An unexpected find! This is a Derg-era patch for the Ethiopian 22nd Mountain Division. It was formed in 1981 and suffered an estimated total of 1500 dead, wounded and prisoners when the Eritrean People's Liberation Front attacked the Nadew Command in December 1987. It was so bad that the division was withdrawn from the northern front and moved to Keren. The Nadew Command CO, General Brigadier Tariku Ayne, was relieved of his position under direct orders of Mengistu and then arrested and sentenced to death on February 15th 1988. This was the prelude to the battle of Afabet, one of the most important to take place in Africa since WW2, during which the Ethiopian Army was routed by the EPLF with 8,000-9,000 dead or missing and 5,000 prisoners. The Derg eventually collapsed in 1991.

I asked a similar question on another forum regarding helmets with no marks and was informed that helmets made and used postwar by Norway look the same as M40 german helmets but have no markings.  Perhaps this is what you have here.   Lance 

These items are interesting. They have the following meanings…

What a fantastic piece and not something you see everyday here in the States. A great piece of history from a little known portion of WWI.    Scott

I’m very happy to be a new member of this group! Recently, I found this holster being sold as an original, WWII era holster, bearing a police “Eagle-B” stamp, made by Schambach & Co. I would like to hear your opinions on this. Is it original or a reproduction? Thanks!

I have a small Japanese collection that I add to when I can. I set up educational displays and when i do a WWII display I display Japanese, German and Italian material in a Know your enemy type setup. I recently found this material at a military show to add to the display

These to Medical Armbands were with some German WWII Armbands I inherited a few years ago. Are They German and what time period would they be. The smaller one had an old collection tag with it that said it was a nurses armband. Comments and opinions welcome. 

Thank you for the information and the good search ideas.  We already knew about the CWGC site. We are going to visit his grave in Schotland for the first time in may.

Welcome to the WMF, Valerio!

Excellent, looking forward to it!

The next Orange County Military show will be held March 21st, at Heroes Hall Museum at the OD Fairgrounds.   Saturday March 21st from 10am-4pm.   Also near the show is the REDO Vintage Market, on Friday and Saturday.

Great to have all the fixings too (Portapee and hangars)...   I really like the color of the handle as well...This burnt orange (pumpkin) color is beautiful..   Leigh