Robert
Ley
Sailor's
Cap Band/Tally
(Mützenband) |
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This tally
was intended to be tied around a sailor's cap -
and is from the Gustloff's close sister ship -
the Robert Ley. Displays flags of Nazi Germany and of the
KdF (Kraft durch Freude). This was likely sold as a keepsake (souvenir).
Considerably more rare than a cap tally from the Gustloff
because the Robert Ley only operated as a cruise
ship for approximately six months (one year less than
the Gustloff).
About
87 cm (34 in) long and 3 cm (1.25 in) wide. In
pristine condition and rare.
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Marinehelferin
Brooch |
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Members of
the German Navy's Women's Auxiliary (Marinehelferinnen)
often wore this brooch as part of the official uniform
on their tie. On the night of the Gustloff
disaster, 373 women from this organization were on board
- only 2 were known to have survived.
Measures
just over 1" (about 3 cm) wide. If this had
ever been painted, it has long since worn off (some had
blue backgrounds with yellow rope/anchors).
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50
Reichsmark
Bank Note (cash) |
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Front and
back of a 50RM (Reichsmark) bank note. This
bill represents the approximate cost of a typical 5-day
cruise aboard the Gustloff in 1939.
As with
other travel programs controlled by the KdF, cruises
aboard the Gustloff cost 1/4 to 1/3 the price of
similar European offerings.
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Alexander
Marinesko
Medal
Grouping
From
top left to bottom right:
Order
of the Red Banner
(awarded twice)
Order
of the Patriotic War
1st Class
(also
awarded Second class)
Defense
of Leningrad
Order
of Lenin
(copy)
Hero of
the Soviet Union
Gold Star
(copy) |
 
|
These are
medals that Soviet submarine S-13 Captain
Marinesko received for actions during World War II (ie:
the Great Patriotic War).
The
Soviet government denied Marinesko official recognition
for his actions until the 1960's. It was not until
27 years after his death in 1990 that President Mikhail
Gorbachev bestowed the highest honor upon him - Hero of
the Soviet Union (bottom right).
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DAF
member's
lapel stickpin |
 |
During the
Gustloff's cruise ship era, most participants
were chosen due to their "good standing"
within the Nazi regime. As evidenced in
photos, many workers would wear a Nazi pins to indicate
their membership in organizations like the Deutsche
Arbeitsfront German Labour Front (DAF). The
DAF was founded in 1933 and replaced Germany's numerous
trade unions. It controlled the KdF which was
responsible for the Wilhelm Gustloff.
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KdF
Gau Hamburg
lapel stickpin |
 |
Worn by
members of the Kraft durch Freude (Strength
through Joy) organization in Hamburg. Red and
bronze in colour, and made of bakelite and metal.
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KdF
Holiday Book 1938
Gau
Saxony |
  |
72 pages
of holiday destinations and prices for citizens of the
district (Gau) of Saxony. Oddly enough, there is
no mention of the Gustloff whatsoever (just
others such as the Oceana and Der Deutsche).
|
KdF
Program Book
May
1937 - Gau Munich |
  |
64 pages
including a mix of available activities, holidays,
articles, stories, and the usual propaganda of the KdF/DAF.
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NSDAP
membership badge |
 |
Membership badge
(pin) for a Nazi party member. This is a mid to
late-war example because it is painted rather than
enameled. Enameled versions appeared on the lapels
of many cruise participants up until war broke out in
September 1939.
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Volkssturm
Armband |
 |
As the
Eastern Front was collapsing (and the Russians closed in
on the Danzig where the Gustloff was anchored),
Hitler enlisted young boys and older men to defend the
Fatherland. This is the armband they wore.
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