Heer Knight Cross Holder Generalleutnant Friedrich Karst Tunic And Breeches

Generalleutnant Friedrich Karst had a long, distinguished and interesting military career: Born in 1893 he served in world war one as an infantry officer ending as Oberleutnant earning the Iron cross second and first class. After the war he stayed in the now much smaller German army and became Hauptmann in 1924 then serving on Staff in the III Batallion of Infantry Regiment 15.
In the 1930s when the German army rapidly increased in size his carreer took of and the 1st of march 1939 he had already reached the rank of Oberst commanding infantry regiment 216 with which he went out to war with. In august 1940 he took command of the 461 Infantry Regiment which was part of the 252nd Infantry Division. The division took part in the invasion of Soviet Union seeing action at Bialystok and Vyasma advancing as far as to the gates of Moscow. During these fighting Oberst Karst distinguished himself to such a degree that he recieved both the German cross in Gold (14.2.42) and the Knights cross (28.8.42), both as commander of Infantry Regiment 461. From october 1942 to July 1943 he served as Commander of the 262nd Infantry division in Russia and was promoted to Generalmajor 1 october 1942 and to Generalleutnant 1 april 1943. In november 1943 he became commander of Brussels and in late 1944 he commanded the replacement Division Bielefeld also known as Division ”Karst”. Karst was taken captive by the British 11th of may 1945 and died 7 november 1975.

M36 style tunic, constructed of finest doeskin cloth (what we like to see from a generals tunic). Six button front closure, four front pockets. Pockets and front with gilt pebbled metal buttons, all of the same type and originally sewn. Dark green badge cloth collar with neatly hand sewn in place General’s collar tabs with a red wool base and hand embroidered ornamentation in gilt bullion wire threads. Above the right breast pocket is a gnerals national eagle in golden bullion on dark green backing. The eagle is neatly hand sewn in place. To the shoulders is a pair of sew on shoulder boards consist of three interwoven strands of Russian braid with a silver/aluminum braid flanked by dual, gilt wire braids and a single, large, stamped, brass alloy rank pip, mounted on red wool waffenfarbe bases. To the second button hole is a EK II 1914 medal ribbon with a Iron Cross spange and a East Front ribbon neatly hand sewn in place. To the right chest is award loops sewn for a German Cross in Gold, to the left chest pocket (and under) is award loops sewn for three awards. Above the left breast pocket is loops sewn for a long ribbon bar. Inside is fully lined with silver/grey rayon cloth. There is one button sewn to each side under the collar, to attach a Knight Cross. Dagger hanger still present. The tunic shows signs of age and real use. All insignias match perfect with a age patina and minor oxidation. There is also no signs of any previous insignias sewn.

The tunic comes with a pair of generals breeches. The breeches are in very good condition with light signs of age and real use. All buttons match and is original to the breeches. Inside the breeches is the original tailor label hand sewn in place. The breeches was manufactured in München 1935-08-08. The name “Major Karst, Herford” is hand written with black ink. This match perfectly with Friedrich Karst who was ranked Major at this point of time. Moreover he was also stationed in the city Herford at this point of time. (Karst was also born and died in Herford).

The tunic match very well, to what we can see from this relatively well known Heer general from war time pictures. The breeches is a perfect match and we received the set together from the seller. All in all a very strong provinance.

Super scarce and named set to a highly decorated Heer general!! 

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