*German, WW2, Portrait Postcard Photograph of Oberst Franz Bäke, Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves & Swords Recipient, Framed*
An original World War II German portrait postcard photograph depicting Oberst Franz Bäke, one of the most highly decorated Wehrmacht Panzer commanders of the war.
The photograph shows Bäke in formal uniform wearing the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords suspended at the throat — one of the highest decorations of Nazi Germany. His Panzer officer collar patches are clearly visible, together with the distinctive presentation style used in official propaganda portrait photographs of decorated officers.
The lower margin of the image is printed “Oberst BÄKE”, identifying the subject. The photograph is printed in the standard German wartime postcard format and was produced by Photo Hoffmann, München, the well-known Munich photographic studio responsible for many official portrait images of decorated German officers and wartime personalities.
A typed biographical description of Bäke has been affixed to the reverse, summarising his wartime achievements and noting his award of the Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub for actions south of Belgorod on the Eastern Front in 1943.
The postcard remains mounted within a later display frame.
Approx. Measurements – Postcard: 9.1 cm x 14.2 cm
Historical Note:
Franz Bäke (28 February 1898 – 12 December 1978) was a German army officer and Panzer commander who rose to prominence during the Second World War.
Having volunteered for military service in 1915, he served on the Western Front during the First World War and was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class in 1916. After the war he joined the Freikorps Epp before studying dentistry and later establishing a dental practice in Hagen. Recalled to military service in the late 1930s, Bäke served with the 6th Panzer Division, participating in the campaigns in Poland, France and the invasion of the Soviet Union. By 1943 he commanded II Battalion, Panzer Regiment 11, and his leadership during the fighting south of Belgorod during Operation Citadel (Battle of Kursk) earned him the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves on 1 August 1943. In December 1943 he was tasked with forming the ad-hoc Schwere Panzer-Regiment “Bäke”, equipped with Tiger and Panther tanks, which fought in relief operations during the battles around the Cherkassy Pocket in early 1944. For his actions during these operations he was awarded the Swords to the Knight’s Cross on 21 February 1944. Bäke later commanded Panzer Brigade Feldherrnhalle and subsequently the 13th Panzer Division (Feldherrnhalle), being promoted to Generalmajor in April 1945. He surrendered to American forces at the end of the war and, after internment, returned to Germany where he resumed his dental practice.
*Condition*
The postcard displays light age toning consistent with wartime photographic paper. A typed biographical note has been affixed to the reverse with old tape, now showing typical ageing and staining. The postcard itself remains structurally sound with clear image detail and legible printed caption. The piece is currently mounted within a later display frame. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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