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101st Vet - Spoils of War


MasonK
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Hi All,

This has been one of those groups that keeps on giving. I shared a few bits of ephemera that were spoils of war in my original thread, however below are the non paper items.

 

Link again to the group for anyone who is interested in seeing the rest: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/227870-father-wwii-101st-ab-son-vn-usaf-grouping/

 

Sadly, my wallet is already hurting and I'm unable to purchase the items below however am assisting the person who found the group in finding these items a good home. I'm hoping however to be able to keep at least one or two pieces.....may have to sell a kidney.

 

In any case, for sake of posterity, the bring-backs of Charles Wahler.

 

post-29885-0-14140700-1423239768.jpg

 

post-29885-0-98110900-1423239775.jpg

 

post-29885-0-70973300-1423239781.jpg

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The following item is quite interesting. It is made of silver and bears Goering's coat of arms as well as the coat of arms of his 2nd wife, Emmy.

 

On the reverse is the following engraving:

 

Ursula Grundtmann

4 November 1938

 

Grundtmann, later Kornatzki, was Goering's secretary. She was also married to Luftwaffe flight ace, Hans-Gunter Kornatazki.

 

The date on the reverse is the date of the baptism of Goering's daughter, Edda. Hitler was her god father.

 

Also found was the following letter written by Charles son, Walter, to the Institute of Contemporary History in Munich. The letter was written in 1983 and describes this as being found by his father during WWII.

 

post-29885-0-44097100-1423240122.jpg

 

post-29885-0-07388100-1423240050.jpg

 

post-29885-0-12667400-1423240046.jpg

 

post-29885-0-63408400-1423240041.jpg

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Considering Charles was with a POW interrogation team, my guess is all of the insignia was tunic removed.

 

The only exception would be the FHQ, or Fuhrerhauptquartier cufftitles. These are described on Mark Bandos Site as being part of a large horde of unissued cufftitles discovered by the 501st. This ties in with Charles' service with the 501st.

 

http://www.101airborneww2.com/souvenirs4.html

 

Members of the 501 PIR found a whole trunkload of these hand embroidered bullion cufftitles in the Obersalzberg area in 1945. They were worn by the German Army's escort/bodyguard detachment for Adolf Hitler, The Fuhrer Escort Brigade (Fuhrer Begleit Brigade), commanded by Fritz Rehmer. This unit was also an armored brigade, which rotated troops to and from the front lines in order to allow them the chance to be decorated. When at the front, this unit usually served with the Grossdeutschland Panzer Korps. Unlike other Army cuffbands, this one was worn on the left sleeve, like SS bands, with a Grossdeutschland band worn at the same time on the right cuff. Like the LAH, these troops escorted Hitler in his travels and there was a detachment of them at each of his headquarters.

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Not sure if these would be considered a spoil of war, but still very interesting. If inappropriate or not in the spirit of this sub-forum, please feel free to remove this post.

 

These likely belonged to Charles or his father. Charles was Austrian born and lived with his family in Austria until 1939 when they immigrated to the US, so these were likely obtained while still living in Europe; not during his service.

 

The following are programs for each of the events at the 1936 Olympics.

 

post-29885-0-73256500-1423242225.jpg

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Last item also bears the same coat of arms and appears to be some type of book holder.

 

Goering Book Holder (1).jpg

 

 

Eric

 

Amazing items.I wondering if this item is part of a writing set for a desk.Looks like it may hold sheets of stationary and the section on the left for resting a pen?

 

Goering Book Holder (6).jpg

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Thanks, gentlemen! Trust me, I'm just as much in awe as all of you. I keep telling my wife it's only our savings, but she's not buying it!

 

Ron,

Someone else mentioned this to me as well and I think it's a spot on ID. Thanks for that!

 

Wonder if this too was used at the baptism of Goering's daughter. Maybe a sign in book for visitors?

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Thanks, gentlemen! Trust me, I'm just as much in awe as all of you. I keep telling my wife it's only our savings, but she's not buying it!

 

Ron,

Someone else mentioned this to me as well and I think it's a spot on ID. Thanks for that!

 

Wonder if this too was used at the baptism of Goering's daughter. Maybe a sign in book for visitors?

Eric

 

 

Very possible.

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Pretty sure the Goering "dish" is actually an egg holder. Center piece is for the egg and plate is for the shells. Considering the type of person Goering was, makes perfect sense for him to give out such a thing as a gift to those in attendance at his daughters baptism.

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By the way, all of the items have found a new home with one person. While it wasn't the intent of this thread, I do appreciate all who contacted me and expressed interest in the group or specific items.

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By the way, all of the items have found a new home with one person. While it wasn't the intent of this thread, I do appreciate all who contacted me and expressed interest in the group or specific items.

didn't see that coming....................................

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  • 9 months later...

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