World War I & II Militaria. Helmets, Uniforms, Flags, Photos, U-boats, Veterans' Souvenirs, Reenactor helmets and uniforms, War Movie props and posters, Vehicles, Tuskegee Airmen....
I just found this helmet at the bottom of box of my helmets. I had forgotten about it.
Remants of decal, possibly national shield, but looks mostly red. Maybe leftover from when national shield was removed.
Perfect dome stamp
U-858 Flag Sold A Battle Flag taken off U-858 towards the end of the war It is not a Kriegsmarine flag and the info at this time is annectdotal. Apparently, the flag was taken off the U-boat by civilians who worked on the base at Cape May, New Jersey. Who knows what German equipment crossed normal lines at this late date in May 1945.
"FLAGS-007-25412– Small Kriegs Flag"
"This Kriegs Flag is a real beauty. It was purchased locally by me. It was taken off of a U-boat, which surrendered off of Delaware, and was brought up the river to Philadelphia, where it was later used for target practice. This flag is a cotton example, still having its original rich red, white, and black printed colors. The canton area depicts the black Iron Cross, and the center area depicts the black swastika, with lines running out from it. The hoist area is complete with its canvas covering, and has the two rope loops intact. One side of the canvas is marked, “Kr. Fl. 80X 1 through 5 (135)”. The other side has the name and location of the company who made this beautiful Kriegs flag, “Lorenz Summa Oberkutzau”. This flag is the perfect display size, measuring only 30 inches wide by 50 inches long. As I said above, the colors are fantastic on this piece, and it is completely flawless, having been perfectly stored since it was taken from the U-boat during the war. A choice opportunity here, to really get something good. Mint "*
*A quote from Thomas T. Wittmann's website about the Kriegsmarine Flag, above, one of probably several from the U-858
Kriegsmarine Destroyer Badge
Probably lost by German POW. Found in the 1960's on a farm near my home.
1938 Kriegsmarine Map Gulf of Suez
Kriegsmarine Tropical or Summer White Jumper
U-853
This u-boat was the last one sunk in WW2. It was sunk anout 45 miles away from my home after sinking a freighter out of Newfoundland, the day after all hostilities had been ordered to cease. The sub was sunk by hedghog depth charges from U.S. Destroyers. It went downwith all hands on board. The crew knocked on the hull for 17 1/2 hours before they all died. When I was a kid I always wanted to dive on it. (I am too old too take the risk now.) In the 1960's, graverobbing recreational divers went down and brought up some of the bones which they displayed over their fireplaces. In this video, you can still see some femur bones of the crew. It looks like these divers acted properly and did not disturb the wargrave. Most of the artifacts were taken by the early 1990's according to a diver I know.
Please turn off the sound on the video below. The only reason I included it was because it labels the different areas of the wreck. I am not thrilled about the advertising but it's not my video, so it's ok. I like some heavy metal music but this is not the place for it. I wonder if these folks would set up a picnic, drink beer and play heavy metal at Arlington National Cemetery?
