Männer und Waffen des Deutschen Heeres - paratroop general autograph

Hardcover, 1941 printed German book of prints Männer und Waffen des Deutschen Heeres, written by Josef Arens. The book has a cloth / linen cover and consists of 45 pages of text and 33 prints tucked into a paper folder (each print measures around 31cm x 25cm). The series originally came with 40 prints, unfortunately 7 from this set are missing. The book’s cover shows age and wear, but the binding is fairly solid. Some of the prints are a little folded along the edges, but otherwise in good condition. The prints depict an interesting variety of combatants and settings: artillery, combat engineers, machine gunners, supply troops, cavalry, signals troops, etc. 

What makes this book unique is the inscription that is glued on to the first page. The printed inscription states “Zur erinnerung an die Dienstzeit und die Einsätze Polen, Holland, Korinth, Kreta im Battalion F.J.R. 2” (In memory of our military service and actions in Poland, Holland, Corinth and Crete in a battalion of the 2nd Parachute Regiment), dated July 19th 1942 and has an original signature of Major and Battalion Commander Hans Kroh. The book was given as a gift by the battalion commander to a soldier / officer who served under him (the recipient isn’t identified). Major Hans Kroh was a Fallschirmjäger officer who was decorated with the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords and ended the war with the rank of Generalmajor. He commanded paratroopers in Greece (1941), North Africa, the Eastern Front and in France (1944). He served with the West German air force post-WW2. Very collectible item for those interested in Fallschirmjäger and / or Knight’s Cross winner associated articles.