Special recognition document for the 96. Infanterie Division 16.9.1944. The document was given to the officers, NCO's and soldiers fightung under the command of Generalmajor Dürking who was KIA in the area of Sanok, Poland (Heeresgruppe Nordukraine). The rare document remains in bad condition and was taped in the middle (on the reverse). Perforated on 3 sides. With facsimile signature of Generaloberst Gotthard Heinrici

Heinrici was the general responsible for the defense of the Seelow Höhe, west of the Oder/Neisse line in 1945. This was the last defense line before Berlin. He was famous for being an excellent defensive strategist, but was also known to be a difficult man. His nickname was 'Der Giftzwerg' (the poisonous dwarf). In the defense of the Seelow Höhe he saved the lives of thousands of soldiers by allowing them to retreat to the second defense line before the Russian artillery barrage (or better hurricane...) started. The Russians destroyed the empty first line and suffered severe losses when they tried to take the second line, still with the full load of soldiers and their equipment intact.