Breese, Thomas, Jr, Lt   O-521984

88th Cav Recon Sqdn (Mech)

8th Armored Division

 

This first page showing mostly clothing. 

Duffles, great coat, tanker trousers,  some coveralls.  One pair I'm thinking early(?) due to no stars on buttons & no belt. 

Then Breese's jacket, great condition, but like the rest ilof the group, wrinkled. Time for a hot shower while it's is on a hanger gently being steamed.

 

More coming soon.

 

Low cut cobat boots,

Two buckle

Jump boots

Dress riding boot with stretchers 

Riding boots from Norwich Academy 

 

More to come

Spurs, boot pulls, patches, flare parachute,  canteen extender, various other treasures including 2 Ft. Dix license plates dated 1950.

His Norwich Varsity jacket 

Other jackets, shirts & trousers. 

His Ike is in great condition but as the rest of his coats & jackets, missing ribbons.

 

More to come.

Great group!!

 

Any history on the veteran?

 

How did you find the group?

 

He must have enjoyed Seagrams 7

Very awesome group, it's so much fun going through such a large group for the first time.

 

Are the nicer set of riding boots made by Dehner by chance, or A.E. Nettleton as the other pair is?

11 hours ago, McDermut99 said:

Very awesome group, it's so much fun going through such a large group for the first time.

 

Are the nicer set of riding boots made by Dehner by chance, or A.E. Nettleton as the other pair is?

Sorry, absolutely no name of maker anywhere. They are in fantastic condition. 

12 hours ago, manayunkman said:

Great group!!

 

Any history on the veteran?

 

How did you find the group?

 

He must have enjoyed Seagrams 7

Thanks

Still going through paperwork. 

 

Second photo down is Breese in front of his tank(?) "Flat Foot". Sorry if the scans of the negatives are off. Some of the are just shot, but I have them.

I believe the last photo shows a King Tiger Panzar. Pretty rare considering only 489 were built.

His John Stetson Montana peak hat from Norwich Academy.  Very good condition,  considering it being slightly deformed.  Steaming & reblocking doesn't seem to difficult. 

 

While liner was probably just post-war, while the blue Instructor helmet was worn while training other during the Korean War. 

And now for the topper....literally, his helmet.

Fantastic condition FS/FB, sewn straps with brass strap ends. A light cork texture near the rim but very thin if any 2inches above the rim.

 

The Inland liner is in nice condition with a small stress crack.

Complete suspension including chin strap. Unpainted "A" washers make up the interiorOutside is his butter bar as seen in photo below. 

That’s an incredible and interesting group, wow! My Father was a tanker in the 8th Armored.

You may already have this but here is a link to the 8th Armored website - http://www.8th-armored.org/index.htm

 

The photo that you have is a photo of a German King Tiger. Here’s another photo of it. Looks like it’s front of the same building.

 

Regards,

Frank

 

 

 

32 minutes ago, M24 Chaffee said:

That’s an incredible and interesting group, wow! My Father was a tanker in the 8th Armored.

You may already have this but here is a link to the 8th Armored website - http://www.8th-armored.org/index.htm

 

The photo that you have is a photo of a German King Tiger. Here’s another photo of it. Looks like it’s front of the same building.

 

Regards,

Frank

 

 

 

Frank,

I do believe you're correct, someone rotated the turret but same building too.

 I read that if the gun is pointed upwards in recoil position, the crew scuttled it by blowing up the breech. Most ran out of gas or just broke down.

 

I will check this site out, thanks,  Paul 

There are people who keep track of these heavy Tiger II’s and know what happened to each one.

 

Any photos of Czechoslovakia and the 8th Armored victory parade in Pilsen?

41 minutes ago, cagedfalcon said:

Frank,

I do believe you're correct, someone rotated the turret but same building too.

 I read that if the gun is pointed upwards in recoil position, the crew scuttled it by blowing up the breech. Most ran out of gas or just broke down.

 

I will check this site out, thanks,  Paul 

The folks who run that 8th Armd site/assoc are good people.  I help them out anytime I can.

46 minutes ago, manayunkman said:

There are people who keep track of these heavy Tiger II’s and know what happened to each one.

 

Any photos of Czechoslovakia and the 8th Armored victory parade in Pilsen?

All photos I've found have been posted.

I don’t know the circumstances of your acquisition but did anything get sold off before you got it?

 

Anyone alive who knew him?

 

Any captured enemy items?

 

The 8th Armored took nazi political leader Dietrich Klagges castle and quite a few things of his ended up in the US.

 

An 8th Armored soldier had an incredible collection of items in Harrisburg, Pa.

He also recounted stories of the other men and items they got including his SS and political uniforms.

 

8 minutes ago, manayunkman said:

I don’t know the circumstances of your acquisition but did anything get sold off before you got it?

 

Anyone alive who knew him?

 

Any captured enemy items?

 

The 8th Armored took nazi political leader Dietrich Klagges castle and quite a few things of his ended up in the US.

 

An 8th Armored soldier had an incredible collection of items in Harrisburg, Pa.

He also recounted stories of the other men and items they got including his SS and political uniforms.

 

I'll ask the seller but from what he said, this is all in. Not sure about family. 

From what I was told, seller went into attic & found the boots & a few other things the owner didn't want. 

Lt. Thomas Breese

First attempt at blousing, I'll work on it. Correct ribbons added from extras. Has a battle star on the EAME ribbon. Will be corrected when correct one located. 

Need to make another helmet stad off like the mannequin on right in last pic.

On 9/5/2022 at 9:28 PM, cagedfalcon said:

Sorry, absolutely no name of maker anywhere. They are in fantastic condition. 

 

That's a shame, they certainly are and beautifully made as well. I imagine the wood trees helped in the preservation.

Found another small box, must have moved it aside when going through Breese's other totes.

Unusual Field Manuals. 

 

Enjoy

I love seeing complete groupings, and especially from a Bay Stater. Truly a fantastic group.

Thank you for the kind comments.