COLLECTION

Joseph “Tun” Wagener’s brown beret

was handed over to him in September 1950 after his successful completion of the para commando training in Namur, Belgium. The brown beret remained the main distinctive feature of all members of the Belgo-Luxembourgish detachment.

© Wagener/MNHM

Request by Paul Kryloff (19.02.1952),

Elie Kryloff’s father, to change his son's name because he feared that his Russian-sounding name could have serious consequences in case of war captivity for this descendant of Russian émigrés having fled the Bolsheviks after the Civil War.

© Armée Luxembourgeoise

Postcard from Hawaii

sent by Gilbert Buchholtz to his mother during a refuelling stop in Honolulu in March 1952.

© Buchholtz/MNHM

Raymond Beringer’s medal collection,

including the prestigious “Bronze Star” awarded to him in 2001 by the US Government for exemplary bravery during the battle of Chatkol.

© Beringer/MNHN

Gilbert Buchholtz's Korean War veteran uniform

with ribbons and war decorations.

© Buchholtz/MNHM

Red memorabilia box

of Marcel Feinen, containing documents, photos, banknotes, coins, medals, ribbons and badges.

© Feinen/MNHM

Military Handbook

providing information about the North Korean Army in terms of its uniform, insignia, weapons, and equipment. Published by the Far East Command Intelligence Section in 1950, the booklet intended to prepare every UN soldier against a virtually unknown enemy.

© Moyen/MNHM

The Duffle Bag

contained everything the soldier needed to survive in the field (clothes, tents, dishes, etc…). It was his only luggage item.

© Hauffels/MNHM

Safe Conduct Pass

were dropped by the thousands over enemy positions, inciting Chinese and North Korean fighters to surrender, guaranteeing them humane treatment as a POW after their capture.

© Stoffel/MNHM

Leather wallet

of the fallen Korean War veteran Cpl. Roger Stütz.

© Stütz/MNHM

Military camp in Waegwan, 24.02.1951. (First contingent)

Letter of Lt. Joseph “Tun” Wagener to unknown.

© Bard

Razor blades

As a “war souvenir”, Walter gifted his wife’s family loads of English razor blades when he returned from Korea.

© Photo: Ben Felgen; Medernach-Weirich.

Greek field manual

handed over to Gilbert Bucholtz on the USNS General J. H. McRae, the ship that on top of the Belgo-Luxembourgish detachment also brought home some Greek soldiers in 1951.

© Buchholtz/MNHM

Souvenir from Japan

depicting the famous Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan, with the heading “BERINGER R.”.

© Beringer/MNHM

Gilbert Buchholtz’s diary,

telling the elaborate story of the Luxembourgish volunteers of the Second contingent on their journey to Korea and back.

© Buchholtz/MNHM

In the field, 26.03.1951. (First contingent)

Letter of Lt Joseph “Tun” Wagener to his family Hotel Wagener-Kremer in Heinerscheid.

© Bard

The Korea-Song

was composed by Alfred Mattern in 1952, during his service term in Korea. The song uses the same melody as the famous WWII-era song "We're Going to Hang out the Washing on the Siegfried Line" by Jimmy Kennedy.

played by the infamous Liltz-Schmit Duo (2022)

© Hartmann/MNHM

Gilbert Buchholtz's Dog Tag

issued by the Luxembourgish Army. It bears all the necessary personal information needed to identify fallen or unconscious soldiers in the field of action.

© Buchholtz

Rare color pictures by Lucien Wagener

providing impressive first-hand insights into everyday life on the Korean frontline.

© Wagner

Postcard sent by Camille Berg to his mother,

showing Ginza Street, the busy shopping center of Tokyo.

“Dear Mom, your boy sends you lots of sincere greetings from Tokyo, I am still healthy and well. [I] have seen a lot of beautiful things here, which I will never forget.
Camille”

© Berg/MNHM

In the field, 02.05.1951. (First contingent)

Letter of Lt. Wagener to Lt. P. Dauffenbach, Luxembourg-City.

© Bard

Life jacket,

probably worn by Gilbert Bucholtz while returning with the 1st Contingent on the transport ship USNS General J. H. McRae (T-AP-149).

© Buchholtz/MNHM

Cigarette dispenser

from Japan, with battery-operated lights and a music game that activates when opening the box.

© Buchholtz/MNHM

In the field, 09.08.1951. (First contingent)

Letter of Lt. Wagener to Lt. Roger Hoffman, LuxembourgCity, 09.08.1951.

© Bard

North Korea, little behind the 38e parallel, 27.12.1951.

Letter of Roger Stütz to Robert Müller.

After Robert left Korea with the First contingent in late August 1951, Roger (along with three others) stayed until the Second contingent arrived in early March 1952. This letter bears witness of the blinstering cold of the Korean Winter in 1951.

© Müller/MNHM

Lt. Jos Wagener’s personal helmet

The US Army Korean Phrasebook

was designed as an important tool for every soldier to communicate with the locals. Originally introduced in March 1944, this comprehensive booklet, containing the most common Korean phrases and expressions, was reintegrated into the soldier’s basic equipment after the outbreak of the Korean War.

© MNHM

Propaganda leaflet

shows a Soviet military commissioner pushing a Chinese officer, who himself is strong-arming a Chinese “volunteer” to storm into battle. Such pamphlets intended to stir up Chinese insubordination by denouncing illegitimate foreign intervention and empowerment.

© Stoffel/MNHM

In Korea, 22.05.1952. (Second contingent)

Robert Mores' bracelet

bearing the following inscription: “Cpl. Robert Mores V 00403 Armée Luxembourgeoise”. He was probably wearing the bracelet on the day of his death.

© MNHM

Military Pass

issued by the Luxembourgish Army at the beginning of Gilbert Buchholtz’s military service on 4 July 1947. It was vital for identification and needed to be carried at all times.

© Buchholtz/MNHM