A 1935 Invitation to the Patrons of the SS-Motorstandarte 20 to a Social Dinner

It measures 208x155mm, extremely fine condition, with slight fading of the letters. The document is dated to Kiel, northern Germany, on February 26, 1935. It carries a facsimile of the signature of an SS-Hauptsturmführer. The social evening takes place on March 9 in the “Waldwiese” (Forest Meadow), presumably a restaurant or an inn. A fun evening is promised, the evening’s motto is: “Und heute wird gelacht!” (And today we laugh!) The musicians platoon of the Standarte will play, there will be sketches/cabaret, a shooting range, a wine tavern, and they promise German dances in all rooms.

Footnote: A Standarte in the SS was equivalent to a regiment in the Wehrmacht. However, Motorstandarten were always of considerably smaller size, which is why they were eventually renamed to SS-Motoreinheit, then SS-Kraftfahreinheit, and finally SS-Kraftfahrsturm. They were made up of SS members that owned their own cars or motorbikes, or had a driver’s licence. These men were tasked with dispatch and courier duties, and transport of material, high ranking officers, and troops.