Original WWII German Geological compass

This rare German geological compass from the Second World War is an authentic and functional piece of history.The instrument, manufactured by Breithaupt Kassel, one of Germany's most renowned producers of precision instruments, was used by geologists and military personnel for accurately determining directions, bearings, and geological measurements in the field.Its sturdy metal housing with an army-green finish highlights its robust design.The clear scale, sighting device, and needle are still fully intact, ensuring that the compass remains in working condition.During the Second World War, German geologists assumed a clear strategic role within the war economy and the military apparatus of the Third Reich.Their expertise was indispensable in the search for resources, something Germany chronically lacked.In the occupied territories, such as Ukraine, the Balkans, and Norway, geologists were deployed to map ore deposits, oil fields, and coal reserves.They also became important in North Africa, where they assisted the Afrika Korps in locating sources of drinking water in the desert.In addition, geologists advised on major construction projects, such as the building of bunkers, tunnels, and underground factories where weapons and rockets were produced.Their work was not separate from politics.Institutions such as the Geological Reichsanstalt and universities worked closely with the Wehrmacht and with organizations within the SS.The colonization plan for Eastern Europe, the notorious Generalplan Ost, relied on geological and geographical maps to identify areas that could be economically exploited.Some geologists were themselves members of the NSDAP or the SS and thus contributed to the ideological and practical execution of wartime plans.Others, such as the internationally respected structural geologist Hans Cloos, worked primarily within academia during the war and had a less direct connection to military projects.After 1945, the Allies took over much of the geological material collected during the war, as the data proved useful for reconstruction.At the same time, it became clear that geology in Germany had not only been a neutral science, but also a discipline that actively contributed to the war effort.Article number: 16524