Lot 621

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Description:

DR. ROBERT LEY'S KYFFHAUSERBUND ARMBAND
Kyffhauserbund armband attributed to DR. ROBERT LEY(1890-1945), Nazi politician and head of the German Labor Front from 1933-45, taken when Ley was captured by soldier of the 101st Airborne in May, 1945. The black wool armband measures 16 1/4" long, 3 3/4" wide, and bears the sewn-on patch depicting the Kyffhauser monument at center. Several pin holes are evident at either end of the armband, and the emblem is slightly toned. As head of German labor, Robert Ley (1890-1945) effectively disbanded the labor unions, making workers tools of the state while enriching himself enormously. He established the "Strength Through Joy" program to offer vacations to workers, and created the "people's car", the Volkswagen. At war's end, Ley went into hiding near Berchtesgaden, but was captured on May 16, 1945 by soldiers of the 101st Airborne acting on a tip. According to newspaper and family accounts, among Ley's captors was Staff Sgt. Theodore F. Faugh, an intelligence officer attached to the headquarters of the 502nd P.I.R.. One Rochester newspaper article ca. mid-January, 1946 states that Faugh not only helped capture Ley, but returned to the U.S. with Ley's sword. According to a sworn statement by Faugh's son (included) and corroborated by other family members, Faugh also returned with other items owned by Ley, including the above, which he displayed in his home until his demise. The Kyffhauserbund was established in 1900 as an umbrella organization for war veterans, and it was nazified after Hitler's takeover of power in 1933. With additional items documenting Faugh's service.

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February 10, 2015 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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