Awesome collectible. It reminded me of a great story that was shared with me by one of the 540th that I had the opportunity to spend two days with last year.

Said he had lost his "tin cup". Had not seen it in almost a year. Was in a chow line somewhere in Europe and danged if he didn't see his tin. He walked over to the GI holding it and exclaimed, "Hey, I believe you have something of mine!" The GI looked at him skeptically and bellowed something to the effect of, "I don't think so!" So Bill told him to look at the inscription. Sure enough, there was Bill's name etched into the old tin. The guy gave it up. Bill still has it to this very day!!

I love sharing photos and stories about WWII collectables! This weekend at our local antique store I found an original 1945 copy of "Up Front," by Bill Mauldin.

Grand purchase!

Since my budget is microscopic I don't have much to show.

Here's a pullover I found balled up in a dresser drawer my grandpa saved from going to the dump.

And his name is still visible.

That's your Grandpa's? Very Cool....My Dad was Navy also!

Jim

Here is a small souvenir I picked up on my trip to the Normandy beaches. The little militaria shop in St. Mere Eglise had a lot of nice but expensive items. So I looked for some thing that I could afford and I could take back on the plane.

He had a display case with German dogtags of various units. Then I noticed the square ones---these were made for the POWs. I squinted to read the inscription and Wow!! Stalag IIb

That was the POW camp that my Uncle was sent to. I had to have that dogtag.

My Uncle suffered the last 5 or 6 years with alzheimers disease and he died last summer. I passed this dogtag around to show his family and friends at the funeral.

Steve

This is a really poor photo I took while making a talk to the local high school's Military History Club. So the photo doesn't show much detail of the uniform but gives you an idea of the fun I had doing this talk. I tricked this student into dressing up for the class and I snapped this photo of him.

This is my Italian Army Model 1940 officer's tunic. It is quite dingy and it even had dirt in the pockets but there is no damage to the material. The material is like a gaberdine and the buttons are plastic. The Captain's rank is on the sleeve. The color tabs are for Artillery(the Italian's did not follow the norm for their branch colors: yellow for artillery & red for cavalry).

The visor cap is for the 9th Artillery Regiment(light). These two items were not purchased at same time and the bands on the cap denote a different rank than that indicated on tunic's sleeves.

Here is a close-up of my Artillery hat next to another hat. The Hat on the right is for an Artillery Division(heavy) which is the same insignia seen worn in "Captain Correlli's Mandolin".

Steve

Very nice Steve! I have only recently taken notice of the Italian uniforms and caps, as I guy on ebay has an incredible collection he has been liquidating of both Italian and German DAK items. He is selling them to fund a school for underpriveliged children in South America (forgot which country). They are still for the most part affordable compared to TR items in general. Right now he has a beauty of an Italian pith helmet with insignia.

Jim

Jim,

I've slowly grown an interest in Italian uniforms due to my study of the Italian Campaign. I knew almost nothing about their uniforms just a few years ago. When the previews of "Captain Correlli's Mandolin" first came out, I laughed at the uniform----out of ignorance. I thought the large yellow flaming bomb emblem on his hat was for cavalry--Wrong.

Since then I've gotten several reference books on the Italian soldiers---both Fascist and as American allies. A good place to start is the Osprey Men-at-Arms booklet 3-part series on "The Italian Army 1940-1945". If you ever need any info on their uniforms or such, just let me know.

Note: the color distortion in the first image when compared to the close-up of the caps. In the movie "Captain Correlli's Mandolin", most of the time Nicholas Cage wears a combat shirt but in the scene at the town dance, he is wearing this Model 1940 tunic. But the color is not just right. They must have developed the film with extra Blue and this same tunic looks totally different color.

I have one more Italian hat that I will show. But I have to go home and edit a photo so I can upload it. If you like military hats, the Italian Army had a wide variety used throughtout their history. In WW1, they wore the kepi that was very similiar to a French or maybe an Austrian. They also had a French helmet (aka Adrian) that was made slightly different from the French version. In WW2 they wore desert pith helmets, fez, berets pulled down in back and a soft cap resembling a night-cap. Quite a mixture. Of course, many are rare items, now.

Steve

Ah my Italian relatives. Quite a creative bunch!

Thanks for the very interesting post. Hey, how often do you speak at the school, etc.? That's very cool. Keep up the great work. The world is counting on you.

That's your Grandpa's? Very Cool....My Dad was Navy also!

 

Jim

No, it's not my grandpa's. He was in the Army. My grandpa saved the dresser from going to the dump because someone he knew was going to throw it away. Coincidentally, he knew the fellow who it belonged to. He has been deceased for many years and my grandpa dated his widow until she died in 2003. It was her daughter that was going to throw away the dresser and the victrola.

Whew, that's as clear as mud.

Brooke

When my wife Flo and I were in Germany in 89, we went through "Checkpoint charlie" after reunification and vandalizing by angry Berliners. This is a piece of glass from the guard shack;

Sorry; when I find out what they will accept, I will continue

OK here goes

Marion, I can't resist it. I have to show one more Italian item(which I've already shown you).

I made a new friend in Italy via my website. He is a re-enactor of WW2 US soldiers. During our short discussions, I mentioned that I was looking for some Italian militaria. Then one day he said he sent me a package. I waited for a week or two and one arrived with an Italian helmet in it. It was not just an Italian helmet but it was his grandfather's helmet and it was in good condition. When I emailed him a Thank You, he asked about the other package. What!?! I waited a few more days and this is what he sent. And he didn't ask for any money---he just sent me it to me for free.

Alpini Hat .................... 6th Alpini Regiment, 2nd Battalion

This style hat was worn by the Alpine or Mountain troops in the Italian Army

(also was worn by Frontier Guards). There were twelve Regiments that were

formed up into six Alpine Divisions; 2 infantry regiments and 1 artillery per division.

DETAILS:

Material: heavy wool, green

Eagle Insignia: bullion thread with a metal "6" in the center. Hats issued during WW2 usually had black wool insignias.

Red pom-pom: Identified the 2nd Battalion.

Crow's Feather: Single feather worn with hat.

Chevron: Rank insignia worn under pom-pom.

Variations: Some had smaller bands or trimmed around edge.

This one has stitches on the brim to stiffen it.

The 6th Alpine Regiment served with the 2nd "Tridentina" Alpine Division.

This division was part of the invasion across the border of France in July 1940,

the occupation of Albania and the campaign in Russia.

Okay, I promise---no more Italian stuff.

Steve