Original Items: One-of-a-kind set. Pfc Walter Calvin Arnold of Upper Marlboro, Maryland served in the 6638th Engineer Mine Clearing Company. The 6638th Engineer Mine Field Clearance Company was activated as the 6617th Engineer Mine Field Clearance Company on 21 August 1943 in the North African Theater of Operations, and was redesignated 6638th Mine Field Clearance Company on 1 November 1944 in the European Theater. The equipment varied with availability and requirements. It consisted, at various times, of tank dozers, mine exploders T1E1, T1E3, and flails, an improvised bridge laying vehicle consisting of a tank recovery vehicle M32 with welded brackets carrying a bridge suspended from the front, and a modified CHURCHILL tank with a small box girder bridge. The Company contained seven officers and two hundred nineteen enlisted men and was so organized that it could be broken down into detachments. One detachment normally was attached to each corps, where it operated under the Corps Engineer, usually further attached to an engineer unit of the corps. It was disbanded 18 August 1945.

After the fall of Germany he sent home to his parents German Trophies of War as souvenirs. This grouping was purchased directly from his relatives and consists of the following items:

- Wood transit box that measures 20 x 12 x 10 inches. The top of the box features wartime writing that reads:
FROM
T/5 W. C. ARNOLD
6638 ENGR M. C. CO.
PO 758 c/o PM
New York N.Y.

TO
MR.DANIEL ARNOLD
UPPER MARLBORO
MARYLAND

Inside the box are the following items:

- Original bring back certificate dated May 25th, 1945 named to Walter C. Arnold and listing the contents of the box.

- Original German National Party banner, multi-piece cotton construction that measures 145" x 42 inches.

- Original German WWII SA Wool Armband with RZM Paper Tag. Very Good condition SA wool armband with multi-piece cotton construction white circle and black ribbon style Swas, Complete with genuine paper RZM tag.

- Original German WWII SA Wool Armband. Good condition SA wool armband with multi-piece cotton construction white circle and black ribbon style Swas. Shows some wear and staining.

- Original German WWII SA Cotton Armband. Very Good condition SA cotton armband with multi-piece cotton construction white circle and black printed Swas.

- Original German WWII RAD Leader Armband. Bevo woven metallic thread on a brown synthetic background. Used for the Führer vom Dienst. Armband purpose was for the officer on duty.

- Original German WWII State Service Armband.

- German Veteran's Arm band.

- Unattached German Uniform Insignia, including cut away DAK uniform eagle, DAK Luftwaffe eagle, and more.

- Original German WWII Luftwaffe Reconnaissance Squadron Clasp

- Original German WWII Luftwaffe Reconnaissance Squadron Clasp for Bombers in Silver

- Various German WWII Medals, Badges, Clasps and tinnier.

- Box of German HELBRUNA WWII small cigars (full) with NSDAP Tax Stamp and maker label on the exterior.

- Unopened Pack of Chesterfield Cigarettes.

- Unopened Pack of Raleigh Cigarettes.

- Unopened small pack of Chesterfield Cigarettes.

- Various U.S. insignia patches

- Hand painted sea shell with scene of an erupting Mount Vesuvius volcano.

- German Cardboard Beer Coaster marked MANNHEIM

- Various other pieces.


A fantastic grouping of excellent condition genuine WWII material that based on the condition of the items has apparently laid undisturbed in the original bring home box since returning home in 1945.