The so called "Capture papers", were actually a declaration that a piece of Axis war materiel was permitted to be brought back into the US of A with out any claim on it by the US government (primarily the Intelligence services).
The form, AG USFET 33 (US Forces European Theater) "Officially authorized by the Theater Commander (That would be Ike), the bearer to retain as his personal property the articles (Of formerly enemy property) listed on the form.
Typically, the form was signed by an officer, but I have come across forms signed by NCOs.
In 1944, the Army recognized a warrior's right to the trophy of his adversary's weapons. It is a shame it no longer has the same sense of what being a warrior is about.
Tom A.
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