{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-17th-ss-panzergrenadier-division-gotz-von-berlichingen-bevo-wuppertal-em-nco-cuff-title-full-lenth","title":"Original German WWII 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division “Götz von Berlichingen” BeVo-Wuppertal EM\/NCO Cuff Title - Full Length","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive German WWII machine-woven cuff title, or \u003ci\u003eÄrmelstreifen\u003c\/i\u003e, associated with the 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “\u003cb\u003eGötz von Berlichingen.\u003c\/b\u003e” This is the woven enlisted\/NCO-style pattern, featuring the division’s namesake inscription in light silver-gray thread on a black woven field, with matching light-colored woven borders along the upper and lower edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEspecially desirable is the essentially full-length construction with both factory-finished ends still present. One end retains the woven manufacturer’s trade marking: \u003cb\u003eBEVO-WUPPERTAL\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse displays the distinctive contrasting “salt-and-pepper” weave associated with BeVo construction, providing an excellent view of how the lettering and borders were woven directly into the band rather than separately embroidered. The combination of the lettering style, reverse weave, finished ends, and surviving BeVo-Wuppertal marking is consistent with period BeVo manufacture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cuff title remains in excellent overall condition, retaining a strong black woven field with crisp, complete light silver-gray lettering and well-preserved woven borders. The \u003cb\u003eGötz von Berlichingen\u003c\/b\u003e inscription remains exceptionally clear, while the reverse retains the characteristic contrasting BeVo weave. Both factory-finished ends are intact, including the desirable woven \u003cb\u003eBEVO-WUPPERTAL\u003c\/b\u003e manufacturer’s marking, which remains fully legible. Only very minor age toning, and very few small loose threads visible, with no significant tears, fraying, or fabric loss noted. The cuff title survives at essentially its full original length and presents exceptionally well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverall Length: 47 ½ cm (18 ¾”)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eGötz von Berlichingen\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen” was organized in western France in late 1943, with its formal establishment dated to November 15 of that year following an October formation order. Its cadre and personnel were drawn in part from the 10th SS Panzer Division “Frundsberg,” while its principal Panzergrenadier regiments were designated 37 and 38. The division’s supporting artillery, reconnaissance, engineer, antitank, antiaircraft, signals, and other units generally carried the divisional number 17. Even by May 1944, however, the formation was still regarded as only conditionally ready for combat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cuff title itself has a particularly well-documented connection to the division. Surviving wartime records include notes for a speech delivered on April 10, 1944, on the occasion of the \u003cb\u003e“Verleihung der Ärmelstreifen an 17. SS-Pz.-Gren.-Div. Götz von Berlichingen,”\u003c\/b\u003e or presentation of the cuff titles to the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division “Götz von Berlichingen.” This places the introduction of the named sleeve title during the division’s organization and training period only weeks before it was committed to combat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the Allied landings in Normandy in June 1944, the division was sent into action against American forces in the Cotentin region. It became heavily involved in the fighting around Carentan between June 7 and 13, opposing American airborne and armored units attempting to consolidate the landing zones and secure the approaches inland. The division continued fighting through the Normandy campaign and suffered extremely heavy losses. By late July, after the battles around St-Lô, much of the formation had been destroyed or rendered combat ineffective.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts Normandy service also included the events at Graignes. After German troops retook the village, wounded American paratroopers, medical personnel, two priests, and French civilians were killed, and much of the village was burned. This episode remains part of the documented wartime record of the division and reflects the particularly severe character of the fighting in Normandy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe battered division was subsequently rebuilt during the German retreat across France, incorporating personnel from the 49th and 51st SS Panzergrenadier Brigades. It later fought in eastern France and in the Metz sector, where Panzergrenadier-Regiment 38 again suffered devastating losses in November 1944. The surviving elements withdrew toward the Saar-Palatinate and continued fighting into the final months of the war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn January 1945, “Götz von Berlichingen” took part in \u003cb\u003eOperation Nordwind\u003c\/b\u003e, the last major German offensive mounted on the Western Front. Serving under XIII SS Corps, the division participated in attacks against the U.S. Seventh Army in northern Alsace alongside formations including the 36th Volksgrenadier Division. After the offensive failed, the division continued its retreat and defensive fighting through the Saar-Palatinate during March before withdrawing into Franconia in April 1945.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe division took its name from \u003cb\u003eGötz von Berlichingen (c. 1480–1562)\u003c\/b\u003e, a Franconian Imperial knight whose reputation had been established centuries before the Second World War. Berlichingen lost his right hand following a combat injury in 1504 and thereafter used an elaborate iron prosthesis, giving rise to his enduring association with the “Iron Hand.” That imagery was adopted as the division’s identifying symbol. His fame was also reinforced by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s drama \u003ci\u003eGötz von Berlichingen\u003c\/i\u003e, based in part upon the knight’s own autobiographical account and instrumental in making him one of the best-known German knightly figures of the early modern period.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45847764402245,"sku":"ONSV26MSB019","price":2495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/F9E13CD9-C831-4BB5-8049-B01341F42FA4.jpg?v=1790421566","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-17th-ss-panzergrenadier-division-gotz-von-berlichingen-bevo-wuppertal-em-nco-cuff-title-full-lenth","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}