WW II relics - 01/16

[Michiganne]

Howdy all,
With things slow on the forum I wanted to share pics of some WWII relics that are in my family. My grandpa was a colonel in WWII and brought home various German artifacts when he came home. (We borrowed his foot locker of items to use as props for my 10YO son's army themed birthday party this past fall.) Included in the relics are German helmets, German army uniform insignia, belt buckles, bits of parachute, artillery shells and fragments, even some B-rations. I have no idea of the value of any of these things, so chime in if your knowledgeable.
On the human side of the war, my mom (born in '36) still can get choked up when she talks about how hard and lonely it was for her to have her dad gone for three years of her life. During the war they would get letters and maybe an occasional phone call, but no daily email. My grandma had to bury, without her husband, a young son (my mom's little brother) who died of pneumonia during the war.

HH and thanks for looking,
Michiganne

pic 1 - 2 German helmets
pic 2 - close up "Luftschutz" = air defense
pic 3 - artillery round and German gas mask (this always creeped me out as a kid!)
pic 4 - ammo belt and Luger holster
pic 5 - bayonet close up
pic 6 - B rations

[Michiganne]

More pics...

pic 1 - German belt buckle "Gott mit uns" = God with us
pic 2 - various unit insignia (German or American?)
pic 3 - U.S. officer insignia
pic 4 - German relics: armband, buckle, uniform insignia
pic 5 - German and British RAF insignia

[Michiganne]

Last pics...

pic 1 - Hitler postcard
pic 2 - Hitler Christmas postcard ("See, I'm not such a baddie".....)
pic 3 - my favorite, a letter from my grandpa to a friend in the states, written on captured German stationery
pic 4 - close up of letter

HH and hurry Spring!
Michiganne

[Mike from MI]

WOW!!!! What a collection! The value is priceless because you grandpa was there! Love the big shell! What does it say on the bottom?

[xmarks73]

I would have to agree with Mike, "Priceless." Very nice collection you have there, Anne. I really like that blue helmet. Thanks for sharing. It is so hard to imagine how the world was back then. I remember talking with my Grandmother who had her husband and four brothers fighting the Germans and would tell the war stories that she was told. Late in her life she worked as a live in homecare nurse for an older gentleman that used to be a German soldier. I asked her once if it was difficult to take care of an individual that fought against her family. She just said that she thanked God for ending the wars and bringing everybody to a civilized culture. I thought to myself, “How’s that for wisdom?”

[postalgriff]

wow Anne!! ....that is an amazing collection of war relics. no way to put a price on that stuff when it has such personal ties in your family. what a great bunch of historic pieces to keep in your family, thank you so much for sharing.

[fistfulladirt]

Great pics of those war relics Anne, thanks for showing them!

[Mackaydon]

That ribbon is for the American Defense Service Medal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America..._Service_Medal
Great (priceless) collection!
Don.......

[kaptainkosmic]

Anne,

If the round has not been disarmed, I would not handle it! If its just a unfired bullet its not to dangerous, but it is an exploding type round, ie anti aircraft, artillery, etc it could detonate with very bad results. Not trying to scare you, just don't want to see anyone hurt!

A great collection & reminder of the price of freedom. Many sacrifices were made during that war. I thank your family for their contributions to our country!

Steve :-)

[crazyjarhead]

Beautiful collection, Anne I bet those K-rations are ripe

[Michiganne]

Love the big shell! What does it say on the bottom?

My grandpa or uncle had marked what caliber it was, but I honestly don't remember.

[Michiganne]

Anne,

If the round has not been disarmed, I would not handle it! If its just a unfired bullet its not to dangerous, but it is an exploding type round, ie anti aircraft, artillery, etc it could detonate with very bad results. Not trying to scare you, just don't want to see anyone hurt!

Steve :-)

Steve,
Thanks for the warning, but not to worry. The round is empty and you can unscrew part of it and look inside. I'm pretty sure it is safe or it wouldn't have been kept around.

[Brentallica]

Awesome display Anne!! Thanks for sharing the pics! Thank God for all our service men and women - past and present.