Lot 139

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Description:

OTTO SKORZENY'S FORGED IDENTIFICATION PAPERS USED TO EVADE CAPTURE
OTTO SKORZENY (1908 - 1975) Nazi officer and Hitler's chief and favorite commando, he made a daring mountain-top rescue of Mussolini, placed english-speaking soldier in American uniforms to mislead American forces in the Bulge, and after the war headed the organization that helped hundreds of ex-SS officers flee Germany. Important lot of three pieces of forged identification used by Otto Skorzeny to evade capture following his escape from captivity, two of which were show issue dates prior to his daring flight from Darmstadt. First is his Deutsche Kenncarte, or official identity card, 4pp. 16mo., printed on grey cloth, issued at Hanau, Aug. 12, 1947, valid for five years. Printed in three languages, the card is issued to Skorzeny under his alias "Rolf Steinbauer" and signed by him the same way. It bears a photograph of Skorzeny wearing glasses (which he did not need at the time), along with two ink fingerprints. It sets forth his biographical details, including birth date of Dec. 6, 1909 (his real birth date was June 12, 1908), birthplace of Breslau (also incorrect), nationality "German", occupation: "journalist", and his present place of residence indicated as Hanau. His height and weight are also indicated, and no "distinguishing marks" are listed, neglecting the enormous dueling scar Skorzeny bore on his cheek. On the last page it is noted that the bearer was "Politically examined". Also present is a "Press Pass", likewise printed in three languages, 4pp. 16mo., issued at Stuttgart, Sep. 9, 1947 and valid for one year, again issued to "Rolf Steinbauer" and signed in the same manner. Skorzeny also completed the document in his hand, setting forth the same birth date but offering conflicting information versus his identity card in stating that he was born in Munich. Finally, there is a French "Temporary Residency Card", 6pp. 16mo., issued by the Police Prefecture of Seine & Oise (Paris) on Oct. 24, 1949 and valid for one year. Here Skorzeny adopts yet another identity, that of "Rolf Hans Steiner-Hardt", born Dec. 16, 1908 of Anton and Flora Sieber Steiner-Hardt, in Vienna, and entered France on June 8, 1948. His residence is shown to be in Versailles, south of Paris. Worn from use, overall good to very good. After being cleared of having violated the rules of war for having used American uniforms at the Battle of the Bulge, Skorzeny learned that he still faced possible war crimes charges in Czechoslovakia. On July 27, 1948 he escaped from the camp with the help of three former SS officers dressed in US Military Police uniforms who entered the camp and claimed that they had been ordered to take Skorzeny to Nuremberg for a legal hearing. Skorzeny afterwards maintained that the US authorities had aided his escape, and had supplied the uniforms. Skorzeny was photographed at a café on the Champs Elysées in Paris on Feb. 13, 1950. The photo appeared in the French press the next day, causing him to retreat to Salzburg, where he met up with German veterans and went into hiding. One thing is for certain - either Americans or ex-SS officers supplied Skorzeny with these credentials.

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May 8, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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