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LOT 3433
Grouping of World War II
Era Maps with a Map Case and U.S./Soviet “Blood
Chit” Style Identification Card - Case is green leatherette construction with a celluloid viewing window on one side and a larger celluloid panel on the interior. Contents include
a pair of “MAPS/ONLY” marked cloth pouches holding a mix
of cloth and paper maps, a cloth-backed paper map of Germany with hand-noted areas indicating the advance of the Western Allies and Soviets (with the Soviets about 80 kilometers out from Berlin as drawn), a large map featuring Munich, Nuremberg, and
the surrounding area, and a
“blood chit” style instruction
sheet for Americans who find
themselves dealing with Soviet
troopers who don’t speak English.
CONDITION: Good, with wear and tear appropriate to age and use. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3434
World War II U.S. Army 325th Glider Infantry Regiment Uniform - The legacy of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment began almost five months after America entered World War I when the 325th Infantry Regiment was activated on August 25, 1917. The regiment was part of the 82nd Division, took heavy causalities during
the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, and was demobilized in May 1919. The regiment was again called
into active duty in the months following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The regiment was reorganized as a glider infantry unit (the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment) when the 82nd Infantry Division was reorganized as an airborne division. The regiment deployed to North Africa but was not committed to combat until landing at Salerno, Italy. This landing
was not through the use of gliders but instead landing craft. Later the regiment was sent to England to train for
the up incoming invasion of Normandy. On June 7, 1944, one day after the Normandy landings, the regiment
conducted a glider borne assault. For over a month the regiment fought hard in France and sustained
heavy casualties. Again, the regiment was sent to England to train, this time for the ambitious but ill-fated
airborne drop in the Netherlands codenamed Operation Market Garden. The regiment went on to
fight in the Battle of the Bulge. Offered here is a great Ike jacket that belonged to a member of the
325th Glider Infantry Regiment, size 38L. The jacket features U.S. enlisted infantry and 325th Glider
Infantry Regiment metal lapel insignia. 82nd Airborne Division shoulder sleeve patch, technical
sergeant rank, three oversea service hash marks, ruptured duck, U.S. Army airborne glider
badge, four service ribbons (Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign
Medal, and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with spear head and four
stars), Combat Infantryman badge, Netherlands orange lanyard, and two shoulder cords
(French Fourragere and Belgian Fourragere). The inside of the left pocket flap is hand marked
“SMITH.” Includes a garrison cap with glider infantry patch and hand marked “SMITH” on the sweat
band, tie hand marked “SMITH” on the back, service shirt with T/SGT rank and 82nd Airborne Division patch,
and trousers. Several members of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment are listed with the last name of Smith on a
roster posted by the online site U.S. Airborne, including T/Sgt Carl T. Smith who was killed in action on September 6,
1944, at Normandy (http://www.usairborne.be/Roster/ROSTER-325GIR.pdf).
CONDITION: This uniform set is fine overall with some scattered wear and some staining on the shirt pocket. A well cared for World War II 325th Glider Infantry Regiment uniform that will be a worthy addition to any infantry collection.
Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
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