Heinrich Liebe- Signed Biographical Page (German WWII U-boat Commander)
8X10 Paper stock biographical page signed in black felt tip ink by Heinrich Liebe. A nice example of his signature. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (German language: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. It was Germany's highest military decoration at the time of its presentation to Heinrich Liebe.
U-38 embarked on her first war time patrol on 19 August 1939 from Wilhelmshaven. Operating off Lisbon, Portugal on the outbreak of war, Liebe managed to sink two British freighters before returning to port on 18 September. On 2 November, Liebe set sail for Norwegian water on his second patrol. Liebes fourth patrol, on 8 April 1940 was also set in Norwegian waters, to support Operation Weserübung, the invasion of Norway.
During this patrol, Liebe shared the same negative experience of failed torpedoes as many other u-boat captains operating in the area. In mid-April 1940, Liebe fired on the British heavy cruiser Effingham, but all the torpedoes fired failed to detonate.
U-38 left on her fifth patrol on 6 June 1940, tasked with patrolling the Western Approaches off southern Ireland. During this patrol, on 14 August, Liebe received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. On 9 April 1941, Liebe set sail for operations off Freetown, Africa. For these successes, Liebe received the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross on 10 June 1941. On 22 July, Liebe transferred off the U-38, which was put under the command of Heinrich Schuch.
Following his departure from U-38, Liebe was assigned to the staff of Oberkommando der Marine. In August 1944, he was transferred to the staff of the Commander-in-Chief of Submarines (Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote or BdU), Hans-Georg von Friedeburg, during which tenure he was promoted to Fregattenkapitän on 1 October 1944. Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th Class (2 October 1936). Olympic Games Decoration (20 April 1937). 2nd Class (8 October 1939).1st Class (6 April 1940). U-boat War Badge (1939) (16 December 1939). Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. Knight's Cross on 14 August 1940 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-38.
13th Oak Leaves on 10 June 1941 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-38. Italian War Cross with Swords (2 December 1941). War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords (3 September 1944).
Mentioned three times in the Wehrmachtbericht (5 July 1940, 31 May 1941 and 9 June 1941). Comes with a full Letter of Authenticity from Todd Mueller Authentics.