August 30th Journal Entry - Into Plougastel

30th Through Plougastel-HORRIBLE DAMAGE-
G. (German) equipment everywhere
Boys have guns, bayonets, helmets M. (machine) guns etc.
Many dead around-two G.I.'s 1 free french, F. Sailor, 7 Bosch
Been all over world.

This is Dresden, but evokes the feeling of the observations in this journal entry. 

Cliff Hope, from his book: Most of us went a little crazy collecting Breton and German army souvenir. We sent some items home, but most of the stuff was ultimately discarded. In Brittany there was a little stealing from the friendly population. War's proverbial looting did not begin until we entered Germany the following winter.
By this time, I was beginning to look like a super-duper superman, outfitted with two German helmets and a Mauser rifle complete with bayonet.

From History of the 16th Field Artillery Observation Battalion: 30 August: Resistance ceases on Daoulas peninsula. The 16th has completed first combat mission. the 174th group now given task of giving general support to VIII Corps at Brest.