Flak Badge Document KRETA

[Mike Peters]

I remember being told years ago that you had a better chance finding an Award ..than the Award Document since most Vets valued the Docs more.
Since both of my Grandfathers were Greek ...here's one I wasn't going to miss --from a Flak Batterie in Crete --
Here's an overview of the Battle (Operation Mercury)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete

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[Jason]

That's great Mike - Thanks for sharing! I love anything that has to do with the battle of Crete. I would love a Mannlicher-Schönauer 6.5 mm mountain carbine but...

[Mike Peters]

Thanks Jason ...The Carbine would be nice. I had a chance to buy a Greek Mauser with a crisp Crest on it and missed it.
Maybe I'll run into another one eventually

[iron bender]

That is one rare sheet of paper. Notice the December date. 7 months after the battle. 10,000 vs. 40,000. Imagine the odds of being the victor if you're the 10k. Obviously 100% if you're Fallschirmjager and Gebirgsjager.

[Mike Peters]

I was really glad to find it ...any Award Doc that mentions a Battle or Specific campaign makes it so much more interesting , and worth researching.
There's one Book that covers the Operation that I love ..Kreta was published in 1942. I have 2 versions of it ...one with a Camo cover and the FJ Badge embossed on the cover ...and another with a plain cover.
You can tell the shots were touched up to add definition but , to me it's still one of the best "photo albums" of the Campaign I've seen.
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff54/MilitaryChef/DSC04777.jpg
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[Mike Peters]

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[Jason]

Awesome Mike! I don't have that one - the splinter cam binding is tops!

[Mike Peters]

I agree Jason , that camo pattern is great .. and now might be the time for you to grab one because I've seen a few sell for around $200.
4 Years ago I saw them selling for a lot more ...one Dealer had one listed for $600 :eek:

[Jason]

Just found one with no dust cover for $285 :eek: Let the search continue...

[Mike Peters]

yup ...it's a great Book but they over price them .To me it's maybe tops a $200 value but then , I'm a cheap Greek :rolleyes:
(Coke no Pepsi)

[Jason]

Your not cheap Mike. When it comes to "rare" books people tend to be unscrupulous. Reibert Basic Training Manuals are going for 125 to 150 now! Jeez I will sell you 2 for that price!

[Mike Peters]

Here's another one I'd LOVE to own ...but I won't pay mental money for it
-- Die Neue Reichskanzlei by Speer --
http://www.usmbooks.com/reichskanzlei_book.html

I guess some day our Hobby Ref books of today will become collectors items in their own right

[Jason]

Shhh - don't let the masses know about usm books ;):D

I would love this one but not for three bills - http://www.usmbooks.com/fallschirmjaeger_book.html