I have a cap badge discarded in some street presumably and found by my father on his travels through France, Belgium and Holland during 1944/5. It is from the German Military Government for Northern France and Belgium and not that common I believe. There is a 4 digit serial number on the back. Can anyone tell me where I might be able to find out to whom it was issued (always assuming the lists survived). Alan
I would imagine the number may be a catalogue number - it is very rare for badges and insignia to have been individually numbered - could you post images of the badge please?
No, it's very definitely a serial number. I've come across half a dozen or so mentioned on the Internet, all with different numbers. Mine bears the number 3845. I'll try and find the pictures I pinched from elsewhere of one in better condition than mine and post it a bit later. Alan
Right,. found it! This is someone else's badge, serial number 1717 apparently. Something I hadn't noticed before is the cracking in the enamel on both badges. The cause must be the pin hinge just behind.
DTD21, I know that it is Wiki, but it is a starting Point. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Administration_in_Belgium_and_Northern_France Also a link with a Little Information and Price of one in good condition. https://www.weitze.net/detail/26/Deutsche_Wehrmacht_Militaer_Verwaltung_Belgien_und_Nordfrankreich__176726.html Deutsche Wehrmacht - Militär Verwaltung Belgien und Nordfrankreich , Dienstabzeichen, mit Trägernummer. I understand the above to be the the persons issued badge with his personal reference number. Page translated. http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=https://www.weitze.net/detail/26/Deutsche_Wehrmacht_Militaer_Verwaltung_Belgien_und_Nordfrankreich__176726.html&prev=search Regards Tom
Thank you for the links Smudger. I was aware of the 'value' - the American one pictured was priced at $750 . I was rather hoping some one would come up with a link for the data on-line at the Bundesarchiv, but that is probably a 'hope' too far to coin a phrase. Thanks again. Alan
Thanks for the links Tom. From the Wikipedia entry the reason for the badge being discarded are clear - dissolution of the organisation rather than a attempt to avoid identification that I suspected. Haven't found anything on the Bundesarchiv site yet so must keep digging! Thanks again regards Alan