The Seized Vehicle Pennant of Generalmajor Wolfgang von Holwede; Operation Valkyrie

This is an exceptional item with an amazing history - Wehrmacht General’s vehicle pennant that belonged to Wolfgang von Holwede, who was arrested on July 20, 1944 on Heinrich Himmler’s orders, in connection to the attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler during Operation Valkyrie. It includes matching paperwork stating that the General’s Vehicle Pennant was successfully returned to the Automotive Spare Parts Division of the Reich, following Holwede’s demotion and imprisonment. The certificate of the receipt is signed and stamped by the Oberstleutnant and Wehrmacht Garrison Elder of the Automotive Spare Parts Division of the Reich (Berlin- Neukölln, Braunauerstraße 223, and states that the “Hoheitszeichen für Generale” (insignia for generals)that belonged to Generalmajor von Holwede, and listed as exhibit 1504, was successfully received on 8.1.1945. The pennant, with a paper tag identifying it as exhibit 1504, features a Wehrmacht eagle made out of golden coloured thread on both sides on a green wool base, clutching a wreath with a swastika in the centre. Two of the borders of the pennant are decorated with innate bullion strips that depict a pattern of interwoven swastikas, with the third side of the triangular-shaped pennant left bare. The pennant itself is protected by a see-through plastic covering, encased in a silver plated nickel frame, and mounted onto a metal flagpole for attachment to the vehicle. The protective casing used to camouflage the General’s Pennant is crafted out of black leather with a black protective fabric on the inside to prevent scratching the pennant. The pennant with its case measures 393 mm x 260 mm without the flagpole (417 mm x 292 mm with the flag pole) and shows obvious signs of prolonged used from weathering. The flagpole appears to have been cut off or otherwise forcefully removed from Holwede’s vehicle, as is apparent from the cut marks on the flagpole. The exhibit ID tag is exceptionally preserved, however. The protective leather casing measures 370 mm x 247 mm, and missing one out of three snap-buttons. The certificate of receipt features an authentic signature and stamp in pink ink, with other period-original identification marks made in blue ink, measures 193 mm x 147 mm, and appears to have been ripped out of a book. Overall an exceptionally unique find in fair condition.