History recovered

This is a place for veterans of military service to remember and reflect. War time or peace. Any service.

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Dutch Mosin
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History recovered

Post by Dutch Mosin » Sat May 24, 2008 3:37 pm

When I returned home from shopping today there was this bag standing next to my door.

Now before I’ll tell you all what was in the bag you have to know this.

A couple of years ago (2004) we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the liberation of our town by the Americans and the British.

Next to a parade, a static show with vehicles from WW II we had an exhibition of items that were recovered 60 years after our liberators had used them.

A couple of weeks ago a gentlemen who organised the exhibition in 2004 called me and asked if I was interested in some of the items.

Most people who are not familiar with what is in the pictures would just throw these items away.

I have to admit…..you can’t use these items anymore, but it is a piece of our and your history and this history can still be found on various places in Holland.

Sometimes these items are covered with not more then 10 inches of earth.

Most of the items were used by American and British soldiers, but sometimes even German items see the light after having been buried for 60 years.

I’m happy someone remembered my interest in these items and gave me some of these priceless pieces of history.

They are in good hands.

I got the bag today.

I recognize some of the items, but others are a complete mystery to me.

If someone recognizes an item, don’t hesitate to post the answer.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm20 ... G_2305.jpg[/pic]

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm20 ... G_2306.jpg[/pic]

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm20 ... G_2307.jpg[/pic]

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm20 ... G_2324.jpg[/pic]

Sometimes it gets a bit personal.
I wish this pipe could talk.


http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm20 ... G_2310.jpg[/pic]

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm20 ... G_2312.jpg[/pic]

Pieces of a parachute.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm20 ... G_2313.jpg[/pic]

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm20 ... G_2314.jpg[/pic]

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm20 ... G_2316.jpg[/pic]

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm20 ... G_2318.jpg[/pic]

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm20 ... G_2317.jpg[/pic]

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm20 ... G_2321.jpg[/pic]

Lee Enfield bayonet

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm20 ... G_2322.jpg[/pic]

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm20 ... G_2323.jpg[/pic]

German items see the light after having been covered for over 60 years.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm20 ... G_2320.jpg[/pic]

I don’t think this German soldier survived.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm20 ... G_2311.jpg[/pic]

BTW...all items were found near Arnhem and Groesbeek(Nijmegen area)

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin
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Niner
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Now that is an assortment.

Post by Niner » Sat May 24, 2008 4:05 pm

I'd imagine most of us looking at that collection of rusted parts would have a hard time imagining what most of it had been a part of more than 60 years ago now.

Wasn't Arnham part of the British directed thrust of British and American airborne troops that turned out to be too much to accomplish at that juncture of the war...the "bridge too far" in a popular book?

I have a mild interest in the 3/506 from WWII. I served as attached to a later day 3/506 for a few months in Vietnam in 1970. The WWII 3/506, sister battalion to the now well known 2/506 " Band of Brothers" , "liberated" Eindhoven. At least for a while. A book and a movie is being made about the 3/506 that will come out this summer.

http://www.theforgottenbattalion.com/index.html

Take a look at the film clip Martin...these old GI's were really impressed with the welcome they received from the Dutch.
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Dutch Mosin
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Re: Now that is an assortment.

Post by Dutch Mosin » Sat May 24, 2008 4:35 pm

Niner wrote:I'd imagine most of us looking at that collection of rusted parts would have a hard time imagining what most of it had been a part of more than 60 years ago
I know, I know and I understand what you mean but for some reason to me these items are not just rusted parts, but a piece of our history and I can't get it over my heart to throw them away.

I checked the clip.

It feels good to hear these veterans talking like that about my country.

To us....these men still are and stay heroes.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin
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DuncaninFrance
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Post by DuncaninFrance » Sat May 24, 2008 4:59 pm

Martin, you hold pieces of history for future generations and I hope that they will appreciate your part in their past and their future preservation.

Living here in France it is very humbling at times to realize just how important Liberation is to a people who had their freedom taken from them.

Well done
Duncan

What contemptible scoundrel has stolen the cork to my lunch? -- W.C. Fields
"Many of those who enjoy freedom know little of its price."
You can't fix Stupid, but you can occasionally head it off before it hurts something.
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Dutch Mosin
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Post by Dutch Mosin » Sat May 24, 2008 5:29 pm

Thanks Duncan.

I'll drink to that.

Thinking about drinking.........got a bottle of Chilean red wine that needs to be tested.

Thanks for reminding me Duncan. :D :D

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin
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Niner
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Relics from other battle fields

Post by Niner » Sat May 24, 2008 6:52 pm

US Civil War battle fields are protected now days on all publicly owned property..... what there is of it so protected. There was, and probably is still, a brisk business in such flotsam and jetsam of war in this country in artifacts as well. Some think they should remain where they lay for others to find, if they need to, generations from now. I have mixed feelings.

I contribute to the Civil War Preservation Trust to preserve these old battle grounds. It's important for generations to come to visit these sites. In fact, the one nearest my home is still pretty much unaffected by time, other than the natural elements since it was never farmed. Many of the earthworks still remain. I've walked the perimeter earth works of Blakeley and seen the remains of trenches and the earthworks. I even had the chance to take some photos for Civil War Times once.

But in the US not all land is protected. I watched a Civil War re-enactment of the battle of Spanish Fort some years ago and stood on the site of a battery emplacement as I looked around and saw a subdivision going up around it. Now it can't be seen except from the back yard of somebodies home. WWII sites are probably even more likely to be hidden from view.

I can understand your interest in these artifacts Martin.
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