(Wehrmacht Aufklärer Offizier Schirmmütze). Constructed of field gray Mützen-Trikot (cap tricot) with a twill weave (Körperbindung) pattern of parallel running ribs. The cap features a traditional high peak crown with orange-yellow piping along the entire crown, as well as the top and bottom edge of the green wool cap band. The visor is made of black vukanfiber, and is lacquered black on the obverse, and features a tan lacquered finish on the underside. The chin cord is crafted of twisted bullion cords and are attached to the cap via one silver pebbled button on each side. The insignia on the cap consists of a standard silvered aluminum Wehrmacht cap eagle, as well as a silver aluminum wreath and metal-cockade. It is lined with a pale/light grey silky liner, along with a greenish leather sweatband that is perforated towards the front of the cap. The interior of the crown is ordained with a celluloid maker’s diamond that is stamped “Offizier Kleiderkasse, Berlin” and “Erel Sonderklasse Extra”, with a name tag, reading “Hauptmann Fritz Fessmann”. The cap measures 22 cm x 24 cm. A slightly worn officer’s cap in overall near extremely fine condition.
Footnote: Fritz Fessmann (sometimes written Feßmann) was born on December 25, 1913 in Urbach near Stuttgart, southwestern Germany. He joined the army in November of 1935. When the Second War began, Fessmann served as a Feldwebel (Sergeant) in Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion 7. He saw action in the Polish campaign and was promoted to Lieutenant on March 1, 1940, becoming a platoon leader. As such, he served in the French campaign, where he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class. After France’s surrender, he stayed on as part of the occupation forces. With the impending attack on Russia in the summer of 1941, Fessmann was transferred to the Eastern Front. Shortly after the German forces had pushed into Russian territory, he was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class. Towards the end of the year, Fessmann was tasked with a special mission. He led a small contingent of men deep behind enemy lines with orders to sabotage the train tracks connecting Kiev to Kursk, one of the most important supply lines. After blowing up the tracks and successfully returning, Fessmann received the Knight’s Cross on October 27, 1941. On November 1, he was promoted to Oberleutnant (Senior Lieutenant). In 1942, Fessmann became a company commander in Kradschützen Battalion 64. A Kradschütze is a motorcycle mounted infantryman. After several successful battles and skirmishes, Fessmann and his unit were deployed to Stalingrad. Here, Fessmann was severely wounded on November 30, 1942 and had to be transported back to Germany. It took several surgeries and until the summer of 1943 for him to recover. He was awarded the Wound Badge in Silver and was promoted to Hauptmann (Captain) on January 1, 1943. While in hospital, he was also recommended for the Oak Leaves, approval for which came on January 4, 1943. After having recovered, Fessmann served as a tactics teacher at several Panzer Troop schools for the next year. In the summer of 1944, he was sent back to the Eastern Front where he took command of the Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion of the 5th Panzer Division. On October 11, 1944 Fessmann was killed in action by a tank grenade near Tilsit (Sovetsk) in the Courland pocket. Posthumously, he was awarded the Swords and promoted to Major.