Winfried Schmidt German WW2 Ace Pilot Adlertag Hand Signed FDC

STB039 This is a stunning rare Battle Of Adlertag 1940 collectors official limited edition first day cover hand signed by historic German pilot Hauptmann Winfrid Schmidt who has personally autographed the souvenir where his signature rests perfectly below the special commemorative first day of issue frank. This superb signing has been officially certified by the publishers with full hallmarking and authenticity of the series on the reverse further detailed with witness signature added for the pilots signing (see image 2) limited to only 125 also detailed on reverse in absolute brand new mint condition. You wont source better.

On 23 June 1941, Schmidt was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 8. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing). He succeeded Oberleutnant Willy Stange who was killed in action the day before, the first day of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union.On 11 July, Schmidt was severely wounded in combat near Fastiv. Schmidt had been hit in the lung by the defensive fire of a Tupolev SB tail gunner. His wingman Leutnant Wilhelm Lemke managed to guide him back to the airfield at Polonne. There, he crashed his Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-2 (Werknummer 8236—factory number). The next day, Schmidt was replaced by Oberleutnant Franz Beyer as commander of 8. Staffel.