[Johan Willaert]

121st Engineer Bn Officer's Coat

This coat bears bullion rank insignia of a Lt of the 121st Engineer Bn of the 29ID.
The medals indicate participation in 4 campaigns and suggest he was promoted from Enlisted Ranks (GCM).
When purchased the coat also had the French Fourragere, but no unit of the 29th seems to have received the award....

[yannick]

Splendid Johan! 29th buffs are actually very lucky to be able to see so much original stuff!

Yannick

[yannick]

The caption dated 15th July 1944 on the back says:

Officers of an infantry regiment engaged in the offensive against German held St Lo gather for briefing before launching of new attack. The men are studying aerial photographs of their objective.
Between St Andri, St Lo, 175 Inf Regt

In Ewing's 29th, let's Go, the men facing the camera are identified as (L to R):

LtCol Edward A GILL, Capt Bernard MERSON, Capt Jack LAWTON and Lt Tom SIGLER

The detail of equipment visible on the picture is just amazing...
Note part of typical Normandy style wooden gate in the foreground...
On the original photograph, there was a GI visible sitting on the left, smoking a cigarette, but the censors removed that part....

Maybe Yannick can tell us more details about the location where the picture was taken???

Johan

This photos is just one of my favorites. And thanks Johan to put it here with original legend and date. The place is Saint Andre de l'Epine where the 175th fought its way after the battle of Hill 108. Saint Andre de L'Epine is a tiny village situated along the road from St-Lô to Bayeux, halfway between the famous martinville Ridge and Hill 192 (2nd division. Sad to mention that Ltc Ed Gill will be KIA two weeks later at Villebaudon, south of Saint Lô.

Yannick

[everforward]

Splendid Johan! 29th buffs are actually very lucky to be able to see so much original stuff!

Yannick

Yes, many thanks Johan..!

Yannick, you took the words right out of my mouth...!! I am going to post pics of some of my stuff soon as well---I am in the process of taking some pics when I have spare time and I hope everyone will enjoy....

[everforward]

I love the 175th photo above as well.....especially the officer wearing the hobnail boots, and it looks like the map reader has two-buckle boots at first glance, unless they are british gaiters over 3/4 service shoes.

WWI style canteens too.....

[mrhell]

Now that I caught my breath....

Mr. Willaert,

I cannot seem to find the proper word, but let me just throw out: "Wow, Incredible, Unbelievable, Breath taking, Stunning, Stupendous, and the overly used, Awesome".

Can I come over?!?

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your collection with us. You should open a small museum; frankly I'd pay to see such a collection. I cannot get over how many of your items are in pristine condition.

[Johan Willaert]

and it looks like the map reader has two-buckle boots at first glance, unless they are british gaiters over 3/4 service shoes.

I've been looking at that picture a hundred times to see hwat exactly the gaiters are and I'm pretty convinced that they are British leather gaiters worn over the service shoes... Definately not cut off Double Buckle Boots Leggins...

Those would look like this:

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your collection with us. You should open a small museum; frankly I'd pay to see such a collection. I cannot get over how many of your items are in pristine condition.

Thanks for the compliment, MrHell.... In fact I have a small 'war building/museum' at home which some forum members have visited... so while it's not really open for business every day, and I still have a lack of space, sometimes I allow visitors....
And I like to display stuff at exhibitions from time to time...
And as for the number of items.. Actually it got kind of out of hand after I decided that selling stuff from time to time wasn't really my 'cup of tea...'

Cheers,

Johan

This post has been edited by Johan Willaert: Yesterday, 07:10 AM

[Johan Willaert]

Signal Corps CS-34 Pouch with TL-29 Knife & TL-13 Pliers

[Johan Willaert]

Signal Corps Special Purpose Waterproof Bags

As used on D-Day in Normandy to carry radio-equipment...



Scan from the WW2 QM Catalog describing different types...

[Johan Willaert]

29ID St Lo Certificate of Sgt Wallace Davis, 29ID

With it was a captured German flag, signed by many members of the 29th Reconnaissance Troop in Germany in 1945

Here's the rest of the Davis Group, including the St Lo Certificate and flag shown before, but also a nice early WW2 picture of Wallace Davis, along with a letter, EM's ID Card and greenback 29th patch...



Enjoy,

Johan