Education needed

[CPB]

I collect stuff from Berchtesgaden, so this little group was a nice pick up for me.

But what can you tell me about all the different badges here?

I know about the French patch, just the others

Thanks

Chris

[sgstandard]

stuff

Heer Breast Eagle. Larger metal eagle is SA I believe. The eagle with wreath is a Police cap insignia. The small diamond-shaped badge is a Hitler Youth membership badge, worn on the left breast pocket. The circular insignia is a German Army cockade, worn on a visor cap.

[sgstandard]

Stuff

The 2 gold buttons are Political Leader buttons, but I've never seen them with a border around the edge. The other small device appears to be a numeral - If so, I think it's for a German Army shoulderboard - probably regimental number.

[Christophorus]

The 2 gold buttons are Political Leader buttons, but I've never seen them with a border around the edge.

Hi,
it's quite normal given that they are not Political Leader buttons, but were worn by members of the Deutsche Reichsbahn Gesellschaft. They are in glass.
Besides, it is in part written on the rear.

Best

[ethreecee]

letter

Unusal to see a "modern" font style on the 69 year old letter.

[Erich B.]

I was thinking the same thing--I can't figure out how a GI in 1945 could send a mechanically produced letter printed like this. Even if he had it typeset at a book printer's facility (which, of course, he wouldn't), it wouldn't look similar to this letter. Erich

[Silesien]

Pretty wierd how Railways & Army & Police personnel were up on the mountain. Maybe in the town below, but UP on the mountain ?? & by the way, those Railways buttons were NOT in glass,,, who told you that ?? Glass, are you kidding me ?? I don't remember them being in glass. 100's upon 100's of these gilted brass buttons were found in storage in Germany in the 1970's, & ended up on the in color sales listings of Unique Imports of Alexandria VA., I've seen & had dozens of them, they were item "Y", a set of 3 for $9.95.

[CPB]

Thanks for the education!!

I don't know about the typeface/printing. But this letter was part of a much larger auction of the guy's letters and things he sent home. Some were written using an old-style typewriter while a couple, this one included, had a more modern style. He was a typist and an orderly in the HQ battalion.

[CPB]

Well today I found out that the veteran is 95 and still alive, so I gave him a call.

He lives in Liverpool, New York and was happy to talk.

He remembered about the letter and pieces. I also quizzed him on the typewriter. He said it was a German portable typewriter he picked up out of a military warehouse. He left it in Germany when he came home.

He remembers going into Hitler's home - The Berghof – too. He said the SS smashed the place up pretty bad.

During his time in the war, he sent back a whole heap of flags and other souvenirs. A year or so ago he donated them to a hospice and they just auctioned them all off. He lives in a nursing home now.

What a privilege. God bless this guy.

Chris

[Serg]

3 - Reichspost. 5 - Reichsbahn.

[RonR]

& by the way, those Railways buttons were NOT in glass,,, who told you that ?? Glass, are you kidding me ?? I don't remember them being in glass. 100's upon 100's of these gilted brass buttons were found in storage in Germany in the 1970's, & ended up on the in color sales listings of Unique Imports of Alexandria VA., I've seen & had dozens of them, they were item "Y", a set of 3 for $9.95.

Glass Reichsbahn buttons...

...

[RonR]

23

[RonR]

45

[RonR]

67

[Silesien]

wow, they sure are definitely glass,,, never saw 'em before,,, the only ones I've seen of that design were the brass ones. Thanks for showing them.