Description:

TUNIC OF VICE ADMIRAL ERNST SCHIRLITZ, THE ‘SAVIOR' OF LA ROCHELLE
Tunic of Kriegsmarine Vizeadmiral ERNST SCHIRLITZ, of navy blue wool construction, featuring appropriate gilt vice admiral's sleeve stripes and a single star sewn just above each, held closed by eight gilded buttons bearing the Kriegsmarine insignia (two under lapels). Vent closed at the rear. An Iron Cross ribbon has been hand-sewn at the top buttonhole. Sewn to the right breast is an embroidered bullion chest eagle. The tunic is fully-lined in black satin and bears two interior pockets, with the sleeves lined in a striped cotton fabric. The maker's label ‘Wilh. Sartorius Helmarshausen' sewn at the neckline. Handwritten in ink on the inside of the left pocket is the admiral's identification label and date of manufacture: ‘Vzadm. E. Schirlitz Nr. 33 29.4.43'. A small superficial stain between shoulders on the back of the tunic, else very good to fine condition. ERNST SCHIRLITZ (1893-1978) had a distinguished history in the Kriegsmarine. After serving aboard heavy cruisers and airships during World War I, Schirlitz served aboard liners between the wars. When war broke out again, he first served as a training officer before being placed in charge of sea fortifications in Brittany. In March, 1943 he was named commanding admiral of the Atlantic Coast and in August, 1944 he was given the additional duty of Commandant - Fortress La Rochelle with explicit instructions by Hitler to destroy the submarine pens, fortifications, and the city itself before surrendering. Yet only a month later, Schirlitz began secret negotiations with French naval commander Hubert Meyer to spare the city. They concluded a pact preventing the city and the submarine base from being blown up and allowing the Allies to supply La Rochelle's civilian residents with food and medicine. Schirlitz kept his word that his men would not benefit. He finally surrendered the ‘fortress' on the day Berlin fell and was unjustly jailed and tried for war crimes. Meyer rushed to his defense and saw that Schirlitz was acquitted. Regardless, the admiral fell on hard times, taking menial jobs for the rest of his life. The two died within two months of each other.

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April 26, 2024 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