Any DAK items

[MilitaryCollect]

More DAK diaries.

1942 & 43' diaries.

[MilitaryCollect]

More DAK diaries.

Envelope containing diary. This one was a vet p/u.

[MilitaryCollect]

More DAK diaries.

Entries through April 24, 1943.

[MilitaryCollect]

More DAK diaries.

Mostly battle entries from February thru April.

[MilitaryCollect]

More DAK diaries.

Beginning of entries - January 24.

[MilitaryCollect]

More DAK diaries.

Hello,

Here's my favorite personalized piece from German soldier who served in Tunisia. It's his 1943 diary and complete with entries from January 24 thru April 24, 1943. I got this one from a vet who served with an artillery unit in Tunisia. He got this diary from a POW (while in Tunisia) and gave it to an intelligence officer and it was eventually returned to him. It still has the envelope from the "War Department Office of Intelligence Officer" at Fort Dix, N.J. addressed to him while he was being treated for war wounds at "Tilton General Hospital" at Fort Dix.

A few links re: Tunisian campaign:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunisia_Campaign

http://wwiiarchives.net/ebooks/Tunisia.pdf (see pages 24 & 25 regarding events of April 21-25, 1943).

http://www.history.army.mil/brochure...ia/tunisia.htm

http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/te...wii/194304.htm
04/24/1943: Severe fighting continues in northern Tunisia's mountains, where Allied troops are attacking the German 5th Panzer Armee. The U. S. 1st Infantry division (Big Red One) captures hills 35 miles west of Bizerte

Road to Tunisia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erwin_R..._end_in_Africa

Christopher

[90th Light]

Howdy,

Boy, you guys have a keen eye. Anyway, its already en route to Chicago. The blanket coat will be professionally cleaned and the holes/damage areas patched with some extra blanketcoat material from a pair of trousers I have. That black stuff is oil/grease and it should clean up nicely.

Plenty of extra material though....

Christopher

These DAK/tropical trousers should under no circumstances be touched. This is a classic example of what the German soldiers in the final days of the Tunisia campaign were wearing and even before that time in mid to late 42 onwards. They literally could not get re-supply in the right sizes and many of the early veterans whose uniforms had become worn like a used pair of jeans repaired their uniforms with pride. This is what the "die-hards were wearing and that could well be where these trousers have come from.

We collectors always assume that if they are repaired then they are likely to be from the time as a POW. This is not always true. Study the photos of Afrika POW's in the camps. How many patched trousers can you see ?
On the other hand study the pictures of the units which had to go through the cactus plants as they retreated into Tunisia which ripped their uniforms to bits. No replacement items were available so the only solution was cut a bit of the bottom of your great-coat or what-ever and repair, repair & repair as necessary.

These trousers should be respected for what may well be, a guinuine pair of German tropical breeches which might have seen "real" service in Africa.

If you want to destroy them then please don't. I would gladly buy them for a good price. They have "Afrika" written all over them.

We are only trustees for these items and we have a duty to pass the history on in tact. If we do any-thing to the items in a our collections then it should only be something which can be un-done at a future date. If it can not then do not do it. How many of us have learnt that the hard way and what would we do differently if we had our time over again ?

Let us all ponder the history which an item represents not how pretty it can look or even worse how we can doll it up to look like a "hooker on a street corner"

Sorry for raving but I hope I get this message through in time,

Chris

[MilitaryCollect]

Any DAK items

Hi,

I like the content of your message and some of the others regarding the preservation of these trousers. I'll keep them as a humble trustee. Certainly wouldn't want to destroy history in a misguided effort to improve something else.

What are your thoughts on replacing a bad eagle on a tunic or touching up a DAK shoulderboard which had a very bad case of moths?

Christopher

[MilitaryCollect]

Any DAK items

Pants from Tunisia.

[MilitaryCollect]

Any DAK items

Patches.

[MilitaryCollect]

Any DAK items

Patch.

[MilitaryCollect]

Any DAK items

Close-up.

[MilitaryCollect]

Any DAK items

Hello,

Here are some more photos of the pants from Tunisia. I hope the members enjoy the photos.

Christopher

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi,

I like the content of your message and some of the others regarding the preservation of these trousers. I'll keep them as a humble trustee. Certainly wouldn't want to destroy history in a misguided effort to improve something else.

What are your thoughts on replacing a bad eagle on a tunic or touching up a DAK shoulderboard which had a very bad case of moths?

Hi Christopher, I see nothing wrong with replacing a bad eagle. The tunic has already been messed with, so putting it right would be OK. As always, should the item be sold, it just needs to be pointed out about the restoration.

Regarding the shoulder straps, I think I would leave them be. That is part of their history and I think that would be messing with them?

Cheers, Ade.

[MilitaryCollect]

Any DAK items

Hello Ade,

Sounds good and will do! - or actually won't do but I think you know what I mean.

Cordially,

Christopher