Norman D. Landing

[General Apathy]

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 I called in the Collins museum yesterday and someone had brought in several bins of dug-up items, and the barrel / receiver of a Garand.  The broken white ceramic at first didn't seem to have any US connection until enlarging the photo and its marked U.S. Army, one bin was almost all broken Coca-Cola bottles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent,  October 09  2O25. 

 

[Mr_Flibble]

On 10/6/2025 at 11:45 PM, General Apathy said:

A UK friend has sent me this outstanding display,  an Avro Lancaster dropping a Barnes Wallis designed bouncing bomb. 

 

 

One of the planes from the dam raid came down not too far from where I live. Pilot became blinded by a search light from Gilze-Rijen Airfield and crashed. :(

[General Apathy]

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80th Anniversary memory 

 

Can't recall if I showed this one last year, but how often do you get to see a sight like this, and eighty years ago my garden was part of the battlefield with buckles recovered in my garden from US Parachutes.  

 

 

 

 

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent,  October 09  2O25. 

 

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[VNAMVET70]

This photograph is worthy of an award! The composition is more than excellent and the colors are absolutely beautiful. I taught fine art at California College of the Arts. 

[mikie]

2 hours ago, General Apathy said:

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80th Anniversary memory 

 

Can't recall if I showed this one last year, but how often do you get to see a sight like this, and eighty years ago my garden was part of the battlefield with buckles recovered in my garden from US Parachutes.  

 

 

 

 

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent,  October 09  2O25. 

 

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Amazing! Finding all that in your own yard is incredible. Those cartridges and links look German. 

[General Apathy]

12 hours ago, VNAMVET70 said:

This photograph is worthy of an award! The composition is more than excellent and the colors are absolutely beautiful. I taught fine art at California College of the Arts. 

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Thank you Namvet, I can't claim anything other than point and press to get that shot after hearing the approaching drone of engines. 

 

10 hours ago, mikie said:

Amazing! Finding all that in your own yard is incredible. Those cartridges and links look German. 

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Hi mikie.

 

yes those are German MG34 bullets and a French wartime coin with the central hole. 

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent,  October 10  2O25. 

 

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[General Apathy]

23 hours ago, Mr_Flibble said:

One of the planes from the dam raid came down not too far from where I live. Pilot became blinded by a search light from Gilze-Rijen Airfield and crashed. :(

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Hi Flibble,

 

I have a sad experience to post about an event at the home of a Dam-Buster pilot .  During the late 1970's waking around London with my then girlfriend Derrie, we by chance met a guy she previously went to private school with.  He invited us to a party he was having at the 16th century Manor House they lived in.  The Manor house had been handed down through a long line of family to the Dam-Buster pilot, I was amazed to see in one room a complete wall of yard long Lancaster aircraft with all the air-crews and maintenance crews alongside each aircraft, for me its was a thrilling but chilling sensation.   The pilot and his wife had been unable to have children so they adopted the boy and a girl, two more entitled spoilt brats I had never met before.  The party goers were using the outdoor swimming pool and coming into this room and sitting on silk Japanese lacquered seats which annoyed me the total lack of respect.  The pilot had sadly died some years previously and his wife was away on vacation so the party was being held whilst she was away.

 

The ' schoolfriend ' of my girlfriend came over to our table and suggested Derrie went swimming, she declined stating she hadn't brought a swimsuit at which he swept her up into his arms from the chair and stated she could go in fully clothed, at which I stood up fists clenched and that was when the altercation began, he placed her back down and we left the party much saddened at the memory of events in the house of a Dam-Buster's pilot.

 

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent,  October 10  2O25. 

 

 

[MCDUFF]

Hi Ken, I had a lovely drive out in the Autumnal Kentish countryside today. It was, however, to the local MOT (ministry of transport) test centre... The Jeep is MOT exempt due to its age being over 40 years old, but I always get her tested to ensure all is ok (You can still be fined if the vehicle is stopped and found to be dangerous). For those not in the UK, the MOT is 'an annual safety inspection of a vehicle to ensure it meets roadworthiness and environmental standards'. Happily all is ok, and she passed! Wind in my hair and a big smile!

Cheers Graham

 

[mikie]

FYI, my dear daughter and husband are heading to Europe for three weeks on Monday. They haven’t given me an itinerary yet but I think they will first be spending a day or two each in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and then a few days in Paris before heading to Italy and Greece. Despite my best efforts, she has absolutely zero interest in history. Zero interest in seeing Normandy. Sometimes I wonder if she was switched at birth in the hospital. But I was in the delivery room so it can’t be. 
My dear wife, also not the least into history, on the other hand probably wouldn’t mind visiting Normandy. She is a major seafood lover and was impressed by a photo Ken posted a few years back of a seafood feast at a restaurant there. Shrimp, crab, lobster! That is her thing. 

[mikie]

6 hours ago, MCDUFF said:

Hi Ken, I had a lovely drive out in the Autumnal Kentish countryside today. It was, however, to the local MOT (ministry of transport) test centre... The Jeep is MOT exempt due to its age being over 40 years old, but I always get her tested to ensure all is ok (You can still be fined if the vehicle is stopped and found to be dangerous). For those not in the UK, the MOT is 'an annual safety inspection of a vehicle to ensure it meets roadworthiness and environmental standards'. Happily all is ok, and she passed! Wind in my hair and a big smile!

Cheers Graham

 

I’m glad that your jeep got a 👍. We have those inspections every two years here in California. It’s always a nervous time to see if the car passes or fails. 

[General Apathy]

1 minute ago, mikie said:

FYI, my dear daughter and husband are heading to Europe for three weeks on Monday. They haven’t given me an itinerary yet but I think they will first be spending a day or two each in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and then a few days in Paris before heading to Italy and Greece. Despite my best efforts, she has absolutely zero interest in history. Zero interest in seeing Normandy. Sometimes I wonder if she was switched at birth in the hospital. But I was in the delivery room so it can’t be. 

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Hi mikie,

 

well enjoy the time while they are young, we were lucky to visit one country when we were about the same age.  I was only saying to friends today that my daughter and husband in their mid 30's have no concept of the world I lived in before computerisation, cell phones and international travel and surfeits of food.  However my daughter is very interested in local history to where she lives and that also includes the wartime history of that area as well, and all the events of WWII, I often share documentaries with her that I am passing on to other male friends.  We only birth our children we can never really control them only wish the best for them and hope they succeed and go through life, kindly and gently.

 

I just sent my daughter a family photograph taken in 2010 of myself, my sister, my brother-in-law and my brother, just my sister and my self are left now in 2025

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent,  October 10  2O25. 

 

[General Apathy]

6 hours ago, MCDUFF said:

Hi Ken, I had a lovely drive out in the Autumnal Kentish countryside today. It was, however, to the local MOT (ministry of transport) test centre... The Jeep is MOT exempt due to its age being over 40 years old, but I always get her tested to ensure all is ok (You can still be fined if the vehicle is stopped and found to be dangerous). For those not in the UK, the MOT is 'an annual safety inspection of a vehicle to ensure it meets roadworthiness and environmental standards'. Happily all is ok, and she passed! Wind in my hair and a big smile!

Cheers Graham

 

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Hi Graham,

 

Thanks for sharing those photos with us, 650,000 Jeeps were made in WWII, however NO two Jeeps look the same, drive the same or feel the same but we love them anyway.

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent,  October 10  2O25. 

 

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[General Apathy]

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Then and Now, Ste Mere Eglise 1944 and 2025.

 

 

 

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent,  October 10  2O25. 

 

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[mikie]

12 minutes ago, General Apathy said:

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Hi mikie,

 

well enjoy the time while they are young, we were lucky to visit one country when we were about the same age.  I was only saying to friends today that my daughter and husband in their mid 30's have no concept of the world I lived in before computerisation, cell phones and international travel and surfeits of food.  However my daughter is very interested in local history to where she lives and that also includes the wartime history of that area as well, and all the events of WWII, I often share documentaries with her that I am passing on to other male friends.  We only birth our children we can never really control them only wish the best for them and hope they succeed and go through life, kindly and gently.

 

I just sent my daughter a family photograph taken in 2010 of myself, my sister, my brother-in-law and my brother, just my sister and my self are left now in 2025

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent,  October 10  2O25. 

 

I have to give her credit. No fear. They have been globe hopping since the wedding in February. The Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Japan and goodness knows where else. They are getting it out of their system now before deciding on settling down and buying a house and having a baby. That’s the way to do it if you can. And her RN salary makes it possible. 

[General Apathy]

On 10/4/2025 at 11:27 PM, doyler said:

 

 

Happy Birthday Mikie 

 

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The end of postal services as we knew it . . . . . . . 

 

I have a postcard dated around 1910 posted in London to inform family in France that they would be arriving the next morning following arrival of the postcard. 

 

The postal service is so poor now anything posted needs to be sent two to three weeks in advance of birthdays or Christmas to try and ensure arrival. My sister has sent me a birthday card for my birthday in twenty days time, a small birthday card with approximately 250 miles journey and cost £3.30 approximately $4.50 plus cost of the card, is it any wonder people still try to post Birthday or Christmas cards. 

 

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent,  October 11  2O25. 

 

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[Escht]

Just back from 8 days at the coast in Tenby S. wales area. Called in at the local air museum that myself and a mate are helping find parts and drawings for their Anson restoration. As part of the museum they are also installing a Jet provost flight simulator, got to have a go in that whilst they're still doing the final tweaks to the systems. Video is real film of the area local to the airfield . 

Also called into Aberystwyth area on way home as we always do now to see Rachel and catch up on her latest news. Whilst there I realised I didn't have a photo of their special window. 

Also took a picture of the Jeep plate on the frame. MB268039  I think I know it falls in 1943 bracket, does anyone know any more from that number, ie. month ?

[earlymb]

12 hours ago, Escht said:

Just back from 8 days at the coast in Tenby S. wales area. Called in at the local air museum that myself and a mate are helping find parts and drawings for their Anson restoration. As part of the museum they are also installing a Jet provost flight simulator, got to have a go in that whilst they're still doing the final tweaks to the systems. Video is real film of the area local to the airfield . 

Also called into Aberystwyth area on way home as we always do now to see Rachel and catch up on her latest news. Whilst there I realised I didn't have a photo of their special window. 

Also took a picture of the Jeep plate on the frame. MB268039  I think I know it falls in 1943 bracket, does anyone know any more from that number, ie. month ?

 

 

According to Becker MB 268039 is last week of September, first week of October 1943.

[General Apathy]

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6am and I am on the road again . . . . . . . Isigny Sur Mer

 

 

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent,  October 12  2O25. 

 

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[Escht]

4 hours ago, earlymb said:

 

 

According to Becker MB 268039 is last week of September, first week of October 1943.

Great info. , many thanks. 

[Escht]

1 hour ago, General Apathy said:

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6am and I am on the road again . . . . . . . Isigny Sur Mer

 

 

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent,  October 12  2O25. 

 

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At 6am. here  it was foggy on the way to the flea market to hunt out more goodies. Autumn is creeping up on us fast.

[mikie]

1 hour ago, General Apathy said:

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6am and I am on the road again . . . . . . . Isigny Sur Mer

 

 

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent,  October 12  2O25. 

 

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Beautiful sunrise. Beautiful photo. Almost worth getting up for at 6 am instead of to go to the office. My maximum retirement benefits hit when I turn 70. Less than two years to go! 
Mikie

[mikie]

22 minutes ago, Escht said:

At 6am. here  it was foggy on the way to the flea market to hunt out more goodies. Autumn is creeping up on us fast.

Good hunting at the flea market. Hope you dig up some good treasures. I found this sun helmet at the junk shop yesterday mixed with the Halloween stuff. No date that I can see so no idea of time period. But for US $2.49 I was NOT going to leave it there. 
Mike
 

[mikie]

5 hours ago, earlymb said:

 

 

According to Becker MB 268039 is last week of September, first week of October 1943.

Cool. That is within a month or so of the receiver for my scrap original parts dummy Garand I put together this year. 

[Escht]

Interesting haul at the flea market today. 1942 original poster, a quantity of old parachute along with a pair of parachute silk knickers. Various booklets, early explosives manual 1925,framed collection or wartime propaganda cards that were done by Ardath tobacco about 1943. metal aircraft model, RAF Dinghy survival ration 1965 ,Childs gas mask with box and 2x  SAS Regiment unit magazines from the late 70's and some WW2 RAF cards. A good haul for one morning

[Escht]