Kampfgeschwader 26 1.Okt.1938 Award Doc.

The document is in overall good condition. Folded once. It was awarded to Hauptgefreiten Christian Niederrainer Gefreiten who served in the II.Gruppe Kampgeschwader 26. He was awarded to medal on 1.Juni 1940. Kampfgeschwader 26 was formed in May 1939 from Kampfgeschwader 257. The unit was equipped with the Heinkel HE 111 bomber. It saw combat during the Norway campaign and after that it participated in the Battle of Britain with the order to bomb London. In late 1940 it was ordered to bomb industrial areas further inlands. After England it saw combat in Eismeerhäfen, Balkan campaign, Kreta, Krim and Malta.
In 1943 it moved to the airfield on Sardinië and in May of the year Gruppe I. and II. moved to the south of France (Salon de Provence). Gruppe II. was then eqquiped with the Junkers JU 88A. During the invasion of France by the Allies the Gruppe II. was put into action against the invasion forces. They operated from the Valence. In August the geschwader had to pull back to Germany. In the last months of the war it was stationed in Norway.
It surrendered to the British. The document is signed by Major und Gruppenkommandeur Martin Vetter. Inkstamp of II./Kampfgeschwader 257.