The Sergeant York Discovery Expedition

Discover the German Artifacts
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Insignia from a German uniform found within 10 meters of the York .45 caliber shell casings.


Members of the 210th Prussian reserve regiment and the Württemberg 120th regiment were suprised by York and the 16 Americans who captured them. These soldiers surrendered without a fight and were forced to drop their weapons and gear where they stood. Finding these artifacts so close to the "York Spot" is futher battlefield evidence that supports the written records.


The Sergeant York Discovery Expedition is accepting donations to help complete the SGT. York Historic Trail and Memorial.
Click HERE to learn more.

The German Artifacts Gallery

The artifacts below were discovered by the Sergeant York Discovery Expedition (SYDE) while conducting field research near Chatel Chehery, France.
These German artifacts were important pieces to the puzzle that led SYDE to the discovery of the "York Spot", the exact location
where Alvin C. York earned the Medal of Honor.

(Click on most pictures for a closer look)

          

This German Bayonet (left) was likely dropped here almost 90 years ago by a member of the 125th Wurttembergische Landwehr Regiment.  Discovered by SYDE between the two York positions.  German shells (right)  found near machine gun position

          

A buckle (left) and spoon (right) show the more personal side of the German Army.

          

A horseshoe, brush, and bit (left) show not only men were present here.  More shells and a pocket watch (right)

         

Buttons and tent rings give an indication of cover used by the 125th Regiment.

         

SYDE has found hundreds of artifacts including helmut rims, axe heads, buttons, and personal items all consistent with the written records the events of OCT 1918.

         

         
                                                                                                           (click here for extreme closeup)
Unfired 5-round clips found near the "York Spot" are an indication of troop surrender. 
Most of the clips were found in pairs like these pictured above.


         
York indicated he captured an officer (Lt. Paul Vollmer) near a small wooden Headquarters building.
These photos show some of the artifacts consistent with an HQ.  Notice the lock, bits of wire
and part of a harmonica.  (the flat metal piece with many slots) The spoon here is American.


         
                                                                                                          (click here for extreme closeup)
These pictures show more evidence of German uniforms and life in the Argonne.
Notice the thimble in the lower right of the right-hand picture above (click here for thimble closeup)


         
SYDE found many belt and gear loops which still retained bits of leather. (left)
More signs of life in the form of an American spoon found near the German HQ artifacts. (right)


         
(click here for extreme closeup)                                                            (click here for extreme closeup)
A collection of unfired 5-round clips (left), gave further evidence of surrender.
Trash dumps were commonly used near more "permanent" rear areas.  
Found in a small hole, these bottles (right) were just 30-40 meters away from the headquarters artifacts.

         
These two photos show evidence of the 2nd Landwehr Division, 125th Regiment  under Lt. Paul August Lipp. 
Lt. Lipp was one of the officers captured by York after Lt. Vollmer signaled to surrender.
Over 100 rounds, tent eyelets and this American mess kit pan were found at the machine-gun position on the hill above the "York Spot".

The Sergeant York Discovery Expedition is accepting donations to help complete the SGT. York Histroic Trail and Memorial.
Click HERE to learn more.
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