PERSONAL GROUPING OF 11 DECORATIONS AND DOCUMENTS BELONGING TO WORLD WAR II GERMAN LUFTWAFFE STUKA PILOT AND GERMAN CROSS IN GOLD WINNER LIEUTENANT HEINZ SCHMITT

At the time of Lieutenant Schmitt's death on 26 September 1943, his father, Major Johann Schmitt was similarly serving as an officer in combat service with the Luftwaffe in Russia. Despite that significant inconvenience, Major Schmitt and his wife drafted a statement on behalf of their family summarizing their son's heroic service to Germany during his twenty years of life. This statement is type written on a composite, brown rag paper consistent with the recycled paper quality commonly found to be in use across Germany during the later stages of the war. For reference, this document is eleven and three quarters inches (11 3/4") long by eight and one quarter inches (8 1/4") wide. While completely intact, without rips or cuts, it was folded in half at one point and bears a crease line from this action. An enlarged photo of the text of this statement has been included below, together with a rough translation.

"Unexpectedly and with the deepest feelings, we received the news (of the death) of our only, and dearly beloved son, our loving uncle, nephew and father HEINZ SCHMITT.

A Lieutenant and pilot in a Stuka Group, he was the holder of the German Cross in Gold, the Iron Cross First Class, the Iron Cross Second Class, the Golden Pilot's Combat Bar and the Pilots Proficiency Badge, as well as other honor decorations.

With nearly three hundred (300) combat missions, he was engaged by enemy aircraft South of GOMEL on 26 September 1943 and died for his beloved homeland at the young age of twenty (20).

His example in life and death gives us consolation. Issued in the name of his relatives with deepest sorrow.J. SCHMIT ...Major in the field, MARGARET SCHMITT, born SCHAEFER, Kelkheim-Nord Langestrasse.28. Written in the field 29 October 1943.

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