Description:

An especially rare signed document, a "Kurzfristiger Ausweis", or "short-term pass" issued to a member of Adolf Hitler's personal bodyguard, Reichssicherheitsdienst (R.S.D.) Untersturmfuhrer Gunther Welter of Breslau. The 6" x 4 1/8" orange-buff card allowed Welter entry into "C III" building, presumably the Hotel zum Türken where the R.S.D. guard detachment and officers were maintained, and to the "Teehaus", the Mooslahnerkopf tea house which was a daily destination for Hitler during his walks at the Berghof. It was issued at Obersalzberg on Sep. 16, 1944 and would expire on Dec. 31, 1944. A red banner reading "R - S- D" appears diagonally across the pass. The verso has regulations for usage: "This pass must be presented at the Control Points without request, and to all Staff of the RSD if required. Pass must be returned when expired. Any misuse will be punished." The pass is hand-signed in ink by HANS RATTENHUBER (1897""1957), German police and SS general, head of the R.S.D. and Hitler's bodyguard from 1933-45. Following the July 20, 1945 bomb attack on Hitler's field headquarters, Rattenhuber's civilian-dressed agents surrounded Hitler constantly, even while he was in the Berlin bunker. In January 1942, Rattenhuber's RSD units participated in the mass shooting of 227 Jews at Strizhavka to make the area "safe" for a visit by Hitler. Fine condition, and likely unique.

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November 13, 2018 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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