NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2003 Nov 09 @ 13:00UTC-5 : EST/CDT
<b>220. WWII CORRESPONDENCE FROM A NORMANDY AND BULGE VETERAN </b>An exceptionally large and complete World War II archive consisting over 460 letters written between 1943 and 1945 and a period scrapbook of war memorabilia belonging to Corporal Orley Ayers of the 687th Field Artillery Battalion. The 687th Field Artillery played a critical role in slowing down the Germans in the Battle of the Bulge, and enclosed period photocopies of his discharge state that Corporal Ayers was an active participant in four major campaigns, including Normandy and the Ardennes. For his role in these campaigns, the discharge states that Ayers was awarded the : <i>"...EAME Theater Ribbon with 5 Bronze Stars...</i>". To receive five bronze stars Orley would have had to be busy indeed. In the scrapbook, a unit citation by General Coda of the 28th Division states that: <i>"...During the period [of] 15 December to 31 December 1944, your battalion was attached to the 28th Division for operations against the enemy. Due to the nature of these actions, these operations were among the most difficult known to warfare, and they were carried out under the most unfavorable of circumstances...</i>". Among many other things, the scrapbook contains souvenirs from the front, including two Iron Crosses 1st Class and a pair of shoulder boards, collar tabs and cloth eagle of the type worn by the brutal SS "<i>Police Divisions</i>". Since these were known to be present at the Ardennes Offensive, it is likely that these trophies were captured there. With the exception of a few V-mails the letters appear to be almost entirely multipaged, with a large percentage having been resealed by his wife in their original envelopes after she read them. Many are still bound in groups by the string in which his wife apparently wrapped them after they were read. It would probably take several weeks to read these letters, which is beyond our means here. It is rare to find such a comprehensive archive of one soldier's wartime experiences, particularly from an important unit as this one. On the whole the material of this comprehensive record of one soldier's experience is in very good to fine condition.<b> $800-1,000</b>
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<p>2.) This auction will be held in two parts. Part I (Lots 1-422) will begin at 1:00 PM Eastern Time on Sunday, November 9, 2003. Part II (Lots 500-1457) will begin at Noon Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 11, 2003. However, you may bid at any time prior to the sale dates.
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