KASTAUFFER Posted June 16, 2012 Share #1 Posted June 16, 2012 I have had this group for about 10 years and have not posted it before. It is a fairly comprehensive group to a POW held at Stalag Luft III. He was the bombardier of a B-24 from the 455th Bomb Group named "Doughty Dragon". She was attacked by enemy aircraft on a mission to Budapest Hungary on July 27, 1944 . The plane went down and flames killing 5 of the crewman. He spent the rest of the war as a POW in Stalag Luft III in Sagan Germany. I really like this group because it includes his medals, Wartime Log , POW dogtag , POW ID card , papers, letters, documents and much more. There is also a scrapbook which is not pictured in this thread. It is hard to find groups like this anymore because of the sellers on Ebay and other auctioneers who love to split lots like this up. I've seen 3 complete groups busted up in just the last 4 months. One guy went so far as to take a notebook diary and tear each page out and sell it one page at a time. Here is a photo of him taken while an Aviation cadet This was taken right after he was liberated. His plane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share #2 Posted June 16, 2012 The number on his POW dogtag matches the one on his POW barracks ID card. Caterpillar Club and Switlik pin . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted June 16, 2012 Caterpillar club certificate Officially script hand engraved Purple Heart . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted June 16, 2012 1948 dated Purple Heart certificate. This is consistant with the engraving on the medal. He received his Purple Heart for wounds he received as a POW of the Germans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted June 16, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted June 16, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted June 16, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share #8 Posted June 16, 2012 His YMCA " A Wartime Log " POW diary . This one is the British version, rather then the US Version . He also saved food wrappers, cigarette wrappers, and examples of German rations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share #9 Posted June 16, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share #10 Posted June 16, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share #11 Posted June 16, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share #12 Posted June 16, 2012 This thread is dedicated to the Airmen who gave their lives July 27, 1945 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul M Posted June 16, 2012 Share #13 Posted June 16, 2012 Incredible grouping! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 17, 2012 Author Share #14 Posted June 17, 2012 Incredible grouping! Thanks Paul! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted June 17, 2012 Share #15 Posted June 17, 2012 That's a great group. You are right. It's very tough to find a grouping with all the key pieces in tact like this one has. The Caterpillar Card and Pin along with the German camp dogtag and ID card are a tough lot to find! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbinephalen Posted June 17, 2012 Share #16 Posted June 17, 2012 I'm at a loss for words! To think that ALL of these items have survived together for 67+ years is mind boggling. "Incredible" doesn't begin to describe how unique and special this grouping is! I'm glad that it found it's way to your hands :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tseuh Posted June 17, 2012 Share #17 Posted June 17, 2012 Hello, What an amazing grouping ! I can't imagine a more complete grouping. You have here everything a USAAF groupings collector could wish to have. Congratulations. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted June 17, 2012 Share #18 Posted June 17, 2012 Thanks for sharing this Kurt,I love the wartime log!. I agree it's such a shame to see groupings literally torn apart,I saw that diary you mention and there are a couple of ebay sellers who regularly break up albums and sell the photos separately. Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted June 17, 2012 Share #19 Posted June 17, 2012 An outstanding group Kurt! Thanks for posting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted June 17, 2012 Share #20 Posted June 17, 2012 Beautiful group! The guard tower watercolor is of professional quality. I can't make out the name of the artist. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vicjoy1945 Posted June 17, 2012 Share #21 Posted June 17, 2012 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Superb grouping Kurt !! I do remember this one for way back when !! Just a fantastic tribute to this gallant airman !! Thanks for sharing !! Vic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
121eagles Posted June 17, 2012 Share #22 Posted June 17, 2012 Kurt, Great comprehensive POW grouping. You are right about availability now days. Most groups are broken up. What a shame. No one can say we did not bid high on those groups years ago! I really do believe a group is worth more than it's parts in most cases. Not to mention the work invovled in selling multiple items versus one sale. I realize I am preaching to the choir here. Sellers who are not collectors just can't seem to comprehend the value of a group in most cases. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted June 17, 2012 Share #23 Posted June 17, 2012 Kurt, Great comprehensive POW grouping. You are right about availability now days. Most groups are broken up. What a shame. No one can say we did not bid high on those groups years ago! I really do believe a group is worth more than it's parts in most cases. Not to mention the work invovled in selling multiple items versus one sale. I realize I am preaching to the choir here. Sellers who are not collectors just can't seem to comprehend the value of a group in most cases. Dave Agreed. It's a real shame to have groups seperated. I have been asked to piece out large groupings before, but I could never bring myself to do it and more than likely never will. All my opinion of course. :thumbsup: JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 17, 2012 Author Share #24 Posted June 17, 2012 Thanks for the comments guys! I have some more complete AAF POW groups like this I need to post. I just have to find the time to take pics. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fstop61 Posted June 18, 2012 Share #25 Posted June 18, 2012 Another top-notch grouping!-I love the POW headshot it. Looking forward to your next "grouping insallment". I'm starting to consider myself a "Grouping Groupie". My boss is probably wondering why I'm not getting anything done. Thank-you once again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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