German WWII Signed Photo of Knights Cross Winner Friedrich Wilhelm Kilian- This photo and letter are dated 1986. These were sent to a Capt. Michael Korolevich during a time when it was popular to write to surviving veterans of the war and ask for war booty or signed photos. Kilian was a German officer who served in the Divisions-Fusilier-Battalion 102 of the 102nd Infantry division. Kilian was awarded the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross on February 8, 1945. He was serving as a major and the commander of the 102nd infantry division. They fought on the Eastern front, and saw heavy combat in sectors such as Rzhev, Kursk and East Prussia. Just a note, not only was Kilian wounded 10 times during his service, he was BURIED ALIVE TWICE! You can see his silver wound badge in the picture. In fact, take a good look at the photo, you can also see his German Cross, his close combat clasp, as well as his Infantry assault badge and Iron Cross 1st class. What a stud. Kilian survived the war and was able to send a newspaper story about how he won his knights cross back to Capt. Korolevich. We are including the original copy of the newspaper with the photo. The photo measures 5 inches (12.7cm) long and 3 ½ inches (8.5cm) wide. It is signed by Kilian in blue ink at the bottom of the photo. Kilian passed away in Germany at age 85, on March 24th, 1997. This is near excellent and would make a fun research project.