Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Karl-Heinz Ertel. SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl-Heinz Ertel (26.11.1919 in Brambauer † 25.01.1993 in Langenberg) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on August 23, 1944 as SS-Hauptsturmführer und Adjutant of the SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 49 “De Ruyter” of the SS-Freiwilligen-Panzer-Grenadier-Brigade “Nederland”. Comes with extra signed letter. Ritterkreuz: “Following heavy retreat battles, on the night of the 25./26.07.1944 the Tannenberg Line between Orphanage Hill and the Gulf of Finland was occupied by the Regiment 49 ‘De Ruyter’. The Regiment had the mission of holding this line against all enemy attacks. The enemy commenced an immediate assault with a much greater number of divisions, which were aided by strong tank, artillery and air support. In a sacrificial battle, the Regiment succeeded in defeating all enemy attacks with extremely high losses for the foe. In this major struggle the commander of the Regiment, SS-Obersturmbannführer Collani, fell in battle. In this moment of crisis his adjutant, SS-Hauptsturmführer Ertel, took over leadership of the Regiment. Undeterred by the strong enemy fire from tanks, rocket launchers, artillery and aircraft, he repeatedly went to the hotspots of the fighting. From these points he inspired officers, NCOs and men to offer up their greatest possible resistance via his own exemplary behaviour. Even after being wounded by a shell splinter to the face he remained with the Regiment and maintained a firm grip over its command. His crisis-proof, exemplary attitude was of immeasurable value to the Brigade in the hours of its greatest test on the battlefield. He significantly contributed to the prevention of the intended enemy breakthrough against Reval.”
