Christmas Greeting Letter Hand Written by Gerd Von Massow, Commander of Jagdgeschwader Richtofen-This great lot includes a hand written and signed Christmas and New Year greeting as well as an original studio portrait of the commander. The letter is dated 12-20-1938 and is written to “Neckel”. It is boldly written and is on “Jagdgeschwader Richtofen Kommodore” stationery. Here is what it reads....(THANKS ALEX!!!)
The letter measures 11 ¾” by 8 ½” and is folded with creases. The studio portrait has been removed from a scrapbook and measures 7” by 9 ¾”. Generalleutnant Gerd von Massow was one of the leading ME-262 pilots of the war. Born: 13 Sep 1896 in Hadersleben, Nordschleswig Died: 29 Jun 1967 in Bad Pyrmont Promotions: Fähnrich (10 Aug 1914); Leutnant (04 Oct 1914); Oberleutnant (01 Apr 1925); Hauptmann (18 Jul 1930); Major (01 Apr 1935); Oberstleutnant (01 Apr 1937); Oberst (01 Oct 1939); Generalmajor (01 Apr 1943); Generalleutnant (20 Apr 1945) Career: Entered the Army as Platoon and Company Leader in the 7th Jäger-Battalion (10 Aug 1914-1919) Company-Leader in the Westphali Free-Jäger-Corps (1919-30 Sep 1919) Platoon-Leader in the 14th Infantry-Regiment (01 Oct 1919-30 Sep 1920) Platoon-Leader in the 18th Infantry-Regiment (01 Oct 1920-17 Jul 1930) Detached to the Staff of Group-Command 2 – secret Flying-Training in the USA (18 Jul 1930-31 Jul 1931) Advisor in the Department T 3, Foreign Armies and L In 1, Flying-Training, RLM (01 Feb 1931-31 Aug 1933) Advisor for Pilot-Training with the Command of Weapons-Schools (01 Sep 1933-31 Mar 1935) Transferred to Luftwaffe Service as Commander of Flying-Group Schleißheim, Fighter-School (01 Apr 1935-08 Jun 1936) Commodore of Fighter-Wing 2 ‘Richthofen’ (09 Jun 1936-07 Mar 1940) Fighter-Leader 3 (08 Mar 1940-05 Jun 1940) Inspector Of Fighters, OKL (06 Jun 1940-18 Dec 1940) Higher Commander of Fighter and Destroyer Schools (19 Dec 1940-30 Jul 1944) Commanding General of Flying Training (31 Jul 1944-08 May 1945) In US Captivity (08 May 1945-01 Mar 1947) Released (01 Mar 1947) Decorations & Awards: - 1914 EK I - 1914 EK II - Fürstl. Schaumburg-Lippisches Kreuz für treue Dienste 1914 - Grossherzoglich Mecklenburg-Schwerinsches Militär-Verdienstkreuz II. Klasse - Verwundetenabzeichen, 1918 in Silber - Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer - Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnung IV. bis I. Klasse. Very interesting grouping!