Germany, Wehrmacht. An Exceptionally Rare Wehrpaß to Prince Oskar of Prussia, with Signed Photographs

(Ein seltener Wehrpass für Prinz Oskar von Preußen mit signierten Fotografien). Constructed of a field-grey card stock binding with 52 paginated interior pages filled with stamped and handwritten entries, named to “PRINZ OSKAR VON PREUßEN” (Prince Oskar of Prussia), issued on 30 August 1939 (notably two days before the start of the Second World War), featuring a certified portrait of an older Prince Oskar wearing a Wehrmacht-issue greatcoat, overlaid by the Prince’s handwritten signature, measuring 10.5 cm (w) x 14.5 cm (h), demonstrating minor and age-appropriate material fatigue throughout, an extremely rare example of a military identity document issued to a member of Germany’s former ruling dynasty, in better than very fine condition; accompanied by two period photographs showing the Prince in uniform and with an extensive array of order and medals clearly visible, both bearing a handwritten signature in black ink and dated “1934”, in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Prince Oskar Karl Gustav Adolf was born on 27 July 1888 in the Marmorpalais in Potsdam (Berlin), German Empire, the fifth son of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Kaiserin Augusta Viktoria. During the First World War, he was assigned as Oberst (Colonel) in command to Grenadierregiment "König Wilhelm I." (2. Westpreussisches) Nr. 7. Notably, Manfred von Richthofen (the legendary "Red Baron"), witnessed an attack led by Prince at Virton, Belgium, on 22 August 1914, prior to his own transfer to the Luftstreitkräfte, and wrote of his bravery and leadership. He continued to distinguish himself in combat by leading from the front, winning both classes of the 1914 Iron Cross, as well as a Black Grade Wound Badge, before temporarily being withdrawn from combat owing to injuries and other health issues. The Prince eventually returned to action on the Eastern Front, receiving another Wound Badge.

The Prince’s Wehrpaß contains extensive supplemental information on promotions and awards, indicating that he was commissioned into service as a Leutnant (27 July 1898), and was subsequently promoted to Oberleutnant (30 May 1908), Hauptmann (20 May 1913), Oberstleutnant (1 August 1914), Oberst (25 February 1918), and Generalmajor zu Verfügung (1 March 1940). Among other distinctions, he is recorded as having received the Order of the Black Eagle, the 1914 Iron Cross in both II and I Classes, the Grand Commander's Cross of the House Order of Hohenzollern, and the 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross 1914. His Second World War commissions and assignments are recorded and certified with handwritten signatures.

During the 1930s, he was one of the leading members of the now-deposed Hohenzollern family to attempt reconciliation with the National Socialist government, was received into active Wehrmacht service on 26 August 1939, and was commissioned with the rank of Generalmajor zur Verfügung ("for assignment") on 1 March 1940 with Infanterie-Regiment 230. His oldest son, also named Oskar, was killed in action during the invasion of Poland in September 1939. Despite the family’s overtures to the regime, and loss of life in service during the opening stages of the war, the Hohenzollern family soon fell out with the Führer, and the commissions issued to both them and members of other deposed German royal houses were largely withdrawn. Prince Oskar’s Wehrpaß indicates that he departed from active service on 4 April 1940.