About this website….
Welcome!
The purpose of
this website is to offer a valid reference point for educating collectors and historians
about High Ranking officer’s uniforms and insignia, with a focal point on
featuring German General and Field Marshal military uniforms and insignia. You will find detailed photos and
descriptions of authentic period insignia, uniforms and other regalia so that
both collectors, historians and the casual observer alike will have an accurate
reference point to study original specimens.
While the German Field Marshals and Generals of World War Two are the
obvious primary focus, the site plan is to expand into an equally detailed
study of WW2 era higher military ranks of other nations such as the Soviet
Union,
The site will
remain a work in progress as new reference material is added on a regular
basis, both in photographic specimens and expanded narrative description. At present time it is visually structured
around photos of original examples of insignia, uniforms and badges of rank.
Eventually I will be adding more in-depth personality studies of the General
officers…something beyond the typical history books detailing battle tactics
and campaigns, delving instead more into what the actual men were all
about.
Photographs;
submissions and credits-
This site would not
exist without the generous contributions of collectors. Many thanks to those of you who have gone
above and beyond to make sure all the ‘holes’ were filled. I could not have done this without you! Any visitors to this site who have authentic
Field Marshal, General officer, or Admiral rank militaria in their collections
and would like to contribute photos to post on this site as reference for
others to study, please visit the “submitting photos” page. In particular I’m interested in insignia,
uniforms, command flags…..anything directly pertaining to a higher rank. I will credit your photos if you wish, or
list them as ‘private collection’ if you prefer to remain anonymous.
All photographs,
images and text on this website remain the property of the site (unless
otherwise attributed or donated) and may not be reproduced or otherwise used
without written permission. Photo
credits are listed where requested.
Items listed for
sale and consignment-
The primary
intention of this site is to act as an online reference for higher ranking
militaria, as noted above. However,
being an avid collector and full-time militaria dealer, I also have access to
many items that are available for sale, and these will be listed in the ‘For
Sale’ section. Most of the “for sale”
inventory consists of quality consignment pieces obtained from other advanced
collectors. If you are looking for a
particular item, or would be interested in consigning items from your
collection please contact me and I’ll be happy to discuss it with you (enter
the site on the link at the bottom of this page and you will find links for
“Contact” and “Buying Militaria” on the left side frame of the main page).
If you are a veteran or family member and have some ‘war souvenirs’
in the family that you would like me to research, establish a value or assist
in selling, I welcome the contact and will gladly try to help you out.
About the site author….
Since I was a young boy growing up in the 1960’s I’ve been a World
War Two history enthusiast and have always been fascinated with the high
ranking personalities who shaped the direction of the war. This website is the progeny of that early
passion and if you are here visiting for the first time hopefully you already
have an interest in this as well, and will enjoy what I have assembled.
As a military memorabilia collector I was always frustrated by the
lack of detailed information available for this niche end of collecting,
particularly considering the notoriety many of these high ranking personalities
achieved. Finding good reference on
medals, helmets, guns, etc. has always been relatively easy, but there was
nothing existing which focused on high ranking officers. As a result, I took the initiative and have
created ‘the reference book that I had always wished existed’, and instead
turned it into a website. Or, as I like
to call it, the online ‘reference book you don’t have to pay for’.
I am not an expert in this field, merely a passionate collector who
loves history and possessing the pieces associated with what is certainly the
greatest war our world has ever seen.
During World War Two there were more senior ranks created, such as field
marshal, than ever before, or since. The
sheer power such a rank bestowed upon a single man is quite incredible in
itself, and studying these personalities and how they made decisions affecting
the life or death for literally millions of people is quite awe inspiring, if
not also frightening. They were often
ordinary men, like anyone else, thrust into the ultimate power position during
a moment in history which made many of their names legendary, and some
nefarious. Given time, this website will
reflect more on their personalities than their regalia, but for now it is a
start.
Beyond this history, I appreciate the quality and detail involved
in the insignia and regalia created during the 1930’s and 40’s, as it reflects
an era of design and handcrafted trades which no longer exist. It can be admired as much as early tapestries
or fine art, if you examine it closely.
While visiting the site and reviewing the photos, I hope that you can
form an appreciation of the quality and effort that went into the creation of
these symbols of ultimate power….the badges of rank.
If you are a collector with similar interests, I’m always
interested in sharing knowledge and photographs. If you are a veteran or family member of a
vet, please send me an email as I welcome your contact and answer any and all
inquiries. And, if you are a young
person interested in this history and have questions, please ask…I strongly
encourage young people to learn more about this historic war, as it is a time
that should never be forgotten.
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Regards, Michael Holverson You may contact
me here. |
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