Description:

ERWIN ROMMEL'S POTSDAM SHOULDER BOARDS
A superlative relic, the shoulder boards worn by Oberst and future Field Marshal ERWIN ROMMEL (1891-1944), while an instructor at the War Academy at Potsdam where he taught from 1934 to 1938 and where he would write his famous discourse 'Infanterie greift an' ('Infantry Attacks'), a description of his wartime experiences along with his analysis, published in 1937. The boards display a 'KS' for 'Krieg Schule' and a 'P' for 'Potsdam'. Worn and tarnished silver wire thread is wrapped about cotton cord, all set to green felt backing which remains in generally good condition. Originally, two gold pips were attached to these boards but were since removed, possibly 'cannibalized' for use when Rommel was transferred. The shoulder boards were obtained by PFC Joseph H. Rose of HQ Company, 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Div. who served as a translator. In a notecard typed by Rose approx. thirty years ago (copy included), he notes that he obtained the shoulder boards 'as a WWII souvenir from Rommel family home at Herrlingen...in June, 1945...'. Also included in the lot is a copy of a photograph of Rose seated outdoors at Rommel's home with a jeep in the background, various newspaper articles including a ca. 1990 piece in which Rose describes being billeted at Rommel's empty home for over a month and later befriending Rommel's widow, a June 10, 1989 article with similar content and picturing Rose with the shoulder boards, a copy of Rose's Enlisted Record and Report of Separation; a copy of a 1988 Civil War Round Table announcement of a speech by Rose on his occupation of Rommel's home, and an original letter of provenance from Rose's niece. A unique and important Rommel relic.

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January 26, 2023 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$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 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000