Original Items: One-of-a-kind set. We just purchased this lovely set at a military show. This set was sent home by a soldier in the 248th Engineer Combat Battalion during WWII, as was much material during the war. We unfortunately are not able to read their initials, but preliminary research indicates that there were two members of the 248th with the last name Jones, so this was most likely from one of them. Records from WWII are often incomplete however, so it is possible that another Jones was added to the battalion after deployment.

This set consists of:

- A Fantastic German WWII steel ammunition can, painted a lovely ordnance green, measuring 10"W x 6 1/8"D x 12 1/2"H. There are remains of a paper label on the top, which looks to have a 43 date, and also is marked clearly Fertigungszeichen e e m, which translates to "Manufacturing mark eem". "eem" is the German WWII three letter code for Selve-Kronbiegel Dornheim AG, Munitionsfabrik in Soemmerda, Saxony. This was one of Germany's leading makers of primers, fuzes, and caps. Their maker marks were found on 20mm oerlikon primers, and many types of small arms ammunition.

The can is in good condition, though it does have some rust and denting on the exterior, as it was used as the packaging to send back the banners inside. It still has the original shipping addresses painted on the side, giving the name and unit of the soldier, as well as the remnants of the original stamps.

?????? JONES
248 ENGR. CBN.
APO  230
P.M. N.Y., N.Y.

MR. F. T. JONES
7718 INDIANA
DEARBORN,
        MICHIGAN

The paint is somewhat faint, but still mostly legible. We cannot however read the initials and rank at the beginning of the return address. We assume that the soldier was sending these back to his father or a sibling.

The can contains these two large German WWII Banners:

- One Original German WWII NSDAP Double sided Parade or Building banner. It is the standard red cotton body with sewn on dyed white circles bearing the Swas (hook cross) insignia of the NSDAP. This large banner measures 114"L by 38"W, or approximately 9 1/2' long by 3' wide, definitely at least parade size. condition looks to be nearly unused, and it has the correct hanging sleeve at the top. This is marked 100 300, for 100cm x 300cm.

- Original German WWII HJ Double Sided Building Banner. The body of this banner is the standard red with a white stripe in the middle of the HJ, each made of a different piece of fabric. Sewn into the middle of each side is a diamond bearing the Swas (hook cross) insignia of the HJ. This very large banner measures 254" x 54", or approximately 21 1/6' long by 4 1/2' wide. There is wear and some small tears in this banner, so it was most likely hanging on a building for a while before it was captured.

A great named ammo box and banner set from the European Theater of WWII. Ready to research and display!