This coaster from Hitler’s Eagles Nest by a C Company soldier of the 101st Airborne Division in May 1945 is engraved “AH” and marked “WELLNER” on the bottom.
Clarence Overman joined the 506th parachute infantry regiment of the 101st airborne in the late war period and arrived in Europe immediately after the Battle of the Ardennes.
In May 1945, along with his team, he was one of the first to arrive in Berchtesgaden, the former home of the now-dead Hitler and his infamous Eagle’s Nest.
Clarence and his team were selected to enter the building, where they took many pieces of monochrome AH silverware, including this coaster.
During his time in Berchtesgaden, Clarence also visited Hitler’s studio in his main residence, the Berghof, where he was interviewed by Yank Magazine.
A cut from that article appears below, plus a photo of Clarence sitting in the safe of Hitler’s office.
