Germany, Wehrmacht. The Field Tunic Of Generalleutnant Wilhelm Meise, Commander Of Engineer Troops

(Wehrmacht Feldbluse für einen Generalleutnant der Pioniere). An exceptional and well-preserved field tunic belonging to Generalleutnant Wilhelm Meise, a decorated First World War veteran who held command positions with Engineer Troops from the inception of the Third Reich through to the end of the Second World War. The tunic is constructed of a fine field-grey wool, and features a turned-down collar fully lined on top with a layer of dark green wool. The collar is flanked on each side by tabs constructed of red wool with buckram cores, both topped by gold bullion wire litzen and measuring 45 mm (w) x 100 mm (l), The shoulders are topped by boards constructed of red wool with card stock cores, each earring a band of silver aluminum wire piping interwoven with two lengths of gold bullion wire piping and pinned with a single silvered pip. Each measuring 45 mm (w) x 100 mm (l), the boards are secured in place with matching stitching at the outer edge and with gilded, pebbled, magnetic metal buttons on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 15.5 cm and secured in place with two pieces of stitching. Four pleated pockets are set into the breast flaps, all closing with scalloped horizontal flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes, in turn meeting pebbled, gilded, magnetic metal buttons. Stitched in place just above the upper right pocket is an insignia consisting of a dark green wool backer bearing a hand-embroidered gold bullion wire Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 100 mm (w) x 45 mm (h). A pair of threaded loops have been applied over the same pocket for the accommodation of Meise’s German Cross in Gold. Multiple sets of additional loops are stitched in place over the upper left pocket for the application of further awards, while multiple horizontal loops applied over the same pocket allow for the wear of a ribbon bar. The tunic closes with six pebbled, gilded, magnetic metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. Stitched through the second buttonhole is a ribbon for the Eastern Front Medal. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece rayon liner which consists of a gently ribbed dark green through the torso, transitioning into a pinstripe design through the arms. A rayon strap culminating in a functional non-magnetic metal spring clip for the accommodation of a dagger descends from the left armpit and meets a reinforced slit on the same flap. Dual pockets are set into the upper breasts, with the left side retaining a fully-intact manufacturer’s label bearing a printed maker’s mark of “WILHELM HOLTENS, BERLIN”, a handwritten owner’s name of “DR. WILHELM MEISE”, an order number of “767”, and date of “7. 9. 1940”. A stiff white cotton sweat guard is fastened in place around the collar with studs which emanate from the tunic. It measures approximately 42 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 60 cm, and an overall body length of 66 cm. Demonstrating only minor signs of age and wear, this superb, owner-attributed example remains in an extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Wilhelm Ludwig Meise was born on 16 August 1891 in Munich. He joined the Bavarian Army on 18 July 1910 as a two-year volunteer, initially serving with 3. Pionier-Bataillon (Engineer Troops). After pursuing academy training, Meise transferred to 4. Pionier-Bataillon at Ingolstadt and was promoted to Leutnant on 28 October 1912. At the outbreak the First World War, Meise was mobilized as part of a mounted engineer unit and saw extensive frontline service, initially on the Western Front before being shifted to the Italian Front. He also saw a brief interim stint as an instructor of Engineer Officers before returning to frontline service. A recipient of regular promotions, Meise attained the rank of Hauptmann by the end of the war, and received numerous awards, including the 1914 Iron Cross II Class, the Hesse Bravery Medal, the Bavarian Military Merit Order IV Class with Crown and Swords, the Black Grade Wound BAdge, and the Austrian Military Merit Cross III Class. Meise was re-inducted into the Reichswehr after the end of the war, and on the 23 February 1922 received a doctorate from the University of Munich.

He remained in armed service throughout the 1920s and early 1930s, largely as an instructor of Engineer Troops in various academy positions. With the rise to power of the NSDAP, Meise remained in Wehrmacht service as a commander of Engineers in Munich, Vienna, and Frankfurt-am-Main. He resumed active command at the outbreak of the Second World War, overseeing the crossing of forces over the Rhine. On 1 November 1939, Meise was appointed Commander of Engineer troops of 12. Armee, and was promoted to Generalmajor on 1 September 1940.

It was during this time that Meise truly distinguished himself as a Wehrmacht commander, being appointed as General of Engineer Troops on the Eastern Front, specifically responsible for Army Group Centre. Commanders including Field Marshals Erwin Rommel and Ernst Busch, noted Meise’s competency and his dedication to National Socialist ideals. Importantly, Meise assisted in the preparation of fortifications on the Atlantic Coasts in advance of the Allied landing on 6 June 1944. He appropriately received the German Cross in Gold on 22 July 1944. Meise survived the war and was briefly held as a prisoner of war (POW) until 25 July 1945. He subsequently retired to private life and died on 17 August 1974.