Joe, that's interesting. My grandparent's fathers were much older and would have been too old to serve. They both died in the 50s.

If you don't mind my asking, what did he do in the ETO?

Brooke

I don't have pictures to show yet, but I got a great deal this weekend on a Veteran's grouping consisting of captured Japanese flag with kangi (writing), a document which the soldier had to fill out in '45 to send the flag home, and two large, but fragile and yellowed maps of several of the Phillapine islands where this man fought. Pleased as I was to get these items, I always wonder how a relative can sell these memories. I still have my Dad's tattered and torn Navy jacket...some pockets held on with hot glue..and treasure the memory of him dearly. I wish so much that he hadn't insisted on throwing out his uniform when it got moth eaten (back in the 70's). All I have now besides that old jacket is a large photo of a handsome 17 year-old sailor....

Jim

Well Jim, there's a lot of people out there who don't give an "f" about those things, even if they belonged to their fathers. Me, I can't imagine it, but even a lot of vets I know say that their kids could care less. That is why some of them chose to give me their things because they knew I would dearly treasure them, share them with you, the viewers on our site, and never, never sell them.

In fact, I have made my daughter promise me that if anything was to ever happen to me, that my dad's things and my entire WWII collection including stories, etc. would be preserved and given to a museum, and that the site itself would be carried on.

I know what you mean. I go to auctions sometimes and can't believe the things people let go.

Brooke

This document I just received today. It is a surrender request which was dropped over Russian lines. It translates..."To the Red Army soldiers 1254 regiment, 378th Division. Your commander sent on Dec. 11,1943 a group of reconnaisance soldiers. This expedition found that our position around the village of Teremets was vulnerable. After your attack, a completely different result took place. Try to remember again the 11th of December, and what you personally had to struggle through that night During the several hours that you have been under the most severe artillary bombardment, the German weapons have carried death into your lines. German soldiers have destroyed all your bunkers and taken many prisoners. See how thin have become the lines of your three battalions. How many of your comrades have died? How many wounded? Do you know how many of your comrades have surrendered to us and come over to our side? All of them who are with us right now are going to have a happy future. All of them now acknowledge that everything you have learned from your political teachings regarding the bad treatment and food given by Germans to Prisoners is only a bad lie!"

"A bad lie..." Yeah Right We all know the famous hospitality and good treatment of POWS by the Germans to the Russians,Jews, Gypsies & assorted others whom they considered to be Untermensch. I just love documents like this, and propaganda in general

Can you imagine this times a dozen, or hundreds? All the propaganda pamphlets that were used during the war? Now that would make an interesting read.

Can you imagine this times a dozen, or hundreds? All the propaganda pamphlets that were used during the war? Now that would make an interesting read.

Oddly enough, you don't seem to find that many different types of these surrender documents in circulation, considering the amount of them that were dropped out of planes during the war! I have read that no Germans wanted to be caught with one on his posession...it was a sure death sentence from his own people. This one in particular interested me because it referrs to a specific army group...at a certain location...at a given date and time!

DD

My sweet little aunt since me a nice post card from my Uncle(her husband's brother) that was dated 1944. Since her husband died, she has gone through some papers and she found several letters from my Uncle Jimmie. Jimmie was captured at Salerno and sent to Stalag IIB. She gave the letters to Jimmie's wife. I saw them at my last visit and pleaded for a cousin to make a scan of them. One was a hand-written letter that was dated on the night before he landed at Salerno---his last day of freedom for 1 1/2 years.

Well, my auntie saved one of the postcards for me and I got it this weekend. It is written on a card printed on Stalag IIB header. It has a Hitler postal stamp on it and a German censor stamp and an American censor stamp(I think).

Oh, it was dated 1 year and 1 day after his date of capture: 10 Sept 1944.

Steve

PS: Don't you just love those little Aunties.

Bless her heart!

wow, Custerman. That is a really cool aquisition. That is a truly unique item for sure.

Stuff like that is cool enough, but to be from a family member makes it outstanding.

Just had a chance to read all the above. I guess I am the only one that has no "sooveneers", Went in at Salerno did some mountain walking and ended up North of Bologna, place called Brescia. I did have a p38 but someone liked it better so I'll just say I lost it. Enjoyed seeing all your collectibles though. Been looking for a pair of WWII boots,2strap, and an Ike Jacket but no luck here in K.C. Mo. To old to start looking again..and no one to go with me now. Rocky

Just had a chance to read all the above. I guess I am the only one that has no "sooveneers", . Rocky

I think that will change in the very near future.... Besides, all the collectables in the world pale by comparison to your knowledge of WWII Rocky. You are a treasure yourself!

Jim

Hey Rocky what sizes do you wear? Who knows, somebody may just see something that will fit ya!

Been looking for a pair of WWII boots,2strap, and an Ike Jacket but no luck here in K.C. Mo. To old to start looking again..and no one to go with me now. Rocky

Just had a chance to read all the above.  I guess I am the only one that has no "sooveneers", .  Rocky

I think that will change in the very near future.... Besides, all the collectables in the world pale by comparison to your knowledge of WWII Rocky. You are a treasure yourself!

 

 

Jim

Hi Jim!! The mailman came today at noon and rang my doorbell, he handed me a package.---Looked at it and I almost called for a bomb squad,(terrorists you know), took a chance said a prayer and opened it up. When I saw what it was and I read the note, I sat on the FLOOR and openly cried. WHAT a surprise, mug with the 34th Divn patch on one side and on the other the 135th Regt. Crest,"To The Last Man". Jim words cannot explain the feeling I have and all I can say is thank you from the heart. What hurts the most is that I cannot share this with that someone. Thank you Jim, Now I have A "sooveneer." If you run across a pair of 9 1/2 or10 combat boots and a size 44 Ike Jacket , just name the price including shipping....Let me know. I will strut down the street with my mug with tequila and lemon. Got carried away. God Bless you Jim and all the 6th Corps. Roque of the 135th.

Am "a-lookin'" sweetie, for that Ike jacket...