Flyindutchman Militaria

19/10/2025

On october 18th me and brought a US 48 star recognition brassard back to the town where it was found, Eerde.

Eerde is one of the towns where the paratroopers of the famous 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division had landed on september 17th, 1944 during Operation Market Garden. They had to fight hard for the town and the region. It was here in Eerde, at "Hell's Highway" where the decisive battle was fought that resulted in the failure of Operation Market Garden, not in Arnhem as many people think.

Next to the now restored windmill, where sergeant Jacob H. Wingard was killed by a sniper while directing fire from the second floor of the mill on september 18th, there is a monument dedicated to the 501st. To us it seemed like a symbolic location to bring back this relic. A famous picture was taken here, where US paratroopers can be seen wearing these kind of recognition brassards on their right arm.

We were given a very detailed tour in the excellent Geronimo museum underneath the windmill, by the passionate Erwin Janssen, who had known some of the veterans for over 40 years.

The veterans of the 501st had a special bond with Eerde and the windmill. To them, it felt like being a bit closer to the friends they had lost in combat. A lot of them kept returning for the commemorations in september every year. Even when they were in their late 90's.

#1944

25/08/2025

17/08/2025

Some close-ups

16/08/2025

Another very nice German field telephone or Feldfernsprecher 33, the details on the inside of this old device are very interesting and in great condition too. This one was produced by K.u.S - Telefon- und Telegraphenfabriks AG, Kapsch & Söhne, Vienna in 1939.

13/08/2025

The beginning of a display depicting a German soldier during the Ardennes offensive, december 1944. Not yet finished but it's a good start imo.

08/08/2025

Crafted from high-quality leather, these early-war mapcases weren’t just stylish, they were functional lifelines on the battlefield. Tucked inside were folded maps, pencils, rulers, and orders that guided campaigns across Europe.
This brown version marked a time when supply lines were strong, materials were plenty, and the war was still young. As the conflict dragged on, the leather turned black and materials got cheaper.

The condition of the leather is still very supple, and there are even some interesting contents inside the map protector case; a German army map of the Oldenburg region, with parts of interesting battlefield areas in the Netherlands like Delfzijl and Groningen. And an interesting map of the Maginot line and the Siegfried line in Dutch language. The production markings on the mapcase are hard to read because of heavy use, but the date 1938 is still visible.

06/08/2025

German field telephone, or Feldfernsprecher 33 (FF33) in perfect condition. The FF33 was the standard field telephone used by the German Wehrmacht during World War II. Rugged, reliable, and built into a compact Bakelite case, it connected troops across the front lines via field wire — no radio needed. A true icon of wartime communication tech.
This one was produced in 1938 by B.S.N. - Lumophon-Werke Bruckner & Stark Fernsprecher, Radio
und Kühlschrank-Fabrik, Nürnberg-Ost.

04/08/2025

Another German M42 helmet, in slightly used condition. This is also a late war example, with the liner visibly dated 1944. The markings on the shell are too faded to read. The leather flaps are very supple, and are still tied together by the original liner string. The size marking 57 is still visible. The chinstrap is missing.

This helmet was found in an old house in Mühldorf am Inn (Niederbayern), which is about 80 kilometers from München. A nice and honest example that hasn't been screwed around with.

30/07/2025

This is a very early M31 Kochgeschirr, or messtin, marked ESB34 which indicates production by Eduard Sommerfeld, Berlin. With about 5% of its original Fieldgrey paint.

What makes this messtin special is the date, 1934. Several factors contribute to its rarity: limited production during the early rearmament period, intensive field use, wartime recycling of aluminum, and widespread post-war destruction or repurposing.

Surviving pre-1936 examples, especially in intact condition, are highly sought after by collectors and historians alike.

Inside the messtin is also an unknown kind of aluminum cup, perhaps to store something like coffee?

26/07/2025

Great example of a combat used German M42 helmet, with a beautiful liner and salty chinstrap. The liner still has the helmet liner string to keep the leather flaps together, size 57 is visible and it is named 'Poibst'. The stamps on the rim are hard to read. But the dome of the helmet still retains the ink factory acceptance stamp.

14/06/2025

La Gleize militaria fair 2025

#1944

11/04/2025

Matching set of Ma**er K98 ammunition pouches. Each pouch could retain up to 30 rounds max, or 6 stripper clips with 5 rounds each. Both pouches still retain the original dividers and are produced by JOBRA. They are in slightly used but very good condition.

**er