Suit-case, Koffer, Kiste

[Wesley's Dad]

I was hoping some of our German friends might help me with something. The attached photo shows German POW on return from the Soviet Union. In this photo like many others there is a simple wooden (ply-wood) suit case. This item is a pretty common sight in photos of Heimkehrer. I would like to add one to my OstFront collection.

From the best I can tell until the fairly recent deployment of German troops to Afghanistan creating a modern version of Heimkehrer, this word was mostly associated with returning POW from the Soviet Union. I am looking for some advice on how best to search for such an item in Germany. Is a phrase like Heimkehrer Koffer or Kiste going to be something that would make sense to someone or might this be called something else.

Granted it is a simple wooden box...

[Colorado]

There was a time, I had a few named and also unmarked cases. Some held with one hand and also small footlockers held with two hands that are slightly larger.

I took a named two handed one to last MAX and it lasted about a minute and is now most likely in France. It was in OK condition and made completely of plywood and was splitting badly.

Here is one I have kept and believe it is the style you seek. They are not easy to find and I grabbed all I could when I could. Wish I had some back. Most were unmarked by the way and go easily unnoticed at Flea Markets.

I speak some German, and when I sought them out I believe I referred to them as "Soldaten Kisten".

What's inside will remain a mystery.

[Wesley's Dad]

Kiste

Jeff,

Thank you for the information. I suspect these would be hard to find in militaria circles, but it is elsewhere I plan on looking. Such a box would have been a useful thing to keep, and these returning POWs kept much less useful things that can be found with a modest search in the right places. So, off I go...

Thanks again

[Luciusdegeer]

I have one in a variation that iI saw in other collections too. It's plywood, painted light grey (glossy), with steelwire handle and steel corner reinforcements. The German friend I got it from bought it with an officer's Nachlass in it. Never was sure about it's military significance, therefor I 'stored' it so well that I can't remember where I left it. No name on it, only some washed paper labels.

L

[hcliffe]

Very cool box Jeff. Some day it will be mine....

[Colorado]

Harry - Didn't I mail you a box full of field gear inside one of these boxes ten years ago when I lived in Germany?

[hcliffe]

Yes, and it is still full of field gear. But I have more field gear than that.

[Wesley's Dad]

Boxes

So the boxes being carried by the Heimkehrer in the photos I posted... Were they Soviet camp issue or camp made by the POWs?

[Admiraal]

I think made by themself.

I got a Heimkehrer bag myself, with name on it etc.
Its a patato bag that has straps from something attached and a M43 uniform pocket flap sewed on it as reinforcement.

[Theoderich]

Here`s one i found some weeks ago, in condition as found. I think this is the best´ve ever had, needs to be cleaned and some furniture/ wood polish, have still some dirt on it, but in very nice condition! This one is directly from the attic!

best regards
Dirk

[Theoderich]

..

[Theoderich]

There was a time, I had a few named and also unmarked cases. Some held with one hand and also small footlockers held with two hands that are slightly larger.

I took a named two handed one to last MAX and it lasted about a minute and is now most likely in France. It was in OK condition and made completely of plywood and was splitting badly.

Here is one I have kept and believe it is the style you seek. They are not easy to find and I grabbed all I could when I could. Wish I had some back. Most were unmarked by the way and go easily unnoticed at Flea Markets.

I speak some German, and when I sought them out I believe I referred to them as "Soldaten Kisten".

What's inside will remain a mystery.

The one you show is a "suit case" for soldiers, not a "Heimkehrerkoffer", as there`s a Fieldpost number on it.