This belt buckle was found many years ago by roadmen, near the city of Nieul, where the Obersturmführer Karl Gerlach (as Orderly Officer of the Assault-Gun Battalion of the Das Reich Division) was captured with his driver the 9 of june 1944 by french interior forces (he and his driver were immediately undressed).
Here is the report of Gerlach during the Bordeaux trial in 1953 :
http://www.oradour.info/appendix/gerlach1.htm
Gerlach gave the name of Oradour-sur-Glane the 10 of june 1944, before this Town was destroyed by the Der Führer regiment.
I have 2 correspondance with Gerlach in the early 90's and a testimony of the french interior forces officer who interrogated him realised in the 80's.
Here is the report of Gerlach during the Bordeaux trial in 1953 :
http://www.oradour.info/appendix/gerlach1.htm
Gerlach gave the name of Oradour-sur-Glane the 10 of june 1944, before this Town was destroyed by the Der Führer regiment.
I have 2 correspondance with Gerlach in the early 90's and a testimony of the french interior forces officer who interrogated him realised in the 80's.