672. HERMANN GOERING'S 'KRETA' UNIFORM ARMBAND An important Goering uniform relic, a 17" x 1 1/4" white cotton armband bearing gold embroidered borders, decorative motifs and the word "KRETA", or "CRETE", once owned and worn by Goering. In fine condition. The Greek island of Crete was, of course, the scene of an epic 11-day battle which pitted the island's Greek, British, Australian and New Zealand defenders against Goering's highly trained paratroopers, led by Kurt Student. The bloody battle was a decisive win for the Germans, and Goering often wore the "Kreta" armband showing the pride he felt for his paratroopers. This fine relic is accompanied by an original signed letter of provenance from USAF Major Gen. HOYT S. VANDENBERG, JR. on his personal letterhead, 1p. 4to., Tucson, [n.d.]. It reads in part: "...the white and gold 'Kreta' armband was taken by my father from the apartment in Paris used by Goering. The apartment was also used by my father after the expulsion of the Germans from Paris and still contained some of Goering's uniforms..." Fine condition. Gen. Hoyt. S. Vandenberg (1899-1954) was Chief of Staff of the 12th Air Force, and in April, 1944 was designated deputy air commander in chief of the A.E.F. and commander of the American Air Component, and in August, 1944 assumed command of the Ninth Air Force. An historic relic with superb provenance. $1,500 - 2,000