we have recently acquired items belonging to our late grandad and would like any information on them. We know the flags are Hitler youth flags but no details of them and not much info on the other items, thank you in advance.
The last image includes a selection of British 7th Armoured Division 'Desert Rats'. The top pair were used in NW Europe after D-Day, the lower ones are earlier North African/Italian examples. The wheel and star badge is probably a British proficiency badge, possibly for a driver, I'd have to check. The two eagles look like Luftwaffe (German air force) ones. Do you know which regiment/corps he was with? All these articles are very collectable, particularly if they have the provenance of being souvenired by a veteran; there's loads of fake stuff about. Be wary of anyone who says they're worthless, but what they are worth, I wouldn't like to say.
Thank you for your Insite, Our grandad was in the 7th armoured division and collected these on his tours, do you you think we should get them looked at in more detail to find out more information on them ? Are you able to give us any contacts or avenues in this area, we are struggling.
I've glanced at AxisHistoryForum and Feldgrau.net in the past, but these are perhaps more historical rather than 'stuff'. German militaria is big business with lots of repros and forgeries so there will be specialist websites out there, but I wouldn't know the nerds from the nutters. It might be an idea to add 'Hitler Youth flags' or similar to the thread title as it may catch someone's eye that has a better idea.
My Dad brought back one of those armbands as well. They were issued to civilian volunteers for various tasks. They are not uncommon and the 'flying' eagles are indeed Luftwaffe. However, as Idler says, the world of 3rd Reich militaria is a complicated one. Different weaves or dates make things more or less valuable and sadly it is a field that attracts some oddballs as well. WWII GERMAN ARMBANDS PROCE GUIDE - MilitaryItems.com
