Beschreibung:

ORADOUR MASSACRE]: STADLER SYLVESTER (1910-1995) German Officer of the Waffen-SS, a Commander of 2nd SS Division Das Reich (1943-44). Knight's Cross winner with Oak Leaves. Important D.S., Stadler (twice), three pages, 4to, n.p. (Command Post), 19th November 1943, to SS-Sturmbannfuhrer [Wilhelm] Kment, in German. The document is headed Proposal List Number 9, and is a recommendation for the award of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross to Helmut Kampfe, providing details of his personal and military records and further providing a narrative giving Stadler's justification for the award, stating that Kampfe has 'incessantly distinguished himself by exceptional acts of bravery' and detailing in particular his combat with his battalion on 12th October 1943 as part of the Battle of the Dnieper, in part, 'Through his personal decision SS-Stubaf Kampfe, the fighting was not only the attack of the enemy, but an extremely dangerous situation, through this unique attitude and commitment of SS-Stubaf Kampfe the fight was saved….Without the resolution and its excellent execution by SS-Stubaf Kampfe….the enemy would have undoubtedly succeeded' and concluding 'SS-Stubaf Kampfe has been repeatedly wounded in fighting the many counter-attacks, but he remained at Battalion. Only his 10th wound, that was of a serious nature, necessitated a hospital treatment.' Boldly signed in fountain pen ink by Stadler to the first page and again at the conclusion of the narrative. Two file holes to the left edge of each page and small staple holes and minor areas of paper loss to the upper left corner of each page, not affecting the text or signature