Small country auctions are a Hoot!

[A. F Medic]

Coffin shield. Usually given to family members..



WWl mixture. All one soldier..



WWl but unknown use....



WWll Marine Presidential Guard...




20 mm Cannon shells....




Box of WWll Bren magazines. Covered with cosmoline!!



The soldier...





His campaigns... Defensive is for service in Russia after WWl ....

Information

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[A. F Medic]

Posted in wrong section..Should be in discussion area!!

[Amatikulu]

Done, moved as requested

[gew8805]

His campaigns... Defensive is for service in Russia after WWl ....

Actually, his division was in the Meuse – Argonne Defensive Sector on the Western Front. The Division was held in reserve and probably did not see any actual combat there. US Troops serving in Russia (85th Division of mostly Michigan troops) saw most of their action there post – WW1, so no mention is made of that service on the Victory Medal. The US 85th Division was in action there in January through May of 1919 along with some US Naval forces.

A very nice collection.

[Alfred]

A friend has a rather nice collection of memorabillia that a elderly lady left to his wife.
It has letters from the old lady's boy friend when stationed in Gibraltar and possibly the most interesting is a spy camera that fits into a matchbox.

I looked the camera up years ago and found that German tourists visiting countries that the Nazis had designs on were given these little cameras and instructed to take photos of anything that might be of interest without drawing attention to what they were doing.
I suspect the young soldier had taken the tiny camera from a tourist who got too close to something of importance.

I'll see if I can get some photos of the collection and the camera.

[Mike Haas]

A friend has a rather nice collection of memorabillia that a elderly lady left to his wife.
It has letters from the old lady's boy friend when stationed in Gibraltar and possibly the most interesting is a spy camera that fits into a matchbox.

I looked the camera up years ago and found that German tourists visiting countries that the Nazis had designs on were given these little cameras and instructed to take photos of anything that might be of interest without drawing attention to what they were doing.
I suspect the young soldier had taken the tiny camera from a tourist who got too close to something of importance.

I'll see if I can get some photos of the collection and the camera.

The camera is probably a MINOX Camera and is quite valuable if in good condition. Pre-War & WW2 bring premiums but I sold a 1957 MINOX II with seperate Light Meter both cased for $700.00+ 2 years ago.

[A. F Medic]

Actually, his division was in the Meuse – Argonne Defensive Sector on the Western Front. The Division was held in reserve and probably did not see any actual combat there. US Troops serving in Russia (85th Division of mostly Michigan troops) saw most of their action there post – WW1, so no mention is made of that service on the Victory Medal. The US 85th Division was in action there in January through May of 1919 along with some US Naval forces.

A very nice collection.

I have not researched his division yet but early finding on the "Defensive Sector" says that to be awarded the bar you had to serve in Russia post WWl (as you stated). Somehow I remember Siberia being part of the Sector! I wonder why we went?:

To be honest, I did not know that we went there post WWl.

My youngest brother is an information fanatic and he is doing a ton of research on this soldier. Soldier is from Pennsylvania.

I have two handwritten letters in pencil from him on donated Knights of Columbus paper. It is very hard to read but I intend to scan it and play CSI to read them. Thanks!!

[Badger]

Really interesting pics ...

Thanks for posting them ...

If you get a chance, put them up in the Members Photo Gallery ...

Regards,
Badger

[Gibbs505]

Were all the bren mags loaded?

[A. F Medic]

Were all the bren mags loaded?

Nope, the mags were not loaded. I just stuck a .303 in there to see what it looked like.

There are 12 mags and 10 are covered with cosmoline. That includes the container. The mags appear to be used but in good shape. I had to soak two mags in gasoline and kereosene to remove the gook! Thanks!!