This is a unusal crate with a bit of mystery it is a German airtight wooden ammunition crate which held different types of signal flares.The bit that is hard to explain it has a last pack label dated 1943 which makes perfect sense but the crate looks like it is dated 1944 with eagle when it was made that is the mystery if it is 1944 then obvosouly it must be a later battle it was used in a bought back to Orel area possibly even captured and re used by the Russians as Orel was rear area by 1944. But bottom line how does it get a 1943 label inside a 44 box.I have been told it is possible it could factory error and the crate should say 1943 we are never going to know for sure why.
The crate is in very nice condition, with the wood still retaining most of its original brown stain, though it shows a lot of dirt, discoloration, and minor damage. The original tin liner is still in place, confirming it as the airtight version. The crate remains solid, not breaking up or falling apart. It has experienced some woodworm, but this has been treated, and the box is well preserved.. Both hinges are intact and in good condition; one locks still work fine while the lid opens and closes without issue. The wooden carry handles are also present. Inside, there are some knocks and marks from use, but nothing significant the tin is rusty but still very solid. This is a nice example of this unusual ammunition crate which was recovered from inside an old building in the area of Orel Salient which was heavily fought over during the opening battles in Operation Citadel during the German Kursk offensive and Russian counterattack in July-August 1943 in Russia. The crate comes with 2 laminated A5 information cards featuring photographs and a map.
What the label says inside the lid
Signal cartridges (Signalpatronen)
Red hand flares (Handleuchtzeichen rot)
White hand flares (Handleuchtzeichen weiß)
Green hand flares (Handleuchtzeichen grün)
These items were used by German Army units for visual signaling and communication. Signal cartridges were typically fired from the standard 26.5 mm flare pistol (Leuchtpistole), while hand flares provided colored visual signals visible over long distances.
On 12 July the Soviets launched operation Kutuzov, their counter-offensive upon the Orel salient, which threatened the flank and rear of Model's 9th Army. The 12th Panzer Division, thus far held in reserve and slated to be committed to the northern side of the Kursk salient, along with the 36th Motorized Infantry, 18th Panzer and 20th Panzer Divisions were redeployed to face the Soviet spearheads
This is a unusal crate with a bit of mystery it is a German airtight wooden ammunition crate which held different types of signal flares.The bit that is hard to explain it has a last pack label dated 1943 which makes perfect sense but the crate looks like it is dated 1944 with eagle when it was made that is the mystery if it is 1944 then obvosouly it must be a later battle it was used in a bought back to Orel area possibly even captured and re used by the Russians as Orel was rear area by 1944. But bottom line how does it get a 1943 label inside a 44 box.I have been told it is possible it could factory error and the crate should say 1943 we are never going to know for sure why.
The crate is in very nice condition, with the wood still retaining most of its original brown stain, though it shows a lot of dirt, discoloration, and minor damage. The original tin liner is still in place, confirming it as the airtight version. The crate remains solid, not breaking up or falling apart. It has experienced some woodworm, but this has been treated, and the box is well preserved.. Both hinges are intact and in good condition; one locks still work fine while the lid opens and closes without issue. The wooden carry handles are also present. Inside, there are some knocks and marks from use, but nothing significant the tin is rusty but still very solid. This is a nice example of this unusual ammunition crate which was recovered from inside an old building in the area of Orel Salient which was heavily fought over during the opening battles in Operation Citadel during the German Kursk offensive and Russian counterattack in July-August 1943 in Russia. The crate comes with 2 laminated A5 information cards featuring photographs and a map.
What the label says inside the lid
Signal cartridges (Signalpatronen)
Red hand flares (Handleuchtzeichen rot)
White hand flares (Handleuchtzeichen weiß)
Green hand flares (Handleuchtzeichen grün)
These items were used by German Army units for visual signaling and communication. Signal cartridges were typically fired from the standard 26.5 mm flare pistol (Leuchtpistole), while hand flares provided colored visual signals visible over long distances.
On 12 July the Soviets launched operation Kutuzov, their counter-offensive upon the Orel salient, which threatened the flank and rear of Model's 9th Army. The 12th Panzer Division, thus far held in reserve and slated to be committed to the northern side of the Kursk salient, along with the 36th Motorized Infantry, 18th Panzer and 20th Panzer Divisions were redeployed to face the Soviet spearheads
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