Description:

A fine combination of items bearing the insignia of the "Fighting 69th" Infantry Division. Included is an American-issue M-1 helmet with period hand-painted 3" tall 69th Division insignia at front. The helmet bears the expected "sand" type green outer paint with a front seam and swivel bale. The original liner is not present, but a chinstrap is fitted to the bales. The knife is 11 3/4" long with a steel blade with narrow blood groove, stacked leather grip, and straight steel guards. The tang of the knife extends the length, and a hole drilled through the end accommodates a ring for a lanyard. The leather sheath bears the same regimental insignia applied in oil paint to the outside surface. A finely wrapped leather tassel hangs from the bottom. Overall in fine condition. The 69th landed in Le Havre on Jan. 24, 1945, and moved to Belgium to relieve the 99th Division and hold defensive positions in the Siegfried Line. The division went over to the attack on Feb. 27, capturing the high ridge east of Prether to facilitate use of the Hellenthal-Hollerath Highway. In a rapid advance to the east, the 69th took Schmidtheim and Dahlem on March 7th. It crossed the Rhine and captured the fortress of Ehrenbreitstein on March 27th, seized Hannoversch Münden on April 8th and Weissenfels on the 14th against sharp opposition. Leipzig feel to the 69th on April 19th, and Eilenburg on April 23rd. Two days later, division patrols in the area between the Elbe and the Mulde Rivers contacted elements of the Soviet 5th Guards Army in the vicinity of Riesa and again at Torgau, where Russians and Americans first formally met during World War II.

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July 30, 2019 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000