Abwehrschlacht im Huertgenwald.

Hi all,

As I told before I also have a huge passion for the battles done in the Huertgenwald region and Schnee Eifel.
Regular I am searching in the woods over there for relics of times almost forgotten...
Well the Huertgenforest is very suitable to see remains of the battle that was done there in 1944/45.
Many bunkers are there to see, and even a lot of trenches and foxholes.
The Westwall line still stands today on some parts in that area.
For instance near the villages Lammersdorf and Simmerath you can still see many parts of the dragonteeth antitankwall. And also some bunkers are there to see.

Here an example of a Dragonteeth line near Kranzbruch/Simmerath.


Well if you read about the battles done there you must think the stuff is there for the taken... nothing is true. Many other people who search with an metaldetector have bin there and on the well-known spots its hardly to find something interesting. So the challenge is offcours to find some unknown locations.
Well I have bin on a lot of places in approximately 2,5 years know with my comrades. And we did some nice findings then and know.
So here a topic about my findings, pictures and things to see in the area of the Huertgenforest and Schnee Eifel. If you want to discuss something about some Huertgenwald things feel free to do so.
(I also posted some then and know pictures in this same thread)

I'll hope you will be interested.

Regards,
Nick

 

Here 2 canteens found just a few meters from eachother, the US canteen is dated from 1943. The German canteen is a impressive item who has scrapnel damage. Belong to the 272VGD! Found near Simmerath.

 

Nice find and photos Nick. Keep em coming.

 

Wow. Did bullets flew through the Feldflasche? Or is it postwar damage?

 

Wow I hope the soldier wasn't wearing that at the time of the damage! They kind of look like bullet holes!
Nick, how long does that tank barrier run?

 

After better seeing, it are bullet holes. Germans won't drop their Feldflasche, why? Because it's mostly hanged with a (lock \? this thing) on a bread bag or with a strap on the belt so it's hard to lose your Feldflasche. I think he got shot.

 

Don't know exactly, a few km's on that part??
Thank you all for the reply's, saturday I will go again to Huertgen, I'll keep you updated.

 

Far to big for a normal bullet and the sizes of the 3 holes are different, I think it is scrapnel damage from a grenade.

 

Here another nice find from last autumn.
A small German dumphole, with a German gasmask and messtin cover. With initials! The letters A T.
Also on the handle the word FAULDE appears, is this also the name of the owner or is it factory made? That will be a bit strange because also the text SMM38 is marked on the messtin cover, and thats the factory unless I'm mistaken? Here are the pictures.

 

Yesterday I went again to the Huertgenforest, didn't find much unfortunately, but on the end of the day I found in a foxhole some .30-06 cartridge clips (full with ammo) and with that an leather tool equipment kit! In good condition if you imagezine its have been underground for more than 60 years. And after cleaning I did a nice discovery, the initials HEM! Another personal item.

 

An exemple for Erich of some signalcartridges I have found in Der Buhlert (Huertgenforest).

 

fantastic finds, as always Nick! like the personal items!

 

just saw this Nick...good show ! have you been able to ID the flares ? I see the white lower band on two of them

boy I would love to work out something to send me 1-2 but the air postal would proably tyry to hunt us both down for sending no, no's from one side to the otehr ........

 

Thats not a good idea unfortunately, if you live outside europe.
As you know, you're invited to come. I can miss a few of them for you.
Or you can find them yourself.

Here another personel item from the Huertgenwald, its a US canteencover who has been blowed to pieces! I can read the initials JM or WC twice.
These relics really talk to me and it has a nice spot in my collection with a statue of an Holy Angel I found later the same day in a dumphole with other ww2 items.

How idyllic ... Isnt it?

 

Bunker 139/40 in the Buhlert, just West of the town Schmidt.





Done a nice find over there, an StG44 magazine.

 

Nick you could almost open a private museum with these relics. You would be damned happy to come over here and dig up some relics from the many battle fields. if you ever do , you'd be welcome.

 

In which region do you live?
Maybe next summer.

 

In the Loire Valley, about six hours from your home if there are no traffic jams when crossing Paris.

 

Maybe something for in the vacation.
But first I have to buy a car.

 

wait 'til next year Nick, when I come over, I'll rent a car and we can both go visit skipper! I don't think i'll be able to take my metal detector on the plane though!