Last Wednesday I visit the former Camp Tophat near Antwerp, Belgium.
On this location in 1945/46 a huge camp was build near the Schelde where American troops wait for the shipment to go home. The location is now overgrowd with tree's. Back then it were just grassfields.
Here a couple "then" pictures from the internet.





As I said last Wednesday I went there with a Belgian friend of my and we brought our metaldetector with us. Also on this location many people have searched before but we have give it a try.
In the beginning I allready found a Dutch coin from 1942 and some ammo.
At the end of the day I found some nice finds, I've found a bucket that was filled with 2 bottles and an American breadknife (to rotten). The chain of a K98 cleaningkit, a Belgian coin from 1945, shaving cream, etc. But the nicest find a souvenir from an American soldier from paris, a ring with the Eiffel Tower on it! I also found something vague with an "A" on it, looks like something of a pin... It reminds me a bit of the A from the US 1st Army.
Well here are the photo's.










US tirepomp holder.





Regards,
Nick

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Eine Lichtung im Walde wo die Sonne scheint.
Eingeschlossen durch Bäume sind wir gefangen,
in dieser Lichtung Gottes...

nice !!

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Sixty-four bomber pilots and crew lie in the cemetery at Wevelgem Communal and today many locals still pay their respects to those brave men from high in the skies.

Nick you are a true magician!
If you ever come over to France you'd be a king here with your detector.
The GMC pin is nice. I like the Eiffel tower souvenir too. Some nice buckles too. I guess there are belt buckles but also tent buckles.

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Thank you Skipper, its a beautiful hobby. You are one with nature and history!
The buckles indeed were used on many items.
The one down-right is from a US shoe.

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Eine Lichtung im Walde wo die Sonne scheint.
Eingeschlossen durch Bäume sind wir gefangen,
in dieser Lichtung Gottes...

Wow, great finds Nick! I can only imagine waht the story was behind the ring, for some soldiers sweetheart back home maybe? Very cool!
Keep them coming!! I enjoy these posts as I am not able to join you myself!!

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This is a pair of Dutch resistance crystal radios, built into a small metal can, and a matchbox. The image is from a postcard bought at a Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam. The matchbox is marked in Swedish, but Swedish matches were sold in Holland for many years..
Scott

The ring is a nice item. It was probably a very common souvenir in 1945, but after over 60 years this item has become rare. it was probably bought by a G.I. on a leave in Paris and he would have dopped it by accident. A very interesting find, especially because it still has the original paint on it.

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