FRANZ HALDER (1884–1972) German general and the chief of staff of the Army High Command (OKH) from 1938-1942. He directed the planning and implementation of Operation Barbarossa, the 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union. A superb, personal Halder relic, his well-worn field gray leather great coat undoubtedly worn by him for most, if not the entirety of the war. The double-breasted coat bears six silver pebbled button at front, all by maker 'A&S'. Each side of the coat has lined slash pockets, and the rear has a long vent fitted with small brown buttons to further secure the garment against the elements. Within, the coat is fully lined and fitted with two leather-trimmed chest pockets and a dagger hanger opening to the left pocket. The collars of the coat still show the locations of Halder's original general's collar tabs. These areas are lighter than the rest of the garment, which indicates that the tabs were affixed there by means of some type of adhesive (versus sewing through the thick leather). Their removal took some of the gray finish of the jacket with them. It is clear that collar tabs were once there as shadows of the tabs' backing and even the bullion still remains readily apparent. Halder was promoted to generaloberst (colonel-general) on July 19, 1940. Halder's war journals do not state his location at the time of the promotion - he may well have been in the field in France planning the invasion of England. In worn condition, as stated. From Halder's estate.