Cap Details

Panzer General Duevert is perhaps one of the most tragic stories of WWII. Walter Duevert was another case of a brilliant career cut short. An artillery officer, he carried the seeds of great potential and it was thought that he would rise to the highest positions in the German Army - and indeed he was on his way. He served as chief of staff of Wehkreis IX (1936-37), commanded the 28th Artillery Regiment (1937-38), was chief of staff of VI Corps (1939-41), and commanded the 13th Panzer Division (1941-42). However, the strain of the Russian Front - especially during the Soviet winter offensive of 1941-42 - proved too much for General Duevert and he broke down competely on February 16. Some people recover after suck ordeals (as did Kesselring's chief of staff, General Siegfried Westphal, for example); others do not. Duevert never made it all the way back. On July 1, 1942, he was given command of another panzer division (the 20th), but has to be relieved in October. This time he did not return for duty for eight months, when he was given command of the 265th Infantry Division in occupied France. After D-Day, however, it was obvious that Duevert would never again be able to stand up under the strain of a combat command. He was relieved on July 27, 1944, and was never reemployed. He retired at the end of November 1944 and died in Duesseldorf on February 4, 1972.

Comments from the Curator:

This cap is in excellent condition throughout. Inside can be found a white color, sewn-in cloth tag with the red color initials of "W.D." for Walter Duevert. This is a rare, named, and historical Panzer General's cap.

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