WW2 WWII Nazi German Air Force Active Siemens Radio Taken by U. S. Army

This is a Siemens portable model shortwave radio, with long and short wave capabilities. It was manufactured for the (German) Luftwaffe in 1941 or 1942 for use in World War II. This particular piece was taken from the Nazis in the final days of the approach to Berlin and brought back to Southern California after the war by Robert MacAlister, Jr. As shown by the original hand-painted engraving on the top of the radio. Since his adult daughter is a close friend, we have the exact provenance of this radio from the time it was taken in Germany in 1945, which adds the deeper meaning of this particular item. He served under General George Patton (including Battle of the Bulge) and was awarded a combat infantryman's badge and 3 battle stars for his marksmanship. Passed away in 2013 and, for the record, Robert MacAlister, Sr. (his father) was a two-term City Councilman in Los Angeles in the 1930s. Successful early Angelino settlers, which adds to the story of this radio. The last attempt to operate it occurred in late 2015, at which time it still lit up and was able to broadcast local (Southern California) radio stations.

A great deal of brilliant 20. Century electrical engineering came out of Germany, for better and for worse. One of the many things that are fascinating about this piece is the unceremonious cord-extension job, which all the more adds to its history as an actual war-used radio.

Obviously, there was some point during its operation where the power source and the reception/transmission location were separated further than the manufactured cord allowed, and a quick fix-it job in the field took care of the problem. It measures 12 1/8" tall, 17 3/4" wide, and 7 1/4 deep. It has a black painted multi-panel hardwood construction, with mortised corner joints, and molded black Bakelite and metal fittings. Radio weighs approximately 18 pounds and 4 ounces. The knurled screw on the back/lower/right will only catch and help hold the backside together if you push a bit on the wood panel in the area while you screw it in. Please ask any and all questions. The item "WW2 WWII Nazi German Air Force Active Siemens Radio Taken by U. Army" is in sale since Sunday, August 20, 2017.

This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\Germany\Personal, Field Gear". The seller is "beachdudeinc" and is located in Huntington Beach, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.

Country/Region of Manufacture: Germany
Time Period: WWII