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TRIAL OF GEN. ERWIN VON WITZLEBEN - HITLER YOUTH TEACHING AID

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 600.00 USD
TRIAL OF GEN. ERWIN VON WITZLEBEN - HITLER YOUTH TEACHING AID
ERWIN VON WITZLEBEN (1881 - 1944) German general whose forces broke the Maginot Line forcing the surrender of three French divisions. A major plotter in the July 20, 1944 bomb attempt on Hitler's life, von Witzleben was to take over supreme command of the whole Wehrmacht as the highest ranking German soldier. Following his arrest, von Witzleben was among the first to be tried and in an attempt to humiliate him, he was made to appear before the court wearing trousers that were several sizes too big. Additionally, being denied a belt or suspenders, he was obliged to continually hitch up his trousers in court to prevent them from falling down. The presiding judge was Roland Freisler, who was notorious for ranting and belittling defendants in court, and went out of his way to insult the ruined general. A poster used in Hitler Youth classes as a teaching aid, 30" x 22" overall, an artist's image of von Witzleben facing the court with Freisler's back in the foreground, linen-backed (original to the piece), with wood rods as supports and weights at top and bottom. With support cords. The right lower corner of the poster is imprinted with the Hitler Youth logo. Fine.

Estimate: $400 - 600.

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Part I: Lots 1-979 - September 27th, 2012

Part II: Lots 980-1845 - September 28th, 2012