German WWII VDA Postcard of Knights Cross Recipient Martin “Iron Gustav” Harlinghausen-This is a card from the series from the National League of German's Abroad who published this postcard. This was an organization that wanted to support Germanness overseas. The artist Wolfgang Willrich painted all of the portraits in this series. Harlinghausen was a German military aviator and general. Harlinghausen specialized in maritime interdiction and anti-warship operations. During World War II Harlinghausen was the leading exponent of anti-ship warfare with the destruction of 22 ships credited to him. During World War II Harlinghausen flew combat missions even as a staff officer. On 5 May 1940 he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for commanding anti-shipping units in the Norwegian Campaign. The command supported the Kriegsmarine in the Battle of the Atlantic and the Battle of Britain. In January 1941 he was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross. Harlinghausen was captured in 1945 and remained a prisoner of war until 1947. He served in the Bundesluftwaffe from 1957 to 1961. He died at the age of 84 in 1986. The reverse is set up in traditional postcard style, with the number of the series at the bottom, and the caption at the top left. Of course, the space for a note, with the address box to the right side. This is a rare card.