manifestdestiny Posted May 26, 2021 Share #1 Posted May 26, 2021 Hey y'all, I just wanted to share a few things that I acquired relatively recently. My knowledge of German Militaria centers solely on Wehrmacht field gear/ equipment so the insignia is quite foreign to me to say the least. Anyway, I used to do yard work for a woman that lived across the street from me as a kid. Her first husband sent this helmet--along with a Luger and a World War One vintage sawbuck bayonet (I am not quite sure where those items ended up)--home to her during the war. Unfortunately, he was killed in a car wreck a few weeks after the war ended. She married two others after the war, and I got to know her third husband very well. He was a seabee during the war. She gave me this German helmet about a year before she died as partial payment for the yard work I did for her....the amount of overgrowth I cleared out made it a fair trade for sure. I don't know if it shows up well in the pictures, but the exterior helmet is essentially black. The interior is a dark green. I do believe that the paint job is period; however, someone wrote their family name on the helmet rim and on the line at some point. The next group comes from a good family friend of ours. Our friend's father obtained these during the surrender as well. The cased night fighter Luftwaffe clasp is certainly the star of this grouping. The Luftwaffe collar tabs and one set of shoulder boards have some moth damage. I assume the belt buckle and the button are of World War One/Weimar vintage, and the ninnies are a nice touch as well. My friend's father is still alive, and I am in the process of setting up an interview with I'm to pinpoint the exact provenance of these items and of his military service in general. I hope y'all find this stuff as interesting as I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manifestdestiny Posted May 26, 2021 Author Share #2 Posted May 26, 2021 I forgot to add that the helmet was sent home by Frank Palmisano who served in the 447th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. He died on May 12, 1945 and is buried in Luxembourg's American Cemetery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMCA05 Posted May 26, 2021 Share #3 Posted May 26, 2021 Quote That is a great looking night fighter clasp. I would love to have that in my collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted May 27, 2021 Share #4 Posted May 27, 2021 A really nice group of bring-backs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted May 27, 2021 Share #5 Posted May 27, 2021 Great items. I see Frank Palmisano died right after VE day. Did he die of wounds - if you know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nack Posted May 27, 2021 Share #6 Posted May 27, 2021 10 minutes ago, sundance said: Great items. I see Frank Palmisano died right after VE day. Did he die of wounds - if you know? The OP’s original post said the first husband - presumably him - died in a car wreck. How tragic to survive a war, only to get killed in a car accident shortly thereafter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alwaysonthelookout Posted May 27, 2021 Share #7 Posted May 27, 2021 Those are some excellent pieces Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted May 27, 2021 Share #8 Posted May 27, 2021 Oops, I missed the note bout the car accident in the opening post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manifestdestiny Posted May 27, 2021 Author Share #9 Posted May 27, 2021 Thank y'all, Unfortunately, the only thing that was relayed to me was that it was a car accident. I hope to find out the circumstances involving it, but that may be a tall order considering how long it has been at this point. I should have more luck on the other items and will update accordingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radio Operator Posted May 27, 2021 Share #10 Posted May 27, 2021 Great items, I wouldn't be too worried about the dark color of the helmet that's not uncommon on M42's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martygraw Posted June 13, 2021 Share #11 Posted June 13, 2021 Nice pieces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodes Posted June 13, 2021 Share #12 Posted June 13, 2021 The armband is an SA sports one....Yellow collar tabs are Luftwaffe....Yellow for FJ (paratrooper) or pilot branch...Buckle and button look to be Imperial German (WW1).....Insignia shown is Political eagle for the peak visor...Two pins w/arrow are HJ (Hitler Youth) proficiency awards.....The cog wheel w/swastika is DAF (German Labor Front)....Bodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manifestdestiny Posted June 14, 2021 Author Share #13 Posted June 14, 2021 2 hours ago, Bodes said: The armband is an SA sports one....Yellow collar tabs are Luftwaffe....Yellow for FJ (paratrooper) or pilot branch...Buckle and button look to be Imperial German (WW1).....Insignia shown is Political eagle for the peak visor...Two pins w/arrow are HJ (Hitler Youth) proficiency awards.....The cog wheel w/swastika is DAF (German Labor Front)....Bodes Thank you very much for the clarification. It will be interesting once I have a chance to sit down with the vet/family in order to find out exactly for he obtained them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now