Just back from El Alamein!

[pattiewhack]

I went up to the German Memorial at El Alamein today with a buddy from work in Cairo. The area is about 3.5 hours away from here and we really enjoyed and appreciated the experience so I thought I would post some photos for those interested. We were the only ones in the memorial and the bedouin groundskeeper came to let us in and have a chat.

[pattiewhack]

The German eagle watches over


Me by the wall for unknown soldiers. It was about 40 degrees C.


Many names...

[herrgeezer]

Excellent photos! Solemn and peaceful.

[pattiewhack]

[pattiewhack]

After, the groundskeeper took us to another bedouin who gets relics from those living in the desert...

goodies


any idea what this is?




and this?

[pattiewhack]

stumbled upon a Sherman tank on the way back


and a newer APC too!

[pauke]

trans

Nice images, thank you. The wording on the wall where you stood:
Here repose 31 Soldiers of unknown nationality

Everything was taken here by death,
name, age and origin/
every earthly dimension was taken
and made insignificant+
only one thing remained as a bright note
in the dark legend of this
boundless war in a
profane world:
where you stand here in battle
whether enemy/whether friend
or brother/ whether by the sons
of Germany or of Italy or of England
your way was knightly
acting humanely was the law
God alone knows all of you+
He knows your names
and enters them in His strict and truthful order
He holds in His Hands the prayer
of the living and the dead+

+ the prayer for peace +

[V1Oliver]

Very impressive

[Mainemilitaria]

I can help with a couple of your mystery items.....

the 1939 dated thing....unknown (it may be a relic "loader" for a M.P. 38.)

The "Star" w/screwback Bomisa Milano markings is an Italian Army "Collar Star"....(if star is plain EMs/if it "engraved" it's officers)

The Zinc German helmeted soldier profile "thing" I've seen before...possibly a field mirror (backing) or something commonly used....but ???

The last item with the "neck chain" & text (small tablet) is an Italian soldiers Identity tag (Dog tag)....can't read it well enough to see details.

Hope this adds alittle....interesting odds and ends....bet there's quite a market in that stuff....out of curiosity, what were some of the prices (generally speaking)....
John G.
Mainemilitaria

Stay safe and alert!

[pattiewhack]

...Hope this adds a little....interesting odds and ends....bet there's quite a market in that stuff....out of curiosity, what were some of the prices (generally speaking)....
John G.
Mainemilitaria

Stay safe and alert!

Thanks for the help! The prices were certainly not low. He wanted about $150 for the pith helmet eagle and the same for the Italian dog tag and insisted that tourists would regularly pay those prices and DOUBLE that before the 2011 Revolution

I picked up the "1939" piece, which I have been told is the makers mark for a shell container, and the Italian collar star for $15. He wanted double that but I said no way. Tourists in Egypt need to understand that you NEVER pay what the seller asks In any case, looking forward to getting out into the desert myself (with local bedouin, of course) to see the sights!

[jiipee76]

Interesting Sherman,it has oscillating type turret of French AMX.

[Tim O'Keefe]

Really great opportunity you have. Nice photos of the German tomb. Keep us informed of the "turmoil" & how it is distracting you.

When you return to Alamein, photos of both Alam Halfa and Ruweistat ridges from the Allied defensive positions, and the German avenues of approach would be the photos i'd take.

Also Halfaya Pass both upper and lower. Again from the German defensive point of view and the Allied avenues of approach. And of course Tobruk when you get the chance....

& $150 for a pith shield, tell him to get real $25 tops. the Sherman is a Super Sherman also post WWII.

Here is another link that may prove useful. Images of Rommel's Battlefields during World War II in Libya.
Pictures taken in Eastern Libya by General Suleiman Obeidi 2004 - 2008

http://www.rommelinlibya.com/im/im.html


stay low & safe,

Heia Safari !
Tim

[Nachrichten]

Interesting Sherman,it has oscillating type turret of French AMX.

Probably a souvenir of 1973.

Ex-Israeli, I'd say.

N

[Jägermarty]

What a really nice memorial, thanks for the photo's

[scotty1418]

The visits to North African battlegrounds are always very interesting. Few get to go!