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CusterMen MENU Italian Campaign At The Front Books Armies Maps 85th Division GI Biographies Websites

Dated:  Nov 22, 2006

PX - Post Exchange
"The Company Store"

Items for Sale or Trade

  This website is not a commericial site.  The purpose of the PX is to allow readers to donate to this website.  These items are sold at a higher price than their fair market value in order to raise money that will be invested back into my website.
  List of Items for Sale Click to Go

 Explanation of Price Mark-up
  The List Price of each item is marked-up to include a donation.  Take a Patch for example.  I can locate an original WW2 patch for 85th Division for about $4.  On the open market it might sale for $6.  On eBay, the competition may force the bids up to $8, with an additional $3 for mailing.  My List Price($15) is almost double what you could pay for it.  But my price is not much higher than the market value, if you include the time you spent on searching for the item.
   Some items I have listed may be very difficult to find.  Others are not.  Hopefully, I will be more convenient and save you wasting your time searching for it.

My Expenses
  The extra money will be used to support this website to purchase software needed to create nice webpags.  Other expenses include purchasing rare books or achive material from the National Archives. I plan to order more operational reports and after-action reports.  The archives charge quite a bit for each page they copy. (See next item.)

Take a Trade?
Anything is for sale and anything is for trade.  But the items I want to receive for trade are any official documents or books that would aide in research on the Italian Campaign.  So, if  you have a rare, limited publication of a history of the 2nd Battalion of 339th Regiment, or other such item, then let's talk trade.

Shipping & Handling
A small S&H fee will be be added to patches but this will be held to a minimum.  Patches:  $1.50.  Books: $3.00.
I have a FedEx account and can ship 2-day at very low cost.
E-mail me about S&H for more than one item.  E-mail me for final totals @PX Store.
During the last 2 months, I have sold over $300 worth of books and militaria, including copies of "Minturno to the Alps" at the Polar Bear Association reunion.  So e-mail me for a current list of merchandise and for payment & address details.
 
 


 
 Items for Sale
These items are available for purchase.

  85th 'Custer' Division Patch

For all you 'Custermen'. 
This will look great in any veteran's medal display case.
Some patches are WW2 cotton and others are post-WW2.

             List Price:  $15
        
% List Price for Post-WW2: $8.00

  
                    5th Army Patch       %Post WW2%
New, unissued condition.
Full color patch in red, white and blue with merrowed edges.  Original United States Government issue after WW2.  Exact in every detail to the WW2 issue, except fmade of rayon.
The Fifth Army was activated on 12 December 1942 in Oujda, Morocco commanded by Lt. General Mark Clark. From 1946 to 1971, the 5th Army was in Chicago, Illinois.  Current HQ is at Fort Sam Houston, TX. 

                                        % List Price for Post-WW2: $6.00

  

  "Finito!; The Po Valley Campaign"

Original Pamphlet printed by HQ 15th Army Group, May 1945.
A short history with maps, photos, including full page photos of several commanders. 
A fold-out map in the back cover showing advance of units thru Po Valley. 

Not a xerox copy.   Nice momento of WW2.
Size: 6-1/2 X 8-5/8 inch, 66 pages. 

                                                   List Price:  $30.00



"The Road to Rome" 
Original Pamphlet printed during WW2. 

Details 5th Army from the landing in Italy on 9 Sept 1943 to 4 June 1944, when troops entered Rome. 
Back cover(SHOWN) has patches of the units in Italy. Numerous photographs. 
Not a copy.  Nice WW2 momento.
Measures  5-7/8 X 8-3/8

List Price:  $30
List Price for one marked by Vet:  $25


85th Division in WW2

   "The 85th Division in WW2" 
           by Paul Schultz
   
   The only published history of the 85th "Custer" Infantry Division.  Contains good details of the division's training and combat experiences in WW2. 
    New Edition by Battery Press of Nashville.
 
    240 pages.  Maps and photos.
    Still in clear wrap from press.

                                          Re-print Edition:  $65.00
 
 

 "85th Infantry Division; 
  Minturno to the Appennines" COPY
  Printed copy in Large Fonts---easier to read.
  Printed in color. Spiral Bound.  Additional photos.
         (IMAGE SHOWN IS COVER OF ORIGINAL PAMPHLET)
 This is a copy of the booklet printed by HQ 85th Division in May 1945. A good, short history of the 85th Division with details of the different infantry regiments. Includes the unofficial "Supplement" to this booklet that provides the history of the last few weeks of the war. 
This is the same text and photos as shown on my website at
'Minturno to the Appennines', but easier to read.
Makes a great gift for a Veteran.
List Price:  $17.50  Large Print COPY
                     Updated to include Color Maps

 
The Last Reunion DVD Set    NEW
Set of 3 DVD's 

This is almost 10 hours of video recorded at the 50th reunion of the 337th Infantry Regiment of the 85th Division in September 2004.  Casual conversations with veterans and families as they celebrate their friendship. Personal interviews with veterans as they tell their stories.  A special interview with Senator Bob Dole.  Accompany the veterans as they visit the WW2 Memorial and look for departed friends at the Arlington Cemetery. 
Professionally produced by Kindig Media.  Includes a case.

 List Price: $37.50
Link to OmniMedia

  
  
"AAF:  Special Edition for AAF Organizations " 
Published 1944.
<> Pocket edition booklet.
A introduction to the Army Air Force with photos of leaders and info on the varioius aircraft and Air Forces.  Includes color sketches of insignia and squadron markings.
Features many black & white photos.
380 pages.  Printed on news print quality paper.
Condition: Good.                                             List Price:  $30.00

  
         
"Brave Men"

by Pulitzer-prize winner Ernie Pyle
Hardback Edition printed during WW2
( Dust Jacket shown is included )

This book brought the war home to America.  Even though it told the ugly truth about the war, it provided mothers and families back home a ray of hope that our troops were being treated well and just might survive this war. The GI's loved Pyle  because he took risks when he visited them at the front lines.
   This book contains interviews with GI's at Anzio and 45th Division in Italy. Index includes names and hometowns of the GI's that Pyle met and interviewed.  Forward reads:
"IN SOLEMN SALUTE TO THOSE THOUSANDS OF OUR COMRADES - GREAT, BRAVE MEN THAT THEY WERE - FOR WHOM THERE WILL BE NO HOMECOMING, EVER."
                                                         List Price:  $20.0

<>
 "Up Front"         
Original WW2 Edition w/ dust cover

by Pulitzer-prize winner Bill Mauldin
     (passed away on Jan 23, 2003)
   Bill's excellent work of his cartoons that depicted characters Willie & Joe. Humurous but great observations since Bill was a member of the 45th Division and a writer for "Stars and Stripes". 

<>(Email for a description of condition)
                      List Price:   Original Edition  $15.00
                                         1991 Re-print    $20.00
 "This Damn Tree Leaks" 
by Pulitzer-prize winner Bill Mauldin
    (passed away on Jan 23, 2003)

Softback Booklet printed in Italy during WW2

 Bill's excellent work of his cartoons in paperback that depicted characters Willie & Joe. Humurous but great observations since Bill was a member of the 45th Division and a writer for "Stars and Stripes".

List Price:              SOLD


 
  "The Italian Campaign"
by TIME-LIFE Books

A history of the Italian Campaign from landings at Sicily and Salerno to the end of the war--but not much details after fall of Rome.  It includes many photos, including several about Mussolini, including his execution.  Maps & color sketches & color photos.  One of 39 volumes on WW2.
Published 1978.  208 pages.
Condition: New, crisp copy.
                                                                                    List Price:  $20.00


 
US Army History
               
Green Volumes are getting rare.
            
US Army History of WW2 
Official History from Center for Military History
Original Edition in green hardbound edition

Following Volumes are available
 
   1-  "Seizure of the Gilberts and Marshalls"
       by Crowl and Love.                         Price:  $25.00

   2-  "Guadalcanal:  The First Offensive"
          by John Miller, Jr.  
                     Price:  $25.00
   3-  "Cassino to the Alps"
          by Ernest F. Fisher. Jr.          
      Price:  $35.00
   4-  "The Organization of Ground Combat Troops"
         Price:  $25.00
   5-  "The Procurement and Training of Ground
         Combat Troops"
   ~ 700 pages.  Price:  $25.00

 


 

 

        "And There Shall Be Wars"      by Bud Wagner
                      SoftboundAutographed copy
  This is a must read for anyone interested in the day-by-day activities of the common GI.  This is Bud's WW2 diary with commentary added at publication. Includes 178 photos taken with his "contraband Kodak camera".   31 chapters.
   Bud was a member of the 151st Field Artillery of 34th Division.  He started out as a cook, then trained on a .50 caliber MG, but most of the time in Italy he was a messenger.  He was constantly on the road at night in a jeep carrying map overlays, YANK magazines and mail.  Bud served from N. Africa thru the entire Italian Campaign.  His unit was loaned to the 36th Division and landed at Salerno on the first day. Later, he landed at Anzio.
   If you are a military vehicle enthusiast, then you will want to read Bud's first love: his 1/4-ton "Jeep".  His diary records the oil changes and the times he repairs it and methods of wrecking it.
  Note: Bud's son is the editor and has authorized me to advertise their book and use some of his photos on my website.
                                                                <>List Price:  $30.00  $20.00  Reduced to sale.
Please Refer to site for sample quotes & photos:
AND THERE SHALL BE WARS

"Calculated Risk"
by General Mark Clark

 
General Mark Clark tells about his experiences in WW2 and the Italian Campaign from his view-point.  Good details about his secret mission to N. Africa, friendly fire at Anzio, & the generals and leaders he met.  Many more of his observations on the details of the Italian Campaign.  This may change your opinion of General Clark.
Hardbound.  Harper & Brothers, 1950.
Good condition; no marks or folded corners.  Ex-library book.
500 pages, 17 pg of glossy photos, 30 small maps.
List Price:  $30.00

"Soldier’s Album"
Compiled by Col. R.E. Dupuy & Lt. Col. H. L. Bregstein

Published in 1946.
A collection of photos with captions that describe the campaign in France and Germany.  Printed on paper slightly better than newsprint, so there is some yellowing.  Water damage to cover and some pages.
Hardbound.  173 pages.  Large 12 X 8 inch.
List Price:  $18.00   (Reduced due to condition)




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"Rome Fell Today"
by Robert H. Adleman & Col. George Walton
First Edition Hardback with Dust Jacket printed 1968.

A general history of the Italian Campaign that leads up to the fall of Rome.  Includes 12 pages of photos and an index.
This First Edition is in good condition with the original dust jacket.
Pages:  336.


List Price:  $16.00

         
 "Air Force Spoken Here"
by James Parton
Subtitled: General Ira Eaker & the Command of the Air.
Extensive biography of General Eaker who was one of the pioneers of the AAF and the commander of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces(MAAF) in Italy.  He was one of 5 airmen to receive the Congressional Gold Medal; others were Wright Brothers, Lindberg, and Yeager.
557 pages, 70+ photos.
Condition:  Almost new w/dust jacket                       List Price:  $25.00
Link to on-line Biography of  General Eaker




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"The Rise and Fall of the Luftwaffe"
The Life of FIeld Marshal Erhard Milch

by David Irving
A history of the German Air Force in WW2 as told by one of the commanders.. 
Printed in 1973.  Hardbound with dust cover.  455 pages.

                                                                       List Price:   $16.00

"Infantry Regiments of US Army"
By K. S. Gallagher & R.L. Pigeon
This appears to be volume 1 of a series that describe the first 100 Infantry Regiments and a few Airborne Regiments.  Includes several pages of history of the unit from its origin and a separate history of each battalion of the regiment.  Includes a list of campaigns and wars.  Sketches and color plates of the crest and DUI. 
Nice reference book.  Published 1986
350 pages, w/dust jacket.                        List Price:  $25.00

 "German Infantry in Action"
   By SQUADRON/SIGNAL Publications
Includes great photos and descriptions of German infantry uniforms from 1941 to 1944.  Includes color drawings of 13 examples of uniforms and sketches of weapons and  uniform details.  Very little historical text.
Original edition published in 1973.  (Booklet is still in print.)
Condition: USED. slight yellowing and wear to edges of pages. But nice quality paper.  Interior is good condition.           List Price:  $15.00
 

Other Items
These are other books, patches and items from my personal collection.  If you are interested in these, then let's talk about selling or trading them.

E-mail me at PX Store, if you want more detailed description of these items.


   Books - old & new   - Not related to Italian Campaign
"D-Day"

by Stehpen Ambrose
Hardbound Book.  Almost new.  (I read it)

An account of the Normandy invasion with emphasis on Omaha Beach. Personel accounts from veterans.  Maps showing landing of paratroopers and advance of infantry off the beaches.  Good description of the combat at the beaches.  Not a lot of detail of the British and Canadian beaches.
583 Pages.  Photos and Maps.

List Price:  $20

 




 "To Soar With the Eagles"
Autographed by author Sidney Bollick
Autobiography of a young man who left North Carolina and went to Canada to join the RCAF.  Describes his extensive training in Canada and England.  Later, he joined the USAAF as a copilot on B-24 in the 8th Air Force.  He flew several missions in the lead aircraft in the tail gunner position, which earned him a confirmed kill for an Me-109(but this is not in the book).  On his first combat flight as a co-pilot, his B-24 was shot down and he was detained in Switzerland.  He managed to escape with the aid of French underground.  He returned home after 4 years and he was just 22.
Softbound, 232 pages with photos & Autographed.
List Price:  $18.00



              


"Military Uniforms of the World in Color"
Hardbound w/dust jacket & plastic cover.
Good condition. Pocket-size book, 7-1/4 X 5 Inch
Color plates for 512 uniforms in color, for the wars and countries from 1670 to 1960.  Description of each uniform and the evolution of uniform details.  My favorite ref book back in the 1960's.
270 pages w/Index, Apdx of military terms.
List Price:  $30 
   

     Militaria Collectibles  -  past & present
1.  WW2 Dress Shirts I have a variety of shirts that have a shoulder patch or stripes on the sleeves.  Wool or khaki.  Some with stains.
Various sizes but typically shirt size 15 X 32.  Email for a list.
Example: Light Tan shirt with Army Air Corps shoulder patch.
List Price:  $30.00.

 

    Other Patches  -  Not realted to Italian Campaign
  Army Air Corps Original Army Air Corps patch.  Blue circle with Wings & Star.  List Price:  $10.

Other USAAF Patches.
 10AF -  List Price $12.00
  8AF  - List Price $20.00
 15AF - List Pirce $14.00
%Repro 15AF Patch- List Price $9.00

  Other US Division  71st,   63rd "Blood & Fire",
 
78th "Onaway",   86th "Blackhawk",
 10th Mountain,
 45th%  "Thunderbird"
     
List Price:  $12.00
 
% List Price for Repro: $8.00

Explanation of Repro patches
(noted with symbol -> %)
Email me for a list of available patches.  @ PX Store

Patches fabricated during WW2 were embrodiered on khaki wool backing.  Modern Army patches and reproductions are usually made of rayon or other synthetic material.  These are authorized military patches but made after WW2 in 1950's.  Then there are unofficial copies or Reproductions that are made out on the market.  The thread work and edging may be slightly different.  Experts can distinguish the difference, usually with the aid of a black-light. 
The post WW2 synthetic patches are suitable for framing with a Veteran's medals.


Contributors:   Those who have contributed or purchased items to support this website
      Bill Dempsey  
      Ed Schechter
      Ken Chow
      Mike Walker
      Mike Marine
  Rex Giardine
  Jim Controvich
  Lt. Col. George Sherman

      Veterans & Family of the Polar Bears Association
       - at the Reunion in Washington, DC, Sept 04
      
- at the Reunion in Branson, MO, Sept 06

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You may write me at Mail Bag.


To place an order contact
Steve Cole
www.custermen.com