Any DAK items

[90th Light]

Very nice Chris, I especially like the MG Bn 8 officers shoulderstrap. I've had the fortune to be able to handle an officers tunic from this Bn. Unfortunately I can't share any photographs of it but may at least get the opportunity to add it to the collection one day.

Mark

Cheers Mark,

the MG officer tunic sounds very interesting. Does it have its "M.8" devices on the straps because it has always surprised me that these were still being worn at that time. It does however seem to have been happening. I have also seen more than one Pz. Reg.5 & Geb.J.R.85 on EM & NCO. Plus I have heard of some limited examples for other units,

Chris

[90th Light]

While I am on this thread, I may as well add a couple of my favourites.

"Cut offs" and "mouth eatens" are valuable for the learning insights into construction ( Literally & physically)

Ever wondered why your 1943 tropical "M40" billed caps flops around a lot more ???

Well, have a look at this 1941 "Frankenstein" M40 cut off compared with a later 1942 or 1943 "RB" M40.

Very revealing to say the least ,

Chris

[90th Light]

2 Ever wondered why your 1943 tropical "M40" billed caps flops around a lot more ???

Well, have a look at this 1941 "Frankenstein" M40 cut off compared with a later 1942 or 1943 "RB" M40.

Very revealing to say the least ,

Chris

[OSS]

White piped shoulder boards from Afrika are certainly one of the hardest to find.

Here is the only ones that I have found. The white piped EM came from a New Zealand soldier who also got this Wehrpass at the same time. This unit of Pz.Gren.125 were over run during the Second Battle of El Alamein October – November 1942. They were on their way up to the front when the New Zealand vanguard which had broken through took them prisoner. Looks like they never even got into the battle. As you can see from the unit page in the Wehrpass, they were infantry up until 31/ August 1942 when they were reclassified as Panzer Grenadier and rushed to Afrika from Kreta as reinforcements.

Looks like some if not many were still wearing the white piping of J.R.125 when they arrived.

The other shoulder board from an officer in M.G.8 which is holding the Wehrpass page open was picked up in November 1941.

Chris

While both I.R. 125 and M.G.8 undoubtedly wore white waffenfarbe at the outset, I believe both formations wore green waffenfarbe in Africa. Of course it is very likely that individuals retained previously worn insignia in their kit and in some cases on their tunics.

[OSS]

Here is an early (wool-piped, brown overcoat backed) pair of enlisted white piped tropical tunic straps:

[afrikasandman]

A nice set from a Waffenrock for the 125th. Matt

[afrikasandman]

200th Mech INF. I have 2 sets of these, 1 the numerals are pushed all the way through the board and the other set the pins do not go all the way through. I can't find a pic of the other set with their backs shows so will just include a pic of both in the riker next to each other. Matt

[afrikasandman]

Missing a couple of cut off eagles and a cockade that just arrived back home, but still a nice selection of cut offs. Matt

[afrikasandman]

Board to the 33rd Art. Came from a house clearing sale that was broken up when the whole lot didn't sell. There was a DAK medal with the group and a cuff title too if I remember right. I got the single board and the soldiers troddel, wish I had been able to afford more at the time but its hard collecting when I was in college. Matt

[afrikasandman]

Sorry for the blurry pic of the rings. I can't do a better one till I get back but a nice selection of what was available for soldiers to spend their money on. Matt

[alphared6]

I love those DAK rings. I have only come across two in my travles.

<a href="http://s131.photobucket.com/albums/p313/alphared6/?action=view&amp;current=rings.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p313/alphared6/rings.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[afrikasandman]

Alpha,

nice rings, especially that Italian produced one on the right. If you decide to move it along you know who to hit up for it. Still have a few places open as you can see in my ring case. Matt

[alphared6]

Alpha,

nice rings, especially that Italian produced one on the right. If you decide to move it along you know who to hit up for it. Still have a few places open as you can see in my ring case. Matt

Italian made you say? You seem to know quite a bit about these rings. I can find no books or web sites on the subject. Can you suggest any?

The brass and white metal (Italian made) ring has "Arab" wrighting on both sides. Any clue as to what it says? For all I know it says "You Germans suck."

[OSS]

The DAK thread has been exceptionally quiet lately so in order to stimulate discussion, I am introducing this photo of a Feldwebel from A.A.3 resting outside his tent. The tent appears to be made of olive canvas. My question is: is it constructed with shelter quarters and if so were troops in Africa issued olive green shelter quarters (either German made or captured)?

[BergführerKiser]

Grüß Di' OSS,

The tent is German made, not from shelter quarters. The tent in the photo is the "kleines Gebirgsnachrichtenzelt" which appears in many DAK photos in either olive or splinter camo canvas.





Horrido!

Patrick