Kev in Deva

Wow a whole 50p to get in!!!!! I found a nice book down in the celler of one of the buildings there for 2 Pounds, it is: "THE KING'S SERVICE, An Informal History of the British Infantry Soldier" by IAN HAY. (Major John Hay Beith, C.B.E., M.C., Late of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.) Published by METHUEN & CO. LTD. LONDON (First Published in 1938). There was also a stack of French Adrian helmet shells down there, always sorry I never took one Kevin in Deva

1. Maybe somebody should point out to this mug, that T.V. news-programmes are watched by Terrorists as well. 2. With all the stunts that Prince Harry has pulled his mug has been on many Newspaper front pages. 3. I dont think that Her Majesty's Forces go into combat just wearing T-Shirts 4. Is he going to visit Iraq and wear the t-shirt around the back alleys of Basra?? Just another "Looking for Suckers to give me free money" Auction. Some moron just bid 51 GB Pounds for the T-Shirt If you Go direct to this geezers website and Buy the 'I'm Harry' ? t-Shirt now Each t-shirt costs ?19.95 including postage and packaging. Deliveries will be made within 2 days. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Gary B One aspect of this combo which is strange (to my mind) is the fact that the Italian Cross of War / Croce Di Guerra is the World War 1 type with the intials V.E. III for King Vittorio Emanulle III as opposed to the WW2 model with the I.R. (Italian Republic) cypher. Very early WW1 issues of this cross were in fact issued with a 37mm wide ribbon consisting of eleven vertical alternating blue-purple and white stripes, this was later replaced after Decree 10 March, 1918 stated: a ribbon in rich blue with 5mm white stripes inset 8mm from each border (no indication is given for the change!) The latter ribbon was also retained for crosses issued in WW2. As Italy and Germany were on opposing sides in WW1, would an Italian medal from this period be found on a medal bar for WW2? If the Nazi EK II was awarded to an Italian would it be worn in first place?? Also I believe the Italian War Merit Cross were defined by a Sword Insignia on the ribbon: either in Silver Bullion or later pressed metal. Kevin in Deva.

Hi Greg can you offer any proof as to the originality of the item in question? Pictures, etc. I find that just stating too be to simple an explanation when iii reich related items are being faked mega big time. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Alex, From what I gather this small private museum, recieves no aid or sponsorship from the uk government or lottery funds, which I think is a shame when so much public money has been wasted over the years. Many people do not realise that Lincolnshire was called "Bomber County" in WW2 because of the many airfields constructed there due to the flat terrain. There also used to be a big carboot sale at the weekend at Hemswell Cliff, Gainsbourough, as well as a small antigue shop as well located in the old Guard.room on another old RAF Airfield, strangely enough the antigues shop was called "GuardRoom Antiques" (pshycic or what ) Kevin in Deva

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Here you go Gents; This beauty up for grabs: at: http://cgi.ebay.de/Isabel-the-Catholic-14k...1QQcmdZViewItem Slight damage at the 3 and 6 red enameled arms Kevin in Deva

Its nothing official, a fantasy piece for the suckers who belive in Pour le Merite for stormtroopers etc....etc.... Kevin in Deva

Hallo Gents, I visited the particular place in question a number of years ago, the plane is owned by two brothers (Chicken Farmers), the plane in question was built cirrca late 1945 - 46, missed serving in the war by a whisker, served with the Australians or French in the Pacific, had a large belly radar pod, was also used as a base mascot at the gates of RAF Scampton near Lincolnshire. The brothers obtained it as a memorial to their brother who was shot down and killed over Germany in WW2, their farm was used as an airfield in WW2 hence the runway, , hanger, all the buildings are period originals, in fact many of the staff (male & female) who worked there were ex members of the RAF. While the plane is functionable, the problem is they dont have a certificate of airworthiness, which would entail the plane being broken down and x-rayed to obtain, the cost being prohibitive to the brothers. In the hanger is also a nice Spitfire that was dug out of the ground after crashing, its been straightened so has you can tell what it is but originaly on impact was a compressed lump, I believe the remains of the pilot were still in it as well. Well worth a visit, and not so exspensive as all the money obtained from the public is used to keep this museum up and running, sorry I cant post any pictures from my visit I believe they are all in storage in Ireland Kevin in Deva

No! German wartime rucksacks had one hook fitting, round in shape, whereas these are flat brass. The principle was the same to ease getting it off the back quickly. Later I will dig out and photograph the hooks on one in my possession. Kevin in Deva

Hi sgtmarty , the hooks are probably to facilitate quick removal of the pack (if contact with the enemy / ambush etc..etc..) normal procedure is to drop the main pack fight and recover pack. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Andyg, first welcome to the G M I C and please feel free to post pictures of the items individualy, showing the front, backs cases etc..etc.. also feel free to ask questions. Kevin in Deva (Transylvania)

Hallo Anton The strange looking hooks enable the pack to be hooked into the rest of the webbing worn by the soldier, (waist-belt pouches, sholder straps etc) I think its just a large rucksack-carried by specialist troops - commando's SAS - SBS etc who had to bring more equipment than the normal soldier. I dont believe its especially for Bren gun ammo boxes, most bren ammo was carried in steel boxes with 10 mags per box if I remember correctly Kevin in Deva.

You what! me! start sumfin, never said a word. . . . . tee-totally innocent, honest injun!!! Kevin in Deva

So, now we also have to consider was he a Prussian, with the Bavarians in 1866 or a Bavarian with the Prussians in 1870 - 1871 as well as having the oppertunity to swan around the Balkans and Russia picking up some shiny doo-daa's along the way. Theres never a psychic around when you need one "The game is afoot, Watson, what ho!" Kevin in Deva.

OOOPS....some how missed that bit Kevin in Deva

With regards Romania making an award I heard they already did, when talking to a member of the Hobby Club in Deva, last week, he said he got the Order of the Star of Romania!! This afternoon I will ask for more details, with regards the funeral I believe it was the families wishes for a modest affair. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Yankee if you are refering to Romanian Royal Medal Rolls, I dont think there are any, unless buried in the vaults of the Romanian Army Museam, that is if they survived through the Communist period (approx' 1947 - 1998), but on that I could be mistaken. I will send an email to a chap who works there and see what he knows or dosent know. Kevin in Deva.

Uwe thanks for your information, my reference to: "Nimmergut/Feder/von der Heyde, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen" was to show that the 1957 Faithful Service Cross Cross did indeed exsist and came under the 1957 Series, prior to this I never even knew this or similar exsisted The book I refered too is dated, a 1995 copy. Kevin in Deva

Seems that the Treudienst-Ehrenzeichen u. Dienstauszeichnungen, 1938. Sonderstufe f?r 50 Dienstjahre 1944 1. Stufe f?r 40 Dienstjahre 2. Stufe f?r 25 Dienstjahre Sonderstufe f?t Angestelle und Arbieiter in der freien Wirtschaft f?r 50 Jahre. were available under the 1957 ruling according to page 226 in: Katalog Deutsche Oeden und Ehrenzeichen 1871 bis zur Gegenwart Bundesrepublik by Nimmergut / von der Heyde Fischer ISBN 3-89441-296-8 Well knock me down with a wet herring Kevin in Deva

Hallo Rick, the seller responded to my query with the following: Kevin

Hallo Ricky, It would have been more believe-able if it was the silver 25 year award version, however, as far as I know the Faithful Service Cross never came under the 1957 rule, only military service and merit awards, incuding the campaign shields. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Gents I did'nt know this type was made under the "Heinz 57" Series I believe the original was hardly if ever issued, any thoughts. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WW2-GERMAN-FAITHFUL-...1QQcmdZViewItem Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Gordon, I agree its similar, however, I think that the one configured to hang like a medal / cross, would not be for wear on the cap, probably from the jacket or coat, as an item of patriotika. Kevin in Deva

And finaly the ribbon for the Italian 1915 - 1918 Victory Medal with one remaing pressed metal star, where originaly there were four stars. And the Silver Bullion Star for the collars of the uniform. Kevin in Deva.