Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Tank Battle Badge attributed to Corporal Alois Kienmayer, 33rd Panzer Regiment, 9th Panzer Division, killed in action 1 July 1942

Tank Assault Badge in Silver, by Hermann Aurich, grey metal, pin-backed, good very fine £120-160

Alois Kienmayer was born on 8 January 1914. Entering the Wehrmacht in December 1938, he was posted to the 33rd Panzer Regiment, a tank unit of the former Austrian Army. The unit formed part of the 9th Panzer Division, commanded by Lieutenant-General Ritter von Hubicki, March 1940-April 1942. The 9th Panzer Division served in the 1940 campaign against Western Europe; in April 1941 in took part in the Balkan campaign and from July 1941 served in the campaign against Russia, serving in the Southern Sector, driving on Tarnopol, Shitomir, southern Kiev, Kriowi-Rog, Saporoshje, Dnepropetrowsk, Kremetschug and eastern Kursk. After wintering at Schtschirgy, 1941/42, the division continued its advance to Voronesch. Kienmayer was awarded the Tank Assault Badge for his services in the advances during the summer and autumn of 1941 and was subsequently awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class. He was killed in action near Kastornoje on 1 July 1942. He was the son of Marie Kienmaier, of Steinwand Nr. 6, Pöchlarn.

With award document for the Tank Assault Badge in Silver, signed by Lieutenant-General Alfred Ritter von Hubicki, commander of the 9th Panzer Division, dated 23 September 1941; Wehrpass booklet; Obituary Card; postcard studio photograph of the recipient wearing his black Panzer uniform. Also with the book, 9 Panzer Division 1940-1943, by Marek Kruk and Radosław Szewczyk.