German Helmet in Amsterdam

Whilst walking outside of Amsterdam's city centre, I spotted this earth dug German helmet sitting in a shop window. It was part of a display in a hardware shop and not for sale. There were also a few spent rounds which look like they were dug up too.

I love spotting these unexpectedly when out and about. I remember when I was a child and going to jumble sales/markets and spotting numerous Swastika branded bits and pieces mixed in-between Star Wars figures and cup and saucer sets from the Seventies. I never see anything about anymore in places like that which is a massive shame really.

Hitler Liked Paris

June 23rd, 1940. Hitler makes his first and only visit to Paris. On his brief visit he was taken around the notable sites, immediately ordering the destruction of two World War One memorial sites. Anything that celebrates any defeat of Germany in the now occupied France is not cool with Hitler.

"This was the greatest and finest moment of my life" is how Hitler described his visit to Paris, impressed by the beauty of the city but still confident that his elaborate plans for Berlin and its architecture would make Paris look like a nice steering wheel cover in the driving force that is Berlin.

Hitler had a thing for Opera Houses and had studied the plans so well that on a brief visit to the one in Paris, he pointed out a discrepancy in the floor plan where something had been changed.

Paris was my first visit to mainland Europe and equally the first place that I could be where Hitler stood. When I saw the spot, it kind of impressed me. Adolf Hitler was here and so was I. He seemed such an insignificant man and at the same time, like the head teacher of school. All powerful and to be feared. Tourists standing in the same spot as he did, blissfully unaware of who had done so before.