Description:

GEN. FRANZ HALDER'S PERSONAL WARTIME BRIEFCASE
FRANZ HALDER (1884–1972) German general and the chief of staff of the Army High Command (OKH) from 1938-1942. He directed the planning and implementation of Operation Barbarossa, the 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union. A historic military relic, Halder's military-issue leather
briefcase used by him as Chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht and believed to date from the critical period between 1941 and 1942. The leather briefcase measures 15 x 11.5 in. with a leather handle at top supported by metal rings attached to sturdy leather tabs sewn to the body of the briefcase. The front flap is secured with a locking hasp at center (no key provided), and two swiveling loops, one at each side. A small, detailed metal national eagle with swastika is affixed to the front. Within appears a small front pocket with two snaps, with the main compartment which bears no dividers. A small OKH ink stamp appears within indicating issuance by the OKH. Soiled and worn a bit, with a few inches of stitching sprung at the right side, else very good. As the operational architect of Germany's early Blitzkrieg campaigns and the co-author of Operation Barbarossa, Halder was perhaps the most pivotal military strategist in Nazi Germany after Hitler himself. As Chief of the German Army General Staff (OKH/OKW) from 1938 to 1942, Halder was the central figure in developing and coordinating all military operations. This briefcase likely contained operational plans for Fall Gelb, Fall Rot, Operation Barbarossa, Case Blue, daily situation reports, intelligence assessments about Soviet, British, and French capabilities, correspondence with Hitler, Keitel, Jodl, and other top commanders, his war diary excerpts, and much more very sensitive and incredibly valuable information. A unique military relic of the first order.

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April 21, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
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