Objects found in WWII trenches, need identification

**Valkas** · 08-23-2012, 08:46 PM

Here are some strange things found in deep Eastern European forrests near the border with what used to be Prussia. In 1944 some heavy battles rocked the area, and you can find plenty of trenches. Unfortunately, soil is not metal-friendly, so, most things are really badly damaged.

Three following objects were found in a system of (probably) german trenches, along with some remains of exploaded anti-personell mines, one unexploaded 76 mm. shell, some old inch thick cable, and tons of shrapnel.

First one looks a lot like a fragment of oversized magazine, it is made of 1 mm. thick corrugated metal sheet, bent in half. Remains of metal box? Maybe.

Objects found in WWII trenches, need identification

Second is more interesting. Tube, also made of corrugated metal sheet (different pattern, though), like a big cup without bottom. I have no idea what it could be used for.

Third is similar to second, but with loose ends.

Last one is the most interesting.
Found in a system of (i believe) soviet trenches/artillery positions. There is something like a defensive position for T-34's (a line of pits broad enough to drive in and deep enough so only a turrent can stick out, all in a slight curve, one each 20-30 m, and sometimes separated by trenches with lots of rusty wires and nails all around), pointed at German positions. Old road connects them, and on that road - i suppose - a truck was blown up. There is an area of like 100 square meters filled with fragments of twisted tin (sometimes with screws attached) and some broken glass. Also there were some tools (a pair of different pliers and a wrench), fragment of enamelled metal cup, and two 7.62×25mm Tokarev rouds. And this:

It is made of aluminium, partly colored in black, roughly 4x7x63 mm. Could it be a part of an uniform? Fragment of some decoration? Frame? Damn.

I know that these objects are not really interesting, but it would be really nice if some one could identify them, or at least suggest what they could be used for.