World War Two items stolen from Ickburgh museum - BBC News
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World War Two items stolen from museum in break-in
Edd Smith/BBCMostly German World War Two memorabilia was stolen from the Desert Rats museum in Ickburgh, Norfolk
Edd Smith, BBC Norfolk, News
Reporting from Ickburgh - Published 12 August 2024, 14:02 BST
Burglars have broken into a museum and stolen "a large quantity" of World War Two memorabilia.
The break-in occurred overnight, some point between Friday and Saturday, at the Desert Rats Museum in High Ash, near Thetford.
Norfolk Police described the burglary as "an untidy search, damaging displays" before items were taken.
The museum's manager, Paul Smith, said the burglary was "absolutely devastating", adding that most of the items stolen were German.
Edd Smith/BBCMuseum manager Paul Smith says cabinets were ransacked
He added that "lots of items" were stolen and "hundreds of pounds" worth of damage was caused after the burglars broke through fencing and entrances to enter the site.
Among the items stolen was a baton that belonged to General Rommel, some SS knives, SS badges and SS World War Two medals.
“Obviously, it’s the German stuff that’s highly collectable, obviously Rommel being a famous general," Mr Smith said.
"It seems like they knew exactly what they were after.
"It’s more to do with the stuff being German and the far-right."
Edd Smith/BBCThe museum is surrounded by a wire fence which was cut by the burglars
A charity page has been set up to raise funds for the museum, which is run by volunteers, said Mr Smith.
The Friends of Deserts Rats, external has also posted on social media urging witnesses or people offered items to contact police.
Officers would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage of the area from that night, or has seen the stolen items since Saturday.
The museum is also a memorial to those who served in North Africa as well as forming part of the invasion force for D-Day in France.
Edd Smith/BBCPolice are appealing for witnesses to the burglary