Very early sales!

[Dietrich Maerz]

The photo is titled "A German child trying to sell his father’s Iron Cross for cigarettes, 1945." (Source: Rare picture of the World History).

Obvioulsly Daddy wasn't wearing his cross, or got another one , ... Looks like "Paul Meybauer, Berlin" to me.

Dietrich

[Brian R]

Great picture, Dietrich!! And I agree that it could be a Meybauer given that case marking. Very cool!!

[Ludwig]

Scheisse! So traurig...

[streptile]

Amazing photo.

[Nordmark]

Scheisse! So traurig...

Agreed, looks like Papa never made it home...

[Volksgrenadier 44]

I guess there could be many reasons as to why! we will never know,i just hope the lad got through the hell around him at the time.

Ross

[blitzkrieg gsd]

So sad to see how bad these kids had it after the hell of the war. Victims who are mostly forgotten about now.

[kid74]

This photo is very sad (IMO). The son is not yet aware of the incident. This order, possible, price the life of his father.

This happens now even when no one is starving. Money became more important than the memory, unfortunately.

WR Kirill

[Brian R]

Yes, definitely sad too. I'd guess that this cross made it home but his dad didn't. And the cigarettes could then be traded for food.

[kid74]

Yes, definitely sad too. I'd guess that this cross made it home but his dad didn't. And the cigarettes could then be traded for food.

The life of father price of a pack of cigarettes. We cannot allow this happen again!

WR Kirill

[Douglas 5]

So sad that picture .

Douglas

[Tom B]

You can't eat an EK1. Tom

[Theodor]

Or not so sad - maybe he was one little fighter, who found a box of crosses in the ruins and in the postwar months improved his and his family's life selling souvenirs. Remember the 17 y old kid, who got a tired military truck after the war's end and started a transport service in the war ruined country. Soon he had the Betz transport empire! There were plenty of clever and enterprising people, who built the country back to world leader status.

[Giel VW]

That's a beautiful picture Dietrich, thanks for sharing!

[Leroy]

Great source: http://historicaltimes.tumblr.com/po...ers-iron-cross