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Thread ID: 126712	2012-09-14 03:18:00	Any info on these??	rob_on_guitar (4196)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1300959	2012-09-14 03:18:00	I was looking through my grandfathers items that I keep, came across these two notebooks in a satchel, my mum said it was something about a german prisoner on one of our boats, he and my grandfather would communicate through these note books. One is a diary and not sure what the other one is. Just curious about the items.	rob_on_guitar (4196)
1300960	2012-09-14 04:48:00	The first notebook looks like it was picked up in Italy late in WWII and may have been used as a diary by the owner. However, if it has Italian or German writing inside it might be a war souvenir from a prisoner or a deceased soldier. The second appears to be a German soldier's notebook dated 1942, or whatever other purpose the contents might suggest. The flyleaf looks like it says 'died on 18th [January?] at 3:30am, and if so, that might have been recorded by an allied soldier or medic. The pouch definitely suggests that it was part of a German soldier's military issue though. The Kiwis and other Allies in North Africa chased the Germans out after El Alamein and Allied forces pushed them slowly up through Italy and back to Germany. Best way to find out more is to have any German or other languages translated. I'm sure what the boat connection was unless it was a hospital ship or prisoner transport across the Mediterranean. Much souveniring took place, as you might imagine, and I have some of Rommel's battle maps taken by my father from his Headquarters in Tobruk after the Allies retook the city. Oral history third hand can be very unreliable and may have been sanitised a little for the sake of the womenfolk at home. Cheers Billy 8-{)	Billy T (70)
1300961	2012-09-14 05:47:00	and I have some of Rommel's battle maps taken by my father from his Headquarters in Tobruk after the Allies retook the city. I hope you are looking after them properly. Be worth a bit Billy T.	mikebartnz (21)
1300962	2012-09-14 07:17:00	Yeah, bugger any financial value, but you may have some precious historical perspective from individuals on both sides of a sh|++y war. It may also prove very precious to some of the soldiers surviving family (if any, since war was about sending mostly the young, single and fit to their death). Id let a historian and / or a German have a browse before ever considering discarding the stuff.	Paul.Cov (425)
1300963	2012-09-14 22:58:00	You know did not even see the "Died on..." part, maybe the Army museum guys can point me in the right direction... cheers	rob_on_guitar (4196)
1300964	2012-09-15 04:32:00	Yes, they are historical documents, I am sure that someone at the Waiouru Army Museum would be very interested in them and could help you. Wish I had something from my grandad like that! LL	lakewoodlady (103)
1300965	2012-09-16 20:36:00	Waiouru museum just got back, they will get an archivist to have a look. They were quite curious about them.	rob_on_guitar (4196)
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