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Leslie Oppitz (Cpl Oppitz, 4th Royal Tank Regiment) served with his regiment from 1944 to 1948. His collection of German Military items was acquired when he was stationed in Ibbenbüren in Nordrhein, Westfalen, in north-west Germany. The regiment arrived at Ibbenbüren just days after the end of the war with Germany. The Party House became Regimental HQ and troops were billeted in various public buildings. A non-fraternisation ban was issued although it became impossible to control with several hundred young soldiers meeting the many German girls who had lost husbands and loved-ones.

Opportunity soon arose to acquire items of Nazi memorabilia with wives or families of former Nazi officials only too anxious to part with previous associations. In this way Leslie Oppitz acquired the many items now available. The metal Hitler Youth badge was however acquired at an earlier date. In July 1937 Leslie visited the Rhineland on a school journey, During that tour the party found itself in a Nazi Party Rally. German tempers were aroused when the party refused to join in the Hitler Salute. Despite this one young man traded this Hitler Youth badge for an English memento.

The majority of items available were willingly passed over in return for cigarettes or coffee — rare commodities indeed. The local people had expected brutal treatment from the British but this of course never happened. Even so the disclaiming of Nazi association was everywhere. Badges rewarding soldiers for much bravery were willingly parted with. Among the items is a skull and crossbow ring. This continued to arouse much interest well after the war with young people asking ‘Is it an SS ring and did you get it off a dead German?’ Leslie would just smile — of course he hadn’t!

Leslie returned to Ibbenbüren last year and was not really surprised to see how much the town had changed. He found where parades had been held next to the town’s church. The church had memories too. Leslie recalled the late evening he entered it to find the organ unlocked. It gave him the opportunity to give his finest rendering yet of ‘Lili Marlene’ - much to the German folk’s displeasure. During this recent visit he asked an elderly German, ‘Do you remember when we were stationed here in 1945?’

‘Ach ja’, he replied ‘And your Naafi was over there’. He pondered thoughtfully for a moment and added. ‘But I am surprised you come back in case a lady greets you with Hullo Papa!!’

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