This is a German soldiers gas mask remains which is still in its tin the mask is not complete and still has the filter stuck in to the bottom of the tin the mask still retains its original black colour .The gas mask tin which is relic condition but near complete no date or markings can be seen. The tin which is rusty with some rust damage and rust holes and looks like it has been burnt in a fire probably in the battle but there is some green paintwork remains that can be seen the tin has its lid which has rusted solid and does not close also the tin has miss shaped with impact damage it is in nice solid condition it has been very well cleaned and is perfect for display or any collection. This gas mask tin was used by a soldier of the 12th SS Panzer Division recovered in 2007 from the woods in the Ardennes Forest outside the village of Krinkelt which was attacked on the 17-18 December by them during the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944-1945. A very rare relic from this famous battle that comes with a A5 laminated information sheet.
During the night of December 17-18, tanks from the 12th SS (now extricated from the mud) broke through the U. S. line and pushed into Krinkelt, only to be expelled by a hasty counterattack. The 12th SS Panzer Division “Hitler Youth” lost 67 of its 136 tanks in the first three days of the battles for Krinkelt and Rocherath. The fighting was fierce and, because the American soldiers had heard that the SS were shooting captives, few prisoners were taken by either side.