OK, here's a grim fantasy.
For some reason, Feldmarschall Otto allows you to keep only one piece of militaria from your collection.

What would it be ?

I'd have a very real struggle between a complete deactivated 88mm Panzergranate shell and my deac MP44.

No - I'd keep the MP44 as my one piece.
How about you ?? [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ 16 July 2002, 09:22 AM: Message edited by: Martin Bull ]

__________________
"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

For sure and certain, my WW2 Stalhelm-love it to pieces....but then again....authentic WW1 and WW2 medals??????

__________________
"GARRY OWEN"-Traditional war-cry of the US 7th Cavalry.
"CURRAHEE"-War-cry of the US 506th PIR.
"Everybody thinks that they are going to get the chance to punch some Nazi in the face at Normandy-and those days are over, they are long gone"-Lt Chris Burnett

I would have to change this into "Which Grouping" to keep.

For instance: I was given a KM Officers Schiffchen (from the Engineerleutnant that origionally had it on U 181) the KM Destroyers Badge that a U 181 vet gave to my grandfather about 50 years ago as something to be symbolic in their friendship, and the Regimental Cross that was a U 181 vet-friends fathers Cross. It was awarded to his father in 1901 and was the only piece of militaria of his fathers that he had left--and he gave it to me.

I would also have to include: The 41-41 east front medal--and the westwall medals, a set of Panzer Officers Collar Tabs and a few KM Cap Tallies--as they were all given to me by the German vets that had earned them. I couldnt NOT take the vet given pieces.

__________________
Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Martin, could you not have come up with another villain? I'm really quite nice.

Now if I had to give it all up save for one item? This would be hard because I just bought some nice items, but the decision would be easy: I would keep my mp40.

__________________

WWII Forums Rogues Gallery - send in your photo!
Comments, questions or feedback? Contact me at

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance." Socrates

Of course, Otto, of course.... I just had to think of someone who we would all have to obey without question !

__________________
"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

Does my Opa count as a miliaria item?

No, OK. Then I would pick the Luegger he gave me in my birthday, which by the way is the only relique I have.

__________________
"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Imagine it though, me a kid of 27, bossing around all sort of men several years my senior. I should be calling YOU guys "Sir".

*Otto stands at attention and clicks his heels* S!

__________________

WWII Forums Rogues Gallery - send in your photo!
Comments, questions or feedback? Contact me at

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance." Socrates

I"d say my dad's and grapms dogtags and if possible, uniforms. If that doesn't count though, my original medic helmet.

__________________
Living History at http://oldreliable9_47.tripod.com

I would have to say my grandfathers uniforms and his Colt 45. Its a hard decision after that.

__________________
The soldier above all others prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. General Douglas Macarthur

He, he, he! Don't play the nice guy, Otto. You are evil!!!

__________________
"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun