This guy was a RAD...
Posted on 10/07/2018 9:20:14 AM PDT by jim macomber
My wife's father's WWII foot locker was stored in her mother's basement. We've finally opened it and examined the contents. I'm wondering if anyone here could tell us what some of these items are.
Her father was apparently in the Signal Corps (E5 or 6) in France late in the war and there are small booklets on how to behave in France and a few related to Zurich.
What I have been able to gather is that his unit couriered officers and information around in small planes.
The most fascinating item to me is a Signal Corps message book --- but it's not the messages inside. On the back cover is scribbled a message from the back seat to the front or vice versa. It reads "If this damn thing conks out, be prepared to jump. There's no place to land around here."
Presumably it didn't conk out but we don't know.
There's also other items in there. Two German flags, swastikas and all, a red arm band with swastika and something I am really curious about: two t-shirts (wife beater/tank top style) with a very martial/nazi symbol on the front --- an eagle, wings spread carrying a swastika in its talons. Any one know what these are - other than regular underwear. They're quite small in size and would really only fit a child. Hitler youth garb??
Also what I would think was an ammo pouch - three compartments with lettering that is not completely readable "Rad Vorten**** Osnabruck 1937" stamped on the reverse of the middle pouch. Any ideas?
“Most of the those manning the 88 anti-aircraft batteries were Luftwaffe and kids around 12-15.”
My wife’s great uncle was drafted late in the war when in his 60’s...and he manned 88’s in Berlin.
RAD is Reich Labor Service. Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD)
Seen the old films of guys in uniform marching around with shovels on their shoulders? They were members of RAD.
Smithsonian has no interest in such things. The WWII museum might, but anything with a swastika on it will just go into a drawer and never get public display. Some local historical societies will display such things if they come from an estate of a local resident, but if it has value, someone will likely pocket it and sell it.
I Pinged Kathy for Him already.
I Pinged Kathy for Him already.
This guy was a RAD...
Yeah, the old guys also went into anti-aircraft or the Volkssturm (People’s militia). Many of the older guys not on ack-ack where “infantry” and were issued “panzerfaust” (basically an anti-tank bazooka) plus a rifle.
A lot of them died in the Battle of Berlin.
LOL!
>>The WWII museum might, but anything with a swastika on it will just go into a drawer and never get public display. Some local historical societies will display such things if they come from an estate of a local resident, but if it has value, someone will likely pocket it and sell it.<<
How unfortunate — yes it was of evil they were quite real and what is the point of “never forget” if you put all reminders away?
The ubiquitous can opener?
Thanks.
Wow! I told my wife there’d be knowledgeable answers but...I’m overwhelmed. Thank you all. I’ll follow up as best I can. Maybe find a way to post photos other than in the thread. Thanks so much.
I don’t remember any of them except I do barely recall Daddy killing a gator in Otter Pond with the Luger. He really was a great shot.
that Luger, along with the P-38, would fire modern 9mm Parabellum cartridges. In fact, the 9mm cartridge was developed by the Germans for the Luger pistol design.
The german sub machine guns of the period MP38 and MP40, also were chambered for the 9mm cartridge.
It’s a handy screwdriver too.
The .45 caliber US M3 “Grease Gun” had a conversion kit to allow it fire the German 9mm Parabellum cartridge.
My son is a highly respected researcher and dealer. His clients include many high end collectors, who buy and sell through him.
Around 1987 a whole lot of Lugers were imported. I read somewhere that they came from Russia but am not sure.
I had my neighbor who was a dealer, order one for me. It was described as excellent with non matching numbers. When it arrived I was pleasantly surprised. It was in excellent plus condition and all numbers except the mag did in fact match.
Absolutely not, they’ll rip you off. Go on line and look up reputable dealers. An expert will tell you what youve got, what is was used for, meant for etc and tell it’s worth.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.