Forced Labourer – Frenchman Marcel Labatut – Killed in Berlin 1945 – German Helmet Liner Production (Sold)

Description

Marcel Labatut, was of French nationality born in 1921. 

He was working for Reinhard Schulz, Tezett Werk in Berlin Tempelhof and also for Biedermann & Czarnikow in Berlin Friedrichshain. Labatut lived in the D.A.F Johannisthal Larger. 

He was killed on a raid on the 26th of February 1945, in the Eldenaer Strasse 25. It was a place to stay for workers of the firm in Friedrichshain (S-Quartier).

The company made items labelled: RB Nr. 0/0256/0038, the new standard for company names making war goods from 1943 on. An attempt to hide where items were manufactured on the home front. The firm, well known for its factory in Litzmannstadt, today Lodz Poland. The company had moved a production plant to the location in order to profit from the cheap labour and used Jewish prisoners en route to the extermination camps such as Auschwitz. 

Labatut was found among the dead, according to the document dated 8.3.1945 on his person were the work papers and identity card which was later returned to the firm. 

The raid was one of the largest killing thousands it had left around 80,000 people homeless.

This item is featured in a book on Berlin 1945 (Release date Summer 2022).

Summary

Very rare item, never seen another civilian set like this for Berlin 1945. The fact that he was making helmet parts is also fascinating.