The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Iron Cross Second Class, 1939. Unnamed as issued. A straight bladed pin and loop catch are mounted vertically on the reverse of the medal.
[Full text is available in the attached document] Born on 14 March 1923, Wilhelm Karle volunteered for service in the Waffen SS at Nurnberg on 4 June 1940. After completing his training, Karle was posted to a signals company before being transferred to Debica in East Poland for infantry training. After completing his infantry course, he was posted to the 10th Company, 10th Infantry Regiment of the 1st SS Infantry Brigade. This unit was based at Kracow, Poland where it was being brought up to strength with men and materials.
On 23 July 1941, the unit moved into German occupied territories in Russia where they began operations in the rear areas of German Army Group South. They fought against Red Army units that had been cut off by the rapid German advance and Partisan units. During this period, the Brigade had taken 7000 prisoners of war. In early August 1941, the brigade was involved in heavy fighting against partisan forces in the Pinsk Marshes. The 10th Infantry Regiment killed or captured over 800 partisans, but sustained heavy casualties.
By the middle of August, the 1st SS Infantry Brigade were operating in the rear areas of the German 17th Army Corps and crossed the Dnieper River near Kiev soon after. During the fighting in Kiev, Karle sustained his first wound.
Close Combat Clasp - Bronze class (Nahkampfspange). The close combat clasp consists of a German Army styled eagle over a swastika. This surmounts a crossed bayonet and stick grenade, all surrounded by
Eastern Front Medal 1941-42 (Ostmedaille). The obverse of the circular medal is concave and features in raised detail an eagle standing on a squared swastika which in turn is over an oakleaf branch. T
Infantry Assault Badge - Bronze Class (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen). The badge is made up of an oakleaf wreath surmounted by an eagle perched on an angled swastika. Running from right to left on a 45 de
Iron Cross Second Class, 1939, with original ribbon. Unnamed as issued. Born on 14 March 1923, Wilhelm Karle volunteered for service in the Waffen SS at Nurnberg on 4 June 1940. After completing his
Records of service and decorations for SS Rottenfuhrer Wilhelm Karle, who served in the Western and Eastern Fronts in the Second World War. Includes records of promotions, training and decorations, in
Wound Badge 1939 - Silver Class (das Verwundetenabzeichen, 1939). The wound badge is oval in shape and features a wreath in raised detail around the outside of the badge. At the bottom of the wreath i
Iron Cross Second Class, 1939, with original ribbon. Unnamed as issued. Born on 14 March 1923, Wilhelm Karle volunteered for service in the Waffen SS at Nurnberg on 4 June 1940. After completing his
Infantry Assault Badge - Bronze Class (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen). The badge is made up of an oakleaf wreath surmounted by an eagle perched on an angled swastika. Running from right to left on a 45 de
Wound Badge 1939 - Silver Class (das Verwundetenabzeichen, 1939). The wound badge is oval in shape and features a wreath in raised detail around the outside of the badge. At the bottom of the wreath i
Close Combat Clasp - Bronze class (Nahkampfspange). The close combat clasp consists of a German Army styled eagle over a swastika. This surmounts a crossed bayonet and stick grenade, all surrounded by
Eastern Front Medal 1941-42 (Ostmedaille). The obverse of the circular medal is concave and features in raised detail an eagle standing on a squared swastika which in turn is over an oakleaf branch. T
Third Reich Order of the Iron Cross, 1st Class. It has a swastika in the centre and '1939' on the lower arm. There are no markings on the reverse, which has a brooch fitting. Worn by Leutnant Werner
