The author has had the opportunity to visit the battlefields of France many times over the past years. One of the favorite pastimes was to wander off the beaten path and journey into the more remote sections of those fields of glory. During those visits several examples of personal equipment were recovered in the sites where they were abandoned. Although little value to the collector they seem to have more meaning since they were direct evidence of the great campaigns and have actual provenance. Below are some samples of this equipment recovered from the American Section of the Argonne Forest.
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There has been some debate whether or not the bacon tins were carried to the battlefields. The author has recovered examples from the AEF campaign sites the Argonne Forest. This example was found near the 29th Division jump-off point of October of 1918. Note the bullet hole through the end of the recovered bacon tin lid. |
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1910 Condiment Can recovered from the Argonne Forest on the Heights of the Meuse River. |
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M 1910 Meat Can recovered from the Argonne Forest battle area NE of Verdun in campaign area of the 79th Division attack on Grand Montage. Both the lid and frying pan have been severely damaged and bear the owners initials "K" hand inscribed into the aluminum. |
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M 1910 Meat Can lid. Inscribed with the original soldiers name (A. R. White). The author found this example in 1991 on the Molleville Farm, site of the 29th Division action in October of 1918. Arthur Reed White served with the MG Co. of the 115th Inf. He survived the war to return to his home in Annapolis MD after the war. |
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M1910 Meat Can (Messkit) |  |
M1910 Canteen Assembly |
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M1910 Bacon & Condiment Cans |  |
Personal and Manufactures Marks |
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Battlefield Recoveries |  |
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