398TH INFANTRYMAN''S BATTLE OF HEILBRONN SOUVENIR DRINK SET WITH TRAY

398TH INFANTRYMAN''S BATTLE OF HEILBRONN SOUVENIR DRINK SET WITH TRAY

A relic from the awful battle for control of the German city of Heilbronn, a surviving American veteran's 14 piece drinking cup and tray set bearing and the city seal. The veteran who owned the set was Pfc. Joseph L. Laskowicz of Co. M, 398th Infantry, 100th Infantry Division. Included is: an 11"" diameter tray with raised rim, six 8 oz. tumblers, six small shot glasses, and a lidded carrying container that probably did double-duty as a cocktail shaker. Every piece bears the emblem of the City of Heilbronn and "HEILBRONN GERMANY 1945" with the addition in italics of the owner's name: "Laskowiz". Heavily-tarnished, otherwise no dents, scratches, or other damage evident. Heilbronn, in central Germany, was the scene of what was arguably the hardest-fought battle of the war. The city was to be held as a bulwark against the fast-moving Americans by Waffen-SS and Hitler Jugend forces in order to allow time for other forces to establish themselves inthe mountainous rear. The Germans lay in hiding until they pounced upon the Americans as the crossed the Neckar. There followed nine days of house-to-house fighting before the entrenched Germans capitulated or fled.