{"product_id":"a-copy-of-the-red-devils-and-their-commander-signed-by-author-hans-christern-g28894","title":"A Copy Of “The ‘Red Devils’ And Their Commander” Signed By Author Hans Christern","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA copy of the book “The ‘Red Devils’ and their Commander” by Hans \u003cspan class=\"m_-7214675381504279482gmail-il\"\u003eChristern\u003c\/span\u003e, signed by the author, measuring 161x226mm, 168 p., extremely fine condition with minor scuffing and age discolouration; a postcard showing a drawing of the author in uniform by Wolfgang Willrich, measuring 89x138mm, near mint condition with light age discolouration. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe first page contains an inscription by the author, saying “Panzer voran!” (Panzers forward!). It is dated to Berlin on March 31, 1942, and contains a signature in blue ink. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe book was published in 1941. It is a retelling of the missions during the invasions of Poland and France of Panzer Regiment 31 and the death of their commander, Colonel Werner. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"m_-7214675381504279482gmail-il\"\u003eChristern\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e states that all names, except for Werner’s, have been changed. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe book was meant to honour the commander’s death and inspire youth. It contains several drawings of panzers and soldiers in action.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFootnote: Hans \u003cspan class=\"m_-7214675381504279482gmail-il\"\u003eChristern\u003c\/span\u003e (1900–1966) was an officer during the Second World War in the rank of Colonel and a recipient of the Knight’s Cross. He was the final commander of the 7th Panzer Division.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"m_-7214675381504279482gmail-il\"\u003eChristern\u003c\/span\u003e commanded the 2nd Detachment of the Panzer Regiment 31 at the time when Paul-Hermann Werner was the Regiment’s commander.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul-Hermann Werner (1893–1940) was a recipient of the Knight’s Cross. It was awarded to him for taking the Fortress Maubeuge on the Belgian-French border. He died of a heart attack while taking a swim in the Atlantic in occupied France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWolfgang Willrich (1897–1948) was an artist and writer. He was a patronising member of the SS and a fanatical believer in the Nazi arts ideology, one of the creators of the infamous “Entartete Kunst” (Degenerate Art) exhibition, aimed at deriding modern works of art, which were seen as un-German, Jewish, and Communist. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring the Second World War, he was part of a propaganda company in the field.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46120042332437,"sku":"G28894","price":190.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/e_2540.jpg?v=1692867360","url":"https:\/\/www.emedals.com\/products\/a-copy-of-the-red-devils-and-their-commander-signed-by-author-hans-christern-g28894","provider":"eMedals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}