Relics from Schnee Eifel 16-06-'08

Last monday i went on a trip for the first time with 272VGD., someone we all know!
And i can say it was a succesfull trip.
First we started at a spot i picked out, we had to climb a steep hill and on top of that hill there where some foxholes.
We could see we where the first to dig there in 63 years, and that was a big relief.
In the first hole i found a German Göffel (fork/spoon combo) but it was in a pretty bad shape.:






272VGD. had a nice bleep in an other hole while i whas searching the area, i found a German spade and a zipper (German) withleather still attached to it.:










So i returned to 272VGD who unearthed a MG-42 ammobox and several clips for a Stg.44.
By shaking the box we could hear there was still someting inside it and he clould manage to open it without a scratch.
The contence cought us by surprise, there where 2 MG-belts with ammo, 4 parts for the MG-42, 2 oil canisters, a wrench and a cloth.
All in nearly new shape, dripping and shining in weaponsoil.
This was amazing, just take a look at these pictures!



















And a picture after just opening:





































You can imagine how are faces looked!
We emptyed de belts and got rid off the live ammo, 272VGD gave me one belt and 1 of the 4 MG-parts, i'm still thankfull for that, it whas his find!
After that we seached the area more and found a part in the woods where the empty casings where scatterd over the forestfloor, from both parties.
Here we found an US pinegranate and after the picture was take we dug it back in the ground:





Also i found a part of a US gasmask, a German "tube Fussalbe" and a rotten BAR-magazine:

 

We also took some nice shots of the surrounding area to give you an idea of how it looks like:

















But lets continue with the trip-report, now we moved to an area that was picked out by 272VGD, and this was also a nice area.
Within 5 minutes after turning on my detector i found a M3 plastic scabbard near a foxhole:









We moved up to an others spot and soon after i found a German Reichssportsabzeichen in bronze, together with some uniformbuttons and a little hanger, probebly belonging to the same soldier.
This was a big day for both of us and we coulden't be more lucky!





















The abzeichen after cleaning:









Also i found a part that is most likely from the .50 Browning.













This is a day we both won't forget for a long time.
I thank 272VGD. for lending me some of his pictures to make this thread.

 

Fantastic finds, well done to both of you.

The MG42 parts are bolt and cartridge ejector assemblies, can any maker marks be made out on the ammo cannister?

 

Those are some amazing finds...as John says, especially the German weapons parts.....

 

Yes absolute amazing, it seems like the belts were buried there yesterday! I really like the insigna too. It was carefully cleaned and you can read the text on the back.

 

This was my first time outside the Hurtgen Forest area, maybe a next trip i'll take a look in the woods you are mentioning.
Do you perhaps have a map of that line, if so, please send me a PM.

To the others, thanks for the response!
Later 272VGD. will add some comment, also about the marks on the oilcanisters!
They are in his possesion.

 

Don't bother, bin there allready Edwin.
The abzeichen you found was just a few miles south of it.

I will make some pictures after cleaning the items as soon as possible.

 

Take your time with the cleaning: you must be squatting the sink big time! I hope people still can enter the bathroom or garden!

 

Nice maps... but I have these on 1:20.000 scale...
The region you mention is the Hollerather Knee, Dreiherrenwald etc.
I think your making a mistake, the 2nd ID was located a few miles north, between Rocherath and Losheimer the 99th ID was located.

But.... many guys have searched in that area... me included.


Here some pictures after the first item is cleaned.

 

Yes, but the 2nd, wasn't in Krinkelt, Rocherath.. the 99th did. And indeed just a few miles north to Elsenborn/Wahlerscheid the 2nd was attachted to the 99th...

 

a great find there mate make the collection look really great
thankyou for showing us your goot time well done mate
cheers krieg

 

You did a great cleaning job and turned the relics into really nice collector items. It must have taken quite some time to remove the rust without breaking or scratching anything.

 

Ed, execellent finds and in very good condition

Just goes to show, theres still plenty of good stuff out there just waiting to be found

Was the sprots badge near the mg tin

 

To show how the bolt and spring assemblies fit, here are some photos of the ones in my MG.

 

No those 2 items where found at different spots.
Many miles a part!