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Africa Corps
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Africa Corps Pith Helmet; Officer’s Grade (Item AFRICA 1-1; WEHR 28-1) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is the classic velvet-finish helmet for tropical wear. It's 100-percent original, but the first thing a novice says is, “Why does it say ‘Germany’ inside?” The answer is that many more of these were made than ended up being needed by the time of the defeat of Rommel's Africa Corps the supply depot was jam-packed with these helmets and it was assumed that victory was inevitable and thousands of these would be issued to German occupation forces. We know that the Africa campaigns failed at no fault of the Desert Fox or his valiant men. It was a British entrepreneur who bought the whole lot from the British Government, but he was shipping them out of Germany to various dealers in England and America the requirement was the they had to say ‘Germany’ inside, just as porcelain crafted in 1950s Germany had to say ‘Germany’ in a stamping before being exported to America. So that’s why the word ‘Germany’ is stamped inside the sweatband. When they were first imported into the U.S., dealers sold them in magazine ads for as low as $35 back in the 1950s and early 1960s, but today you are lucky to be able to find one even for $1,000 from most web sites and military shops. We at Germania try to buy reasonably so we in turn can pass a bargain to our customers and we feel this one is truly a bargain. It is in generally good shape with some slight damage here and there on the edges, but it just doesn’t detract at all. The helmet is sound and except for that little edge damage it is in top condition, indeed. This is a very fine and (today rare!) piece of WWII history.
PRICE: $550.00 |
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Africa Corps pith helmet (Item AFRICA 1-1-a; WEHR 28-1-a) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here's another pith helmet (officers grade). It is exactly the same as the one above except it does not say Germany in the liner and the shield with the eagle is in a darker hue. Also this one has a crack in the bill (noticeable) but it is cracked all the way through to the other side. But its not like it will drop off or anything so collector's if this doesn't bother you all that much here is a bargain, priced very reasonably. Remember it is what it is and it is after all an original rare helmet.
PRICE: $300.00 a screaming bargain! |
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Hand-Signed Document from Erwin Rommel, the “Desert Fox” (Item AFRICA 1-2) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Field Marshal Rommel signed this order in 1941 as General of the Panzer troops and supreme commander of the Panzer Division, Africa. It is the recommendation for two officers to receive the Iron Cross Second Class. The word “Verleihungsliste Nr. 1” appears at the top and under it says: “Fuer E.K. II Klasse.” This translates to: “Award proposal number one for the award of a medal.” After this the form of listing for the named recipients in the Deutsche Heersfunkstelle XPIII. This was an official German Army radio network within the 18th command center. The awards were to go to a lieutenant and a radio operator. This is nicely framed and matted with a nice color picture of the Desert Fox and a very nice high-resolution xerox of the insignia of the Africa Corps. With frame this grouping measures 20 x 17 inches. The document measures 8 x 10 1/2 inches. This is a very rare and significant item of World War II history.
PRICE: $750.00 |
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Presentation Set to a General (Item WEHR 1-5 & AFRICA 1-3) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a great set of presentation items to the commanding general of Wehrkreis V. It is composed of a wonderful cigarette box in 800 silver and so marked on the top. It has the beautifully engraved words Der Kommandierende General des V. A.-K. The box measures 5 ½ x 3 ½ inches and is 1 ¾ inches deep. It has the traditional stamping of the crown , moon, and silver designation '800.' The other item, obviously to the same man is a magnificent bronze eagle desk piece. This is mounted on a beautiful marble base which measures 4 ¾ x 2 ½ inches and it 1 ¼ inches deep. The eagle has a 9 ½ inches wingspan and is 7 inches high from the bottom of the bronze base that rests in the marble plinth to the wingtip. The eagle from talons to the top of the head is about 2 ¼ inches; from tail to beak is about 4 ½ inches. This is a very nice-sized desk piece and considering its former owner and origin it is certainly a very important historical set of objects. The plate found on the marble plinth translates to "The Commander in Wehrkreis V (Army Sector 5)." This is in perfect condition and is quite beautiful. Now the "kicker"! From all the research that has been done on the set it seems that the Kommandierende der General des V. A.-K. was none other than Erwin Rommel, who later was promoted to Field Marshal by Hitler. ‘V’ stands for ‘5,’ and 'A.-K.' stands for Afrika Korps. Also, Der Befelshaber im Wehrkreis V seems to be Rommel, as well, and the fact that a veteran of the British 8th Army had brought it from Africa and stated it was found near an abandoned German tent site just after the Battle of El Alemein lends credence to the results of the research.
PRICE: $2,800 for set |
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German Africa Corps Ring (Item WEHR 7-4 & AFRICA 1-4) |
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| DESCRIPTION: The title is almost a misnomer as there was no official Africa Corps (AC) ring. The ones that turn up are usually made by native Moroccans and were sold to the men of the AC as souvenirs of the great desert conflict.
There were several types of these and hitherto they have been considered quite rare and of course highly sought after. Now, because of a find in Germany, it is now possible for collectors to have one of these very scarce rings. As you know, if you have read about some of our other rings and jewelry, we were able to procure several years back a large group of some of the finest rings, brooches, pins, and amulets produced in some of the famous workshops of the Third Reich. This fabulous purchase was made at the Stuttgart, Germany Waffenborse, or arms show, which we faithfully attend each year. An elderly gentleman was there a few years ago with his son and we were informed that he is an ex-jewelry finisher and designer and that he had worked for several of the companies. We were also told by his son, who spoke English, that the father had a vast collection of jewelry that he had stored away and had also liberated in the true sense of the word from the workshops just before looting by the Russians. The story of how he got into these sealed-off areas is fascinating and intriguing on its own. Some of the companies that he carted away things from are Wilm-Berlin, Wagner-Berlin, Godet, and others. One of the companies he worked for was a specialty company doing orders on demand for other companies and also for individuals and groups. The small company that he worked directly for was Paul Kramer in Ludenscheid, where he designed tinnies, plaques, insignia, rings, and other NS jewelry. He also worked with Joseph Baver and Söhne in Zell Thuringen and Steinlauer and Lück. He told us that after the Africa Corps returned to the Heimatland (Germany) at the end of its noble battles, many of the men, because of their particular deployment, never got a chance to purchase one of these native-made rings that were so coveted. Realizing this and being able to borrow one or two of these rings from AC veterans, our man decided that he would produce the very same ring while in the employ of Kramer in Ludenscheid. The ring he produced is exactly the same as the ones made by the Moroccans except that German requirements mandated that the silver content shows within the ring. The 835 is stamped in the interior of the shank. This ring is a fairly elaborate piece with construction in silver with an overlay in gold that seems to be separate pieces of silver soldered on with a palm tree and mosque on the sides in gold. The top has a palm tree with swastika and "DAK" (Deutsche Afrika Korps) all in a group in gold. The ring is German made, but except for the 835 mark, it looks exactly like the Moroccan ones. This item is an extremely historically important and beautiful relic of the desert war and the brave men who fought it. PRICE: $385.00 |
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German Africa Corps Ring (Item WEHR 7-5 & AFRICA 1-5) |
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| DESCRIPTION: The title is almost a misnomer as there was no official Africa Corps (AC) ring. The ones that turn up are usually made by native Moroccans and were sold to the men of the AC as souvenirs of the great desert conflict.
There were several types of these and hitherto they have been considered quite rare and of course highly sought after. Now, because of a find in Germany, it is now possible for collectors to have one of these very scarce rings. As you know, if you have read about some of our other rings and jewelry, we were able to procure several years back a large group of some of the finest rings, brooches, pins, and amulets produced in some of the famous workshops of the Third Reich. This fabulous purchase was made at the Stuttgart, Germany Waffenborse, or arms show, which we faithfully attend each year. An elderly gentleman was there a few years ago with his son and we were informed that he is an ex-jewelry finisher and designer and that he had worked for several of the companies. We were also told by his son, who spoke English, that the father had a vast collection of jewelry that he had stored away and had also liberated in the true sense of the word from the workshops just before looting by the Russians. The story of how he got into these sealed-off areas is fascinating and intriguing on its own. Some of the companies that he carted away things from are Wilm-Berlin, Wagner-Berlin, Godet, and others. One of the companies he worked for was a specialty company doing orders on demand for other companies and also for individuals and groups. The small company that he worked directly for was Paul Kramer in Ludenscheid, where he designed tinnies, plaques, insignia, rings, and other NS jewelry. He also worked with Joseph Baver and Söhne in Zell Thuringen and Steinlauer and Lück. He told us that after the Africa Corps returned to the Heimatland (Germany) at the end of its noble battles, many of the men, because of their particular deployment, never got a chance to purchase one of these native-made rings that were so coveted. Realizing this and being able to borrow one or two of these rings from AC veterans, our man decided that he would produce the very same ring while in the employ of Kramer in Ludenscheid. The ring he produced is exactly the same as the ones made by the Moroccans except that German requirements mandated that the silver content shows within the ring. The 835 is stamped in the interior of the shank. This is fairly simple ring and is the style that was sold by the Moroccans for a far cheaper price. It is the type most encountered in war-relic collections. It certainly was the ring most distributed in Africa. Our man faithfully produced some of these as well to every single specification of the native-made rings. The top is done in the Toledo gold overlay with the palm tree and “DAK” for Deutsche Afrika Korps 1941 with the swastika in the center of the tree. There is an inscription in Arabic above and below the palm. On the right side is a depiction of a camel and on the left a palm, again. A handsome ring and an important relic of the desert war. PRICE: $225.00 |
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Shooting Prize for Africa Corps (Rommel) (Item AFRICA 1-6) |
| DESCRIPTION: This is in the style of the wooden targets used by the German Army and the custom was that the Schützenkönig, or top-scoring competitor, would receive the target as his prize. See Item WEHR 13-7. The same tradition was used by civilian marksmanship clubs, as well. See Item HUNT 6-3. This is the top prize of all of them in our estimation. It is historically important and it is obvious no one would shoot at this one as it is not only hand painted, but is historically important in that the great and beloved Field Marshal Rommel is depicted with a couple of his Africa Corps officers. The scene is the Battle of Tobruk, where the Italians had to call in the German forces of the 15th and 21st Panzer Divisions to save them from the British 7th Armour Division, which under the brilliant command of Rommel, drove the British back across Cyrenecia to Tobruk laying siege to it until June 21, 1942, when the allied forces surrendered, to include the Australian 9th Division, which fought with bravery and tenacity, but unfortunately spilling their blood for the British warmongers. The plaque that can be called a target through the tradition although not shot at is huge; much bigger than the usual one encountered. They would not shoot at a target containing the picture of the beloved”Desert Fox.” This is most definitely a great relic of the war upon the sands and a tribute to a gentleman soldier who will live in fame and glory as long as heroes are revered.
PRICE: $1,850.00 |
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Group of Africa Corps Pictures with Card Signed by Rommel (Item AFRICA 1-7) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a page from a German soldier’s photo album. There are 3 photos measuring 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches and one that is 4 x 3 inches with scenes of duty in the African wastes. One of them is rather neat with the Africa Corps men trying to get a stubborn camel to get to his feet for duty. Another is a birthday party in Tobruk, another shows the album owner in full uniform, while the last photo is a conference of officers, but the big picture is a postcard souvenir in the type soldiers sent home and this soldier managed to get the signature of the commandant himself, Rommel. The signatures of the general are extremely rare and this one combined with these great Africa Corps photos makes for a fine historically important archival find.
PRICE: $385.00 |
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 The Desert Fox |
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A Marble Obelisk Commemorating the German |
DESCRIPTION: Here is a very beautiful marble obelisk that was donated to the veterans of the Deutsche Afrika Korps to display in their meeting hall or veterans post. It was ordered to be made and presented to these proud ex-warriors by the “Kameradschaft Bergstrasse,” an ultra right wing patriotic organization whose function was to show respect and admiration to the heroes of the German Wehrmacht. We understand that Kameradschaft Bergstrasse was only one of the comrade groups doing this. K.B. was the section grouping from Hesse. The reason for the choice of an obelisk for the honorable presentation is obvious. The idea conveyed is reminiscent of the obelisks of Egypt and of course these monuments of antiquity were tall, narrow, four-sided tapering edifices which end in a pyramid like shape at the top. The obelisks became the symbols of timelessness and memoralization. How fitting that this obelisk should symbolize the glory and the unforgettable saga of the soldiers commanded by the “Desert Fox” ( Field Marshal Rommel). The piece is constructed from three separate genuine marble units. The obelisk itself is placed on a plinth that is applied to an even larger base plinth. The engraving with Iron Cross and Palm Tree has DAK (Deutsche Afrika Korps) and the years 1941-43. These were the years of the desert war. The item stands about a foot high and is in perfect, pristine condition, a fitting tribute to some of the bravest of the Reichs-soldaten . |
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| M-43 Cap of the Afrika Korps (Item AFRICA 1-9) |
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DESCRIPTION: An original cap of the famed Afrika Korps. It is a Model M-43 and is similar to other tropical issue Wehrmacht caps but his one is definitely Africa Korps. It is constructed from heavy gage cotton twill material with the grommet covered air holes at each side. It has the proper eagle and swastika and the roundel. It is a fairly large size (about 59) with the red lining peculiar to these caps. The condition is excellent, possibly issued just before the final tragic defeat and worn very little if at all. Although not at all necessary, the cap has been thoroughly ‘black lighted.’ And, it passes every test. This is the real McCoy and as nice a one as you will ever find. Everything about it is correct according to the experts. It is light tan in color and has the simulated turn up flap that does not fold down. You should be advised that originally issued Africa caps were not tan, they were of an olive tint according to Hal Marshman Sr, an advanced collector. He says that due to weather conditions in North Afrika, these medium cotton twill caps would take on a pale tannish color and Hal mentions that the troops would actually bleach these caps using thick anti-gas tablets; it seems they liked the ‘salty’ look of tan. Other information tells us that the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht in the last months of the Afrika campaign decided to issue uniforms in the light tan color since the soldiers liked them so much and we believe this is the case here. At this point the addition of the V shaped service color was no longer bothered with such as found on earlier examples. PRICE: $1,450.00 |
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Please refer to item designator in parentheses in all correspondence.
Please E-mail for any additional information you may need.If you prefer, contact 'Germania' at PO Box 68, Lakemont, GA 30552
or call at 706.782.1668.
Please! do not call during the wee hours of the morning. The best time for calling us is between 9 and 11 am and between 9 and 11 pm eastern time.