One example of Hermann Goring’s many visor variants for his rank as Reichsmarschall, this one exhibiting a laurel wreath that is hand embroidered completely around the cap band. Notice how the eagle is stitched directly to the visor cloth. (Paul Sack collection) Reichsmarschall Headgear
Hermann Goring’s M43 flyer’s cap. The eagle on this example is also stitched directly to the cap fabric. (Paul Sack collection) Reichsmarschall Headgear
This example of a Reichsmarschall “crusher” visor was captured from Goring’s train by a 101st Airborne veteran. Notice how the insignia is not sewn directly to the crown or cap band, unlike the majority of his other headgear.
This Uniform Displaying the first pattern Reichmarschall Collar Tabs
Goring wearing the same M43 cap pictured above on his surrender to the Americans
Reichsmarschall Command Flags Generalfeldmarschall Hermann Goring Command Flag Goring had several, personal command flags produced. This particular flag was produced upon his promotion to Generalfeldmarschall, and was a very elaborately rendered work of art, showcasing the finest embroidery talents of the period, utilizing a mixture of bullion, aluminium, brocade and yarn. (Wolfe-Hardin)
Reichsmarschall Command Flags
Reichsmarschall Command Flags Hand embroidered example of the special flag produced for Goring’s unique rank of Reichsmarschall, incorporating the crossed, white Reichsmarschall batons motif throughout the design. The embroidered Luftwaffe eagles on the reverse are a bit larger than breast eagles and just as intricately rendered. (WolfeHardin collection)
Reichsmarschall Command Flags
Reichsmarschall Command Flags
Baton of Luftwaffe Generalfeldmarschall Hermann Goring Goring’s Generalfeldmarschall baton, courtesy the collection of the National Infantry Museum, Fort Benning/Columbus, Georgia and property of the United States Army (Photograph courtesy of the museum)
Baton of Luftwaffe Generalfeldmarschall Hermann Goring Hermann Goring’s Reichsmarschall baton, courtesy the collection of the West Point Museum.
Baton of Luftwaffe Generalfeldmarschall Hermann Goring This is a modern day copy of the Hermann Goring Baton.
Goring's Surrender to The Americans.
Goering's End, He cheats the Hangman's noose by taking a Poison capsule in his cell.
As Hermann Goring’s deputy and State Secretary, Milch was instrumental in the emergence of the Luftwaffe from the ashes of WWI. His administrative and organizational skills made the Luftwaffe the most powerful air force in the world, and kept it in survival mode when all around him were destroying it with their incompetence. Like all of the senior leadership in the Third Reich, Milch had to deal with the conflicting responsibilities of power, and incompetent officers that Hitler was so fond of surrounding himself with to keep any one man from obtaining too much control and constantly battled with Generals and industrialists over aircraft production and design. While Milch had limited experience as a field General, he was picked by Hitler to command the withdrawal of the 6th Army from Stalingrad. The attempt was futile, but for Milch it was further evidence that the lack of competent leadership in the upper echelons of the Third Reich were losing the war for Germany. Many items from the Milch estate have surfaced in recent years and have provided collectors with a virtual cornucopia of unique, high ranking militaria to both acquire and admire, some of which is depicted in the following pages of this account.
Milch’s Insignia Grouping Generalfeldmarschall Milch’s shoulderboards and collar tabs as removed from one of his uniforms.
Tunic size shoulderboards in regulation all gold bullion cord with the smaller, silver batons attached.
Close-up of the highly detailed, smaller sized Luftwaffe pattern batons in the Luftwaffe pattern with alternating iron crosses, Wehrmacht eagles and Balkan crosses.
Generalfeldmarsch all collar tabs of typically encountered construction with a mixture of bullion eagle and wreath, aluminium thread batons and celleon piping around the edge. Close up of the detailing of the baton embroidery, which shows evidence of fraying from wear, handling and storage.
An absolutely stunning example of the finest quality of embroidery that was afforded by some of the higher ranking individuals in Germany. This breast eagle for the white tunic is perfectly embroidered and is an early example with the drooping eagle tail.
Yet another finely executed example of an early droop tail eagle for the white tunic. Another single example of Milch’s collar tabs, this one again constructed with celleon edge piping, the batons in fairly pristine condition.
Regulation Luftwaffe Generalfeldmarschall collar tab from the uniform of GFM Milch. Another beautifully executed tab. This one again has gold bullion piping edging the tab.
Regulation Luftwaffe Generalfeldmarschall collar tab, beautifully hand embroidered in gold bullion, gold wire and silver thread. The design reflects a Luftwaffe eagle overlaying wreath of oakleaves and clutching two crossed, highly detailed batons on a white cloth backing. Gold bullion piping edges the tab. A stunning, textbook example with excellent tightly woven detail. (private collection)
This tunic belonging to GFM Milch is courtesy of the Holzauge Historical collection.
Generalfeldmarschall Erhard Milch In a sworn statement dated 1948, GFM Erhard Milch described how his marshal's batons and other possessions were stolen (here translated in abridged form): "On 26 April 1945, I left Berlin as ordered and made my way to the Sierhagen estate in Holstein. On 4 May, several English soldiers arrived and took me prisoner. I was taken to Neustadt, where I was received in a restaurant by a major general (Brigadier General Derek Mills-Roberts). The General wrested my interim marshal's baton from my hand and beat me about the head with it until the shaft shattered into several pieces. He then grasped hold of one of the many bottles of champagne still standing on the table and smashed it over my head. Thereupon I was brought to Lübeck and turned over to a Scottish regiment, who treated me correctly and properly, in accordance with military procedure. During my absence, certain English soldiers misappropriated all the valuables in my personal belongings, including my marshal's baton, my wedding ring, my signet ring, my gold and silver cigarette cases, gold watches etc.
Generalfeldmarschall Erhard Milch In his memoirs, the actor, Peter Ustinov describes seeing the above incident during his military service on a newsreel film made by the British Army. In 1986, the family of the deceased Brigadier General Derek MillsRoberts commissioned the auction house Philips of London to sell the interim baton. Milch's marshal's baton was held in safekeeping by the MacRobert Trust in Tarland, Aboyne, Aberdeen shire in Scotland. During this time, the baton was evidently exposed to fire, resulting in the destruction of the original pale blue velvet cover. However, the baton itself remained undamaged: it has only been cleaned and minor restoration work carried out. In 1971, the British military authorities sent the marshal's baton to the German Bundeswehr, requesting that it be returned to its owner, then aged 79, on 30 December 1971, accompanied by an officer, General Roos presented the field marshal's baton to Erhard Milch, a mere 4 weeks prior to his death. The baton has been part of the family estate ever since.
Generalfeldmarschall Erhard Milch's Field marshal's baton Erhard Milch’s Baton originally would have been covered in light blue velvet, but the baton sustained some fire damage. As can be seen here the baton itself survived the fire damage.
General Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke General Ramcke was one of the more resourceful and successful Generals in the Germany armed forces, and also one of only 27 men to receive the oakleaves with diamonds, to the Knights Cross. Completing parachute qualification at the age of 51, he then promptly led his first paratroop regiment in the battle of Crete in 1941. His successful efforts there eventually led to the 1942 command of his own brigade, Fallschirmjaeger Brigade Ramcke, which was assimilated into the Afrika Korps. Surrounded at the second battle of El Alamein, Ramcke led his troops out of British encirclement and in the process captured a British supply column, earning him a trip to Berlin to receive the oakleaves to his Knights Cross. Ramcke was also heavily involved in the Italian and Normandy campaigns, where he was captured by the Allies on the same day he was awarded the diamonds to his oakleaves award.
General Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke Bernhard H. Ramcke is perhaps one of the most fascinating and missunderstood Generals in the German military of WW2. Many author proclaim him to be "Von Ramcke", of noble Prussian birth, and a fanatical Nazi. None of those are true. He was, however, one of the few officers to have served in the German Navy, Army, and Air Force. Ramcke was born to a typical farming family, and when old enough joined the German Navy as a cabin boy. When WW1 came there was a great need for ground troops and he was transferred to a Marine detachment fighting in the Trenches of Flanders. There he distinguished himself, won decorations and a promotion to lieutenant. It was not common for such a man to become an officer in the German Army, but what is more impressive is that he was one of the few allowed to remain an officer in the post war shrunken German military. With his ground combat experience he went from the Naval Marines tot her Army and began to make his way up the promotion ladder. With the rise of the Nazi party Ramcke, like all good professional officers, refused to make any political stand and did not join any political party. The military felt it self above such matters and served under whomever the German people had appointed. This is the key to understanding Ramcke. He was a professional soldier and his motivations were his military career and promotions- which were enhanced by decorations.
General Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke He did not receive a combat command with the invasion of Poland; he was relegated to the position of observer. This lack of modern combat experience would have limited his future ability for promotion, so when he had a chance to transfer to the Luftwaffe's new paratrooper arm he jumped (no pun intended) at the chance to be a part of this exciting new force. Making his name during the invasion of Crete when he was sent in as a replacement for an officer casualty, he later took on command of a Brigade in North Africa. When General Rommel withdrew leaving Ramcke and his men stuck out on the flank in the desert, everyone expected him to surrender. Not Ramcke. He started marching his men back to German lines, captured a British supply train and brought his men, the trucks and their British POW crews back to friendly lines. Sent to Russia to command Paratroops as ground forces, Ramcke was reportedly bitter that his men were being missused. Sent to Brittany to rest and refit his division, Ramcke fell back as ordered into Fortress Brest as the Americans advanced. Given command of the forces there he held out longer than anyone could hope. He showed how dangerous he was early in the siege. Hearing that a number of his men were held as prisoners and being mistreated by French Resistance, he sent a small force through Allied lines, rescued and brought them back into friendly lines.
General Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke At the end he was supposed to be flown out by seaplane to return o Germany as a hero, but the plane was grounded due to mechanical problems. Taken to Britain after his surrender, he bragged to fellow prisoners about how he had kept the Americans waiting while he got his final report sent off via radio. This was recorded at a secret POW Camp system which spied on high ranking German officers to see if they would tell one another any important information. For his defence of Brest he was awarded Germany's top decoration The Knight's Cross with swords and diamonds Only 27 Germans were so decorated in the war. Sent to a POW camp in the United States, he became infuriated when the camp guards began to mistreat the POWs. With all mail censored, he snuck out of the camp one night, wrote a letter of complaint to the local Congressman, mailed it at the post office and slipped back into camp. The poor treatment was stopped. After the war he was taken to France to be tried for war crimes. No charges could be found to hold against him, and one of the witnesses testifying on his behalf was his former foe at Brest : General Troy Middleton. Sick of waiting for the French to try and find something to hold him on, he escaped from prison. He finally agreed to return when a deal was struck to stop the attempt at prosecution and served a few months (plus time served). He finished his life selling building materials and passed away in 1968.
General Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke Ramcke’s four pocket, open collar General der Fallschirmtruppe tropical tunic, pants and field cap.
General Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke Note the gold bullion piping around the collar. By regulation, collar patches were not worn with the tropical tunic, though they are often seen in period photos. Left side shoulder board for a Generalleutnant, with a single, large General officer size silver pip. Boards are constructed of gold bullion cords surrounding an inner silver aluminium cord
General Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke Ramcke’s tropical tunic has a gold bullion and wire embroidered breast eagle with the exceptionally rare tropical backing. A Close up view of Ramcke’s gold bullion breast eagle
General Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke A high quality, Erel manufactured Generals field cap in the very rare tropical Khaki. Cap insignia and piping are all executed in gold bullion. A close-up of the tropical backed cap eagle and cockade with gold bullion surround piping.
Generalleutnant Kurt Student Generalleutnant Kurt Student General Student was one of the more progressive thinking Generals in the Luftwaffe and as a result one of the pioneers of airborne troops in modern warfare. Both a Jaeger infantryman and a fighter pilot in WWI, he took these combined experiences and was instrumental in the early development of the Luftwaffe Paratroops that became so respected and feared by their enemies.Early in the war Student was awarded his Knights Cross for the masterful capture of a Belgian fort by his glider troops, and the Battle of Rotterdam, a campaign in which he also received a head wound as a result of friendly fire. Student also commanded another well known mountain top glider mission; the raid to free Mussolini from captivity.
Generalleutnant Kurt Student
Generalleutnant Kurt Student This is Kurt Student’s Kleiner Rock, a special dress tunic specifically made for General Officers featuring white lapel facings and white piping down the front panel and on the French cuffs.
Generalleutnant Kurt Student Left and Right shoulderboards for a Luftwaffe General officer. Shoulderboards are of gold and silver cord over a white underlay, with a single pip for the rank of Generalleutnant.
Generalleutnant Kurt Student Luftwaffe Generalleutnant collar tabs, rank indicated by the two gulls, within a oakleaf reef in bullion gold wire. Note the gold edge piping around the collar of the Kleiner Rock tunic. Kurt Students Gold Bullion Wire Breast Eagle For The Kleiner Rock Tunic
Generalleutnant Kurt Student Generalleutnant Kurt Students Visor Cap
Generaloberst Alfred Keller Generaloberst Alfred Keller Alfred Keller was one of the most decorated General officers in the Luftwaffe, recipient of both the Pour le Merite in WWI, the Knights Cross and the Combined Pilots-Observation badge in Gold with Diamonds. Keller served as both observer and pilot during the length of WWI and was with the unit that became the first German flyers to initiate night bombing.Keller’s WWII service included commanding a fliegerkorps during the opening invasion of Poland ,Battle of France and the Battle of Britain, and as air force commander of a Luftflotte during the Balkans Campaign and the invasion of Russia.Keller was retired from active service in 1943, moving on to the NSFK where he held the highest rank, that of NSFK Korpsfuhrer.
Generaloberst Alfred Keller Generaloberst Alfred Keller’s Uniform
Generaloberst Alfred Keller Generaloberst Keller’s left and right shoulderboards constructed of gold and silver woven cord over a white underlay, with three pips for the rank of Generaloberst.
Generaloberst Alfred Keller Generaloberst rank collar tabs, rank indicated by the flying Luftwaffe eagle surmounting the laurel wreath, for the left and right side of the tunic. Next to Generalfeldmarschall, these are the rarest high ranking collar tabs to encounter, and a truly a work of art when examined in hand.