Bringing Your Collection to Life

How many times have you held a newly acquired relic and wondered about it's history? I know I always like to know as much as possible about the things that find their way into my collection. Unlike some hobbies, (coin or stamp collecting for instance), militaria collecting is the history of individuals, not just inanimate objects. If we're lucky, we can identify Some items with specific people, places and events.

There are a number of different ways to research artifacts, but there's never a guarantee of success. First, let's look at a "worst case" scenario. If you have a relic that has no identifying marks, names, units, etc., it may seem hopeless. But it's not impossible. You cold talk to the person you got the item from and find out from who or where they got it. Then contact that person and keep working your way back until you eventually reach the original owner. This is the hardest way to conduct research and it usually isn't successful, but the possibility is still there. If you have anything at all to go on, like the name of a unit, your chances of success are pretty good. You can at least narrow the scope of your research and concentrate your efforts in a specific direction. But you also have to be able to make some educated guesses when detemining what route to take. While the best situation is to have a full name, rank and unit, anyone of these three is enough to get started. I offer the following exmnples:

I acquired a German M-35 helmet from a friend. The field grey finish had been over-sprayed with a sand color and actual sand had been applied while it was still wet. It also had some shrapnel damage, as well as blood stains in the liner. The name "Ltn. Uecker" had been painted on the rear inner rim.

Thus far I could assume two things.

One: Since the model of the helmet and the date on the liner placed it as being made in 1940, I could assume he had fought in Italy or Africa. Had it been dated after 1943, he could only have been in Italy.

Two: It was obvious he had been wounded, possibly killed. With this in mind, I wrote the U.S. National Archives, asking for any information on German officers named Uecker. They in turn sent me a photocopy of a list showing that there were four officers with that name, but all were on the German Army active Juty roster in late 1944, and all were Major or higher. Strike one.

I wrote the German Archives next. There are several archives, each one dealing with different areas. The first one I wrote replied saying they had no information on any officers name Uecker. Strike two.

I then wrote the archives at Rastatt and hit the jackpot. Their reply said that they had Leutnant der Reserve Siegfried Uecker listed. He had been assigned to the 961st Afrika Rifle Regiment, and, unfortunately, no other records existed of his service, awards, etc., due to loss or destruction. The letter also said he had been a prisoner and died in Germany in 1976.

With this infomation I could place a name with the relic and it opened another avenue of research. I have a copy of the German Order of Battle, so I looked up the 961st. That unit was assigned to the 999th Light Afrika Division, also known as the 999th Infantry Division (Penal). It was comprised of political and ordinary criminals, so it was certainly a unit with a little "color" to it. The 961st was sent to Tunisia in March 1943 and surrendered there in May when the remains of Army Group Mrika laid down their arms. Not only did I have a good collectible, but one that could now "talk"!

In another instance, at a flea market I bought an Iron Cross 2nd Class document with the original signature of a general named Mieth. The recipient had been in the 4th Company, 256th Infantry Regiment, 112th Infantry Division. Using the German Army Order of Battle, I found that the 112th had been commanded by a Major General Friedrich Mieth. It stated that he had been Chief of Operations Department in the High Command of the Army and played a major role in the planning of Operation Barbarossa. He died of a heart attack in battle near Jassy, Rumania in 1944. I again wrote the National Archives and the Bundesarchiv. I got complete records from both, although the Bundesarchiv also sent a 5 X 7 photo of him. I was pleased to learn that General Mieth had won both classes of the Iron Cross in both world wars and was also a winner of the Knight's Cross and Oakleaves.

While it isn't always this easy, researching your relics will add a lot of fun to the hobby and in some cases can add monetary value to the item. It can certainly make it a conversation piece! Even though here have been plenty of times that I came up empty handed, a few success stories far outweigh the disappointments of running into a dead end. Take the time to research your collectibles - the only thing that will limit you is your imagination. Remember even long shots can payoff. An investment of a little time and leg work and you can bring your collection to life.

The following is a list of current addresses and phone numbers that may prove helpful when doing research. For those numbers in Germany dial 011-49, then the number.

National Archives and Records Administration NNG Washington DC 20408 Maintains records on German officers who were available for duty in the last months of the war. Charges 75 cents per page with a $6.00 minimum.

National Personnel Records Center Military personnel records 9700 Page Blvd.S1. Louis MO., 63132 The NPRC can provide information on former members of the armed services.Veterans who have lost their medals and decorations over the years can write this address with a explanatory letter and have all medals and awards replaced, free of charge.

Bundesarchiv Potsdamer Strasse 1 Postfach 3 20 56075 Koblenz Phone: 0261-5050

Bundesarchiv-Zentralnachweisstelle Abteigarten 6 52076 Aachen-Komelimunster Phone: 02408-1470 Has information on former members of the German Army, Luftwaffe, Waffen-SS, Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) Organization Todt (OT), Armed Forces jurisdiction and awards of orders and decorations.

Bundesarchiv Ab1. VI - Militararchiv Wiesental Strasse 10 79100 Freiberg 1. Br. Information concerning Prussian Army (up to 1967), North German and Imperial Navy, protection troops and Freikorps, Reichswehr, Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS.

Berlin Document Center Wasserkafersteig 1 14163 Berlin 37 Phone: 030-8197754

Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) Eichbomdamm 179 13403 Berlin Phone; 03041904290 (Mon - Fri, 9-2 Central European Time) FAX: 41904100 Handles correspondence for Wehrmacht killed in action.

Volksbunb Deutsche Kriegsgraberfursorge Wemer-Hilpert Strass 2 34112 Kassel The German War Graves Commission maintains war graves in more that 80 countries around the world and has a database with the names of fallen and missing German soldiers, as well as their grave site (when known).

Mark Conrad, "Bringing your Collection to Life", Der Gauleiter , 1994