Lot 1089

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Description:

JEWISH BRIGADE MEMBER'S UNIFORM AND ACCESSORIES
An important grouping of material related to the service of a Palestinian Jew who volunteered to fight as a member of the Jewish Brigade, attached to the British Army during World War II. The Jewish Brigade was the first and only Jewish formation to fight in the war under a Jewish flag. On July 3, 1944, the British government consented to the establishment of a Jewish Brigade with hand-picked Jewish and also non-Jewish senior officers, including more than 5,000 Jewish volunteers from Palestine. Under the command of Brigadier Ernest Benjamin, the Jewish Brigade fought against the Germans in Italy from March 1945 until the end of the war in May 1945. It also played a key role in the Berihah's efforts to help Jews escape Europe for Palestine, and after the war members formed assassination squads to execute former SS and Wehrmacht officers who had participated in atrocities against European Jews. Included in this lot is the soldier's brown trunk with blue and white stripes identifying the soldier as a member of the brigade, also stenciled "Dr. Z"; a shoulder patch, 4 1/4" x 1" reading "JEWISH BRIGADE GROUP" with Hebrew letters reading: "Fighting Jewish Soldier"; a 1 3/4" sq. shoulder patch reminiscent of today's Israeli flag, with two blue and one white horizontal stripes about a Star of David; a patch reading "PALESTINE" which may have been used to hide an officer's shoulder insignia from snipers; ten buttoned shirts and eight pants, blue and white striped; olive green corduroy pants, wool-lined, button fly; two pairs of tan shorts bearing a label within "Kurdaneh ATA Clothing" in Hebrew, Arabic and English, clearly intended for army use; a wool battle tunic imprinted: "Battle Dress / Blouse-Serge / Size No. 7 / Height 3' 7" / Breast 35" - 36" / Master Craft Uniform Co. Reg'd / 1943", the company located in Quebec; a v-neck wool sweater labeled "Bent & Son Ltd. / Size 2 / 1940"; two pairs khaki shorts, military style; olive green tunic, front buttoned, with buttoned front pockets, maker stamped in Hebrew; khaki drill trousers partially labeled: "Crown Agents for the Colonies G.I. Palestine 2745..."; front button khaki tunic, made by Olga Knitting Mills, Watertown, NY, a U.S. Army supplier; three pairs of long johns, labeled as made under a Navy contract; and two pairs cotton knit drawers, British military makers. Further details on each item are available upon request. Overall in very good to fine condition, likely in the exact same state as when packed away over 60 years ago! Certainly one of the rarest World War II uniforms obtainable, from a very desirable unit!

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May 14, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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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 + $1,000