This item is part of Prestige & Distinction, Auction II: A Selection of German Militaria 1933-1945. Click Here to view all items in this collection.
(Fallschirm-Panzer-Division 1. “Hermann Göring” Fotoalben). A lot of three photo albums belonging to Generalleutnant Paul Conrath, Commander of 1st Fallschirm-Panzer Division “Hermann Göring”, including an album bearing handwritten dates “1931-44” on the inside cover, constructed of a card stock binding with a canvas exterior and held together by four magnetic metal eyelets through which is looped a brown threaded drawstring, the interior with 19 black paper stock pages separated by wax paper dividers with spider web designs, featuring 41 photographs depicting Conrath in the field and with Wehrmacht personnel, the interior cover with a maker’s label inscribed “HUGO MUNKELT, BUCH & PAPIERHANDLUNG DRUCKEREI, RIESA”, measuring 212 mm (w) x 152 mm (h), with evidence of nine missing photographs, in overall near extremely fine condition.
An album bearing a handwritten date of “1942” and an inscription of “FRANKREICH (BRETAGNE)” (“FRANCE [BRITTANY]”) on the cover, constructed of a card stock binding with a marbled canvas exterior, the interior with 17 black paper stock pages separated by wax paper dividers with spider web designs, featuring 25 photographs of Conrath in occupied France with Wehrmacht personnel, notably including three photographs of Hermann Göring (two in civilian clothing), with evidence of 23 missing photographs and one loose photograph, in overall near extremely fine condition.
An album bearing a handwritten date of “1943” on the cover, constructed of a card stock binding with a marbled canvas exterior, the interior with 16 black paper stock pages separated by wax dividers with spider web designs, featuring 35 photographs of Conrath in the field with Wehrmacht personnel, presenting complete with no missing photographs and only minor material fatigue, in extremely fine condition.
Footnote: Paul Conrath was born on 26 November 1896 in Berlin. He enlisted in the Heer on 10 August 1914 and, by 1 March 1917, had achieved the rank of Leutnant with the 4th Baden Field Artillery Regiment. He left military service on 20 January 1919 and joined the police on 11 January 1920. He continued in this capacity until 1 April 1935, when he enlisted in the fledgling Luftwaffe. He served as personal adjutant to Hermann Göring until 30 September 1936, and later commanded a flak company. Conrath was promoted to Oberst on 1 March 1930 and, on 1 June, was appointed commander of 1st Fallschirm-Panzer Division “Hermann Göring”, a position he held until 14 April 1944, making him the Division’s longest commander. Under Conrath, the Division saw action in all theatres of the war, where its achievements saw him awarded the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves. Replaced as Division commander by Generalleutnant Wilhelm Schmalz on 15 April 1944, he was selected to oversee and direct training of paratroops. Recalled to combat service on 1 January 1945, Conrath was then elevated to General of Paratroops, and was taken into American custody on 8 May 1945, but was soon released and retired to private life. Conrath died in Hamburg on 15 January 1979.