Nazi Beer Steins
History of the World War II German military stein of the Garrison Church in Potsdam, dated March,21, 1933 Many people who collect militaria never take into consideration the history behind their pieces. One such item is the Potsdam Beer Stein which was made and sold in 1933 as a propaganda item to unite the people of Germany behind Adolf Hitler and his causes, eventually making him dictator of Germany.
This particular stein is a pot belly stein, 4" tall to the top of the stein and 5" tall to the top of the lid handle. The stein is made of grey stoneware with a blue glazed background and handle. The lid was plain and came in three styles.Trhe stein could also be purchased without a lid cover.
Adorning the stein is a swastika surrounded by a wreath, the Garrison Church in Potsdam, and
"The next time you pick up a military relic or artifact, look beyond the piece - you might be surprised about the history you will find"
the German monument to the Battle of the Nations, surrounded by oak leaves and acorns. Also, there is a ribbon going around the stein with the inscription, "Nimmer Wird das Reich Zerstoret Wenn ihr Einig Seidund Treu!" The translation reads "Never will the Reich be destroyed when you are united and loyal!" The outside rim of the stein's lid is stamped 0.5L which means it will hold 0.5 liters of fluid. The base or the bottom of the stein is stamped with the numbers "15" which could be above and below the numbers "5448."
The stein is engraved with the following:
"Dem Vorstand der landwirtsch. Abteilg.Richard Geiger als Abschiedsgruss , v.s. Kameraden 9.12.33"
The translation reads "To The Head of the Agricultural Department, Richard Geiger, a fond farewell from his comrades, 9.12.33."
Its Place in History
Now that we have the details of the Potsdam Beer Stein out of the way, we can go into the history behind the piece. The stein is dated March 21, 1933; this is engraved under the Garrison Church on the piece. This date has a very important place in the German history because on that day Hitler, von Hindenburg, and many high-ranking officials were in Potsdam for the opening of the new Reichstag. The old Reichstag had been burned to the ground under unusual circumstances. This date was also to be Adolf Hitler's first official speech since being elected Reichs chancellor on January 30, 1933. Propaganda Minister Goebbels purposely used Potsdam and the Garrison Church for this important occasion because of its great German history.
This ancient town was founded by Frederick Wilhelm I. The barracks square was dominated by the steeple of the Garrison Church in which the body of Frederick the Great and Frederick Wilhelm I were laid to rest in a crypt in the basement of the old church. The town was also steeped in Prussian military tradition. For the occasion, bells rang out as official motor caravans headed down the road. The streets were decorated with Nazi flags and banners and gun fire rang out as people were very joyous for the occasion.
Hindenburg appeared in his field grey uniform of a Prussian Field Marshall with one hand on his cane and the other on his Field Marshal's baton. Standing along side him, small in size compared to Hindenburg, was Adolf Hitler.Hitler was introduced by Hindenburg to the crowds of people and dignitaries, With Hitler gaining a majority of the seats in the Reichstag on March 5, 1933, this was the perfect stage to start his new Third Reich.
The speech Hitler gave on March 21, 1933 was broadcasted by radio, but was directed more to those in the crowded Garrison Church. Hitler called for a National Awakening, blaming the economic depression and unemployment on the foreign governments who forced their rule on them after World War I. He outlined programs that would help Germany prosper in the future. After that portion of his speech, Hitler turned to Hindenburg and said "We consider it a blessing to have your consent to work for the German Rising." Hitler then walked over to Hindenburg's chair, and bent down and grasped his hand, paying homage to him. Hindenburg was very moved and teary-eyed as he slowly descended into the crypt, followed by his son and two soldiers who laid wreaths on both tombs. Cannon salutes followed. Many people started to believe that Hitler had become subservient to Hindenburg - which was not true.
While the elaborate ceremonies were going on at the Garrison Church in Potsdam on March 21, 1;933, the Nazis began taking German citizens, mainly Communist and Socialists, into protective custody in the German state of Prussia. Fifteen thousand Prussian people were arrested by March 31. Many of the political prisoners, deported to the Dachau Concentration Camp, were never heard from again.
Right after the Potsdam Ceremony on March 21, 1933, Hitler started to negotiate with the right wing German National Peoples Party (also known as the DNVP) and with the Catholic Centrists to obtain support for the Enabling Act which essentially would grant Hitler dictatorial powers.
Potsdam and the Garrison Church became the setting for nurnerous military ceremonies over the next 12 years with recruits taking an oath of allegiance to the swastika flag and swore to fight to the death for Fuhrer and Fatherland. Toward the end of World War II, Potsdam and the Garrison Church once again made history.
The Declaration
On July 26, 1945, President Truman met with Churchill and Stalin for the Potsdam Declaration. An order was issued with the ultimatum demanding that Japan surrender unconditionally or face complete destruction. The declaration was ignored by Japan. This was also the first time Stalin was told about the atomic bomb at which he replied "I hope the United States makes good use of it." This set the way for the first atomic bornb to be dropped on Hiroshima and eventually led to the end of World War II and the start of the Cold War with Russia.
So, where Hitler gave his first official speech as Reichs Chancellor on March 21, 1933, starting off his Third Reich and 12-year destruction of Europe, in Potsdam at the Garrison Church, was also the same place where the Big Three, Truman, Churchill and Stalin collaborated together to put an end to World War II.
As you can see from this information, the German military beer stein dated March 21, 1933, with the Garrison. Church in Potsdam and the engraved lid to Richard Geiger, head of the Agricultural Department, has much history behind it. This stein was used as a propaganda tool to unite the people of Germany for Adolf Hitler's cause.
Remember, the next time you pick up a military relic or artifact, look beyond the piece - you might be surprised about the history you will find.
For more information on steins, there was a book published in 1989 by Gary Kirsner, titled "German Military Steins, 1914 to 1945". This book makes for interesting and informative reading.
Don Boyle, "The Story Behind the Stein", Military Trader, 1995







