German attic-found time capsule - Picture overload!

[Mr. Dynamite]

Just incredible the stuff that is still tucked away over there. This was destined for the landfill, but was saved from that fate. Everything belonged to 2 brothers, most of it to the one who was a Panzergrenadier and a few items to the other who was in the Luftwaffe. Both survived the war, but both have now passed on. Now after all these years this is all that has survived to show for their time in the war. Sobering to see this little group and realize that it is all that represents almost a decade of personal struggle for these soldiers. No other stories or experiences recorded, or anyone who even wanted to still own what they had set aside as a reminder of that time.

Add any details that you see from your knowledge, or if anyone wants to see further pictures of anything just ask!

Last page and entry in book number 1 - Look at the type of plane they were flying into Berlin Tempelhof! Has to be a good story behind that!

Pages of Russian towns, pages of bombing missions

more of his notes from officer's school

This to me is one of the most incredible things - these are not just random medals, these are the actual badges with the book recording them, and in his picture at the beginning you can see he is wearing them for the photograph!

The recipient of these awards

Notice the lanyard, EKII ribbon, ribbon bar, Krim shield, panzer assult badge and wounded badge in his picture. The book has seen at least one cover change, so the picture would have also been later in the war.

 

[kc34]

Very interesting, that is quite a find.

 

[Juster]

That's fantastic. There must have been thousands of similar little collections dumped in the woods in 1945. Thanks!

 

[p.Rundle]

Super cool but the picture of Adolf is a little creepy. Don't know why, always considered myself a history buff who doesn't get offended or anything...just something weird about it.

 

[CanAm]

I am fascinated by the tin itself. Was this a service provided at the time? Did they have access to canning facilities.

Looks like some sort of ammo spam can, but not one I am familiar with

 

[tootall]

Quite the find!
Relatives of yours?

IIRC, the swastika is banned in Germany now.
Is there any exception for personal documents?

 

[Got Juice?]

Amazing piece of history.

 

[Mr. Dynamite]

Quite the find!
Relatives of yours?

IIRC, the swastika is banned in Germany now.
Is there any exception for personal documents?

No, not relations of mine. And yes, most all symbols related to the nazis are banned except in the context of "art or science, research or teaching" but the laws are such that anytime it is used in context of hate or in support of that ideology it is quickly clamped down on. Dealers and collectors over there can buy, sell, and export items, but never will the symbols be displayed, always covered.

I am fascinated by the tin itself. Was this a service provided at the time? Did they have access to canning facilities.

Looks like some sort of ammo spam can, but not one I am familiar with

I am told that the tag says it originally contained cookies. I was wondering if it was army or not, but I could find no other markings on it. The inside of the lid has a felt pad in the top that at a glance appears to be horse hair. Not sure if it actually is though.

 

[Scooter Money]

Thanks for posting. What a find!! I could spend hours looking at those books. I glad someone saved them from being destroyed. There must be a good story on how you got a hold of this historical gem of a find.

 

[chofo]

This is quite a find, and hope it gets preserved... and accorded the respect it deserves.
Most of all, I am left wondering what the Luftwaffe could possibly have been doing...operating an obviously captured DC-3 and take a little 'tour' of Sweden, then heading back to The Big Smoke...

 

[Hunter1970]

Amazing piece of history. Thanks

 

[wbaad]

This is quite a find, and hope it gets preserved... and accorded the respect it deserves.
Most of all, I am left wondering what the Luftwaffe could possibly have been doing...operating an obviously captured DC-3 and take a little 'tour' of Sweden, then heading back to The Big Smoke...

That is an amazing collection! The log books really fascinate me. What was the year of that dc-3 tour?

 

[shortandlong]

This is quite a find, and hope it gets preserved... and accorded the respect it deserves.
Most of all, I am left wondering what the Luftwaffe could possibly have been doing...operating an obviously captured DC-3 and take a little 'tour' of Sweden, then heading back to The Big Smoke...

An werewolf insertion mission perhaps?

 

[Milanczar]

Interesting he was born in 1917 and his id picture although taken probably during the war when he would have only been in his late 20s make
him look older. He is also noticeably thin side. Being born in 1917 would have put his development years were at a time when there was widespread
food shortages and famine in Germany during the end of and after WWI.

 

[Big Uke]

Wonderful time capsule from the past, and I'm glad it was saved. I'd be going through those books for months and months getting a feel for what it was like to be a German soldier in the '40s.
There is a happy ending in that they lost the war and we don't see old Adolf pictures in government buildings.

 

[GreenBob]

Just amazing! Thanks for posting.

 

[Grock-co]

Is this collection going to a museum or a personal collection, because there is a difference.

 

[Deathrawt]

That is an amazing collection, it is all in such pristine condition! There is a wealth of knowledge contained in those books
I have a small collection of some German medals/ badges and even an arm band! I have the same panzer tank badge but unfortunately the one I have has been denazified.
Hopefully all that stuff goes to a good home where it will be appreciated and preserved.

 

[S1de8urnz]

But was there pervitin!?!?!? I needs my pervitin

 

[maple leaf]

That is an amazing find. What a wealth of historical value. Thank-you for sharing!