GERMAN WWII LUFTWAFFE AFRIKA PICNIC SET, IDENTIFIED.

A very nice item being an extremely high quality suitcase type picnic set, 52 x 35 x 15cm, covered in a brown, imitation grained leather with strengthened leather edges, some of the strengthening material is loose and stitches and corners scuffed. The main body of the picnic set is excellent. The carrying handle has come adrift from its D ring hangers but the handle is within the box. Printed to the exterior ‘L.026 89 (bau) Feldbau amt Der Luftwaffe Afrika (Field Construction Office of the Air Force in Africa). The lid is held to the base by two closing catches, which are lockable, unfortunately the key is missing. On opening the lid to the upper inner lid area its full compliment of utensils and Bakelite yellow plates and saucers are present, all of the metal knives, forks and spoon present. The lower compartments there are two high quality metallic containers containing six yellow tea or coffee cups and two mugs. The set is identified to a ‘Leutnant Norbert Rammrath’, his certificate of discharge from the German forces signed in Wiesbaden on the 2nd October 1945. Also present is a prisoner of war letter all written in German in 1943 to his parents in Munich from his prison camp at Mexia, Texas, fully franked by the censor and three accompanying fully filled out postcards, one from Milan in February 1942, one from Africa in August 1941 and the last also from Africa also in August 1941. On his discharge certificate Norbert Rammrath is giving his civil occupation as an economy expert. Lastly a nice photograph dated ‘2nd September 1942’ of Rammrath head and shoulders wearing his tropical tunic, shirt and tie with his white top officers cap. A very unusual item from the Luftwaffe in Africa. Obviously he managed to take this picnic set into captivity with him and brought it home to Germany at the end of the war.

Code: 79999