Truly Amazing Artifact - Baton Presented To Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz!

What an incredible day at Legacy! We have Karl Dönitz's baton!
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[@peterrabbit8467]

The blue cloth in the case represents the water the lighter cloth represents the sky and the baton is the submarine

[@kimoandrews5802]

How many innocent people did the nasi scum murder?

[@davevansega1771]

Yea,and where did you get that information from???????

[@lo2990]

Yeah no it’s just the favorite color of the old Air Force commander

[@daniel_sc1024]

The reason Goering had two batons was because the first one was for when he was a generalfeldmarschall (field marshall). At the beginning of the war he was the only person actively holding that rank. In 1940, after the Battle of France, Hitler promoted a number of generals to field marshall, and promoted Goering to the newly created rank of reichsmarschall, which was senior to field marshall. New rank naturally comes with the new uniform and new baton.

[@davidkermes376]

goering was known for going overboard on personal adornment. he had a one of a kind "iron cross" with diamond clusters on it. it was so big that behind his back folks called it his cowbell.

[@daniel_sc1024]

@@davidkermes376 I remember one historian referring to his uniforms as "operatic." I have a book on Albert Speer's architectural designs, and his design for Goering palace in Berlin is equally bombastic, overblown.

[@noah_hill]

He was a very interesting man, you could not call him fool as he was very intelligent and skilled, yet he would wear a toga,and go spear hunting

[@colonelsmith7757]

@@davidkermes376 There was never an Iron Cross created with diamonds on the actual cross. You are talking about the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross which was identical to the Knight's Cross but slightly larger. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Cross_of_the_Iron_Cross

[@brianingle7535]

One of his batons was in the infantry museum at Fort Moore (used to Benning). The also had this very large copy Mein Kampf that was autographed by Hitler. I toured the museum on my free weekend between basic and ait.

[@brogeoti]

Goering's Reichsmarschall baton is in the USMA Museum at West Point, NY. I believe the shaft was white elephant ivory, not velvet-covered metal. The end caps incorporated platinum in the inscription banding and over 600 small diamonds. His first baton had a light blue velvet shaft covering, & it incorporated the air force Balkenkreuz symbols. Additionally, the end caps were inlaid with many small diamonds. It is now kept in the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, Georgia.

[@breto7131]

Great information thank you

[@grayharker6271]

As it should be!

[@3-2bravo49]

I went to the infantry museum when it first opened. I had just graduated basic in fort Benning and it was open but wasn't completed yet. I've not been to many museums so it blew me away. I would love to go back. Some of my friends who were Kia have personalized bricks at the front. I would like to go pay my respects and go back to where it all started.

[@kbanghart]

Yet another fascinating waste of resources by the Nazis.

[@Lerxstification]

I want that for my birthday!

[@jimrutherford2773]

It's not just a piece of history. It's an international treasure.

[@kbanghart]

Yet another fascinating waste of resources by the Nazis.

[@GUMMETJE20045]

Totally not agree. International treasure yeah right. Just a stupid stick of a war criminal. Piece of history is correct but revere it as a treasure is totally bullocks.

[@BillShartner]

It's a replica.

[@jimrutherford2773]

@@BillShartner yeah I know but it's still a treasure.

[@kimoandrews5802]

Get help...

[@FR33STyla72]

I've handled the original at the Shropshire Regimental Museum, a truly beautiful piece and I was honoured to examine the baton. Btw, the original is NOT plated, the finials are solid gold and platinum. Also that copy is vastly inferior to the original.

[@hughmarloweverest1684]

15 years ago or so I acquired a 12 inch figure of Donitz in a pristine box, unopened, made by Tomato Hobby, Kowloon Hong Kong, 2004. It has accessories, including a scale model of his baton. I never show him off, and got the box down to look at it for the first time in a decade because of this video.

[@flouisbailey]

You have a collection of maybe one of a kind remaining. Ultimate action figure.😵‍💫

[@victorpena3129]

Ill pay you $50 bucks for it

[@kimoandrews5802]

Enemy of America.

[@rossbryan6102]

THEY WERE NICE TO LOOK AT AND WERE CERTAINLY A PRESTIGE ITEM TO THE OWNER, BUT WERE THE BATONS EVER IN A HOLSTER WHILE BEING USED?? A BIT OF INCONVENIENCE HAVING TO BE CARRIED IN HAND!

[@stevepritchett6563]

@@rossbryan6102 NO NEED TO SHOUT!

[@electron0002]

We have General Rommel one in our museum at the desert rats museum Norfolk UK

[@countalma9800]

The design of this baton is incredible.

[@kimoandrews5802]

Weirdo

[@g.mtorsten3564]

The germans seem to have coped the design of the napoleonic era french "Marshals baton"

[@johnvaluk1401]

Late eighties went to West Point for the day and saw Gorings baton in their museum.

[@kurutze]

Thank you for this educating video and for the respectful way in which yoy have presented the baton and the person of Grand Admiral Dönitz. I am happy that this baton, a personal belonging of the Admiral, has fallen in good, respectful hands.

[@verncommet1798]

Nice that it is going to someone with a personal connection and that you are able to let it go

[@SouthParkCows88]

The Laconia incident is a big reason why U-boats were told to leave crews in the water, that is so cool you going to give this to a friend and collector of Karl Dönitz!!

[@davidkermes376]

oh come now, as if a u-boat had any room for survivors. i don't recall reading of allied subs rescuing survivors either, and you can't hold it against them.

[@SouthParkCows88]

@@davidkermes376 usually they would radio red cross ships to pick them up.

[@kimoandrews5802]

@@davidkermes376 you are anti American

[@motorrebell]

@@davidkermes376 The Laconia incident was a series of events surrounding the sinking of a British passenger ship in the Atlantic Ocean on 12 September 1942, during World War II, and a subsequent aerial attack on German and Italian submarines involved in rescue attempts. RMS Laconia, carrying 2,732 crew, passengers, soldiers, and prisoners of war, was torpedoed and sunk by U-156, a German U-boat, off the West African coast. Operating partly under the dictates of the old prize rules, the U-boat's commander, Korvettenkapitän Werner Hartenstein, immediately commenced rescue operations. U-156 broadcast her position on open radio channels to all Allied powers nearby, and was joined by the crews of several other U-boats in the vicinity. After surfacing and picking up survivors, who were accommodated on the foredeck, U-156 headed on the surface under Red Cross banners to rendezvous with Vichy French ships and transfer the survivors. En route, the U-boat was spotted by a B-24 Liberator bomber of the US Army Air Forces. The aircrew, having reported the U-boat's location, declared intentions, and the presence of survivors, were then ordered to attack the sub. The B-24 killed dozens of Laconia's survivors with bombs and strafing attacks, forcing U-156 to cast into the sea the remaining survivors that she had rescued and crash dive to avoid being destroyed. Rescue operations were continued by other vessels. Another U-boat, U-506, was also attacked by US aircraft and forced to dive. A total of 976 to 1,083 people were eventually rescued; however, 1,658 to 1,757 were killed, mostly Italian POWs. The event changed the general attitude of Germany's naval personnel towards rescuing stranded Allied seamen. The commanders of the Kriegsmarine were quickly issued the Laconia Order by Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz, which specifically forbade any such attempt and ushered in unrestricted submarine warfare for the remainder of the war. The B-24 pilots mistakenly reported they had sunk U-156, and were awarded medals for bravery. Neither the US pilots nor their commander were punished or investigated, and the matter was quietly forgotten by the US military. During the later Nuremberg trials, a prosecutor attempted to cite the Laconia Order as proof of war crimes by Dönitz and his submariners. The ploy backfired, causing much embarrassment to the United States after the incident's full report had emerged to the public and the reason for the "Laconia order" was known.

[@ixxxxxxx]

@@motorrebell thank you so much for mentioning this for me in more detail than i ever couldve lol, i even learned a few things. just glad you brought up how uboats did attempt to rescue sailors, it just went horribly wrong

[@MyTv-]

Not even Liberace was so flamboyant as Göring! His second field Marshall staff was of course in ivory instead of velvet!

[@rodwallace6237]

Some of his dress uniforms were downright campy. Powder blue is such a martial look.

[@mitchstevenson893]

Goring was a wounded WWI flying ace with several kills to his credit. He got addicted to morphine and warm champagne.

[@TempleBrickKnights]

This should go to a museum in Germany. Greetings from Lübeck (northern Germany)

[@YorkshirePirate]

Germany is still far too prissy about National Socialism for it be responsible for such artefacts. They'd end up melting it down or locking it away.

[@SoulStealer702]

I have been to the West Point Museum and I saw HG's Baton. Incredible workmanship.

[@ericcrawford1132]

I love how you are showing us an amazing Era in our history unfortunate but it will always be with us .

[@kimoandrews5802]

Maybe you’d like to buy osama bin ladens towel he wrapped around his head?

[@fmayer1507]

Large and in charge. Wow! I like the phrase. Great video with lots of detail.

[@johanvanbeek7138]

Super cool that his men did this for him!

[@kbanghart]

Super ego

[@koolaidblack7697]

@@kbanghart Obsessed.

[@RazorsharpLT]

@@koolaidblack7697 people value loyalty The fact to how the regular soldier was treated after the war would you expect them NOT to stick together?

[@dogegg22]

The original baton is in the Soldiers of Shropshire Museum in Shrewsbury Castle, UK. Soldiers from the KSLI (Kings Shropshire Light Infantry) made up part of the arresting party in Flensburg, hence how the baton resides in their regimental museum. Over the years, the museum has had requests for the baton to be returned to the German Admiralty, other UK regimental museums, and of course, in exchange for undisclosed sums of money to a number of private collectors. The museum has naturally refused all offers and is proud to remain custodian of this remarkable, if sinister, piece of history.

[@1998gst4611]

Why didn't they let him keep the baton why would the allies confiscate it from him its not a weapon?

[@Axteffekt]

Sinister?

[@dogegg22]

Absolutely. It has an "aura" about it. I think anything with so much nazi symbolism and the connections with the nazi party holds a sinister feeling. May not have the same effect on everyone but many of the staff and volunteers at the museum comment on its ability to raise a shiver...

[@dogegg22]

@Steiner I don't agree. There is nothing in the Geneva Convention, nor the Hague Convention, nor any other humanitarian law that prohibits taking of "movable enemy items" in the process of warfighting, and in order to prevent or restrict that enemy's ability to fight. The baton in the museum belonged to the enemy state, even if it was presented to Donitz. It has never been sold and was presented freely to the museum by and with consent of a representative of the British Army, Brig. Jack Churcher. Looting (or Pillaging) is prohibited but refers to taking of private property from civilians of that enemy state, or those inhabitants of the area of battle, or personal items legitimately owned by surrendered combatants, by private individuals, for personal gain - in other words, theft. Taking away the (movable) apparatus of war is the legitimate right of the victor in conflict.

[@oliverstianhugaas7493]

Thief.

[@lynnmcmullen3157]

Amazing, clearly well done work

[@philtaylor1647]

His men were very loyal to him

[@kimoandrews5802]

the dead ones too?

[@dnf7778]

Very cool!! look at that detail.

[@Love.life.ashigzoya]

Who doesnt know Karl Doenitz ? You are so lucky God bless his family and hail to Swastika a holy symbol in India . God bless U Boat surviving families . Thank you for this research Maj Gen veteran Indian .

[@walterwarberg1425]

True loyalty of great men.

[@kimoandrews5802]

stupid sycophantic criminals...

[@MGB-learning]

Always an outstanding video and presentation.

[@g54b95]

This was really neat. Thanks, Tom!

[@jensenwilliam5434]

Thank you Tom and Randy!!!

[@ashraf7242]

So interesting, this is a true historical treasure

[@Lerxstification]

Excellent! My grandpa told me that Goering's baton actually had a removable (screwable?) top piece, and that the inside was hollow. That is where Hermann would keep his heroin kit and pills.

[@BesoffenerIslamist]

did your grandpa lied often?

[@MrMuppetbaby]

A fascinating item and story out of history and brought to life as ONLY Tom can do. If Tom decided to teach history I would be first in line. Thanks so much for another amazing video and a "gee, I didn't know that" moment. For a minute I thought maybe something from the movie National Treasure might pop out from inside...... Tod in Vegas :)

[@kimoandrews5802]

Nasi sympathizers.

[@DaGahbageMan]

Thought I'd just check this out real quick. Stayed for the whole thing.💯

[@daveblackburn5393]

Love your tube channel. U have a lot of cool videos that u show not only that u give a lot of history which is awesome. Keep the videos coming and thanks for all the cool history. Keep up the good work. Thank you respectfully Dave blackburn

[@mattsmith3118]

Absolutely incredible, I love this channel

[@PeterSt1954]

In 17C England such batons had the order of the army a commander was in charge of written (inscribed? embossed?) on them and so was a general's ready reference for who was who.

[@ad3mn]

On the Wittman Antique channel, he also showcased 2 batons. (video: WAM Show Journal - February 2020 OVMS Show of Shows from 47:40) Amazing pieces.

[@michaelharrison8036]

That was a great video, thanks! I always wondered about Goring's baton, because ivory usually turns yellow with age or cracks. I often suspect it was made of a plastic like galalith or trolon, stuff that the German chemists had been making and the armaments industry were using in dagger and sword handles and grips.

[@joelonzello4189]

Great Piece ! Keep an eye out for a bigger box containing the Stern Eagle of the Graf Spee 😉

[@DavidRamirez-ww5kv]

Cool story. Thanks for sharing.

[@mscorrell]

Goring loved his baton and even had crossed batons on his uniform collar.

[@tiagomonteiro130]

That's the rank not his love for it, field marshals had batons on their uniforms to show their rank, that goes for every military with the marshal rank.

[@csaint6780]

That is Cool!!! thanx for posting this video!!

[@njdevilaje3879]

Great video great information. Thank you!

[@jeffrodebaugh8314]

Adjusting for inflation, $130,000 in 1940 is 2.8 million in 2023. That’s an expensive baton!

[@Maddriver371]

The Germans head two types of batons: Interimstab (field service baton), lighter and thinner baton. And the one you are showing right know. The baton from Göring was made from white elephant ivory.

[@danielwatson3985]

Goering's first baton was presented to him when he was made a Field Marshal. The second was presented when he was made Reichsmarshal.

[@kbanghart]

Yet another fascinating waste of resources by the Nazis.

[@Wilde.Hilde65]

mon field marshall ☝️sig 210A / mod kombat

[@gutierfa]

A sepulcher, also spelled "sepulchre," is a noun that refers to a burial vault or tomb, typically an elaborate and monumental structure. It is used to house the remains of deceased individuals or to serve as a memorial for the departed. Sepulchers are often found in cemeteries, churches, or other sacred places and can vary in size, design, and architectural style depending on cultural and historical contexts.

[@jacknapier9026]

Beautiful Baton💯

[@asheland_numismatics]

Very cool piece! Interesting video!

[@JFKismyhusband_]

Wow! That’s so incredible

[@k1ngp1n66]

The second diamond encrusted baton is located inside of the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, Georgia. I saw it in person about 4 years ago when I went to visit my son there during his time in basic training. I also have a picture of the baton that I am looking at right now. The plaque under the baton reads as follows. "With great pomp and ceremony, Adolf Hitler presented this diamond encrusted baton to Field Marshal General of the Air Force, Hermann Goering in February, 1938."

[@nightwish1000]

I doubt a bit about the inscription. What is the German text please?

[@ae1586]

Donitz was an honorable man and a military man at heart. He wanted what was best for germany . He was rational and capable . It is sad that military men who did not commit war crimes were imprisoned after the war - my great grandfather was imprisoned in a Russian salt mine until 1949 . He had been a German veteran of ww1 and a German police officer in Berlin before the war . When the war broke out he was inducted into the SS Polizei and stationed in Prague . He sent my grandmother out of the country with all of their gold and silver coinage (and other valuables) knowing that it would still be spendable . I still have my great grandfathers totenkopf ring. He lived until 1979 - he met my grandfather (first sergeant in the 16th constabulary during the Berlin airlift who married my oma) many of his possessions survived the war as their home on the rhine river had a basement that provided some protection from the bombing . When he was released he rebuilt his home and lived out his days collecting his pension from his pre ww2 service .

[@willis2492]

It’s at Shrewsbury Castle museum in Shrewsbury, Shropshire and it was the kings, Shropshire Light Infantry that took his surrender

[@snakeplissken571]

Really decent of his men to do that for him they obviously respected him.That is a treasure.Todays german navy should buy it and put it in their head quarters.

[@kimoandrews5802]

You are delusional.

[@Harte74]

Germany should go for the original.

[@snakeplissken571]

@@Harte74 britain will never give back all the artifacts they stole for example the best selection of egyption artifacts in the world is in the royal museum in london.

[@Harte74]

@@snakeplissken571, sadly no. Getting stolen artifacts back to their original owner is something they did against the losers of conflicts. I imagine that there's a LOT of artifacts taken/stolen by the Allies during and after WW2.

[@snakeplissken571]

@@Harte74 just because the did it doesn't make it right.Thanks to immigration soon england will be islamic maby english artifacts will end up in some museum in saudi Arabia or Afghanistan what goes around comes around

[@davetherave28]

Hi Tom, excellent video !! Just a side note regards the original baton being held in a "British museum"- This is absoloutely true, but I think it's worth mentioning that the location is at the "Soldiers of Shropshire Museum" based at Shrewsbury Castle in Shropshire, England. KD's capture and guard after his surrender was the responsibility of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, a historical British Infantry regiment that existed between the years 1881-1968. A proud honour for the County Regiment and an important artefact in their collection of mess silverwares and historical trophies.

[@HerrKurt]

True...tom just got it as reproduction fake one not original

[@arvalb0]

Avrage British museum, only british thing is the people.

[@t.wcharles2171]

@@HerrKurt it's a post war copy given to the admiral to replace the genuine one.

[@kenellis6575]

An old British saying ,goes thus, “In every soldier’s nap sack,there’s a Field Marshal’s Baton” only one British soldier ever, has risen to that exalted rank.

[@RustyPetterson]

Sir William Robertson!

[@marcomoreno9979]

Wow, truly incredible.

[@hermittao]

Any idea if Hitler sent Paulus a baton when he made Paulus a Field Marshal, at Stalingrad? If Paulus got a baton, I suppose the Russians have it. "On 30 January, Friedrich Paulus informed Hitler that his men were only hours from collapse. Hitler responded by showering a raft of field promotions by radio on Paulus' officers to build up their spirits and bolster their will to hold their ground. Most significantly, he promoted Paulus to field marshal. In deciding to promote him, Hitler noted that there was no known record of a Prussian or German field marshal ever having surrendered. The implication was clear: Paulus was to commit suicide. Hitler implied that if Paulus allowed himself to be taken alive, he would shame Germany's military history.". - Wikipedia

[@michaelharrison8036]

Paulus, Robert Ritter Von Greim and Ferdinand Schoerner all did not receive Field Marshal's batons due to the lateness of the war; plus, of course, Paulus was at Stalingrad, but the Red Cross did, apparently, send him the shoulder insignia while he was in captivity.

[@j0nnyism]

He never once broke the rules of the Geneva convention. The u boat menace was the one thing that kept Churchill up at night during the war. I think that was sufficient for him to receive the prison sentence. Is the original supposed to contain his commission inside?

[@imilliemedina666]

Nonsense. He ordered the sinking of civilian ships carrying women and children. He was a war criminal.

[@CORPORAL-dn7nn]

Fantastic!!

[@eloygagogonzalez7330]

Wonderful!!

[@jtgall1]

Goring looks like Liberace with all that ostentatious crap he wore, very flamboyant. Keep it simple like Herr Hitler himself or Frederick the Great.

[@lorimeyers3839]

Interesting. I don’t know much about Marshall’s batons, the history behind them and whatnot. I’ve seen archival footage of Manstein and others waving their batons, saluting Hitler with them. Would be an interesting video to watch on the topic.

[@SimonTBam]

Donitz blamed Albert Speer for his appointment as Reiches President, and it was the fact that he was appointed as Head of State that got him time in jail more than his actions. His main prolongation of the war was primarily to help Germans trapped in the lost territories such East Prussia, Pommerania, and Silesia to escape to the West rather than surrendering to the Russians. Donitz was always saluted by sailors in Germany's post war Naval force and indeed many Naval Officers ignored official orders either not to attend Donitz's funeral and certainly not in uniform and attended in full dress uniform.

[@tjittekamminga5170]

super (and also moving)

[@viewfromrowb]

Yes, Goerring does have a Baton at the US Infantry Museum in Fort Benning

[@Chris_GY1]

The real one is in the military museum at Shrewsbury Castle, Shropshire, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 I saw it a few weeks ago.

[@robertburkland9659]

That was really interesting. Think of that things "second story?" By that, I mean because it is a copy that was it's first. The people and craftsmanship behind it. Even though we know the bad things it represents. But just be amazed at what talented people can create.

[@werre2]

Dönitz was a superhero and a gentleman

[@frankwurth5375]

Maybe, but he was still responsible for unlimited warfare on civilian passenger and cargo shipping. To the commander also goes the blame! He's damn lucky he wasn't hanged for his participation in Hitler's war on humanity. Goring did about the same and was condemed to hanging, he comitted suicide to cheat the hangman. The true Heroes of the German Army are the ones Hitler ordered executed when they refused his command orders.

[@jimrutherford2773]

We must remember with most of these high German officers. They are warriors first. Their party affiliation was a distant second even in their own eyes.

[@harryhanz1690]

Boolshiat. Doenitz was a fanatical Nazi through and through.

[@theblaststudio]

@@jimrutherford2773 Donitz was a convinced and fanatical National Socialist

[@grayharker6271]

Please go to the merchant mariners museum at Kings Point NY and tell them that!!!

[@dk18141]

That should be in a museum! Even more important then the original!

[@aliasinternal9078]

There is an anectode about re - implementation of the marshal batons in Prussia. After 1806 ( end of holy roman empire ) , no more batons were given to the german field marshals. When Wellington died in 1852, it was found , that he woud be buried with his british marshal baton. Since he was also an honorable prussian field marshal, a baton was quickly fabricated and thrown into his coffin before burial. With that, marshal batons became a part of the Prussian tradition, again.

[@kingjoe3rd]

Goering's "greenish tinted" baton was actually from being a Generalfieldmarshall in the Luftwaffe and his white baton was for being what was called a Reichsmarshall which was another rank that was made, that only he held, that gave him seniority and authority over all the other Field Marshalls and Grand Admirals.

[@pedromanuellopez142]

....would that make him the equivalent of the chief of the joint chiefs of staff, but Hugo Boss uniforms?

[@ChicagoDB]

Somewhat akin to Blackjack Pershing’s final rank…essentially the only “Six Star” General. He only wore 5…but his were Gold…not silver.

[@Youngstown529]

I need one of those for staff meetings.

[@mabbrey]

well done tom

[@kosmonautofficial296]

Wow that is very cool!

[@fernandoscrenci4874]

History is history !!!

[@simonl.7487]

Fun Fact: A replacement Baton made for Dönitz during the war is now in the U-Boot Archiv in Cuxhaven, Germany

[@bcd3509]

@11:25 just so you know, the typical type 7 U-Boat was a pretty small and extremely cramped vessel. There was barely enough room for the crew members. Troop ships commonly carried thousands of men. There would be no way to load the thousands of men from the sunken troopship onto the U-boat.

[@Harte74]

Besides, a German uboot sank a troop transport in the Mediterranean in the first half of the war, that sub began to tow a line of life boats, signalling on an open channel, that they were towing those survivors and under Red Cross flag. Even with all that, an american bomber still attacked the German sub, and after that, the German sub commanders were no longer allowed to try to rescue survivors. A scene from Das Boot also clearly shows what you're saying. The kaleun refuses to take the survivors from the tanker, telling the war correspondant, leutnant Werner, that there's almost no space as it is, so it would be impossible to take on survivors.

[@joseo.5721]

Its beautiful !!

[@bernardlane2871]

My great uncle, Hugh Thomas, was the officer who took the baton from Karl Donitz, unfortunately his commanding officer took it from him and subsequently donated it to a museum .

[@colonelsmith7757]

Better in a museum than collecting dust in some attic, although it would be preferable if it was in the hands of the Dönitz family.

[@oliverstianhugaas7493]

@@colonelsmith7757 absolutely, banditry should not be allowed even if you are the victor.

[@stevepritchett6563]

Not unfortunate at all, it belongs in a museum and not being sold to the highest bidder.

[@BesoffenerIslamist]

So, your "dear" great uncle was a looter? How nice.

[@heartofoak45]

Magnificent workmanship. As an aside, like thousands of other people, The Grand Admiral lost his son on active service in the U Boat Service.

[@kimoandrews5802]

Good. Score one for the allies.

[@yorkan213swd6]

Approximately 30,000 men died under Dönitz's command. See Wkipedia entry.

[@t37able45]

@@kimoandrews5802 In vietnam

[@grayharker6271]

When Herman Goering surrendered to the allies, they took his side arm and his baton. When he asked for it back the officer told him NO. He said, "Sir that baton is a symbol of MY authority!" The officer replied "You HAVE NO authority!"

[@nautifella]

He also thought he would be released. If you watch the video of him talking to a pool of American and British reporters, his demeanor changes drastically when he is asked about being charged with war crimes. Shortly after that he told his escorts he was done talking and a major formally placed him under arrest.

[@williamcattr267]

The man had quite a number of crazy ideas. So it comes as no surprise that this supreme narcissist would see nothing wrong with maintaining "authority", even though all authority privileges were stripped away from him by Hitler himself. His Allied captors missed a good opportunity to use his narcissist personality traits against him at Nuremberg. Upon his request for a firing squad, he was told that he was to be hanged. Had they acted like they were going to grant his wish, he likely would have met his death at the end of a rope.

[@grayharker6271]

@nautifella movie cameras were more prevalent than in the first world War. But it still shocks and impresses me where cameras found their way during ww2. Combat photographers got killed by the dozens. We should be grateful for their efforts.

[@michaelharrison8036]

I heard something like that as well, except Goring asked Major General Dahlquist what uniform he should wear the next day, and Dahlquist shot back, "I don't give a damn WHAT you wear!" Haha!

[@oceanhome2023]

@@grayharker6271 A war correspondent was a MOST DANGEROUS JOB !!!

[@jakethejackalope3473]

Posted for historical reference as Batons not often seen.

[@brian2913]

If you look at the one in the museum (6:02) the rows face in different directions, and in the copy, they are all in the same orientation.

[@t.wcharles2171]

Doenitz had two batons made plus one for him this is the plus one the second which he used more was captured by the men of the KSLI in Flensburg and is to this day held in the regimental museum in Shrewsbury Castle. The fate of the first I am unsure

[@mariuslefevre7776]

Bonjour je suis français je serai intéressé par cet pièce mais je ne la trouve pas à vendre sur votre site. Pourriez-vous m'indiquer comment je pourrais acquérir cette pièce ?

[@patricktheplumber5482]

Wow !!! Amazing

[@petergriffin383]

Imagine giving a man a gift like this who sent the majority of his men to the bottom of ocean. I think out 35,000 men in the uboat fleet, only 5,000 survived the war.

[@tibchy144]

Now that is an act of defiance against the victors of WW2.

[@tommytaylor4458]

Awsome!!!

[@Luftwaffe1935]

You were wrong about the u boats not helping the ships they sank. They did mostly till a u boat was attacked pulling 4 life boats to safety. A British plane attacked the sub even though they seen the life boats were attached. So they cut the lifeboats and were able to submerge after that an order was given not to save anybody but to shoot them so they cannot report the U-boat. Can't say for sure if this was an order given about saving people in lifeboats. But I do know there was an order given to no longer give save them after the British ship shot at them. Great piece of history and great show thanks.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thanks Tom.... Shoe🇺🇸

[@simonjones6128]

Nice one Tom

[@oceanhome2023]

They had many Reunions even though 3/4 of the personnel were already KIA !

[@shellsbignumber2]

Goering's baton must be worth several million in todays market.

[@6omega2]

Of course Goering would insist that HIS baton be more "special" than anyone else's, right? LOL! Also, as regards the ones found by the American soldiers of the 101st at Berchtesgaden, there's a picture you can probably find on the Internet of one of the soldiers who found one. He was a private - just a kid - and the story goes he found it in a box under a bed. The photo shows him holding it up, showing it to an American colonel. That's one lucky private, to score THAT war trophy!

[@Willy_Tepes]

Back in the day, it was probably useful to have a baton as a symbol of authority. At least people could be sure you were not bluffing when you had a baton.

[@markosterman419]

Might the blue fabric actually be high quality velvet rather than common felt?

[@kieronjones5460]

Love it!

[@lomparti]

So what is the current approximate value of that baton nowadays?

[@jeffreyoldham55]

Thank you for sharing this remarkable relic with us. Question: The German U-Boat flying the American flag at 11:18 - is that the U505?

[@oldgrumpy4601]

It appears to be the same photo in the Wikipedia article on U-505

[@jamesfahey4508]

A few clarifications... Fuhrer was the combined offices of President and Chancellor (Prime Minister). Hitler split these offices for his successors. Donitz became President, and Goebbels became Chancellor. Batons were awarded to anyone reaching a 5-star rank. Goring received two batons, with the latter being much more ornate than the first, in recognition of two separate promotions; to 5-star in 1938, and 6-star in 1940. Goring was thus the highest ranking military officer in Germany, above all other members of the Wehrmacht (army, navy and air force) and the SS.

[@tehjamerz]

Amazing.