This medal, from the Netherlands, was issued with a range of bars depending on the recipients theatre of service. I have quite a few of these now and I picked this one up because it had the Oorlogsvluchten bar (War Flights).
Archive for WW2
The War Commemorative Cross with Oost-Azië/Zuid-Pacific 1942-1945 Bar, Oorlogsvluchten 1940-1945 Bar and Nederlandsch Indië 1941-1942 Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on August 24, 2015 by The DudeA Birchall in Heavy Bombers for the RCAF
Posted in 1945 + Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Canada, Family Groups and Singles, Night Bomber Offensive, WW2 on March 1, 2015 by The Dude
This medal is a GVI Canadian Efficiency Decoration awarded to Wing Commander Kenneth Birchall (C1592). Ken was born in Ottawa on the 17th of March 1916. He attended the technical school in Ottawa and went on to become a Pilot-Sergeant in the RCAF, later enlisting in 1939 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
The Ottawa Journal records his promotion to Flying Officer (Temporary) in January 1940. He went on to complete two tours in bombers over France and Germany and then returned to Canada. He served as the Chief Instructor at No.2 Bombing and Gunnery School at Mossbank in Manitoba. In the 14 June 1945 London Gazette he was gazetted for the Air Force Cross (AFRO 1127/45 dated 6 July 1945). Ken had completed 1,502 hours flying as of date of award. The award was presented 1 April 1949.
The blurb for the award is as follows…
“Wing Commander Birchall, during the period of his employment as chief instructor at No.2 Bombing and Gunnery School, has produced outstanding results in training efficiency. Through devotion to duty and untiring effort he contributed in great measure to raising and maintaining the efficiency and morale of this station at a very high level. His service has been outstanding for the past five years and during that period he has made a valuable contribution to the prosecution of the war.”
Aside from the missing AFC, Ken would also be entitled to the Victory Medal, the 1939-45 Star, the Air Crew Europe Star, the Defence Medal and the CVSM with Overseas Bar.
British Air Ministry Medal Chit
Posted in Paper with tags Bomber Offensive, United Kingdom, WW2 on January 17, 2015 by The Dude
This is a slip that would have accompanied an airman’s issue of medals at the end of WW2. This was actually supplied along with an Air Crew Europe Star that I acquired, however the medal turned out to be a restrike. I kept the slip since it was authentic and I didn’t have another example.
New Zealand Post Commemorative Issue
Posted in Stamps with tags New Zealand, WW2 on January 17, 2015 by The Dude
This is a set of commemorative stamps issued by New Zealand Post in 2014. The event was the 2014 Anzac Day anniversary, 100 years since the outbreak of WW1. The issue took the form of a set of period propaganda posters issued by the NZ Government during WW2.
40 Pfennig Hitler Head Stamp Block
Posted in Stamps with tags Deutsches Reichspost, Germany (Third Reich), WW2 on January 17, 2015 by The Dude
German postal services used the so-called Hitler Head issue between 1941 and 1944. There were three sizes in the basic set. Those between 1 and 24 pfennig, between 25 and 80 pfennig and between 1 and 5RM. This is a block of 9 of the 40 pfennig examples. I don’t collect these, they collect me.
These were liberated in the millions btw, they were work pfennigs then, they are worth less now!
1000w Westinghouse Spotlight Bulb
Posted in Odds & Ends with tags Lightbulbs, United States, WW2 on January 17, 2015 by The Dude
This is a 1000w incandescent bulb manufactured by Westinghouse in 1943. These were made for a military contract and likely ended up on a naval vessel or coastal emplacement. This particular one was removed from a Sperry spot light. Interesting only because it is fragile and bloody big.
Anti-Japanese Postcard
Posted in Propaganda Items with tags Anti-Axis, Empire of Japan, Homefront, United States, WW2 on December 14, 2014 by The DudeThere’s a racist theme in early war propaganda coming out of the US. Fairly uniformly the Japanese were displayed as small, bucktoothed and simian-like. Certainly the phrase “Slap the Jap” was very common. Of course the US would have a very hard war in the Pacific that wasn’t really helped by their consistent underrating of the Japanese soldier. This postcard, franked in October 1942, is illustrative of the messaging used at this point in the war.
Anti-Hitler Propaganda Pot
Posted in Propaganda Items with tags Anti-Axis, Homefront, United Kingdom, WW2 on December 14, 2014 by The DudeFieldings of Staffordshire put out a very successful run of propaganda items in the opening months of the war. These included small “po’s” that mocked the Axis leadership. Of course there were imitators that got onto the market, hoping to take advantage of the demand that Fieldings created. These imitators are generally lower in quality than the Fieldings ones. Here is an example. It simply says “Adolf in Poland” on the outside and has a caricature of the guy inside.
More googling tells me that these were made by Lancaster Ltd. in Hanley, England during 1939-1940.
Anti-Goering Propaganda Pot
Posted in Propaganda Items with tags Anti-Axis, Enoch Boulton, Fieldings, Goering, United Kingdom, WW2 on December 14, 2014 by The DudeThis is the fifth in a series of faux chamber pots put out by Fieldings of Staffordshire, England. On the front it says ‘Jerry No 2”. On the rear it says “Flip your ashes on Old Piggy″ and “Violation of Poland. Inside is a cartoon image of Goering. The design is a tongue in cheek one executed by the outstanding designer Enoch Boulton. These pots were viewed as being a little bad taste at the time, especially the ultra-rare large one that rotated on a wooden base and played “Rule Britannia”. Funnily enough I never realised that this one existed. An internet guy emailed me looking to buy my Mussolini and he ended up selling me the Goering one.
Mussolini Propaganda Ashtray
Posted in Propaganda Items with tags Homefront, Italy (Fascist), Mussolini, United States, WW2 on December 14, 2014 by The DudeHere’s a particularly ugly bit of home decor. It’s a caricature of Benito Mussolini, intended as an ashtray and manufactured by Bassons Dummy Products of New York City in 1942. There’s one of Adolf and Tojo as well which I shall cast the Eye of Sauron onto and track down.
You’re a Sap, Mister Jap Lyric Sheet
Posted in Paper, Propaganda Items with tags Empire of Japan, Homefront, United States, WW2 on June 6, 2014 by The DudeI never get sick of the overt racism inherent in the US response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Here is the sheet music for the December 23rd 1941 hit by the Murphy Sisters, “You’re a Sap, Mister Jap”. On a side note the A-B-C-D that the song refers to is the joint alliance of America, Britain, China and the Dutch, most of whose naval assets were sent to the bottom of the South Java Sea by the Japanese in early 1942.
You’re a sap, Mr. Jap, you make a Yankee cranky
You’re a sap, Mr. Jap, Uncle Sammy’s gonna spanky
Wait and see before we’re done
The A, B, C and D will sink your rising sun*
You’re a sap, Mr. Jap, you don’t know Uncle Sammy
When he fights for his rights, you’ll take it on the lammy
For he’ll wipe the Axis right off the map
You’re a sap, sap sap, Mr. JapYou’re a sap, Mr. Jap, you make a Yankee cranky
You’re a sap, Mr. Jap, Uncle Sammy’s gonna spanky
Wait and see before we’re done
The A, B, C and D will sink your rising sun
You’re a sap, Mr. Jap, oh what a load to carry
Don’t you know, don’t you know, you’re committing hari-kari
For we’ll wipe the Axis right off the map
You’re a sap, sap, sap, Mr. JapYou’re a sap, Mr. Jap, oh it makes a Yankee cranky
You’re a sap, Mr. Jap, Uncle Sam’s gonna spanky
Wait to see before we’s done
The A, B, C and D will sink your rising sun
You’re a sap, Mr. Jap, oh you don’t know Uncle Sammy
When he fights for his rights, you’ll take it on the lammy
For he’ll wipe the Axis right off the map
You’re a sap, sap sap, Mr. JapYou’re a sap, Mr. Jap, oh what a load to carry
You’re a sap, Mr. Jap, you’re committing hari-kari
For we’ll wipe the Axis right off the map
You’re a sap, sap sap, Mr. Jap
Anti-Hitler Matchbox Cover
Posted in Propaganda Items with tags Anti-Axis, United Kingdom, WW2 on June 4, 2014 by The DudeBritish-made, celluloid-covered metal cover designed to hold a box of wooden matches. Front shows hand with thumb and fingers labeled “China/Britain/America/Russia/Free French” squeezing Hitler’s neck. The one side panel of the piece reads “The Greatest Enemy In History Against Humanity Is At Last In The Allies Grip.” The back of the piece has verse “Mussolini’s Note To Hitler/Why Oh! Why, Must I Die, All Through You, Oh! The Pity Of It All. With One Sharp Twist/Of That Wrist,/We’ll Both Be Through/I’m Sure We’re Heading For A Fall/Yours Broken-Heartedly,/Mussolini.”
Such fun!
British Propaganda Children’s Parody Book
Posted in Propaganda Items with tags Anti-Axis, United Kingdom, WW2 on June 4, 2014 by The DudeHere’s a fun little item. This is a Daily Sketch parody of the well-known German children’s book, Struwwelpeter. Der Struwwelpeter is a German children’s book by Heinrich Hoffmann. It comprises ten illustrated and rhymed stories, mostly about children. Each has a clear moral that demonstrates the disastrous consequences of misbehaviour in an exaggerated way.
In this version, printed in 1941 or before judging from the content, the writers parody Hitler, Stalin and Germans in general. Struwwelhitler: A Nazi Story Book by Dr. Schrecklichkeit was written by Robert & Philip Spence to benefit the War Relief Fund of the Daily Sketch, a now-defunct conservative British tabloid.
Fieldings Anti-Hitler Ashtray
Posted in Propaganda Items with tags Anti-Axis, Homefront, United Kingdom, WW2 on June 3, 2014 by The DudeThis is the rarest of the propaganda items put out by Fieldings of Staffordshire, England in 1940 to take advantage of the, then recent, “Violation of Poland” by Hitler’s armies. On the top it says “Caught In The Allies Web” while down below says “Drop Your Ashes On Old Nasty”. Inside is a cartoon image of Hitler, probably by David Low, a prominent political cartoonist of the period. The design is a tongue in cheek one executed by the outstanding designer Enoch Boulton. These items were viewed as being a little bad taste at the time, especially the faux chamber pots.
These ash trays are very hard to find in good condition. This one took me three years to find.
Dunkirk Commemorative Medal 2nd Example
Posted in 1939-1945 Jubilee Medals, 1945 + Medals with tags Dunkirk, Fall of France, France, WW2 on June 3, 2014 by The Dude
This is a 1960 commemorative medal, issued through the Dunkirk Veterans Association (now disbanded) and subsequently managed by the French National Association of Veterans of the Fortified Sector of Flanders and of Dunkirk. This is my second example and I like it better because, surprisingly, I think the other one is an accursed fake! This one has much better quality characteristics.
An Bonn Seirbhise Eigeandala Variant 2
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Ireland, WW2 on June 3, 2014 by The Dude
This is the Emergency Service Medal 1939-1946 issued by the Republic of Ireland. For service with good conduct between 3 September 1939 and 31 March 1946 this medal came in eleven variations depending on the unit or branch of service. I have four of these, this one is for AN CAOMNAORI AITIULA : the Local Security Forces.
A Birchall Lost in the Battle Over Berlin
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Battle of Berlin, Family Groups and Singles, Night Bomber Offensive, RAF, United Kingdom, WW2 on April 18, 2014 by The DudeThis small group belongs to 1076673 Eric Birchall, Sergeant, RAFVR. Eric flew on Lancasters of 44 Squadron and was killed in action on December 24th 1943. Eric was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. He trained in 1654 Heavy Conversion Unit and was posted to 44 Squadron on 12th August 1943. He flew 13 sorties including two to Berlin, two to Hannover and one to Munich. On his 14th sortie, again to Berlin, he was part of group of 379 aircraft, mainly Lancasters. They took off at 0034hrs on the 24th and had a troublefree outer leg due to bad weather. His aircraft was en route home to Dunholme Lodge when it was attacked by a night fighter at 0315 hours and set on fire. It was observed to crash 30 miles NE of Limburg. The entire crew was killed. Eric is buried in the Hannover War Cemetery along with the rest of his crew.
Anti-Axis Propaganda Ashtray Set
Posted in Propaganda Items with tags Homefront, United States, WW2 on March 15, 2014 by The DudeA little while ago I picked up the Hitler ashtray from this set. Then recently someone emailed me to say they had the full set with it’s cardboard box.
This is a set of three Anti-Axis ashtrays manufactured in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States by the Kemper Thomas company and aimed at Hirohito, Mussolini and of course Adolf. Still with it’s original box although that’s in a bit of shaggy condition.
German Walther PPK Automatic Pistol
Posted in Firearms with tags Germany (Third Reich), Pistols, Polizei, PPK, SS, Waffen SS, WW2 on January 5, 2014 by The DudeThis is a Walther PPK 7.65mm automatic pistol, manufactured in Germany by Walther in 1943 and issued as a police sidearm. The holster is marked Otto Sindel, Berlin, 1943. The two magazines are original to the pistol with matching serial numbers. The receiver and frame are marked Eagle N which indicates acceptance by the Wehrmacht post 1940 and the left hand side of the frame is marked with the Eagle and a C following, indicating police issue. This pistol was reputedly acquired in Normandy by a Lieutenant Stagg, adjutant of the Oxford Rifles, from the body of a German SS officer he had just shot. Well at least that’s the tale that came with it. However upon researching I discover that the Oxford Rifles didn’t get shipped to Europe until January 1945. This is not to say that Stagg could not have been in France in July 1944, just not as adjutant of the Oxford Rifles. This will provoke some further investigation.
Further snooping reveals a Major Kenneth Stagg, P38758, in the Oxford Rifles in 1945. He was born in 1899 which makes him 45 in 1944.
Remember Kids! Buy the item, not the story!
Panzerfaust Instruction Leaflet (1944)
Posted in Paper, Parts & Accessories with tags Germany (Third Reich), Instruction Manuals, Panzerfaust, Recoilless Guns, WW2 on December 1, 2013 by The DudeThis little leaflet, interspersing rhymes about attacking tanks with a bloody Panzerfaust, was produced in 1944. Instructions fail to include bending over and kissings ones arschloch auf wiedersehn.
Full Size British Propaganda Chamber Pot
Posted in Propaganda Items with tags Enoch Boulton, Fieldings, United Kingdom, WW2 on October 27, 2013 by The DudeThis is another one of a series of faux chamber pots put out by Fieldings of Staffordshire, England early in 1939 to take advantage of the, then recent, “Violation of Poland” by Hitler’s armies. This is the largest one I have seen, I include one of the more usual examples beside it to compare.
Inside is a cartoon image of Hitler, this one is by David Low, the cartoonist responsible for the Hitler caricatures on the other pots. The design is a tongue in cheek one executed by the outstanding designer Enoch Boulton. They got some stick for these pots as they were plainly chamber pots and they were accused of poor taste.
Hang Hitler Propaganda Pinback
Posted in Propaganda Items with tags United States, WW2 on September 12, 2013 by The DudeThis fun little pinback, manufactured in the US, originally had a piece of red cotton thread attached to the lever on Uncle Sam’s hip. When you pull it Hitler’s head was raised as though he was being hung from the tree. Just wonderful!
Hitler Hate Club Badge #2
Posted in Propaganda Items with tags United Kingdom, WW2 on September 9, 2013 by The DudeThis is the second of the badges of this type I have. This badge, depicting a lion attacking a snake with Hitler’s head, obviously belongs to some obscure British jingoist “club”. A lot of Home Front propaganda items were produced in the first year of the war, partly to stir up pro-war fervour, mostly to generate a profit. The badge has the words “Protected Design” on the rear. Despite using my l33t googling skills I have not been able to discover an origin for the badge. This example is intended for women as it has the pinback attachment. There is a men’s buttonhole version as well.
Large British Propaganda Ashtray
Posted in Propaganda Items with tags Enoch Boulton, Fieldings, United Kingdom, WW2 on August 15, 2013 by The DudeThis is another one of a series of faux chamber pots put out by imitators of Fieldings of Staffordshire, England. Made early in 1939 to take advantage of the, then recent, “Violation of Poland” by Hitler’s armies. It is much larger in size than the other examples I have here. On the back of the inside rim it says ‘What would you do chums?”.
Inside is a caricature image of Hitler, this one not by David Low, the cartoonist responsible for the Hitler images on the other pots. They got some stick for these pots as they were plainly mini-chamber pots and they were accused of poor taste. This one has Ash Tray stamped rather prominently on the front, I am guessing in an attempt at deniability.
A Birchall on the Battleship Valiant in the Mediterranean
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Cape Matapan, Crete, Family Groups and Singles, Greece, Greek Campaign, Mediterranean Campaign, Royal Navy, United Kingdom, WW2 on August 14, 2013 by The DudeThis group belongs to Thomas William Burchell. They are unnamed except for the Naval LSGC which is impressed to D/J109394 Petty Officer T.W.Burchell, H.M.S. Valiant. The LSGC was issued on June 12th 1941. I have his papers up until 1929 and can see that when he was made P.O. in May 1941 he was on the Valiant. In this case he would have had an action packed war with convoy runs to Gibraltar, the defeat of the Italian Fleet at Cape Matapan and the Greek Campaign.
Kiwi Medals 