Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2023 i Military Trader

Much has been written about the efforts by the United States and other nations to develop an improved “combat helmet” and those experimental patterns have been especially sought after by collectors. Less established has been the great efforts by the British military that were undertaken to develop an improved sun/pith helmet. As the British Empire reached its zenith, its ubiquitous “Colonial” pattern Foreign Service Helmet remained the de facto head-dress. However, after being introduced in the late 1870s, several problems were observed. The rear of the helmet forced the front peak down, thereby making firing a rifle in the prone position difficult. There was a lack of sun protection to the temples. As noted by author Stuart Bates, period photographs showed that some British soldiers attempted to compensate for these…

My first trip to a historic military encampment was at the Oregon Coast. It revealed more than 100 men and boys — and a few women and girls — in and out of uniform. The re-enactors came equipped with uniforms, guns, and equipment to represent half a dozen countries and several conflicts, including the Civil War, WWI, and WWII. Despite the enthusiastic display, there were only a handful of vehicles — one 6x6, two jeeps, and a folding bicycle. WWII jeeps should be better represented at our militaria events. A full-sized army truck may be beyond the reach of most city-dwellers due to sheer size, and many people wouldn’t be comfortable driving one, but why are so few jeeps present? They’re surprisingly affordable, will easily fit in a standard one-car…

By 1917, with America deeply involved in World War I, more and more newspapers began running campaigns designed to fund American soldiers and sailors with tobacco and cigarettes. The aim was to provide our wounded with tobacco and cigarettes in hospitals here and at the front lines. One of the major advertisers was Bull Durham of the American Tobacco Co. out of Durham, N.C. The company ran ads to keep our boys supplied with tobacco and at the beginning of the war was sending regular supplies to more than 200 hospitals and convalescent homes. Many soldiers would welcome the call to “take 10, smoke ’em if you got ’em”. Newspaper call-outs urged Americans to “Contribute! Organize your club, church, your town, your office, your factory and give the boys just…

When the United States’ entered into WWII, one of the first big steps was to join Britain’s strategic air campaign to destroy Nazi Germany’s industrial capacity. Part of this major effort was launching B-17 “Flying Fortresses” from bases in England’s eastern countryside. Sometimes up to 1,000 of these heavy bombers would take part in raids flying in three-dimensional formations in which aircraft were stacked one above the other to take advantage of the B-17’s defensive firepower. The B-17 carried 13 .50-caliber machine guns and had a crew of 10. Even with heavy machine guns that could fire from the front, back, top, bottom, and sides of the four-engine B-17, early in the war losses were high. It was decided early on that Americans would bomb targets during the day while…

Militaria fairs act like magnets to attract collectors, all eager to find some unusual badge, button or some other item. Collectors can be quite serious about their hobbies of choice and some take it a stage further to a point which crosses over and leads to another hobby. A case in point are re-enactors — groups of people who dress as authentically as possible to recreate periods of history and top off the effect with displays of actual weapons and other items of kit. Reenactment, like militaria collecting, has an international following and spans many centuries of history. In the United King-dowm, this includes Roman Empire, Vikings and Napoleonic Wars such as Waterloo. Both world wars are among the most popular periods because there is so much material available to…

Maj. Katie Lunning, an officer with the Minnesota National Guard, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in Afghanistan for her work as U.S. troops worked frantically to evacuate as many allies as possible as the Taliban took over the country. According to a story at www.military.com, Lunning, who is assigned to the 133rd Airlift Wing, is the second nurse ever to have earned the award and the first in the National Guard. “Lunning and her team rescued and cared for at least 20 patients in the aftermath of the attack on Abbey Gate at Hamid Karzai International Airport, a suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. troops and at least 160 Afghan civilians,” www.military.com reported. Lunning was a member of a Critical Care Transport Team during her six-month deployment…

Psychological warfare aimed at the young men and women of opposing forces has frequently been a tactic throughout the history of human conflict. For thousands of years, rumors and “leaked” documents were often used to spread discord among both the enemy troops and their civilian populations. During the American Revolutionary War, printed leaflets were turned out by the thousands and covertly distributed to demoralize the homesick British troops and fortify the resolve of the American patriots. With the ability to quickly mass produce and deliver millions of leaflets from high-flying aircraft during World War II, this strategy became a significant part of both Allied and Axis attempts to demoralize the enemy and encourage surrender; playing on the horrid conditions that many soldiers lived in and convincing them to abandon their…

The European “Friekorps” (free units) began as mercenary and private army groups in the 18th century service of many wealthy public and private figures. Made up of military deserters, adventurers and others who were drawn to the dangers of combat, but not wanting to be hampered by the structured discipline of military life, men from Germany, Hungary, Austria, Poland and other countries banded together to fight for the highest bidder. By the end of World War I, the chaos of post-war Germany swelled the ranks of the German Friekorps with disillusioned soldiers who had served valiantly in the four years of hellish trench warfare, then were ordered to surrender by a feeble government that allowed their beloved Kaiser to be forced from his throne. Many of these men were lost…

Confirm all information with show promoter before traveling. The time, dates, and/or location may have changed. SHOWS, EXPOS Feb 1 IN, Newburgh. Evansville Military Collectors Club 1st Wednesday Swap & Sale. American Legion - 711 State Street. 812-483-3064 or 270-827-8394 Feb 12 IL, New Lenox. Midwest Militaria’s Military History & Collectibles Show. V.F.W. Post 9545 - 323 Old Chickory Road. 9am-1pm. Paul 815-641-6411, Bib 708-598-4156 Feb 26 IL, Wheaton. 81st Illinois Plastic Kit & Toy Show. DuPage County Fairgrounds - 2015 W. Manchester Road. 9am-2pm. 630-969-1847 Mar 1 IN, Newburgh. Evansville Military Collectors Club 1st Wednesday Swap & Sale. American Legion - 711 State Street. 812-483-3064 or 270-827-8394 Mar 4 NJ, Union. Meadowlands Antique Militaria Show. 1050 Jeanette Ave. www.meadowlandmilitaria.com Mar 4 PA, Mt. Bethel. Redball Annual MV Parts &…