Description

Here’s an extremely rare flower vase from Hermann Goring’s personal dining car 10243 with incredible provenance.  The silver plated vase, made by Bruckmann, measures 6″ tall by 2 1/2″ wide.  On its base, it has the Bruckmann locomotive hallmark along with the train designation 243 stamped.  Throughout 1941, wagon car 243 was used as his only and primary dining car while 241 was being modernized.

This vase was a part of an incredible eleven piece grouping that was brought home by veteran  Private Norman A. Osterberg.  Osterberg served in the 2d Battalion, 327th Glider Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.  He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross Award May 10, 1945 for his heroic efforts during the Siege of Bastogne.  This heroic event is well documented and included in the book (pg. 25), “The 101st Airborne Division’s Defense of Bastogne”, Ralph M. Mitchell, Colonel, US Army.

Identification tag remains with family.

The excerpt from the book reads as follows: “Typical of the close-in violence of the battles was an incident on 23 December in the town of Marvie. There, Pfc. Norman Osterberg, a member of the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment, exposed himself to intense enemy fire and, using his bazooka, repeatedly drove attacking tanks away even though they came within ten yards of his position. Wounded in the process, he continued his stand for three hours, thus stopping the attack in his sector. Such bravery and esprit were common throughout the elite division. Fighting against tanks, soldiers quickly discovered that digging in around a town was far preferable and more effective than occupying its buildings and being crushed in the rubble.  Teamwork, cooperation, effective combined arms attacks on targets, and stubborn and brave resistance gave the paratroopers a fighting edge they never relinquished.”

The Osterberg grouping removed from Goring’s train at Obersalzberg.

Goring Silverware 243

Here’s where it began: Period pictures of the 327th glider division (Normandy)

Here’s where it ended: Take note of the division designation on the front bumpers of the jeeps (Obersalzberg).

Period pictures of Goring with tableware

Wegmann, railcar manufacturer, photo of interior.  Notice a flower vase on the lower left-hand corner.