Cigarette Card Books

I find remnants of the German occupation in Crete. Some of the books left by the German Troops in the island are some beautiful cigarette card books that I manage to buy.
The first is called "Die Reichswehr" and the second "Deutschland Erwacht".
Both books were edited in 1933. Deutschland Erwacht is more luxurius edition, cloth bound, larger format, many black & white photos of the story of the NSDAP movement.
I will post photos and more details on these two books.
If you have some interesting details on these titles to share with me feel free to do so.

Perforated Spoons

As I have mentioned in a previous post, a good friend of mine went to a trip to Berlin and as she knows my obsession with old and especially WWII period military objects she tried to find something to give me as a present.
She came up with two perforated spoons made from aluminum, zinc or anyway a lightweight material not stainless steel.
You cannot eat soup with them obviously, and I am looking around to find the use and maybe dates etc.
You can see a photo if you look around in the blog.
Any info will be valued.

CRETAN STATE REACTIONS

It is very intersting to see in a blog that barely has anything to do with politics that every time out of the blue the topic of the Cretan State or the Cretan Flag or whatever is brought up how the conversation becomes frisky and lights up.
Well, opinions are respected especially of those that can provide accurate historical evidences and not fictitious accusations as per jewish conspiracy, turkish propaganda and so on.
There are people looking for the topic as they are worried to limit a move in its birth. An opinion that bares some historical thoughts some examples of treatment of the present days and some thinking about the future.
It is so very convenient to add to all the jewish have done thia of Crete too. But why can anyone explain why this is too a jewish conpiracy? They also claim that any thoughts of Cretan state is Turkish propaganda. Yet Turkey might claim half Greece illegally yet never dared to claim back Crete, we gave them enough trouble in the past...
Now they deny history and the Flag of the Cretan state stating that this is Turkish propaganda. First go and make a reserch and probably you will find not one but several Flags, yet this is the official one. Secondly the Cretan State existed whether you want it or not, so accept it, it is a historical fact.
If this is the best thing to do and Cretans should try and "revive" somehow the Cretan State, although this is a wishful thinking of many fellow cretans, unfortunatelly sounds like difficult to implement these days. We can however give Athens administartion a hard time, bargaining back tha funds and attention and infrastracture that for so many years was denied to Crete.

Karl Meidert

I am looking on Biographical and military career info on the Luftwaffe officer Karl Meidert.
Karl Meidert served as commander in the Herklion airfield, for some time during the occupation of the island.
I am lloking for dates of appointment and relieve, type of aircrafts he was flying (he was a pilot), previous units and military achievments, decorations etc.

Also there is a story between Lord Jellicoe and Commandant Meidert, unconfirmed as it is said that Jellicoe was arrested and questioned by Meidert, after successfully conducting the Sabotage in the Heraklion airfield, Jellicoe an SAS team and Cretan partisans.
I am interested on the attitude of this officer towards the local population.
I cannot find anything on the net, yet either I am not looking on the right spot or there is nothing to find.
Please help.

MILITARIA SHOP

This is the shop I mentioned.

Is is situated in the old town of Rethymnon.
The address is Souliou 40, the guy's name is George Papalexakis
His tel. number if you need further instructions hot ot reach there is 28310-54835.

I think you will like what you find there. Plenty of items.
Also please mention my reference. I am the guy who lives in Heraklion.

Fo you that you are or you will visit Crete I think it is worth the trouble to pay him a visit.
Also he is one of the best artisans and creates handmade musical instruments of folk music like Lyras. If interested check these too.

Hope you find what you are looking. Feel free to share with me your comments.

Basil Zaharof : An Arms Dealer and a Traitor

During the..."reign" of E. Venizelos in Greece the dark figure of Basil Zaharof rose and grew by the bribes to the Venizelos government.
It is a great unjustice that even today some "scientists" that write articles for Sunday newspapers continue to deceit the people of Greece and present Zaharof as a...patriot.
He and Venizelos were in business, they sold arms to the Greek and profited and when the deal was not profitable ant more they turned their back to the greek army in Asia Minor.
The deals Venizelos made with Zaharof explain his military menace for the Greece of the seven seas...
You can check the link of this article in Greek :
http://www.iospress.gr/mikro2005/mikro20050108.htm

Greek Militaria Shop

If you visit Crete this Summer, and you are a collector it will be like finding your personal Eldorado....
Crete had a strong allied and axis presence. Villagers have kept some memorabilia from the Battle and from german occupation, therefore if you ask around you might find a treasure...
If, however, you do not, you can visit a shop in the old town of Rethymnon.
There among other tourist attractions you will find a small shop with antiques, if you take the trouble to go inside and look around is THE place for militaria.
Many old cretans had souvenirs from killed german paratroopers, there you will find a lot!!!
Helmets, hats, belts, buckles, books, medals, you name it! This guy wanders in the near or mountainous villages and looks for these stuff. Also, if your interest in antiques is general, it is guaranteed that you will find nice pieces.
Very honest, not very cheap, but not expensive either...
If interested please send a comment to send you the address!

Looking For Resources

As any collector I am constantly looking around for militaria that might be interesting to have in my collection.
I would like to find merchants of WWII military material to buy staff that might consider attractive to have, in reasonable prices though...
Feel free to comment on this post, adding a web address, or a mail, or even a tel. number you think it might be useful. It's been a long since I found something worth the trouble and the expense.
Thank you!

German Barbed Wire & poles

Wandering around in a piece of land of my family, just outside Heraklion, I noticed some metallic objects in the fence that were now similar to those already existing. They were not only seemingly older, yet as the wire fences of civilian property use straight poles from iron, these poles were looking much more different. By making some thorough reserch on the net I found at last what these poles were. They were to be used for barbed wire fencing, from the Germans.

My grandmother rembers the Germans making similar fences.

Also in the area I found barbed wire very very different from the one that we use now. Thicker and larger thorns, that do not allow the human hand to grab the wire without being torn...

Perforated Spoons (2)

These are the perforated spoons I mentiones in one of my previous posts.

They are a gift bought from an antique dealer in Berlin.

I was not very successful about their use...Are they for Absinth drinking? I doubt...

Anyone who has seen items like these, please leave a comment or a post with some info

Perforated Spoons...!!!!

A good friend of mine in a trip to Berlin bought for me as a present a pair of antique perforated spoons. They aluminum, they have a sign in the back that is more close to the cyrilic alphabet, not german.
I am trying to find out the use of these spoons, possible an average manufacture date and any other info I can find. Yet with no evident luck.
I will upload very soon a photo of the spoons, together with more info on the brand.
Anyone knowing more please write a post.
Thanks!

Die Reichswehr

One of the most colourful and nice cigarette card books is the one named "Die Reichswehr" descibing all the activities of the pre nazi German army.

This was found in the island of Crete in very good condition.

Deutschland Erwacht

I found a propaganda, cigarette cards book named Deutschland Erwacht.

Great photos, very interesting, nice artwork and in great condition.

It also includes a huge photo even now it is hard to print and embedd in a book!

Gipsbinden Box

A very good freind found on her father's things a box that seemed unusual.

This is a German WWII medical kit box containing Plaster bandages for hurt troops.

The tin is metal and the rest is pressed paper with metal reinforcement details.

I think it is very interesting and I am looking also for dextrosan and benzedrin tablet containers that the German paratroops used to carry during missions and according to the book Crete : the battle and the resistance the paratroops had theses tablets and they were sought out item.

The Truth About Skopje

Wathcing a very interesting DVD of National Geographic, concerning the Balkan Wars of 1912-13, when referring to Macedonia, the narrator mentioned that Macedonia is a geographic region inhabited by various nations, with long disputes among them.
However, referring to maps of the time, the area now called FYROM, does not exist in any name even close to Macedonia.
This state in the specific geographic area continued during WWI.
However after the greek civil war, during which, the main communist factor at the time motivated (even before the Nazi occupation ends) a large group of people, misleaded and finally betrayed, and ended in bloodshed, the same communist factor (then USSR) supported the dictator Tito, to name this region as Macedonia, reflecting the communist desire to have Greece some time after their control.
The major mistake, not inocent was made by the uncle of the current prime minster, then prime minster of Greece, Konstantinos Karamanlis. He overlooked this bilateral problem. So we face this today.
In fact since after the WWII all Greek governments have responsibility on overlooking this problem.
Now it is the time and the heavy burden for todays prime minister to deal with it.
Personally I think that the current P.M. Kostas Karamanlis, has far better intentions and stronger will (and a very good opportunity) to keep Greek pride high. To take side with Europe and leave America at its fate which at the time does not seem very good (and their foreign policy deserves it!).
As for Skopje I think that if these Nazi collaborators continue to insult Greece we should take harsh maesures against them. An embargo and a withdraw of all Greek companies would create a serious economic collapse of this so called country and lead them to have as priority to have lunch than bargain a name that was never theirs and do not deserve it!

Ottoman Powder Measure

Although I am looking for valuable militaria and antiques all over Greece and abroad, one of the best pieces was found inside my grandmother's house.
In an antique SINGER sewing machine of the very early 20th century I found an object that I could not understand the use of it. It was brass with adjustable dossage and seemed a lot older than others.
I randomly saw a TV documentary on a new war museum in Salonika and I saw one piece like mine! As I looked up to it I found that it was used in Flintlock rifles of the early 18th century to measure the gun powder for the rifle.
I was thrilled and placed it in a very nice spot in my collection.

Any feedback on similar objects is wellcome and needed!
I will upload a photo very soon.

Anti Gas Ointment Box

This box was issued to my grandfather
It is a box that contained ointment
against poisonous gases. As the chemical
warfare was a possibility at the time (after WWI)
It is of UK origin.
More info on this item (that might belong to
my grand-grand father) will be appreciated.

Wehrmacht Buckle and Belt

This is a very good example of early
Wehmacht belt and buckle.
Buckle is quite rusty yet average in condition,
all accessories are in place, (to adjust length etc)
Leather in very good condition with all markings
in place of the manufacturer.

Luftwaffe Cutlery

This is detail from a table knife from the
officers mess in Heraklion.
Unfortunately the knife is broken yet the
marking is clear and the quality of the
stainless steel still excellent after all those
years.

Cigarette Pack "KORFU ROT"

This is a perfect, untouched (all cigarettes)
pack named "KORFU"
It came from a whole untouched box together
with matches.
All markings, clear and impressive.
Bought in Crete porbably rationed to military
personnel stationed in the area

Cigarette Pack Untouched

This is a cigarette pack, untouched, all cigarettes
and wraping.

Gold NSDAP Pin (reverse)

As you can see (although the photo is not very
good) the number of the pin is 450!!!!

Gold NSDAP Pin (small)

This is the most valued possesion of my
collection. A gold NSDAP Party pin
numbered 450. It belonged in a high
ranking official stationed for some time
in the island of Crete.
Any help to track down the owner will be
valued

KRETA CUFFTITLE

This KRETA Armband was bought
in Crete it is not in AA shape, yet is
clearly a true original as it was bought in
the place all happened...

Russia Campaign Medal

This is the Russia Campaign Medal, in top
condition, there are some stains in the ribbon
possibly and most likely blood.

British Freikorps

I have recently tracked down a very interesting collection of Armbands in a trader that I trust completely, he is in an isolated place and the possibility of faking any german WWII item is more costly than finding and selling originals.
Anyway, as this trader is located in the island of Crete he has access to relics left from German occupation which lasted quite long.
This collection includes a AFRIKA Luftwaffe armband, a Cufftitle AFRIKA with Palms and an interesting and controversial Britisches Freikorps armband.
I will buy the whole of these items plus a beautiful Luftwaffe rescue/observation/meteo personel clasp yet I am considering the case of the Freikorps.
Possibly it belonged to Courlander or someone of the captured ANZAC personel.
I will soon post the photos of my collection.
Please I will appreciate any ffedback concerning the items mentioned or the items that I will soon upload.

The Cretan State and the New Order

As I mentioned in a previous comment, my views on the Cretan State, a state that for a brief period existed in the island of Crete are all for the re-enaction if possible.
I received with pleasure a new comment on my views that was totally against this reenaction reminding me that the inhabitants of Crete gave their blood for the union with Greece, plus that the union agreement document exists in the historical museum of Heraklion and I can visit the museum and be informed.
I have no objection and it is absolutely certain that such a document exists.
Let me state that more than one of my ancestors served and gave their blood and life for Greece.
Also I am fully aware that the conditions in international relations are far more complex that of the early 20th century.
However I must express my strong belief that the disband of the Cretan State was planned and carried out by E. Venizelos whose historical decisions are not all to be accepted unquestionably.
This mistake to make "saints" some politicians is done all the time by the greek state and as a consequence we are coninuously losing ground in the international politics and in the diplomatic field as we are not accepting our historical mistakes and we are not learning out of them.
The disband of the cretan State and the union with Greece offered greece funds, army and resources in a difficult time.
The new conditions must be examined and cretan politicians (if any...) should consider the wealth the island is producing and what is taking back from the state...
Therefore we must be openminded (especially now that the international diplomatic conditions like Kossovo allow...).
As for the plan of the jews and the Americans I would strongly suggest to provide stronger and newer points as these are getting old and were never ever proved true...

Feedback on an Arm Band

As I was looking to buy some staff for my collection in the area of Crete I came over an object that immediatelly drew my attention. It was an Arm Band (armelband) that wrote : Brittisches Freikorps. I was not sure of the value and of the history of this item so left it be.
However I am trying to track down what these Brtish Freikorps had to do with the Wehrmacht and the role they played in Crete during the Battle and the occupation.

I will probably buy this item in a while when I will visit the island again.Yet I will be interested to know more about this unit (besides the info that lies in wikipedia). Please help me out here and write me a comment on this post

Another Aspect in the Battle of Crete

I am a descendant of the late military commander in the island of Crete just before the landing of the German Paratroops on 20th May 1941.

It is really not to the interest of objectivity that from the many books and reports on the Battle not even one reports the presence of my ancestor and from the Allied forces point they historians just mention the constant change of commanders.
This I belive is done on purpose. On the one hand greek historians silence deliberatly the fact that the government at that time (and possibly even now) was afraid that Crete might suscede. Moreover the Greek government had handed out the rule of Crete to the British, a move only done by the worst of traitors.
The historians fail to mantion the fact that the General that was commanding the Greek forces then, was sent out because of the fear that might organize the resistance of the island not only towards the Germans but towards the English as well...
On the other hand the Allied commanders changed every month at the period probably because the other commanders before Freyberg were not willing to do what he did, in other words a new calculated defeat for political reasons.

Gold NSDAP Party Pin

One of the most important items in my collection is a small Gold Party Pin of NSDAP.
These pins are rare and expensive on their own yet this has a number engraved which is alarming. It carries the number 450!
As bought from a shop that did not recognized its value, on the spot (Crete) and that a copy might cost more than the original, I consider it original, yet I am very eager to find the owner.

As number 450 of the NSDAP party is considered to be someone very important and influential in the Nazi party of the time. Anyone with a list of the members or can help me on the owner will be of great service!

I hestitate to request local historians help as I will practically burn my source of WWII antiques as they will go and buy everything and probably thei have more financial resources than I have...

Anyone familiar on the Battle of Crete and they German- Austrian participants, and the German occupation leaders, Gaus etc, please message me to find something on the pin!

Crete : The Battle and The Resistance

Some time ago I read Crete:The battle and the Resistance by Anthony Beavor.
A great book for those who want to have a good idea of what happened without having to read a pile of books and loose time in research something that the good author made for us.

It is really interesting though to conduct further reading and to find that all this info were scattered in various books that most of them give the story form the Allied point of view and most of all "round the corners" of any political sideshow and plots...

For a real "citizen" that will try to make a basic research and read on WWII will find that there were no good and bad guys, but also Nazis, communists, colonial powers, economic interests, money.

It is very frustrating for someone that has grown and educated in elementary school to find that things were not so innocent and heroic, not by the troops but from their leaders, who formed and broke alliances and there was no ideology involved at all.

Cufftitle KRETA

As I mentioned, during Christmas I managed to find a source with remaining relics of The Battle for Crete. Among them were various cufftitles from units that were stationed in Crete during German occupation. One, the most sought after was the Creta cufftitle. That I found was very disrty and worn but this added to the originality, than of a new and unworn one.

I include a photo from a similar object, that is circulated on the net to have an idea of the object.

Moreover this title-award was paired with an award document, which unfortunately I could not lay my hands on.

WWII era vehicles outside the Historical Museum of Heraklion

Heraklion Historical Museum

A very nice work is done by the Heraklion Historical Museum in order to revive the era of WWII.
The curator of the museum Mr. Costas Mamalakis is one of the more active perons on collecting and preserving items, militaria, memorabilia and documents of the era.

New Items on my Collection

In my quest for new items for WWII Nazi and Allied war memorabilia and other objects that revive the heroic era of the Battle of Crete I have managed to acquire the following items :
1) An excellent condition Wehrmacht belt (buckle and original leather strap). The buckle is not zinc or aliminum but steel.
2) An original Armelband KRETA. This cuff decoration was awarded to all those took part in the Battle of Crete from the German forces. The cuff is not in a very good condition, mostly a bit dirty, but it is orgiginal beyond any doubt.
3) An excellent cigarette card collection book named Die Reichswehr. The german army was named like this before 1933 and this book which is in perfect condition was used to collect beautiful hand painted cigarette cards depicting German army themes. Perfect.

Also I have found a Luftwaffe clasp, which I want to buy soon, together with another armelbands bearing the titles AFRIKA and Britisches Freikorps.
If you have any additional info on Britisches Freikorps please contact me as I am a little sceptical on the item. I have found some historic relevance yet I am not yet convinced...