BATTLE OF THE BULGE relic – Identified to a S.P. Smith of the 75th Inf. Div.
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Description
Battle Damaged Mess Tin ID’d To G.I. & 75th Infantry Division. This is the lower section of a mess tin with handle, marked on the tip of the handle, “U.S. / A.G.M. CO. / 1942.” On the side below the lip, is Smith’s last four of his ASN (“..249”), some of which is rolled up by protruding shrapnel. The tin was badly mauled by artillery shell fragments, and hopefully “S.P. SMITH” survived the ordeal. Beneath the name is an engraved 75th ID patch insignia, crudely done.
I have not done any research on Smith. The mess tin was purchased by me from a collector who acquired it in Belgium in 2013, and is an honest relic from the Battle of the Bulge. The 75th Infantry Division arrived on the continent on the 13th of December, 1944, and was hurled into their first combat on December 24th of that year.
The tin was obviously dug, and was cleaned lightly, leaving a good deal of the patina as well as being rather misshapen. The handle is rusty.
Not pretty, just historic.
American soldiers of the 347th U.S. Infantry in heavy winter gear halt their advance to La Roche, Belgium, for a short meal, during the Battle of the Bulge. (AP Photo/U.S. Army)
Additional information
| Weight | 1 lbs |
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