You never know what will turn up.

[Jean-Loup]

The boulder had a strong metal door to go into it, but I didnt take a picture. It is very slightly visible on the left of the small chimney.
Here are a few more photos: the remains of a foxhole. Was it used in 1793 or in 1944... Or maybe both?

[Jean-Loup]

Remains of a trench. It was probably built by the French, and then reused by the Germans in 1944, like the rest of the "little Maginot line" that lies between France and Italy.

[Jean-Loup]

Discovery of a clip for the Garand rifle. The last person who held it was probably the US soldier who lost it.

[Jean-Loup]

US equipment clips. The one on the right still seems to have some green camo paint on it, typical of the US paratrooper units that fought in the area.

[Jean-Loup]

And finaly, some of the residents of the battlefield. If I could get them to pick up militaria for me, I would probably have a very big collection.

[Jägermarty]

Great thread and pics Jean-Loup

[Jean-Loup]

Nothing to do with the war... but here is an alpine moon rise...

[nutmeg]

I would date the grenade badge in the 1793 period, probably from a Grenadier's cartridge box, actually a pretty nice find

[Simon O.]

Nothing to do with the war... but here is an alpine moon rise...

I drove along that road back in june


With regard to mineclearing casualties. I wonder if there are any consolidated lists on the numbers across Europe? In Norway alone, from the end of the war until 29 Aug.45 275 killed and 392 wounded were recorded. Mine clearing went on long after of course, well into 1946 but there are no figures beyond the end of August.

[Craig Gottlieb]

Old thread, but a very good one! Listen, I just got one of those SDDAM PPN badges in a collection of veteran-acquired material. Any idea of value? Thanks!

[von Olsson]

Great thread, thanks for sharing!

[B-24 Liberator]

Gentleman, just fantastic stuff! Thanks to both of you for sharing another aspect of the war. I have a question. In the photo of the boulder/Bunker is that a flue you can see on the backside? Looks to be a chimney to evacuate smoke from a cooking fire?

Gary

[Adam.B]

How cool is that boulder/bunker

Great thread

[tracman]

Merci Jean-Loup: what a fantastic thread. I was aware there were relics and things to see there, but not at all that interesting!

Thank you as well for noting the sacrificial work done by German POWs in clearing minefields in France: it's a rather unpleasant chapter that hopefully one day will be addressed objectively by all concerned.

How cool is that boulder/bunker

Great thread

[Les Brock]

Cracking little read and some stunning pictures thanks for posting

Regards

Les