Art.Rgt.326 KvKII Award Document

The document is in overall 'worn' condition. Folded multiple times and stained. The Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.Klasse was awarded on the 30th of Januari 1945 to Stabsgefreiten Herbert Baars who served in the 8th Batterie of the 3rd Abteilung of Artillerie Regiment 326. This regiment was formed in November 1942 and was part of the 326.Infanterie-Division. The III Abteilung was a motorized unit. Since late 1942 untill early 1944 is was stationed in Narbonne (France). After that it moved to the Channel Coast. It participated in the Normandy campaign and in June 1944 the Regiment, and division, was destroyed by the Allies. In September of that year it was rebuild again under the name 326.Volks-Grenadier-Division and was put into action in December to hold back het Americans in the Monschau area. During the Ardennes Battle the division suffered heavy losses. By the end of Januari 1945 the division fought in the St.Vith area. Here the Americans launched an attack on the 30th of January where as the division had to retreat to the town of Bleialf. These were heavy house to house battles. In March the division was only 200 men strong.   
The document is signed by Generalmajor Erwin Kaschner wearer Deutsches Kreuz in Gold.