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2 or 3 years back I decided to play about a bit with a spare Frame I had.....I liked the idea of an Escape and Evasion theme, so this is what I did with my original Zones of France Silk Escape Map .........and some German paperwork. Winston liked it

Thank you! Glad to be here!

Thats what my missus used to look like in my denison, now its a tent and it still does,nt cover her rear!!!!!

German Occupation ID Paper - Hutchinson Alfred Edward

Just got this in, Got Mittens roundel with "Souvenir de France" on the side. I've always thought these were made in the 20's for veterans? Any thoughts?

Thats a good idea, I,ll try that with my one, only I,ll have glass on both sides, as mines double sided

The photograph shows the recently re-discovered war souvenirs that British 14th Army veteran Mike Wagster brought back with him from the fighting against the Japanese in Burma in WW2. Amongst his own items are photographs taken with his mates, a manual on Japanese Notes For Forward Units, an official leaflet given to him when he joined up for the Army and a magazine detailing the victory over the Japanese in Burma. His experiences in the jungles of Burma were probably like those of many of the veterans-pretty unpleasant against a brutal and cruel enemy where no quarter would be given an enemy that preferred a suicidal final charge to surrender. Many thought all the horror stories about the Japanese were propaganda but once in theatre soon realized the stories were true. The folded Rising Sun flag is perhaps one of the classic souvenirs and many were brought back some having prayers and messages written on them as good luck tokens. This flag was taken from a dead Japanese and it had been stuck over the end of his rifle hence the small tear in its centre. Also in the picture are two brass data plates which were taken from the inside of a Japanese tank, a nice early model Arisaka rifle bayonet, a gas mask filter which was found in a Jap Command post along with the Sake (Rice Wine) bag. Also pictured are Japanese and Allied occupation banknotes, there is also part of an un-used insignia tab originally found attached to a piece of card. I hope to get the flag, photos, data plates and banknotes all framed up at some point as they will make an amazing display . Cheers Tim.

Thank you. It is one of those things that makes you wish it was named so it could be researched. -Mike

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Here are a few of my chevrons that I had out and photographed prior to putting them away. All of these are from the World War I era and were used by the US Army. The rank structure of the time is one of the most confusing things I have ever seen as they used branch of service insignia on some of the ranks, while others such as infantry, cavalry, and field artillery did not once the soldier was promoted past Private First Class. I have some more stashed away in a frame that I will add later on as well unless I can find the old photos on my computer. I will try to explain these a little before I post the photo. During WWI, there were two types of uniforms being worn by the US Army. The wool uniform was worn overseas and in the trenches, while the cotton twill uniform was worn stateside primarily during the summer. This was due to the wool uniform being too hot to wear in the summer, especially in the south where heat and humidity would likely kill you if you wore wool outside for any extended period of time. So the Army being they way they were, there were matching chevrons to be worn on their respective uniforms. The main construction of these chevrons was either wool or felt and twill. However, sometimes the "proper" material chevron wasn't worn on the matching uniform. So twill patches sometimes ended up on wool uniforms and vice versa. It was more of a supply issue than anything and that was reflected with collar insignia as well. To further breakdown the designs, there are a number of different methods of construction done among chevrons. Wool can be broken down into the following- Felt chevrons or insignia on wool, embroidered on wool, felt on felt or a combination of felt and embroidered on wool or felt. Twill chevrons are either embroidered on twill or felt on twill. I will post a group photo of some below and hopefully I can explain them enough where everyone can understand what they are looking at. Top Row, On the Left- Quartermaster Private First Class, Matching pair of facing Quartermaster PFC. These are likely pre-WWI as the Army did away with the rank being worn on both sleeves and went to the single one worn on the right arm. Cook PFC, Wagoner PFC, Coxswain. This was used by Coastal Artillery Companies 2nd Row, On the Left- Infantry PFC, Infantry PFC, Bandsman PFC, Aviation PFC, 2nd Class Gunner, 1st Class Gunner 3rd Row, On the Left- Engineer PFC, Red Honorable Discharge Chevron, Pink colored Honorable Discharge. I do not know why these are different colors as the pink discharge chevron is not faded. It came out of a uniform pocket after nearly 100 years, so fading isn't an issue with this. It may of been a supply issue and was made by a local company that did what they could with limited materials. Signal Corps Corporal, Signal Corps Sergeant, and Company Supply Sergeant. 4th Row, On the left- Ordnance Corporal, Mess Sergeant, Sergeant First Class x2, and finally Regimental Supply Sergeant. Thanks for looking, Mike

Thought you might have been PASSING BY....old habits die hard

Sorry to hear that @Lenny...one of the few Military Museums in Scotland I've still to visit. Keep passing it when Im in that neck of the woods but have never gotten in........My Uncle was a Coy. Sgt. Major in the Black Watch during WW2, attached to the Chindits in Burma. Not taking much from the review though so maybe I won't rush.......

Have you been reading our emails???? But basically you are correct, there is no registration, they don't know who has what, and when they bought what. It'll affect dealers selling, but presumiably mates could meet up and deal between closed doors...

I used to collect German helmets, but stopped about 10 years ago. Here's a pic of my favourite helmet ever. I cried when I let this one go. M35 Normandy cammo, chicken wire, straight from veteran. One of very few chicken wires that are one lookers...

The things you can find using Google Just look at that tail.... D

Having seen your helmet......collection.....notice I qualified that Mr Lenny ...Fnaah Fnaah... Gutted for you....They were all crackers

Picked this up for 75- the other day from a guy that was into fencing. He said it was a good quality repro so I didn't argue and let him be the sword expert.

@jeeeensy lovely pair mate.... drat the innuendos are creeping in again.

Very nice.... banking with a bang.

Damn dribbled again and this time I fear the damage to my tablet maybe permanent

'Master has given Dobby a rifle, now Dobby is free'

Theses little ankle bitters look more like Umpa Lumpas to me.

So all the frilly underwear reputed to be Eva Braun's are actually Adolf's?? WOW watch the prices skyrocket now.

Ok two Tigers in the garden, thats just plain greedy, I think I,ll buy the full size replica the Russian guys built,Its a exact copy which moves great, sounds the dogs mahoonies, and fires pyros from the main gun and blanks from the MG, Its only 350,000 euros, which is dirt cheap, I might even buy the King Tiger they were thinking of building, imagine taking that out down the road for a loaf of bread and pint of milk

Damn we were hoping to keep this secret

Hi John, welcome to the group buddy

I think it would help if all proof houses objected to this stupid regulation, they must have a very powerful opinion to offer, our Deacts Regs conform to a high standard, they cannot be used as an active firearm you can do more damage by hitting someone over the head with them. If this country allows itself to be governed by another, is that not a type of force imposed on people, did,nt we go to war over something very similar, we helped to liberate the damn place now they are screwing us over with stupid rules and draconian regulations, we have got to get out of the EU, bloody hell even my Dime bar is now called Daim

Won't have to dig the trenches as deep. (I apologize in advance if that offends any, but that's the first thing I thought.)

We're off to see the Wizard but don't tell Dorothy.............

Welcome John, You will find this forum completely different to others out there, ITS MUCH BETTER

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"See, is,nt this better than wearing that stupid R2D2 costume"

I think you were right comparing it to that other object in your picture..... Could it be a " BULLET " Class Sub .......Check out the striker pin on the deck............!!!!!!!!

I would guess German, but it could be anyones, but the sub looks German rather that English

I don't live there, I grew up there but I'm in EK now...

This is my uncle ( on the right) he was a Mosquito pilot in WW2, and with him, is his observer. My uncle was a Flying Officer, and the Observer a Flt Sgt. Just before this photo was taken, he was told to remove his VR ( Volunteer Reserve ) badge. In another pic, there is very little "stuff" on his jacket, an Eagle on his shoulder, and a rank stripe on the epelettes. plus what you see in this picture. I've not managed to afford a battle dress jacket yet, but have got original wings and an original cap badge for my display on him, the photo might help you some..:) Good luck.

Im partial to the air wing as my dad was with VMF 222 out of Cherry point from '48 to '52

that's neat. I noticed the Air Medal ribbon on it...

Hi @David Grigsby, its a PFC from 2nd Marine Air wing (1941/42 made blues jacket.

Do your Marine dress blues belong to an officer?

Nice Ribbons and Medals

Here's a set I bought last night on ebay. I have a M1940 tunic that was Army Air Corps, missing some patches and a 3-ribbon bar, I figured this would be great for "restoration" of the tunic since it has the Air Medal ribbon on the far left...

Good gosh PaulR, very sorry about your Dad! I see he was in the 173rd Airborne and a Combat Engineer and also combat wounded. I'll bet he had some stories to tell! My Dad was an Air Force crash medic in Korea, he enlisted in '51 and received a hardship discharge in 1953 due to his Father's untimely death. I have no idea how long he was there or what unit he served in as I was still in diapers when he passed. I would love to get my hands on my Uncle's awards though, he was an infantryman in Korea in the 1st Cav. (wounded Oct. 6 1951) and later in the 25th Infantry Div.

How about this one.... The sun really does shine somewhere else D