Description:

ERWIN ROMMEL'S WIENER NEUSTADT SHOULDER BOARDS
An astounding find, the shoulder boards worn by Oberst and future Field Marshal ERWIN ROMMEL (1891-1944) while commandant of the Theresian Military Academy at Wiener Neustadt from 1938 until the outbreak of war. The boards show two pips indicating the rank equivalent of lieutenant colonel, a 'KS' for 'Krieg Schule' and a 'W' for 'Wiener Neustadt'. Well-tarnished silver thread is wrapped about a cotton cord, all set to green felt backing which remains in generally good condition. Rommel was head of the war school from November 1938 to August 1939 and lived with his wife and son at the 'Rommel Building' at the facility, which was destroyed during the war. 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 souvenir from Rommel's 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, 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. An excellent, especially rare Rommel relic.

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

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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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 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000