9th Infantry Division POW grouping

[BigDogMilitaria]

I picked this up from the Vets son this week. I originally just got the uniform, and later ended up with the Mauser pistol and the pictures. The Vet , Harry M*arciniak was from Hamtramck, Michigan. He was a POW for a 2 weeks in April '45 per the son. I like the ETO patch on the bottom of the right sleeve. Glad to have added it to the collection.

 

 

[BigDogMilitaria]

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[huntssurplus]

Nice grouping, I like the pistol. Thanks for sharing.

 

Hunt

[Allan H.]

It is really interesting to see all of the different insignia related to this soldier's time in service. Obviously, he served in the Blackhawk Division prior to going to the 9th Infantry Division. It appears that after repatriation, he was assigned back to the states with the 6th Service Command. It is possible that he was in hospital after being freed. It is interesting that there is a 14th Infantry Regiment DI on the lapel. The 14th was a unit in the 71st Infantry Division. The 9th and 71st Infantry DIvisions traded soldiers to allow the high point men to head back to the states with the low point men transferring to stay on occupation duty. This same type of personnel swap happened often with the 29th and 69th Infantry Divisions and the 35th and 5th Infantry Divisions swapping as examples.

 

I have often had veterans refer to the ETO Advanced Base patch sewn on the cuff referred to as the "Repple Depple Patch." Obviously, it was used in a number of different situations, but a number of the replacement depots personnel wore this SSI.

 

Great uniform and souvenirs. Congrats on the pickup.

 

Allan

[doyler]

Nice group.

 

Pistol looks like an Ortegies model

 

Another fine example of how the ribbons don't fit the collectors box....

[BigDogMilitaria]

It is really interesting to see all of the different insignia related to this soldier's time in service. Obviously, he served in the Blackhawk Division prior to going to the 9th Infantry Division. It appears that after repatriation, he was assigned back to the states with the 6th Service Command. It is possible that he was in hospital after being freed. It is interesting that there is a 14th Infantry Regiment DI on the lapel. The 14th was a unit in the 71st Infantry Division. The 9th and 71st Infantry DIvisions traded soldiers to allow the high point men to head back to the states with the low point men transferring to stay on occupation duty. This same type of personnel swap happened often with the 29th and 69th Infantry Divisions and the 35th and 5th Infantry Divisions swapping as examples.

 

I have often had veterans refer to the ETO Advanced Base patch sewn on the cuff referred to as the "Repple Depple Patch." Obviously, it was used in a number of different situations, but a number of the replacement depots personnel wore this SSI.

 

Great uniform and souvenirs. Congrats on the pickup.

 

Allan

 

Allan, i think he may have spent some time in the hospital after being free. His son mentioned that he was injured in the POW camp when he was hit by a German vehicle.

 

It really was a nice pickup from the son, who has such reverence for his Father, but ultimately didnt have a use for the uniform and felt it wasnt doing any good packed away when no other family members wanted it. Im really pleased to have added this one as a keeper.