Original Items: One-of-a-kind set. Generalleutnant Wilhelm Raapke was an influential German Regimental Artillery Commander, Staff Officer, Division Commander and OKH General during WWII. He began his military career as a cadet just after the outbreak of WWI rising to the rank of Leutnant by the end of the war. He continued his service with the Reichswehr and rose in the ranks to Major.

In 1939 he was promoted to Oberstleutnant and participated in the invasion of Poland as Commanding Officer 258th Artillery Regiment with the 258th Infantry Division. Along with the Division he transferred to the Western Front and served with the 1st Army under Generaloberst von Witzleben. Facing the Maginot Line the Division participated with the invasion of France between St. Avoid and Saarbrucken.

In 1941 he joined the staff of Army Group Center under Generalfeldmarshal von Bock and helped administer the Army's role in Operation Barbarossa and subsequent campaigns in Russia. He remained with Army Group Center until 1943.

After the disaster in Stalingrad, General Raapke was assigned to reform the 71st Infantry Division which had been destroyed in the battle. The Division was stationed in Denmark until it was sent to Italy in September 1943.

The 71st Division saw action at Nettuno in January and then joined the 14th Panzer Corps under General der Panzertruppe von Sginger und Etterlin. Raapke was awarded the German Cross in Gold for his leadership in these battles. The division continued to fight in more bloody battles in Italy and was nearly destroyed again by late 1944.

In January 1945 Raapke was transferred the Oberkommanclo des Heeres as General for Special Employment. He was captured in Schleswig-Holstein on May 15, 1945.

After his capture he was take to Island Farm, also called Camp 198, which was a prisoner of war camp on the outskirts of the town of Bridgend, South Wales. It hosted a number of Axis prisoners, mainly German, and was the scene of the largest escape attempt by German POWs in Britain during World War II. Near the end of the war it was renamed Special Camp XI and used to detain many senior SS military leaders who were awaiting extradition to the Nuremberg trials. More information about Raapke's time at Islan Farm can be found at this link.


His listed decorations include:
- German Cross in Gold
- 1914 Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class
- 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class
- Medal for the Winter Campaign in Russia 1941/42
- Cross of Honor for Combatants 1914-1918
- Armed Forces Long Service Award 25 years
- Armed Forces Long Service Award 12 years

It would appear that he had numerous other qualification badges and possibly a wound badge. General Raapke served directly under some of the most significant German Army Generals during the war and participated in major battles on every front. This uniform is named to him and has the following features:


The Tunic: A private purchased Wehrmacht Heer Generalleutnant Dienstbluse. It is constructed from a fine quality field-gray wool woven exterior, with a silk-rayon blended interior lining. The collar is constructed of dark forest green wool that is lined in red piping. The collar is adorned by a set of Generalleutnant collar tabs, constructed of gold aluminum bullion wire embroidery in a “scrambled egg” shape.

Each shoulder is decorated with the sew-on style Generalleutnant rank shoulder boards. They are both constructed out of a row of interwoven silver and gold bullion strands in the typical Russian braid style in an interlocking weave pattern ending at a pebbled gilt metal (magnetic) button.

On the right breast is a fine quality gold bullion eagle, constructed of rolled, twisted, and flat hand embroidered gilt stitching, placed onto a dark green wool backing.

The front of the tunic bears four stylized scalloped pockets, two per breast, each closed by a pebbled gilt metal button. Above the top left pocket are six stitched loops to accommodate a medal ribbon bar and more stitches on the left pocket and below to accommodate further decorations. The breasts of the jacket are closed by gilt pebbled metal buttons. The French style cuffs are held securely in place by stitching.

The interior features a silky smooth texture by the rayon-blended material, is met at the arms by a white and dark blue and purple pinstripes liner constructed of identical material. There is an inter packet with tailor label from Rudolf Keller of Berlin. In hand written ink is the name Raapke. There is no mothing or noticeable wear. It is wonderfully preserved and is in an overall extremely fine condition.

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 10”
Shoulder to sleeve: 26”
Shoulder to shoulder: 19”
Chest width: 20”
Waist width: 19”
Hip width: 21”
Front length: 29

The Breeches: WWII German Army Generals Breeches. These are excellent condition! They are produced in field grey ribbed wool. The twin red stripes down each leg are badge cloth. There is a watch pocket and a sing rear pocket with button. There is a four button fly with a metal hook and loop closure. There are cinch straps at the hips. The interior has a patterned white/grey rayon reinforcement at the waist with grey heavy-duty cloth pocket bags. The waist is a size 34" and the inseam measures 31" in length.