German Knights Cross Ernst Barkmann PANZER ACE signed

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I am selling a RARE Ernst Schmuck-Barkmann German Top PANZER Ace and Knights Cross Recipient. The Knights Cross was Germanys highest award for valor during WWII. THIS IS A AUTHENTIC HAND AUTOGRAPHED 4x6 glossy photo. If you are not arware of Mr Schmuck Barkmann war accomplishments please read the following bio: Normandy The Das Reich division remained on the Eastern front until January 1944. Early in February, the division was ordered to France to refit and to form a part of Panzergruppe West, the armoured reserve for the expected allied invasion. Leaving its remaining armour behind for other divisions to use, the Das Reich was posted to the Bordeaux region. With the exception of several skirmishes with partisans, the refit was uneventful. Barkmann, along with the rest of the division's panzer regiment, was equipped with new model Panthers. Operation Overlord, the expected allied invasion, was launched on 6 June 1944. When the division was released for action by Führer headquarters, it was placed on high alert and remained in Southern France in case of secondary invasions t When it became clear that the Normandy invasion was the major allied effort, the Division was ordered north to the front. The division's transit to the front was marked by heavy Jabo and partisan attacks. Barkmann and the panzer regiment were not involved with the massacre of Oradour-sur-Glane, perpetrated by a Panzergrenadier unit of the division. The division finally reached the front in early July and was thrown into action against the American forces near St. Lô. Barkmann, in his Panther (Nr. 424) saw heavy fighting against American M4 Shermans and M5A1 Stuarts in the Bocage. The narrow sunken roads and impassable hedgerows of the bocage meant that the German could establish a deadly defensive line and that the American matériel advantage could not be exploited. Barkmann, operating with his platoon or even as a lone panther, caused heavy casualties to the advancing Americans, destroying many tanks and armoured vehicles. On the morning of July 27, Barkmann found himself in his Panther cut off from the rest of his company. While attempting to reach his unit, he was stopped near the village of Le Lorey w he was told by German infantrymen that the Americans were closing in with a large armoured column. Barkmann positioned his Panther under a stand of Oaks near the crossroads w the American tanks would have to pass. As the column came into sight, Barkmann knocked out the two lead Shermans and a fuel tanker truck. Next he destroyed two Shermans which had attempted to bypass the burning tanker. The Americans called in fighter-bombers, which damaged Barkmann's Panther and wounded two of his crewmen. Barkmann's next victims were two Shermans that had used the noise of the fighter-bombers as cover to sneak up on the damaged Panther's flank. As Barkmann's crew repaired the Panther, two more Shermans were knocked out. Finally, before leaving, Barkmann destroyed one last Sherman. During the engagement, which has come to be known as Barkmann's Corner, Barkmann knocked out nine Shermans and several other American vehicles and halted an American armoured attack. For his actions, he was awarded the Knight's Cross. After the launch of Operation Cobra, the Das Reich avoided encirclement in the Falaise Pocket and, alongside the 9.Panzer-Division Hohenstaufen, fought to hold open an escape route for the trapped German forces. After the collapse of the Pocket, the Das Reich fell back towards the West Wall. During the retreat, Barkmann was involved in many desperate rearguard actions, destroying many American vehicles. For his actions during this battle, he was awarded the Knight's Cross.Barkmann fought and rose to fame during World War II for his actions in command of Panther tanks.After several months of training, Barkmann joined the Standarte's III.Bataillon, based at Radolfzell. Standarte was posted to East Prussia w it was to act as a part of 14.Armee. With the outbreak of war on 1 September 1939, Barkmann saw act... read more

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