Airborne-Hunter Posted February 29 This group popped up at an estate sale. The family split the stuff up in several directions, but I'm trying to put more of it together. The man was 92nd BG 323rd BS B-17 navigator shot down in July 1943 and ended up in Stalag Luft III. Liberated in 1945. Caterpillar Club. I picked up most of his paperwork, dog tag, ID card, bracelet and this badge. I can't explain where he got it, but he brought back the 75 general assault badge shown. He also brought back an armband and a german labor piece, but the prices were so far out in space we couldn't justify the expense on those two. I am hopeful I can get the caterpillar pin and some medals still. Best ABN California "Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom." -Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF ''A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.'' Gerald Ford "Those who melt their guns into plows will plow for those who don't." Thomas Jefferson "I live in weirdville." Owen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Airborne-Hunter Posted February 29 ID Card California "Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom." -Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF ''A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.'' Gerald Ford "Those who melt their guns into plows will plow for those who don't." Thomas Jefferson "I live in weirdville." Owen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Airborne-Hunter Posted February 29 Dog Tag California "Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom." -Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF ''A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.'' Gerald Ford "Those who melt their guns into plows will plow for those who don't." Thomas Jefferson "I live in weirdville." Owen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Airborne-Hunter Posted February 29 Badge California "Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom." -Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF ''A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.'' Gerald Ford "Those who melt their guns into plows will plow for those who don't." Thomas Jefferson "I live in weirdville." Owen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Airborne-Hunter Posted February 29 caterpillar club California "Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom." -Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF ''A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.'' Gerald Ford "Those who melt their guns into plows will plow for those who don't." Thomas Jefferson "I live in weirdville." Owen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Airborne-Hunter Posted February 29 letter California "Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom." -Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF ''A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.'' Gerald Ford "Those who melt their guns into plows will plow for those who don't." Thomas Jefferson "I live in weirdville." Owen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beerdragon54 Posted February 29 Killer!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blacksmith Posted February 29 Can we see a pic of the back? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mghcal Posted February 29 Neat stuff. There was an interesting article about his brother singlehandedly going to liberate him from the POW camp, if I recall he was afraid the POWs were about to be executed with the germans losing the war. There is also a Rolex given to him but again the sellers price is WWAAAYYY out there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mghcal Posted February 29 It's one of the early oyster types that Hans Wilsdorf was selling to POWs. Not sure of reference number (paperwork says ref 5944} but Lt. Bru received his in Nov 1944. They're selling the watch and a lot of his POW items including his pow dogtag, pow mail, pow ID, etc. The dial on the watch is rough. The seller doesn't understand that reference is more important than history with watches, they see a perfect chronograph pow watch sold for a lot in 2015 so think theirs is worth a fortune. I like it but think my offer would be insulting to them so didn't bother. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USCapturephotos Posted February 29 Too bad about it all being split up. Thanks for sharing with us. When you mentioned about having no idea how he got the rare general assault badge, it reminded me. I have a grouping from a US POW from the 96th BG. There are a few German souvenirs in his group including two cut off uniform pieces from a 3rd SS uniform tunic. Strange as they were mostly fighting in the East and ended up surrendering in Austria nowhere near where he was a POW as far as I can tell. The pieces were definitely salty and worn not from a tunic in a warehouse. Anyway, thanks again. Paul Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MWalsh Posted February 29 I wonder if the those souvenir items were actually picked up by the brother and the POW ended up with them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mdk0911 Posted March 1 very nice pickup that german GAB - general assault badge is a rare item - that soldier supported 75 infantry attacks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
