chils123 Posted February 10, 2018 Share #1 Posted February 10, 2018 This is a pretty neat item I found at a local auction today. While the items are long gone, the crate itself is still an interesting, collectible item. And for $47 I couldn't complain, ha!It looks to be a German crate repurposed as a shipping crate for a USGI's war booty. Not sure what the crate was originally for, but there is a German tag still on the inside. A bit of research has led me to a 1943 dated article mentioning a Captain Alfred Haft being awarded a Silver Star while serving in Tunisia: Friday, October 29, 1943 SILVER STARFrom the North African theater ofoperations comes news that Capt.Albert J. Haft of Southern Pines wasrecently awarded the Silver Star forgallantry in action in the Tunisiancampaign. The actual presentation was madeat a ceremony held somewhere inNato by Major General Muntor S.Eddy, commanding general of the9th Infantry Division. Capt. Haftwas cited for his heroic action in theface of the enemy during the northTunisian campaign. Capt. Haft is thehusband of Mrs. Barbara NelsonHaft of New Berlin, N. Y. I'm glad I was able to find a bit of information on the vet! Here's some photos of the crate and a scan of the actual news paper article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap Camouflage Pattern I Posted February 10, 2018 Share #2 Posted February 10, 2018 Wow, that is really cool! Too bad the contents are gone but the crate is a souvenir of its own! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chils123 Posted February 10, 2018 Author Share #3 Posted February 10, 2018 Wow, that is really cool! Too bad the contents are gone but the crate is a souvenir of its own! Thank you, and I agree! I don't come across things like this too often. I'm just glad I could find out some more info on the vet by searching online. I focus mostly on collecting bring back rifles, but I find these types of crates interesting too. It's neat to see the different types of items GI's thought to bring back. Not everything was a rifle, as I sometimes forget, ha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted February 10, 2018 Share #4 Posted February 10, 2018 According to Google translations, Drallkappen seems to translate to "twist top". A broader search turns up "swirl flaps" which are some form of automotive engine part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted February 10, 2018 Share #5 Posted February 10, 2018 Another great item. I've got to have more ambition and get out to some auctions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCapturephotos Posted February 11, 2018 Share #6 Posted February 11, 2018 Nice find! I love seeing the various packages GIs used to ship their souvenirs home. Thanks for sharing! Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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