Historical Objects
Fighting knife of a Canadian paratrooper
This "Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife" was found near Bergerfurth in the early 1980s. This type of combat knife was developed for the British special forces, known as "Commandos." British paratroopers were equipped with this type of knife during "Operation Varsity". 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was part of the British Parachute Brigade which landed on drop zone "A" between Mehrhoog and Bergerfurth. A trooper of the Canadian unit lost this dagger in a heavily contested wooded area. The name H A BEZO is clearly legible on the upper part of the scabbard, as is a personal identification number of the pattern used in the Canadian Army: K 3051.
The owner was Herbert Adam Bezo, born on July 16th, 1925, in Inglis, Manitoba. His parents had immigrated to Canada from Poland. When he went into action in Bergerfurth, the then 19-year-old was serving as a private in the Canadian Parachute Battalion. Herbert A. Bezo survived the war, but he only lived to the age of 34. In 1960, he died in a work accident as a lumberjack in Lois Lake, British Columbia.
US M1 Paratrooper Helmet, 507th Parachute Regiment of US 17th Airborne Division
Identifiable as a paratrooper helmet by the fixed bale for the chin strap. It displays a yellow triangle on both sides - which company or unit this indicates has yet to be determined. The helmet shows a battle damage at the back, possibly a bullet hole, but more likely the impact of a small fragment. Found in 1980 in the Diersfordt area.
(Olaf Prinz Collection/Liberation Tower)
Wehrmacht Nescafe Rations
These Wehrmacht Nescafe rations were filled with 3.5 grams of instant coffee. The soldier could use them to make two cups of coffee. Painted aluminum, manufacturer: Deutsche Nescafe AG, Lindau, Lake Constance. Found near Hamminkeln, Mehrhoog, and Bergerfurth.
(Olaf Prinz Collection/Liberation Tower)
British MKI Paratrooper Helmet
The first type of British paratrooper helmet, the MK I, with fiber impact protection on the rim. It bears a triangular, solid-colored symbol in red. The wearer's name – "SMART" – is penciled on the leather lining of the helmet. Found in the vicinity of Landing Zone A.
(Olaf Prinz Collection/Liberation Tower)
Toy Trucks – Made from wooden parts of American Waco gliders
In February 2025, these scratch built toy trucks were found in the attic of a farm near Hamminkeln. They are made from wooden parts of Waco gliders, glider parts are also used for wheels About 300 US Waco gliders landed near Hamminkeln, mainly in the Heiderott area
(Jens von Kalben collection/Hamminkeln)