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L001659 NAMED GENERAL'S WHITE TOP VISOR CAP. (Schirmmütze für Sommer)
BACKGROUND: Visor caps were a standard item for all military personnel during the Third Reich period and regulations dictated the form of dress they were to be worn with based on the individuals rank. On its inception on February 26TH 1935, the Luftwaffe adopted most of the uniform items of the earlier DLV, Deutscher Luftsport Verband, (German Air Sports League), its clandestine, civilian forerunner, including the visor cap. In March 1935 the earlier, "Tellerform", saucer shaped, caps were replaced with a new a "Sattelform" cap with a higher front peak and an oval shaped top. The insignia utilized on the visor caps consisted of the Luftwaffe style national eagle as introduced for wear by Fliegerschaft, (Pilot Base), personnel of the DLV on August 18TH 1934 and was officially adopted for wear by all Luftwaffe personnel on March 1ST 1935 along with a new winged wreath and national tri-color cockade. The visor caps for Company and Field grade Officer’s holding the ranks of Leutnant up to Oberst were distinguished from EM/NCO’s caps by bright silver/aluminum piping and a silver/aluminum chin cord while Officers holding Generals ranks of Generalmajor up to Reichsmarschall utilized gold colored fittings. EM/NCO ranks visor caps utilized the appropriate waffenfarbe, (Branch of Service Color), piping and blackened leather chinstraps. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own caps and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the Luftwaffe’s Verkaufsabteilung, (Air-Force Sales Department), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their caps from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase visor caps of higher quality. Although enlisted personnel were issued their caps from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored caps although the price may have been restrictive. In April 1935 a white topped visor cap was introduced and was permitted for wear by all ranks as an optional item between April 1ST and October 1ST annually. The cap was most commonly produced with a removable top although fixed top caps were also produced contrary to regulations. Originally the removable white tops were produced in a ribbed, white, cotton drill until regulations of June 1937 altered the top to a white cotton/synthetic material blend with a repeating waffle pattern although both styles were worn through-out the war. This example is named to General der Flieger Maximilian Ritter von Pohl. Born in Munich on April 15TH 1893 Pohl began his military career in 1914 serving as an Ensign with the 7TH Bavarian Field Artillery regiment. Pohl served with distinction in WWI reaching the rank of Oberleutnant and had been awarded a black Wound Badge, an Iron Cross in both 2ND and 1ST class, a Bavarian Order of Military Merit 4TH class with swords and crown, and a Knight’s Cross of the Military Order of Maximilian Joseph which conferred on him the non-hereditary nobility title, "Ritter von", (Knight). Of Note: The Knight’s Cross of the Military Order of Maximilian Joseph and the Bavarian Order of Military Merit 4TH class with swords and crown, were Bavaria’s highest and second highest military decorations respectively. Following WWI von Pohl served with the Freikorps von Epp (1919-1920), before re-joining the German army with the 7TH Artillery Regiment gaining the rank of Hauptmann by 1924. On April 1ST 1935 von Pohl transferred to the Luftwaffe and was promoted to the rank of Oberstleutnant. Prior to the war von Pohl assumed command of the training department of the RLM, Reichsluftfahrtministerium, (National Air Ministry) and in 1940 he was assigned as the attaché of the Luftwaffe in Italy where he remained until July 1943. In September 1943 von Pohl was assigned as the Kommandierender General und Befehlshaber der Deutsches Luftwaffe in Italien", (Commanding General and Commander of the German Air-Force in Italy), where he remained until January 1945. Von Pohl’s performance led to a steady stream of promotions and awards ending with his appointment as General der Flieger on February 1ST 1942. Von Pohl’s awards included the Twenty-five year long service decoration, the bars to the Iron Crosses in both the 2ND and 1ST class, a Flak Artillery War Badge, a German Cross in gold and a Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross. Captured by the Americans on May 2ND 1945 von Pohl remained in captivity until 1947 and died at his home in Poecking Bavaria on July 26TH 1951.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Very nice quality, private purchase, pre-June 1937, General’s white top visor cap consists of a removable, ribbed, white, cotton top with ribbed white cotton piping to the forward edge of the crown. The removable top fits securely to the formed body of the cap. The cap features a black, horizontally ribbed, mohair centerband, and bright, interwoven, gilt wire braid piping to both the top and bottom edges of the centerband. The internal cap crown stiffening wire has been removed but an internal, vertical, stiffener to the front center and internal padding are both intact and retain the caps shape with a high, central, forward, peak. The front center of the cap has a hand embroidered, second pattern, (circa 1936/1937-1945), Luftwaffe eagle clutching a canted, swastika in it’s talons in bright, golden yellow celleon wire threads with bright, gilt bullion accent threads on a cut-out, white wool base. The eagle is neatly handstitched to the cap. The front center of the centerband has a hand embroidered, winged, oak-leaf wreath in bright, golden yellow celleon threads, encompassing a hand embroidered, national tri-color cockade. The wreath has silver and gilt bullion wire accent threads and the national tri-color cockade is constructed in black and silver/aluminum wire threads with an a central, red, wool dot. The winged wreath and cockade are mounted on a cut-out, black, wool base which is also handstitched in place. The cap has an interwoven, twisted, gilt braid, chin cord which is secured to the cap by two, small, gilt washed, pebbled, magnetic sheet metal buttons. The cap has an extended, forward, black lacquered, vulcanfibre visor with a machine stitched, simulated leather lip to the forward edge. The interior of the cap is fully lined in pale grey rayon. The crown lining has a clear celluloid sweat rhomboid fully intact. The sweat rhomboid has a small, opened ended pocket with an inserted slip of paper with the owner’s typed rank and name, "General der Flieger Maximilian Ritter von Pohl". The interior of the cap also has a wide, grey leather sweatband with ventilation perforations to the front forehead section, fully intact. The cap has no visible size or manufacturer’s markings. The cap is in overall very good condition with minor age and usage toning to the white top as to be expected. The cap is roughly size 57.
*Please note this cap originally came from Andreas Thies Auktionhaus in Germany several years ago. It was one of three of Pohl's items auctioned off at that time. The items included Pohl's Tropical uniform, his blue top visor and this cap. The white top is a perfect fit, it was just not properly attached when we took the photo's. If you would like more detailed photo's, please contact us. All of the insignia is original stitching and cap is totally untouched.
GRADE ****1/4 PRICE $ SOLD
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