(Stammlager VII A Bierkrug). A rare commemorative stein belonging to a member of the security or administrative personnel of the infamous Stalag VII-A POW camp near Moosburg, Bavaria, constructed of glazed earthenware, the exterior bearing a hand-painted guard tower flanked by a fence and barracks, circumscribed by an inscription of “STALAG VII A KRIEGSWEIHNACHT 1940” (“STALAG VII A CHRISTMAS AT WAR 1940”), with a curved protruding handle flanked by a measurement mark of “0.5L”, the base bearing partially-legible etched marks, measuring 95 mm (w) x 125 mm (h), with some fading of the paint evident but demonstrating no chips or cracks, a rare memento in extremely fine condition.
Footnote: The largest German prisoner of war (POW) camp of the Second World War, Stalag VII-A was located near Moosburg, Bavaria, northeast of Munich. The camp encompassed 35 hectares and is believed to have held POWs from every nation at war with Germany. Upon its liberation by the US 14th Armored Division on 29 April 1945, 76,248 inmates were counted. Approximately 1,000 inmates perished due to disease or work injuries during its five years of operation, of which 800 were Soviets.