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POW Souvenirs
These are the souvenirs that Richard kept from his experience as
a POW.
Carvings by Richard:
This wooden chain and ball in a cage were both carved from solid
pieces of wood using a razor blade.
Cigarette Case:
"This
cigarette case was made from the unwinding bands from 'KLIM'
powdered milk one-pound cans that were in our Red Cross food
parcels. This case was made by Robert T. Hansen, our ball turret
gunner, in Stalag Luft IV. I used it to hold the log I kept each
day as to our march from Stalag Luft IV to Stalag 357."
--R. F. Hanson
Luftwaffe-issued silverware:
German dogtags:
Red Cross Parcel:
" This box held 10 pounds of food. The food parcels were
shipped to the various prison camps throughout Germany by the
Red Cross. While I was in Stalag Luft IV we received half a
parcel each week. Each box contained a 1-lb. can of
"Klim" powdered milk, one 12-oz. can of corned beef, a
12-oz can of spam, a small can of liver pate, 5 packs of
cigarettes, a concentrated chocolate bar, about 8 oz., a package
of some sort of "dog biscuits" crackers, a small tin
of Nescafe, I believe a small jar of marmalade, and 1 or 2 other
items that I can't remember. On the day we left camp for the
march across Germany, on Feb. 6, 1945, we were each given a full
parcel, and this was the last, until April 28, 1945 just a few
days before we were liberated. I made a carrying pouch, by
taking a G.I. towel and folding it in the middle and stitching
it up the sides,with some sort of a strap around my shoulder and
carried this box in it. After the food was gone I still used it
to put my meager belongings in for the entire trip until we were
liberated on May 2, 1945 so just kept it for a souvenir."
--R. F. Hanson
German match box:
Million Mark Bill:
Inscription on reverse of this bill:
Dear Uncle and Aunt,
This money has absolutely no more value. These bills have been
taken out of circulation, and you can no longer buy anything for
these million and billion mark bills.
German flag:
POW Receipts for watch and lighter:
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