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Author, film researcher and member of the Swedish Military History Commission.

Friday, April 08, 2011

Narvik 1945 Souvenirs Donated

Those of you who have been following this blog might recall the name of Lennart Engerby, he was one of the two Swedes who visited Narvik as soon as the war was over. Mr. Engerby has decided to donate these souvenirs from Narvik 1945 to the Defence Museum in Boden, Sweden.

Mr. Engerby recalls how he actually found this Iron Cross on the ground, just like that.

The helmet may not seem that special, but if you look inside it...

...the rank and name remains: "Uffz [meaning Unteroffizier] Reisinger". The helmet has been repainted but the name was saved.

The name can also be made out on the leather inside. Not sure what it says before Reisinger, any ideas? Click on the photo to see it larger.

Two bayonets that I have yet to identify. If you are a bayonet collector, please comment and save me some time.

The War Museum in Narvik might seem a more natural choice than Boden, but these items are not exactly missing in Narvik. In addition, these artifacts have a Swedish connection as they were picked up on a 1945 hike that started in Sweden. Also, many hundred thousand German troops passed through Boden on German troop trains during WWII.

Hopefully, information about Unteroffizier (NCO) Reisinger will surface, perhaps through this blog?

4 comments:

  1. Tried to make it more visible. Maybe it helps?

    http://www.pbase.com/nixxxon/image/133879613.jpg

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  2. Many thanks!

    Looks like "Kan Reisinger". But Kan makes no sense to me... more ideas?

    Cheers,

    Lars

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  3. Jan-Erik Svensson19 June 2012 at 14:38

    Probably Karl? Or Kurt?

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  4. The bayonets are without doubt Norwegian. The short one looks like a M/1894 kort knivbajonett, the longer one as a avkortet knivbajonett M/1940-45.

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