Diary of a souvenir hunter

[Bob Hudson]

This is one soldier's keepsakes from apparently late war duty racing through Germany with the 65th Armored Infantry (under 20th AD), capturing prisoners galore and knocking down last-ditch resistance. And, oh, gathering the spoils of war and writing about it in his diary.

 

 

 

 

One of the handwritten pages:

 

[Bob Hudson]

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[Bob Hudson]

The gold cross turned out to be in much bettter condition than the photos I'd seen of it before today:

 

 

 

 

[tarbridge]

He pulled some good items...now you have pulled some good items.

[Garandomatic]

Man... I'd love to have an armored grouping like that!

[USCapturephotos]

Love this whole grouping Bob. I especially love the diary.

Paul

[Bob Hudson]

I'm posting his US issue grouping here: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/276106-65th-armored-infantry20th-ad-foot-soldier-uniform-gear-etc/?p=2221771

[katieony]

A really interesting and historical group!

[dhcoleterracina]

The German Cross looks like it's black backed which would make it for the Panzer guys and more valuable. Perhaps it's dark green but a great group regardless.

[Bob Hudson]

The German Cross looks like it's black backed which would make it for the Panzer guys and more valuable. Perhaps it's dark green but a great group regardless.

 

It is black.

[Bob Hudson]

The German Cross looks like it's black backed which would make it for the Panzer guys and more valuable. Perhaps it's dark green but a great group regardless.

 

I looked again under different light and there is for sure no green: just a sort of faded black (is that paper?). I know squat about TR shoulder boards and rank insignia but I saw something online that made me think the "pink" trimmed board was Panzer.

 

Here's another shot of that cross back:

 

[M24 Chaffee]

Really great stuff! I enjoyed this thread.

 

 

Frank

[garrettbragg12]

Would you mind posting more of his journal? Maybe a separate thread somewhere? Seems like a great read!

[Bob Hudson]

Would you mind posting more of his journal? Maybe a separate thread somewhere? Seems like a great read!

 

Here's the full text: it's not long, but is great account of soldiers fighting in the very final days of the war in Europe"

 

 

[garrettbragg12]

That was a wonderful read, thank you for that! I cannot imagine the frustration and heartbreak of losing so many GI's so close to the end. I also cannot imagine the treasure trove of stuff in the SS School!

[1st Sgt CES]

Really nice stuff !

[Gunslinger]

A very neat group with an interesting recollection of events. Can't say I've ever heard a Vet use the wording ' Looted ' instead of liberated

 

The SS school he is referring to is Flint Kaserne known by most as SS-Junkerschule Bad Tölz, it served as HQ for Patton's Third Army and later the 10th SFG

 

The German Cross looks to be a Panzer issued with fine hand embroidery

 

 

CDub

[Bob Hudson]

A very neat group with an interesting recollection of events. Can't say I've ever heard a Vet use the wording ' Looted ' instead of liberated...

 

 

CDub

 

Based on what he wrote in the back of the diary, I'd say this was written as events happened so "looted" was his first impression.

[Kurt Barickman]

Bad Tolz must have been a treasure of trove of SS items. Is the piping on the Hitler Youth shoulderboard red or pink?

 

Nice pile,

 

Kurt

[Bob Hudson]

The black board has a pink trim and the gray ones have a red trim

[Gunslinger]

Bob,

 

Here are the Corps colors used by the Wehrmacht

 

 

 

CDub

[Kurt Barickman]

In the HJ, pink piping denotes motorized Hitler Youth which is rarer than Allegemeine or regular HJ. Also, the G on the board means he served at the Gebiet level of Hitler Youth which is the next level below Reich or national level. Really cool.

 

Kurt

[james127]

Very cool! Probably one of the cooler groupings that I've ever seen.

[eagle5036]

I enjoy seeing the WWII German items that the vets brought back from Germany.