In Stuttgart, Germany in the new museum "Haus der Geschichte" you can see personal items from Africa fox Rommel.
Is the baton from Rommel orignal? I think this one is in Moscow?
2 batons? one a copy and one original?
regards
ralf
I am not sure which Wehrmacht baton, or batons the Russians may have. I thought that they had Keitel's, since he surrendered to them in Berlin. But then Keitel's Grosstab surfaced at a MAX show a couple of years ago. Rommel was forced to commit suicide in 1944, and their is photographic evidence that his Grosstab rode his funeral casket, and presumably became Rommel family property. I believe that his son, Manfred, the late Mayor of Stuttgart, allowed photos to be taken of both his father's batons, and service hats. I cannot remember where I saw these pictures.
Because of this, I do not think the Rommel property made it's way to Russia.
In December, 1998 I had the opportunity to attend an exhibit entitled " WW II Through Russian Eyes" in Memphis, Tn. This contained items from the Russian Central Armed Forces Museum of Moscow. Among the items on exhibit were regimental standards, NSDAP standards ( no, they did not burn them ), many personal items of Hitler's and Rommel's baton in the case. It was magnificent to behold. The name was visible on it and was diamond encrusted around the caps. The case was also with it. Photos were not allowed but I did get a nice publicity photo of it for my personal archive.
Mike C.
Rommels Field Marshal baton was a normal Army type one, certainly NOT with diamonds.
The only baton with diamonds is the Reichsmarshal baton from Göring, held at West Piont.
Pieter.
Pieter,
I went back and looked at the press photo after I read your message to make sure I wasn't crazy. They will be picking me up in the wagon later tonight. The baton in the display was about 15 feet behind a glass wall. The area that looked like a thin band of stones to me was on the end cap but not on the wide part but on the narrow part by the band with the name on it. What ever was there was highly reflective. Was there any kind of faceted design in the metal in that area theat would have reflected the spot light? I've never seen a real one up close so have no real idea of the finer details. Bottom line is that I can certainly be wrong and would defer to your expertise as my experience is based on just one short viewing.
Anyway, the #@** Russians appear to have gotten that too.
Mike C.
No, the Russians don't have Rommel's baton. Neither do I. I do seem to recall seeing not too long ago a picture of it on display in a small museum with other Rommel items in Germany. There was a long period where it was in the personal possession of the family and later in a local archive. David Irving, while researching his book "Trail of the Fox" came across it locked away in a cupboard in Swabia (I believe in Herrlingen). He describes how it felt to hold it in some detail on pages 214-215. It makes for interesting reading. (By the way, elsewhere in the book Irving also mentions coming across Rommel's Pour le Merit, with it's chipped enamel from when Rommel's car was straffed.)
Now, how many of you have ever noticed what I'm about to tell you? In the movie "The Desert Fox" (James Mason as Rommel, about 1950), at the beginning just after the British commando scene, there is a scene of Desmond Young sitting around a table with who are supposed to be Lucie and Manfred Rommel. You have to look quick to notice this, but if you look on the table where they are sitting, you will see the Grosstab laying there, along with some other items. I suspect it is the original, since the Rommel family lent some items for the making of the movie, and I suspect this scene, along with others, were filmed on location. Among the items lent was one of Rommel's original tunics, worn by Mason. The family never got it back, and no one seems to know where it is.
When Irving's book came out in Germany in 1978, I was there and bought a copy of Der Spiegel which ran a review of the book. I still have it. On page 63 of the August 21 edition, there is a photo of Manfred standing next to a trunk (with Feldmarschall Rommel's name on it) with Rommel's leather overcoat w/ shoulder boards laying across the top of the trunk. So apparently, a number of his items survived.
Regarding Keitel and his baton. Just to correct an above post, Keitel did not surrender to the Russians, but to the Americans, after returning to Flensberg following the Berlin surrender. He gives an acount of all that in his memoirs.
It was mentioned that his baton surfaced at the Max show a couple of years ago. Was it for sale back then? Does any one know how much? Do we know where it is now?
Rommels items which can be seen in "Das Haus der Geschichte" in Stuttgart are original and came direct from Rommel's son Manfred as mentioned before. I checked with the one of the museum responsible guys.
Steve had asked if Keitel's baton was for sale at the MAX Show 2000. My understanding is that it was. Herman's Auctionhaus of Munich had it on display. I believe $150,000 was the going price.
Coincidently, another dealer, not far from the Herman display, had a beautiful reproduction of Rommel's baton. The repro was selling for $6,000.
I have a curious question. Does anyone have an idea what an original interimstab, or interim baton might sell for? This was the walking stick, w/ silver ornamated top, and cord/tassell.
I recall a few years back von Rundstedt's interimstab up for auction on Manion's. The price of $30,000 sticks in my head, but I can't remember if it sold. I do remember that one of the small eagles at the head of it was missing.
The Keitel baton that was at the MAX a few years ago was pictured in the MAX program and I quote...this baton created a true sensation at MAX XV. It was valued in excess of $500.000...
If any one has a real one for sale at $150.000 I am your man!!!!
Try looking at: http://wonders.org/wwii1.htm
This is the site for the Memphis exhibit and still has a photo of the baton that they say was Rommel's.
MC
The only thing wrong with this exhibit baton is that the cap with the Wehrmacht eagle is supposed to be on the top of the baton, and not on the bottom as in the photograph. Looks like it was put together wrong.
Rommels field marshal baton ?
Neither do I.
I do seem to recall seeing not too long ago a picture of it on display in a small museum with other Rommel items in Germany. There was a long period where it was in the personal possession of the family and later in a local archive. David Irving, while researching his book "Trail of the Fox" came across it locked away in a cupboard in Swabia (I believe in Herrlingen). He describes how it felt to hold it in some detail on pages 214-215. It makes for interesting reading. (By the way, elsewhere in the book Irving also mentions coming across Rommel's Pour le Merit, with it's chipped enamel from when Rommel's car was straffed.)
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