SS doctors outfit and trunk

**goodbuys** · 10-31-2011, 01:50 PM

Members,As you have seen i have posted a few pieces from my collection since i joined[SA white tunic,Cased Honor Goblet and the Luftwaffe Staff Lt. Col. tunic.Now i am posting a SS tunic for a Doctor assigned to the infamous death camp Auschwitz.The book "The Nazi Doctors" published in 1986 by ROBERT JAY LIFTON has the following info on this doctor.SS Lt. Colonel Dr. Joachim Caesar has been close to Himmler,but a falling out caused him to receive the 'IRONIC PUNISHMENT' of being put in charge of all Agricultural Operations at Auschwitz and this was a position of great importance to Himmler.This came in a hard board like trunk with the following items.The trunk is marked to the then Sturmbannfuhrer [Major] Joachim Caesar and the lock still works.His tunic is an Army style which as you members know was worn by officers as well as men.The piped trousers not piped in white,but a color of arms waffenfarbe worn for a short time in the late 30s,undershirt,A dozen or so death notices [a few ss] and the trunk is lined with postcards some in Polish and some in German.Also included was his i guess you could call it his swagger stick and i believe the runes are from an SS officers degan.I will post photos of the trunk,etc.ASAP.Trunk has his serial# and he is listed in the service list of the SS in 1st of july 1935 on page#51.His serial# is 74 704.Feel free to comment on the pieces and the piped pants are piped in sky blue,not cornflower blue for medical and sanitation.Why,don't know.This color was for administrative.Carl Here are more photos and some are not clear.Sorry.Carl

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 10-31-2011 01:50 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**goodbuys** · 10-31-2011, 01:56 PM

The insignia for the medical officer was gold on the boards,but time has worn down the finish and the gilt still remains in the recesses of the insignia cant remember how to spell the word.Begins with a "c"

**Bill T** · 10-31-2011, 04:37 PM

Very nice find! The swagger stik looks really neat too. Thank you for sharing. Kept in nice condition because of the trunk it seems! Maybe the sky blue piping on the trousers had soemthing to do w/ his new duties of managing the Agriculture operations?? Obviously Just a guess.
May I ask what type of images the Postcards in the trunk show?

**goodbuys** · 10-31-2011, 05:01 PM

by Panzer1031

Very nice find! The swagger stik looks really neat too. Thank you for sharing. Kept in nice condition because of the trunk it seems! Maybe the sky blue piping on the trousers had soemthing to do w/ his new duties of managing the Agriculture operations?? Obviously Just a guess.
May I ask what type of images the Postcards in the trunk show?

Thanks for the nice comments.I have the same thoughts on the pants as you do.I will post photos of the trunk and the pants so you can see trhem.Carl

**talltom** · 10-31-2011, 05:04 PM

very nice tunic looks in brilliant condition

tom

**Walter** · 10-31-2011, 06:08 PM

I've never seen such thick underlays on SS shoulder boards.

**goodbuys** · 10-31-2011, 07:11 PM

Panzer1031,Here are some more photos and several didn't make a clear shot.I am not the greatest camera guy,but i try.The swagger stick was a nice touch and thanks for the positive remarks.

**Nikolaus** · 11-02-2011, 08:00 AM

fine original items,with history background!
regards

**Woolgar** · 11-02-2011, 09:06 AM

Fascinating items

Nick

**Battery Command Post** · 11-02-2011, 07:51 PM

Very interesting group of items. I don't consider myself enough of a TR item expert to definitely authenticate them. However, in the spirit of discussion on this forum, I have to say there are a couple of things that seem odd to me, to which, maybe, other members could add opinions.

Firstly, the officer in question, Dr Joachim Caesar. I looked this fellow up, and according to my information, he obtained a Doctorate in Natural Sciences from Halle University in 1927, specialising in agronomy. Therefore, he was never a medical doctor, so I have to doubt that he would be in the SS Medical Service, and surely he was not qualified to be an SS-Arzt? (or am I mistaken?). His work history all seems to be related to agriculture and especially experiments with seeding and yields. For example, a very important area of research was done during his time at Auschwitz on obtaining rubber from Russian dandelion plants. I believe he was classed as a specialist officer (Fachführer), and was attached to KZ Auschwitz, being technically part of the SS-WVHA.

Secondly, the handwriting of the word CAESAR on the trousers and on the case seem to be identical (again I am not an expert on handwriting), but if I am correct about the appointment SS-Arzt being added, then it would suggest the name on the pants is also an addition, and would explain why the piping colour does not fit (i.e. they are actually a pair of Heer transport officer's pants).

I am not trying to be negative here (I've already had one member be offensive at me for saying what I see, so i dont want any more of that), these are just things that seem odd to me and also seem to be waving a big red flag.

I am rather hoping I am completely wrong about this, what do others think?

Rob