collecting without historical background

[Ferdinand W.]

Hello.
I am always wondering about collectors accumulating rare and expensive items without having seen the "real" battlegrounds" of Europe. It is not reasonable to buy a Fallschirmjäjer Helmet for $ 5.000 from Anzio without having visited Anzio.
I am really upset about so called experts. mainly from the US, who are sittin' in their basements or running around for "veteran's" buys.
Three nights in Bastogne and the surrounding woods would bring a lot more.
Having rare items from catalogues does'nt in far reach the experience of having "been there".
Internet collecting may be positive but not in this direction.


Ferd

[Shawn Hall]

I would love to visit some of these places. I am no expert by any means and I would like to have just one of those $5000 helmets. Some people cannot afford both and have to decide between a trip overseas and a particular item. Usually the item will be cheaper in the long run, although like you say you miss out on the feeling of where your item came from. Maybe one day I will be a self-proclaimed expert, own a $5000 helmet and off visiting some of these historical battlefields.

-Shawn

[prussian.guard]

i have to agree that a visit to any battlefield gives you a feeling that no collectable item can ever bring.as for the comment about Americans collecting but never visiting a battlefield is i think unfair.anyone can collect anything,just because they don't visit somewhere makes them no less passionate than someone who has.i collect and have visited many battlefield sites but i feel no more of a collector than anybody else who hasn't

[Don D.]

Hello.
I am always wondering about collectors accumulating rare and expensive items without having seen the "real" battlegrounds" of Europe. It is not reasonable to buy a Fallschirmjäjer Helmet for $ 5.000 from Anzio without having visited Anzio.
I am really upset about so called experts. mainly from the US, who are sittin' in their basements or running around for "veteran's" buys.
Three nights in Bastogne and the surrounding woods would bring a lot more.
Having rare items from catalogues does'nt in far reach the experience of having "been there".
Internet collecting may be positive but not in this direction.


Ferd

I've been to many battlefields, both in Europe and at home in the states. For the most part there is nothing there, not even markers of what occured. I find out more info from the veterans that were there when the action took place. I can lay around in the woods anytime but nothing beats talking to the guys that lived it. In that regard I find your comments more than a little pompous and irritating. Most of the people in Europe have no interest in the history under there feet.

[Gun Bunny]

I'm not a collector, but I have walked many battlefields (not only ones in the "States"), and I always feel or sense what took place there! We in the States have a very rich history, thought it isn't as old as Europe.
Yes, I take offense to the thought that only a European can appreciate European battlefields!
You are welcome to come here and walk Gettysburg, Fredricksburg, etc...
As a European, tell me that when you walk the "Sunken road", "Devil's Den" or the open field were "Picket's Charge" occurred and you don't feel at awe where so many young died?
I've been to Germany and Poland to some battlefields and Bergen- Belson, and I will tell you that they were just as sobering as it gets!
My friend, seeing where you are from tells me that you know what sacrifices young Americans made in your country. I know I don't need to remind you that almost all Americans had Grand-fathers and Great-Grand-Fathers that were fighting around the world to free people.
Don't take offense at my words, I don't mean to offend, just my feelings that I had to say on the subject.
"The First Duty is to Remember"

[Thesee]

Hey,

Yeah that"s right, for the most there is nothing, but not all europeans people forgot.

There is some association who work, for example on WW1 battlefields, and the results is very good, they re-made trenchs ( with good museum near it) like in "Le linge" or sure in Verdun.

But i think, fot the moment, the most important is the veterans, because they lived things and they can tell the past, unlike battlefields ...

[PlaceOfBayonets]

I was gonna get around to going to France to see the killing fields of WW! but then the depression set in. Now I may never see them.

W.

[münster]

I think the Americans that are planted in the ground in Europe will make up for the collectors not showing up.

[BPA-Paul]

I have to say as a collector of WWII militaria ,nothing beats visting the harsh battlegrounds of europe as i have done . Talking to veterens and getting a better understanding of the events that occured thru this period of time is priceless !!, but i dont think that any !! collector going around would have less appreciation for any battlefields over there collection, keep in mind alot of collectors might not have the time or moneys for travel if you compare cost of (militaria) vs (Travel/Europe) holidaying in europe is certainly far more expensive and time consuming !!

And if the opportunity comes round (money speaking), i would say to any collector its a Must do !!, you will appreciate your collection even more.

[Stinch]

I think the Americans that are planted in the ground in Europe will make up for the collectors not showing up.

Well said.

I hope to someday make the trip to tour and pay my respects at the military cemeteries. The things we collect are bridges to history. Veterans and those who sacrificed their lives are the history.

[Teamski]

Hello.
I am always wondering about collectors accumulating rare and expensive items without having seen the "real" battlegrounds" of Europe. It is not reasonable to buy a Fallschirmjäjer Helmet for $ 5.000 from Anzio without having visited Anzio.
I am really upset about so called experts. mainly from the US, who are sittin' in their basements or running around for "veteran's" buys.
Three nights in Bastogne and the surrounding woods would bring a lot more.
Having rare items from catalogues does'nt in far reach the experience of having "been there".
Internet collecting may be positive but not in this direction.


Ferd

You, sir are quite out of line here. I could write a book on this, but it isn't worth the typing. As a US military servicemember who has lived in Europe for 7 years, I say this: Grow up.

-Ski

[crowback]

Upset

Leave him alone, Ski. Can't you see he is upset.

You, sir are quite out of line here. I could write a book on this, but it isn't worth the typing. As a US military servicemember who has lived in Europe for 7 years, I say this: Grow up.

-Ski

[Ferdinand W.]

out of line

I didn't want to offense anyone, I am not upset !
My mom was in a concentration camp and my dad was forced into the German Wehrmacht (as a Luxembourger !!!)
Both were liberated by the US troops and I don't want to be classified as a "forgetter" in this matter.
I know for sure that we owe a lot to the US - please have a look at this my story :
http://yd-info.net/page8/page29/index.html


Ferdinand

[Gun Bunny]

Ferdinand W.- I'm sorry, but you did offend, mainly because you singled out Americans as not caring about what has happened on distant battlefields. You single out only Americans when there were a lot of other Countries that have had solders that fought and died on European soil! Why only Americans I ask you?

[münster]

I've been to many battlefields, both in Europe and at home in the states. For the most part there is nothing there, not even markers of what occured. I find out more info from the veterans that were there when the action took place. I can lay around in the woods anytime but nothing beats talking to the guys that lived it. In that regard I find your comments more than a little pompous and irritating. Most of the people in Europe have no interest in the history under there feet.

You have got a big point there Don, I go to a lot of the battle sites in my area and take for instance the Hurtgen Forest, if asked by Germans I know why Iam going there, they have no idea what happened there (this applies to people my age 38-45, not young people) They are destroying parts of the westwall now also. When I need spots to go metal detecting all my info comes from Americans via the net who have either been there or are so refined in their knoweldge of the area just by studying the history of it.