Lieutenant Gustav George Knabe WWI German Military Memorabilia Lot, Medals, Documents
This unique and historically significant lot offers an extensive collection of German military memorabilia related to Gustav Georg Knabe, who served as an officer during World War I and rose to the rank of Generalmajor in the Wehrmacht during World War II. Knabe was highly decorated for his valor and service across both world wars.
Lieutenant Gustav Georg Knabe began his military career during World War I, serving in the Imperial German Army. Throughout the war, he demonstrated exceptional leadership and bravery, earning him multiple commendations and awards.
This collection includes:
A) Iron Cross 1st Class, has makers mark “G” - Godet & Sohn, Berlin (very worn)
B) Wound Badge (Gold Class version), marked DRGM
C) Medal Bar: Wound Badge (Gold) & Hindenburg Cross (or Cross of Honor)
D) Medal Bar: Gold Wound Badge with crossed swords. The gold color indicates that the recipient had been wounded five or more times or sustained severe injuries in combat. The crossed swords signify that this version was awarded to a combatant.
E) Trench art bracelet made from a copper driving band (or rotating band) of a 75mm German artillery shell.
F) 1920 Lieutenant Gustav George Knabe photography with personal signature.
This collection includes the following documents and certificates:
1) Certificate of ownership (Besitz-Zeugnis) for the Iron Cross 1st Class. It states that in the name of His Majesty the Kaiser and King, the Iron Cross 1st Class was awarded on July 19, 1919, to Leutnant Gustav Knabe of Infantry Regiment No. 151, for outstanding bravery before the enemy during the campaign starting on August 6, 1914. The certificate is signed by a Major Lange on August 6, 1919, in Sensburg.
2) Certificate fo Lieutenant Knabe (Gustav) is hereby granted permission to enter the barracks of Infantry Regiment No. 151 during the period from January 16 to January 24, 1919. Signed by Bemke, the regiment commander.
3) Certificate for the Wound Badge (Verwundetenabzeichen), awarded to Leutnant Gustav Knabe during World War I. The document indicates that Gustav Knabe was awarded the Wound Badge ("Abzeichen für Verwundete") as authorized by a Cabinet Order (Kabinetts-Ordre) on March 3, 1918. The badge was awarded for a military wound, indicated by the phrase "nach erlitten Verwundung im Feld" (after suffering a wound in the field). The certificate was issued in Sensburg on January 7, 1919. It is signed by a Major Kramer, the regiment commander. There is an official stamp from the Ermlandisches Infanterie Regiment Nr. 151
4) Letter of advice addressed to Gustav Knabe from a high-ranking military official named Freiherr von Dündlänge-Campe, dated December 14, 1915. The letterhead identifies Freiherr von Dündlänge-Campe as a general staff officer. He appears to be providing counsel to Gustav Knabe regarding his military and academic progress.
The letter states that Infantry Regiment No. 64 (the military unit Knabe was connected to) has recommended that Knabe remain in school until he either passes his Abiturium (final school exams) or at least achieves the required level for Prima (the final class in German secondary education). This advice is given in the context of Knabe's career aspirations, suggesting that passing these exams would allow him to qualify for the Fähnrich-Examen (officer cadet exam), which would be a beneficial step for his future military career.
The letter is signed by Freiherr von Dündlänge-Campe.
5) Official notice of personnel changes (Auszug aus den Personalveränderungen), specifically regarding Leutnant Gustav Knabe, issued by the 1st Division (Wehrkreiskommando I) in Königsberg, Prussia, on January 2, 1922.
The document refers to Leutnant a.D. (außer Dienst) Gustav Knabe, meaning Knabe held the rank of lieutenant but was no longer on active duty ("a.D." stands for "retired" or "discharged from active service"). The letter grants him the permission to wear the uniform of his former regiment, Infantry Regiment No. 151. The document addresses Knabe at Allenstein, a town in East Prussia (now Olsztyn, Poland). (The permission to wear his old regiment’s uniform is officially given, a common practice for veterans and retired officers in post-war Germany, allowing them to continue wearing their uniforms at military or ceremonial events.)
It is signed by a Major Ihme, on behalf of the chief of staff of the division.
The document bears an official stamp from the Wehrkreiskommando I, Königsberg, ensuring its authenticity.
6) Military performance report or testimonial (Dienstleistungszeugnis) for Leutnant Knabe, dated October 10, 1920, and issued in Oldenburg.
The letter states that Leutnant Knabe for carrying out his duties effectively, particularly emphasizing his discipline, responsibility, and punctuality in completing his assigned tasks. The writer mentions that Knabe executed his responsibilities with outstanding performance, indicating a high level of proficiency. The testimonial closes with an acknowledgment of Knabe’s capability to handle future responsibilities well. The officer expresses confidence in his potential to succeed in higher positions.
The document seems to serve as a formal recommendation for his continued career progression. This type of service testimonial was a formal document used in post-World War I Germany, especially for officers who were transitioning out of the army or seeking new roles in the civilian workforce.
The letter is signed by an officer, Gerch, associated with the Jägerbeteillon.
7) Legitimation certificate (Igazolvány) for a Hungarian War Commemorative Medal (Háborús Emlékérem), issued to Gustav Knabe on January 7, 1937. The medal commemorates service during World War I (1914–1918).
The document is addressed to Gustav Knabe, who is listed with the military rank of Leutnant (Lieutenant), serving in Infantry Regiment 151 during World War I. It refers to the Hungarian War Commemorative Medal with Swords and Helmet, a decoration awarded by the Royal Hungarian Government to recognize military service in the field during World War I.
This medal was issued to members of the Austro-Hungarian Army, German forces, and other allied forces who served in battle. The document is issued by the Kanzlei der Kriegserinnerungsmedaille (Chancellery of the War Commemorative Medal) in Berlin. The stamp reads Háborús Emlékérem - Iroda, which is the Hungarian office responsible for managing war-related decorations.
8) Document, dated August 14, 1916, is a response from the Infantry Regiment Graf Barfuß (4. Westfälisches) Nr. 17 to Herr Lehrer Knabe (Teacher Knabe), likely the father of Gustav Knabe.
The letter references an earlier correspondence from August 4, 1916, in which Lehrer Knabe inquired about the enlistment of his son as a Fahnenjunker (Officer Cadet). The regiment informs Herr Knabe that they have decided not to proceed with his son's enlistment as a Fahnenjunker at this time, as there is no current need for cadets in the regiment ("der Bedarf an diesen gedeckt ist" - the need is met).
The document is signed by an Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel), who is the commander of the regiment, though the signature is difficult to read.
During World War I, a Fahnenjunker was a rank for officer candidates in the German army, typically for young men aspiring to become commissioned officers. The document indicates that at this point in 1916, the regiment did not have a pressing need for new officer cadets, and thus they declined the application from Herr Knabe’s son.
9) Gedenkblatt (Commemorative Certificate), issued in April 1917 to recognize Gustav Knabe, a student, for his participation in a war bond campaign during World War I. The Gedenkblatt was awarded as a commemorative certificate for contributions to the sixth major German war bond campaign. War bonds were sold to citizens to finance the war effort, and schools played a role in encouraging students to participate. Gustav Knabe, listed as a student, is being recognized for his participation. The document specifies that he contributed to the campaign, likely by purchasing bonds or helping to promote the sale of bonds in his community or school. The certificate notes that Gustav Knabe contributed 495.30 Marks, a significant sum, toward the war bond effort. This indicates his active involvement in raising funds to support the German military.
The document bears the signatures of a school official Prof, Ehreske. It also has an official stamp from the school, Gymnasium zu Brandenburg
10) Document, dated August 6, 1916, is a response letter from the 13th Infantry Brigade regarding the application for Gustav Knabe to be accepted as a Fahnenjunker (Officer Cadet).
The letter is addressed to Lehrer Knabe (Teacher Knabe) in Wichmannsdorf near Boitzenburg. It is likely that Lehrer Knabe is the father of Gustav Knabe, and he had written on behalf of his son to request his enlistment as a Fahnenjunker. The letter is a response to the application made on August 4, 1916, for Gustav Knabe's admission as a Fahnenjunker in Infantry Regiment 66. It states that the request has been reviewed and presented for a decision. However, the need for Fahnenjunkers in the Ersatzbataillonen (replacement battalions) of Infantry Regiments 26 and 66 has already been met, so the application cannot be approved at this time.
The letter is signed by the brigade commander. The signature appears to be Hans von Kallay, or a similarly named officer.
11) Austrian War Commemorative Medal Certificate (Ausweis), awarded to Kapt. (Captain) Gustav Georg Knabe, issued on February 10, 1937, in Vienna.
The document confirms that Gustav Georg Knabe has been awarded the Österreichische Kriegserinnerungsmedaille mit den Schwertern (Austrian War Commemorative Medal with Swords). The addition of swords signifies that the recipient participated in frontline combat during World War I. This medal was given to veterans of the Austro-Hungarian forces or allied forces, including those who served with distinction in combat.
The certificate is issued by the Austrian Federal Ministry of National Defense (Bundesministerium für Landesverteidigung), representing the Austrian Federal Government.
It bears the signature of a government representative, and there is an official seal from the Austrian State Printing Office (Österreichische Staatsdruckerei) at the bottom.
This certificate serves as proof of the bestowal of the Austrian War Commemorative Medal, recognizing Knabe’s service during World War I on the side of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Germany's ally in the conflict.
12) Marriage permission certificate (Heiratserlaubnisschein) issued to Leutnant Gustav Knabe on January 7, 1925, by his military regiment.
The permission is granted to Leutnant Gustav Knabe, who is serving in the 2nd (Preußisches) Infantry Regiment. This certificate provides official military permission for Knabe to marry Fräulein Waltraut Schlicht, the daughter of Oberförster Schlicht, a senior forestry official residing in Damerau bei Gerdauen.
The document is signed by the regimental commander, identified as Oberst und Regiments-Kommandeur (Colonel and Regiment Commander), and bears the official seal of the 2nd (Preußisches) Infantry Regiment.
The certificate was issued in Allenstein on January 7, 1925.
In many European countries, especially in the military, it was customary for officers to receive formal permission from their superiors before marrying. This practice ensured that the officer's personal life was in good standing with military expectations. Since officers were often viewed as representatives of the military, their marriage choices were subject to oversight.
13) Document, dated January 15, 1927, is an official letter of commendation for Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant) Knabe from the 1st Division (Wehrkreiskommando I), Königsberg.
Letter is addressed to Oberleutnant Knabe of the 2nd (Preußisches) Infantry Regiment based in Allenstein. The letter expresses formal recognition for Oberleutnant Knabe’s role in leading the communications training course (Nachrichten-Lehrgang) for the 1st Battalion of the Infantry Regiment. The training took place from October 11 to 16, 1926. The letter specifically highlights his performance during the exercise and the report he prepared on the training’s progress. The commanding officer offers his appreciation and acknowledgment for Knabe’s leadership in this capacity.
The letter is signed by a higher-ranking officer, likely the commander of the division. The signature is unclear but could be a major general or colonel in command of Wehrkreiskommando I. The document also bears the stamp of January 18, 1927.
This document is an example of how military officers were assessed and acknowledged for their duties, especially in a time when the German military was undergoing restructuring after World War I.
This collection provides a rare glimpse into the personal and military life of a highly respected German officer, spanning both world wars. It includes medals, awards, and official military documents that reflect Knabe’s storied career from Lieutenant in WWI to Generalmajor in WWII, making it a valuable lot for collectors, historians, or museums seeking authentic military artifacts.
