German WWII Signed Photo of Knights Cross Winner Ernst Heinrich Thomsen-Thomsen was born in 1914 in Rüstringen, Germany. He earned the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on June 9, 1942, as Hasuptmann in the I. Gruppe/ Kampfgeschwader 26 “Löwen” and the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on October 24, 1944, as Major und Kommandeur of the III. Gruppe/ Kampfgeschwader 26 “Löwen”, or Captain in the 1st Group / Bomber Wing 26 "Lions". I. Gruppe/ Kampfgeschwader 26 (I./KG 26), also known as the "Löwengeschwader" (Lion Squadron), was a premier bomber unit of the German Luftwaffe during World War II. Initially equipped with Heinkel He 111 bombers, the group transitioned into a specialized anti-shipping and torpedo-bombing unit operating primarily over the Atlantic, North Sea, and Mediterranean. Thomsen became a merchant ship bomber during the war. He flew a total of 216 combat missions, during which he sank a combined tonnage of approx. 46000 GRT and damaged even more. This black and white photo measures 5 inches (12.7cm) tall and 3 ½ inches (8.89cm) wide. The photo is signed at the bottom in blue ink. There is a nice note and original envelope included. This photo was signed in the 1980’s when it was popular to write to these living veterans to get memorabilia.