried out the actions for which he earned the Knight's Cross.