The Marshals Baton Thread!

[Sepp45]

Original caption from LIFE magazine:

Lieutenant General Alexander M. Patch, who commanded the American 7th Army in Europe and whose men captured German Field Marshal Hermann Goering, today presented President Truman with Goering's jewel-studded Field Marshal's baton. The gold and platinum baton, which was Goering's emblem of military authority, is studded with diamonds and rubies. Left to right, Major J.M. Wilsom, Jr., aide to General Truscott, General Alexander M. Patch, President Truman, Lieutenant General Lucian K. Truscott, Major General James Gavin. July 5, 1945.

[Sepp45]

Generalfeldmarschall Werner von Bloomberg was the first to be promoted to this rank, on April 20th, 1936.

A far more better photo of von Bloomberg with the baton. Some sources say that his baton was stole shortly after his death in 1946, from the property of his wife.

Somehow it reached the US (in the hands of a GI) and finally to the Smithsonian Museum.

[Sepp45]

After presenting the baton to Erich Raeder, on board the German battleship Scharnhorst.

[Obersalzberg]

A far more better photo of von Bloomberg with the baton. Some sources say that his baton was stole shortly after his death in 1946, from the property of his wife.

Somehow it reached the US (in the hands of a GI) and finally to the Smithsonian Museum.

Well if that is true the Smithsonian should teturn it to family Blomberg.

[Sepp45]

Well if that is true the Smithsonian should teturn it to family Blomberg.

Unlikely, since nearly every baton was stolen after the surrender. Dönitz, Göring, Milch (daily baton), Rommel...

Most of them weren't "donated" by their families..

[Obersalzberg]

Whoever repaired Milch's baton must did it in a hurry.

That will be an easy fix as all components unscrew

[Sepp45]

First model of baton (Generalfeldmarschall) of Göring.

[Sepp45]

Generalfeldmarschall Werner von Blomberg at the Reichsparteitag in Nürnberg, September 1937.

[chen]

Blomberg's baton is the only one having the white ceramic type ring band with gold lettering.

[J C Gray]

Here is an article on the batons from 1940; note the different manufacturers of the different batons & cases...

[J C Gray]

...& a couple more scans from the 'U-M'...

[Sepp45]

Thanks a lot for the photos JC, I had never seen them before.

[Sepp45]

Generalfeldmarschall Werner von Blomberg, shortly after being awarded the baton.

[Sepp45]

A closer view on the Interimstab (daily service baton) of Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel.

[Sepp45]

Generalfeldmarschall Fedor von Bock, holding the Interimstab, while decorating a soldier on the front.