Ammunition box C 238 1 1941

[The_MadMan]

My g/f grandpa who died recently had an old ammunition box on his attic which I now have. It's all metal and got a triangel on it and the markings C 238 1 1941 on it. Grandpa most probably found it on his land, he lived in Veghel and there was some firece fighting going on there during operation Market Garden.

Could this box be used in WWII and if so, what would have been in it?

Here are some photos:

http://www.nieuwint.net/images/mini-ammobox1.jpg

http://www.nieuwint.net/images/mini-ammobox2.jpg

http://www.nieuwint.net/images/mini-ammobox3.jpg

[The_MadMan]

Nobody have any idea? Too bad.

[oldsoak]

Have you been to the airborne museum in Arhem ? if not, have a look at the dioramas downstairs in the basement - they may have identical boxes`there.
Off the topic - I knew someone in Holland whose oompa died and they found WWII rifles and all sorts of **** hidden away in his attic. All carefully looked after and greased. Caused great excitement!

[The_MadMan]

Good idea, I did saw a Humber scout car with such a box so I think it'll look good on my WC51 too.

[DeltaWhisky58]

This is fairly typical of the type of box used for many munitions in the 40s & 80s by both British/Commonwealth and US forces. As the location you describe is closer to Eindhoven and on the south side of the Rhine, if it is Market Garden related it is more likely to have been US in origin, however which forces liberated/occupied that area in 1945 - that may also be a clue.

Certainly the British forces used this type of box well into the fifties and even early sixties often as an "outer" to contain smaller boxes of small arms ammo, or as a container for larger items. Presumably it would have had stencilled markings on top of the original paint scheme. What its contents might have been would be dependent on size - perhaps the C238 is a type designation.

I'm going to link a friend to this post - he has a good knowledge of WW2 stuff and may be able to help.

[The_MadMan]

Thanks!

Both the 101st airborne and XXXcorps passed through and fighted for Veghel so that doesn't really narrow the options down.

[DeltaWhisky58]

Well, the type of box and the fastenings look British - but there again I'm not familiar with US boxes of that period - I'm waiting for replies from two friends - I'll get back to you ASAP

[DeltaWhisky58]

OK - heard back from both of my contacts.

The C238 was a standard British ammo box and was used for various types of ordnance - specifically which could only have been determined by the stencilled markings, but they were particularly associated with 2" mortar bombs, grenades, 6 pdr. AT shells etc.

Sorry I can't be of more specific help, but I think that's as much as you're going to find out on this one.

[The_MadMan]

You helped me more than I could ever dream. Thanks mate, much, much appriciated!