151

World War II

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:3,500.00 - 4,500.00 USD
World War II

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Auction Date:2018 Mar 07 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Incredible, only known surviving cross tombstone recovered from the site of the German P.O.W. camp, Stalag Luft III. The heavy stone cross, which approximately measures 7.25 x 12.5 x 2.5 and weighs 9.5 pounds, was recovered during the 1960s from the American Compound’s Main Cemetery in the USAAF section of Stalag Luft III in Zagen, Poland. Affixed to the cross is a metal plate stamped with the German POW 4-digit number of the prisoner, and the letter “A” for American: “A 3478.” An inscription on the lower back of the cross reads: “Cross from Stalag Luft III, American Compound Main Cemetery, POW 3478, Great Escape Camp, March 44.” Also includes a wooden "In Remembrance" cross, 3.75 x 7, used by R.A.F. survivors and their families who made pilgrimages to Sagan to honor the commitment and spirit of the RAF in WWII. During their visit to Stalag Luft 3, in Zagan, Poland, a brief memorial service was held for the 50 officers murdered by the Gestapo after the Great Escape. This cross was displayed at the Memorial of the slain officers at Sagan. The stone cross bears numerous scratches, gouges and damage from when the Russian army bulldozed the cemetery in 1945-6; the wooden cross bears only light wear and scratches. Stalag Luft III was a German POW camp in Silesia (now western Poland), which was operated by the Luftwaffe and held captured British and American airmen. It is best known for being the site of the massive breakout of 76 men, depicted in the classic film The Great Escape starring Steve McQueen.