Description:

(DIRLEWANGER BRIGADE) ERICH BUCHMANN
(1896 - 1972) SS-Obersturmfuhrer who, despite a debilitating heart defect, volunteered to command Waffen-Grenadier Regiment 72, one of the two regiments of the murderous Dirlewanger Brigade. On April 25th, 1945, when a new commander attempted to reorganize the unit as the Soviets marched into German territory, Buchmann was the only member of his regiment left to report; the rest had deserted or been killed. Excessively rare S.P. taken from a document or identity pass, 2.5 x 3.25 in. b/w, a portrait of Buchmann in SS uniform as SS-Sturmbannfuhrer within the 75.SS-Standarte. On the verso, Buchmann signs 'Erich Buchmann', adding his rank and the year '30.I.[19]36' above other particulars, including his birthdate of May 23, 1896 , his two children aged 15 and 11, etc. Spots of image loss and staple holes throughout, some discoloration at bottom, clearly worn from use yet much of his image unimpacted. Composed of criminals expected to die fighting in the front-line, the unit was led by convicted rapist and embezzler Oskar Dirlewanger. Originally formed for anti-partisan duties against the Polish resistance, the unit eventually saw action in Slovakia, Hungary, and against the Soviet Red Army near the end of the war. During its operations, the unit (surely including Buchmann's troops) engaged in the rape, pillaging and mass murder of civilians. Despite this, Buchmann was never accused of any criminal activity, and lived openly after being released from post-war confinement.

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August 24, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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$100 $499 $20
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$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000