05-11-2013, 05:23 PM
It must be remembered that Austria was under Allied Occupation until 1955 so there will have been opportunities for service personnel of all four sides to do a little bit of trading on the quiet.
It may be that a former Greater German (Austrian) soldier "captured" it on the eastern front and then after capitulation etc. traded it for food or other necessaries.
Members of my own family who did trading with folks on the continent brought back many different items that they would never have been viable for issue or award. Mainly uniforms or perishables but there is very little interest in period uniforms or perished goods.
It may be that a former Greater German (Austrian) soldier "captured" it on the eastern front and then after capitulation etc. traded it for food or other necessaries.
Members of my own family who did trading with folks on the continent brought back many different items that they would never have been viable for issue or award. Mainly uniforms or perishables but there is very little interest in period uniforms or perished goods.
"Signed with his own rubber stamp"
