HERZNER HANS-ALBRECHT: (1907-1942) German Oberleutnant of World War II, the first man to engage in combat at the beginning of the war, one week before the official commencement of hostilities. Herzner was also the first recipient of a decoration for valour in World War II. Extremely rare, bold pencil signature ('Herzner') on a small oblong 12mo ticket, possibly removed from a larger document. The pale pink printed ticket bears the black printed numbers 5 and 281 along with several other light pencil numbers. One small file hole towards the left edge, not affecting the signature. VG

On Friday, 25th August 1939 at 15.02 hours Adolf Hitler issued his order to attack Poland in what was known as Operation White. However four hours later he rescinded the order although it came too late to stop Herzner and his thirteen man special commando unit who had crossed the Slovakian-Polish border at 00.03 hours on 25th August, intent on preventing the destruction of the strategic Jablunka Pass Tunnel by the Polish Army. At 03.55 hours Herzner captured the railway station at Mosty, but failed to secure the tunnel as a result of stiff resistance. When radio communications (which had been lost) were re-established with Herzner's HQ, a few hours later, he and his unit were immediately withdrawn. One Pole had been killed, two Germans wounded and one taken prisoner. On the 1st September Hitler re-ordered the attack on Poland and, once again, Herzner captured Mosty. The tunnel was destroyed by the Polish Army. For his actions Herzner received the Iron Cross II Class.