Schutzstaffel der NSDAP – SS-Ausweis – 27. SS-Standarte, München (Signature of Walter Gerlach!)

Original Schutzstaffel der NSDAP – SS-Ausweis (Nr. 45 078) authorized to SS-Mann Kurt Schulze, born on May 19, 1913 in Ponnsdorf. Issued on December 12, 1932 in München – very early example! Serving with the 11/85, 27. SS-Standarte. On the reverse, the ID bears a handsignature of Walter Gerlach. The Heinrich Himmler signature is a (rubber) stamp and not handsigned. Complete with photo, stamp(s) and blind-embossed seal (Blindprägestempel).

Walter Gerlach (1896–1964)

Walter Gerlach (born 25 August 1896 in Gusow; died 19 April 1964 in Haiger) was a German SS officer and concentration camp functionary during the Nazi period.

After serving as a soldier in the First World War, Gerlach worked in his family’s wood products business, which went bankrupt in 1930. That same year he joined the NSDAP (membership no. 307,120) and in 1931 entered the SS (no. 14,567). He rose quickly, becoming an SS leader in the 27th SS-Standarte in 1932.

From August to November 1934, Gerlach directed the Columbiahaus prison in Berlin, which later became one of the first concentration camps. He then served briefly as camp commandant of KZ Sachsenburg (December 1934 – April 1935) before moving to an adjutant role in Dachau under commandant Heinrich Deubel.

Despite being convicted in 1935 for involvement in a brawl, Gerlach remained in the SS, later leading SS-Abschnitt VII in Königsberg and working from 1942 in positions tied to the Reich Commissioner for the Strengthening of Germandom. In 1944 he became chief of staff to the Higher SS and Police Leader Günther Pancke in occupied Denmark.

After Germany’s defeat, Gerlach was arrested in May 1945 and interned until 1948. In November 1947 he was called as a witness in the Nuremberg Trials. He lived in West Germany after the war and died in 1964.

YouTube video on Walter Gerlach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR7AGhG-Nus