Souvenir of the Battle of Belfort 1940

The "Battle of Belfort" in 1940 was a short but intense defense of the French fortified town of Belfort against the German invasion during the Battle of France; French troops, making use of the historic forts (such as Fort de la Justice) that were part of the Belfort Fortified Region, fought fiercely for nine hours, resulting in about 20 French deaths, as part of the broader French defensive line that was quickly broken by German armored forces, after which the town eventually fell. The Battle of France (1940) In May 1940, Germany launched a lightning war (Blitzkrieg) through the Low Countries and northern France, with the main attack through the Ardennes, bypassing the Maginot Line (of which Belfort was a part). Belfort was a heavily fortified town, key to defending France's southern flank, with a ring of forts (the Belfort Fortified Region) that was partly integrated in the Maginot Line extension. The Defense of Belfort (June 1940) French resistance: While the main German force advanced, Belfort offered fierce resistance. The forts and the garrison, under the command of the French Eighth Army, defended their positions. Fort de la Justice: One of the main forts, Fort de la Justice, became a focal point of the battle. It was defended for nine hours against the German attack. German breakthrough: Despite the brave defense, the French troops were no match for the speed and strength of the German armored divisions. The forts, although strong, could not prevent the overall encirclement.

This item:
This French M35 mess kit came along with a uniform that I found in Germany. It was captured by a German soldier (A. Scheible) after the Battle of Belfort in 1940. (The name of the French soldier is still scratched on the front of the lid). Afterwards, it was skillfully engraved (chased). Of course, the size and material of this mess kit make it excellent for scenes like the ones we often see. But this one has, historically speaking, a somewhat deeper significance; a lot of work went into it!