Lot 466

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Description:

WAFFEN-SS CAMO TUNIC FROM HEER OFFICER WITH AWARDS, PAPERS, AND SURRENDER ORDERS
A terrific tunic that tells a fantastic story in itself, a well-used Waffen-SS tunic that was appropriated for use by a Heer officer, possibly in the Normandy campaign, along with the officer's two Iron Crosses, his Close Combat Clasp in Bronze, Infantry Assault Badge, award documents, and surrender orders. The tunic belonged to Oberleutnant Werner Kowarik, attached to 1 and 2/Grenadier Reg. 857. The 857th Grenadier Regiment, part of the 346th Infantry Division, resisted the Allies from the first days following the Normandy landings until its destruction in northern France. The 346th was reformed, incorporating the 857th, and defended the Netherlands and Germany before surrendering to the British at war's end. The "dot pattern" SS camouflage tunic is authentic in every respect, with genuine wear from use at neck, sleeve and jacket ends. The jacket also has multiple crude field repairs which could not have been "fabricated". The four pockets all bear intact flaps and silver pebbled buttons, four identical buttons closing the jacket are also present. Infantry officer's collar tabs are fitted to the lapels, and shoulder boards have been crudely stitched-in, showing wear commensurate with age and use. Each bears one pip, similarly aged. An Iron Cross ribbon has been threaded through the top bottom hole and sewn to the garment, representing the award of Kowarik's first Iron Cross. Kowarik's Close Combat Clasp, marked on reverse: "F.E.C. W.E. PEEKHAUS BERLIN" and "AUSF. A.G.M.u.K. GABLONZ", his Iron Cross, First Class (unmarked, pin back), and Infantry Assault Badge in Silver (hook broken) all remain affixed to the tunic and the holes caused therefrom indicate that they were worn on the jacket for an extended period of time. Also present is Kowarik's Iron Cross, 2nd Class with what appears to be the original ribbon, trimmed. The award documents issued to Kowarik for these medals are included: Iron Cross, 2nd Class Sep. 24, 1944; Iron Cross, 1st Class Nov. 14, 1944; Infantry Assault Badge in Silver Dec. 30, 1944, and Combat Assault Badge Apr. 9, 1945. Finally, on May 5, 1945 Kowarik receives signed surrender orders, 1p. oblong 8vo., from regimental headquarters: "...On 5/6 at 0800 hrs. the soldiers are to be personally informed...not about the impending weapons surrender, but rather that...departure from one's company in order to continue fighting on one's own accord or in order to fight one's way homeward, is forbidden...damaging to the surrender negotiations...discipline must be maintained absolutely...Hand in of weapons is most likely on 5/6. The coming of the English is planned for 5/7. Discontinuance of the German hand salute is at hand...". A most historic and appealing grouping.

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February 10, 2015 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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$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 + $10,000