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General Apathy
21 hours ago, mikie said:

If Ken won't, we could probably bash up an unauthorized biography from the tidbits he's posted here.  Then make up the rest to fill it in.  But whatever our imaginations could come up with probably would be tame compared to what really went on.  

Mikie

.

Hi Mikie,

 

My big regret is never keeping a daily journal, so many things lost or forgotten in the mists of time, sometimes its friends that re-jog  the memory with the words ' do you recall the time . . . . . . . . . . . . ' and then we probably roar with laughter at the events .

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, May 01 2021.

 

" Life's too short for reproductions "

 

"  Life is like a tank of gas, the closer you get to a quarter tank, the faster it goes "

 

.

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General Apathy

.

would appreciate some help if any can be offered  . . . . . . 

 

the family of Albin A Walker plan on visiting Normandy as and when possible however they would appreciate any further details of the father / grandfather as the document below is all they have from his WWII service days.  Thanks in advance

 

.fullsizeoutput_abfc.jpeg.613aab54256d8c17cb47add81e62b9eb.jpeg

 

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, May 01 2021.

 

" Life's too short for reproductions "

 

"  Life is like a tank of gas, the closer you get to a quarter tank, the faster it goes "

 

.

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Hi Ken, seeing all the NOS Jeep parts form your shoe box, and Johan's amazing latest GPW restoration, got my nostalgia going with my beloved Jeep.

Here is a receipt from when I purchased it from Roy Harris of Atlantic Automotive in 1989 for £4600 (a lot of ££ at the time!!). It came from the last batch of released (50?) Jeeps from the Norwegian reserves. I had to have one, so went to the bank and got a loan. When asked if I wanted a Ford or Willys, I really didn't know the difference!! I asked Roy to select a 'nice' one for me!!

Well, I got an official 1944 Willys MB - chassis number 324997. However, it is a real 'Norwegian rebuild' with a Ford engine and gearbox; numerous 'F' stamped parts, including both wings, blackout lamp, throttle, seat to name a few which are cool... I have since been told I have a very early Willys split rear seat, and a top bow bracket from an early Willys..

Being young and new to the hobby at the time, I ran it as an ex-Norwegian Jeep, and took it on the 1994 50th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. I travelled with the IMPS, but didn't really know anyone. Luckily for me, I made life long friends there, and to this day thanked my luck for going, and meeting such wonderful like-minded people.

One of those friends persuaded me to nut and bolt restore the Jeep in 2003 with his expert knowledge and help. The result was stunning - I left lots of the dents and scrapes in the wings and tub as part of her originality. Over the years the 'newness' has worn off from lots of use, but she has been reliable and a real member of the family. My eldest (now old enough to be able to be insured to drive it!!) is smitten too.

The Navy markings are taken from a photo I saw of an olive drab Navy Jeep on Guadacanal. I wanted something different, and has remained in this guise since!

She may be a 'bitser', and the purists may not approve. However, she stands as a survivor, and I adore her as my 32 year companion. I have had two GMC's and a M3 half track in the meantime, but this old girl is in my blood!

Cheers! Graham

 

 

 

Guadalcanal_25_5_1943.jpg

JEEP 007.jpg

Jeep receipt.jpg

jeepxmas04 002.jpg

IMG_20210424_155525372.jpg

IMG_20210424_155555997.jpg

IMG_20210424_155609904.jpg

IMG_20210424_155719803.jpg

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Johan Willaert

Hey Graham, Great Jeep!!! Thx for the compliments on mine...

 

With the IMPS in Normandy in 1994??? You didn't by any chance camp in the small field just outside Arromanches, did you? Not mud city but just a bit closer to the seaside...

 

I camped out in that field and I remember when asking if I could put up my tent there, I had to pay membership of the IMPS, which I gladly did...

 

Oh, and by the way.... a lot of F parts were fitted to MBs from the factory from 1944 onwards, so not necessarily a Norwegian thing...
That Ford hood (bonnet) is definitely that Jeep's original one...

 

Cheers

 

Johan

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25 minutes ago, Johan Willaert said:

Hey Graham, Great Jeep!!! Thx for the compliments on mine...

 

With the IMPS in Normandy in 1994??? You didn't by any chance camp in the small field just outside Arromanches, did you? Not mud city but just a bit closer to the seaside...

 

I camped out in that field and I remember when asking if I could put up my tent there, I had to pay membership of the IMPS, which I gladly did...

 

Oh, and by the way.... a lot of F parts were fitted to MBs from the factory from 1944 onwards, so not necessarily a Norwegian thing...
That Ford hood (bonnet) is definitely that Jeep's original one...

 

Cheers

 

Johan

Hi Johan, thank you! A like-minded passion! You must be excited to have it nearly finished!

Yes, it was at a campsite at Manvieux, which was close to Arromanches. To this day, I am so pleased I made the trip. Such a historical milestone in history; I couldn't miss it!

Interesting on the 'F' parts association at the Willys factory - I had no idea! Wow! I love this hobby - so much to learn all the time! Really appreciated. The bonnet had Willys 'AA' bolts holding it in place, but were sadly mislaid.

If only these vehicles could talk...!

Cheers Graham

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On 5/1/2021 at 8:09 AM, General Apathy said:

.

would appreciate some help if any can be offered  . . . . . . 

 

the family of Albin A Walker plan on visiting Normandy as and when possible however they would appreciate any further details of the father / grandfather as the document below is all they have from his WWII service days.  Thanks in advance

 

.fullsizeoutput_abfc.jpeg.613aab54256d8c17cb47add81e62b9eb.jpeg

 

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, May 01 2021.

 

" Life's too short for reproductions "

 

"  Life is like a tank of gas, the closer you get to a quarter tank, the faster it goes "

 

.

I took a quick look but haven't come up with anything.  I can usually find more stuff about Navy vets than Army.   If you still need help, our own USMF research wizard Aznation  may be able to help out.  It's amazing what stuff that guy can find.  I can ask him if you'd like.

 

Mikie

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Johan Willaert

301st MP Escort Guard Company, landed on Utah Beach

 

 

Military Police and the Engineer Special Brigades: The Normandy Invasion
By Andy Watson

 

It is an oversimplification to state that the D-Day invasion was enormous. Aside from the historical impact and changing the course of World War II, this was a massive effort than encompassed many thousands of Soldiers, sailors, and airmen among the Allies. As with other major battles and invasions during World War II, the Military Police Corps would not only participate but have an active role in ensuring victory. 

Planning for the invasion military strategists strived to ensure success on all levels. Military Police missions such as circulation control, force protection, and enemy prisoner of war (EPW) management would require numerous Military Police units. The number of Military Police involved in the landings at Normandy was considerable. Divisional MP units included in the assault forces for D-Day 6 June 1944:  1st MP Platoon-1st Infantry Division, 29th MP Platoon-29th Infantry Division, 4th MP Platoon-4th Infantry Division, 90th MP Platoon-90th Infantry Division, MP Platoon-82nd Airborne Division, and the MP Platoon for the 101st Airborne Division. 

 MP units at the Corps level tasked for the invasion included Companies “A” and “B” of the 507th MP Battalion for V Corps as well as the VII Corps’ Military Police Platoon. The 428th MP Escort Guard Company would be assigned to V Corps for the invasion and later attached to various divisions within V Corps. Company “C” of the 509th MP Battalion, a First Army MP unit would also take part in the invasion. Some First Army and V & VII Corps MPs were freed from their normal assignments and attached to a relatively new type of unit: Engineer Special Brigades.  

Although named Engineer Special Brigades (ESB), these units were composed of many different branches needed for the assault. Some of the specialties found within ESBs were engineers, amphibious truck companies, signal units, chemical decontamination sections, various quartermaster units and MPs. Military Police units assigned to the ESBs included the 449th MP Company which was attached to the 1st Engineer Special Brigade and took part in the D-Day invasion. The 301st and 595th Escort Guard Companies, were also attached to the 1st Engineer Special Brigade, and would arrive a few days later to assist in EPW control. The Provisional Engineer Special Brigade Group contained the 5th and 6th Engineer Special Brigades as well as other attached units, such as companies “C” and “D” of the 783rd MP Battalion and the 302nd MP Escort Guard Company. The 210th MP Company was attached to the 5th Engineer Special Brigade and the 214th MP Company was attached to the 6th Engineer Special Brigade.

 Through amphibious training and conditioning, these MPs honed their Military Policing skills on beaches in the United States and England, waiting for the assault. Attachment to an Engineer Special Brigade meant constant training and also a frontline position against a heavily defended beach. Units attached to the Engineer Special Brigades also wore a conspicuous arc on their helmet a few veterans have referred to as the “high-water mark”. Similar to the brassard and ubiquitous “MP”, this was another symbol for instant recognition. Though the patterns differed between the Engineer Special Brigades and their landing areas, the arc signified personnel authorized to remain on the beach. ESB members would remain on the beach under fire while clearing mines, traffic, EPWs, and any other obstacles necessary for the invasion to succeed.

 The 214th MP Company’s 1st, 3rd, and a portion of the 2nd platoons were directly attached to the 149th Engineer Battalion. The remaining portion of 2nd platoon was attached to the 74th Ordnance Battalion. The MPs trained within these units for the coming battle. On June 6, 1944 the 214th MP Co. was enroute to Omaha beach when they had to abandon their transport. Their LCI (Landing Craft, Infantry) #92 was hit first by mines and then German artillery.  Evacuating the burning craft, the Soldiers made their way to the “Dog White” section of the beach in neck-deep water. Once on the beach brigade members realized that the previous assault group consisting of infantry and rangers were pinned down by devastating enemy fire. 

Bolstering the first assault group’s forces, ESB Soldiers from all branches assisted in pushing the enemy back. Members of the 214th MP Co. immediately took over the traffic control situation and evacuated wounded under enemy fire. Despite the danger, only four members of the company were wounded on the beach.  As the fighting moved inland, the 214th established traffic control points and by 13 June created a brigade stockade for EPWs. For their part in the assault, 214th MPs SSGT William T. Orr and SGT James S. Powell were awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action against the enemy. Also recognized within the 214th were 1LT O.L Davis, SSGT Donald Wesslund, PVT William J. Dollar, and PVT George F. Lord Jr. all awarded the Bronze Star.

The 210th MP Company landed on the “Easy Red” section of Omaha beach. During the first days of the landings the 210th MP Company members worked assisting medics and provided security for 5th ESB Headquarters, in addition to their primary task of traffic control. In the days following 6-7 June, the 210th expanded its duties into law enforcement to prevent pilfering and apprehending AWOL Soldiers. Two MPs from the 210th were wounded on 7 June and evacuated to England for hospitalization. The 210th would continue to have casualties from beach operations in the weeks following the initial assault. 

At the time, the 302nd MP Escort Guard Company was not considered a frontline unit-57% of its members were “limited service” personnel averaging 28 years of age. Despite the limiting perceptions, the 302nd landed on Omaha beach on the afternoon of June 6 with its elements scattered on the “Easy Red” and “Easy Green” sections of the beach. During the first few days of the assault, the 302nd MPs had numerous casualties due to artillery and mortar fire, but persevered and established a stockade for EPWs. By 20 June 1944 the stockade also operated by the 302nd, had received and processed 3,290 enemy prisoners.

The 449th MP Company took part in practice invasion operations for six months with the 1st Engineer Special Brigade. During breaks in training the MPs would also perform military police duties at nearby towns.  The 449th had the added responsibility of guarding the top secret planning room for the 1st ESB portion of the invasion. The 449th landed on Utah beach at approximately 0800 hours on 6 June 1944.  Although enemy resistance was lighter than on Omaha beach, there was a constant threat of artillery and sniper fire. To counter these dangers MPs of the 449th kept men and vehicles moving off of the beach to make room for incoming waves of Soldiers and supplies. The MPs also took over EPW operations and within four days had supervised the removal of four thousand EPWs to England. Casualties for the 449th during beach operations consisted of seven MPs wounded and one killed. The following 449th members: LT E.J. Barattino, Tec 4 D. Feingold, CPL E.G. Streich, CPL J. Feinstein, and PVT H. Kuperberg, were awarded the Bronze Star.

In the days immediately following the initial assault, other ESB MP units would land at Normandy. The 301st and 595th MP Escort Guard Companies maintained beach evacuation pens filled with German EPWs, and processed the stream of new prisoners. Companies “C” and “D” of the 783rd MP Battalion assisted in directing the considerable amounts of beach traffic four days after June 6. 

In the coming months, beach operations became more routine and less dangerous. Battle lines moved inland and many MP units followed. Most Military Police attached to the Engineer Special Brigades were reassigned, but they would continue processing many thousands of enemy prisoners of war and would also keep supply lines operational.  Although the beachhead was secure, the war within the European continent loomed ahead.

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General Apathy
On 5/1/2021 at 7:23 PM, MCDUFF said:

Hi Ken, seeing all the NOS Jeep parts form your shoe box, and Johan's amazing latest GPW restoration, got my nostalgia going with my beloved Jeep.

Here is a receipt from when I purchased it from Roy Harris of Atlantic Automotive in 1989 for £4600 (a lot of ££ at the time!!). It came from the last batch of released (50?) Jeeps from the Norwegian reserves. I had to have one, so went to the bank and got a loan. When asked if I wanted a Ford or Willys, I really didn't know the difference!! I asked Roy to select a 'nice' one for me!!

Well, I got an official 1944 Willys MB - chassis number 324997. However, it is a real 'Norwegian rebuild' with a Ford engine and gearbox; numerous 'F' stamped parts, including both wings, blackout lamp, throttle, seat to name a few which are cool... I have since been told I have a very early Willys split rear seat, and a top bow bracket from an early Willys..

Being young and new to the hobby at the time, I ran it as an ex-Norwegian Jeep, and took it on the 1994 50th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. I travelled with the IMPS, but didn't really know anyone. Luckily for me, I made life long friends there, and to this day thanked my luck for going, and meeting such wonderful like-minded people.

One of those friends persuaded me to nut and bolt restore the Jeep in 2003 with his expert knowledge and help. The result was stunning - I left lots of the dents and scrapes in the wings and tub as part of her originality. Over the years the 'newness' has worn off from lots of use, but she has been reliable and a real member of the family. My eldest (now old enough to be able to be insured to drive it!!) is smitten too.

The Navy markings are taken from a photo I saw of an olive drab Navy Jeep on Guadacanal. I wanted something different, and has remained in this guise since!

She may be a 'bitser', and the purists may not approve. However, she stands as a survivor, and I adore her as my 32 year companion. I have had two GMC's and a M3 half track in the meantime, but this old girl is in my blood!

Cheers! Graham

 

 

 

JEEP 007.jpg

 

IMG_20210424_155719803.jpg

.

Hi Graham,

 

Thanks for joining in with photos and details of your Jeep, I'm sure lots of us are interested in seeing it.

 

I was interested to see the canvas webbing under the clamp on the carburettor horn, only the second time I have seen one of these, I have a brand new U.S. manufacture clamp in my spares boxes with the canvas riveted to the clamp, always wondered what the history of my clamp was. 

Looking at the seam / joints on your bulkhead it appears you have an early manufacture body tub . . . . . . . . .  

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, May 05 2021.

 

" Life's too short for reproductions "

 

"  Life is like a tank of gas, the closer you get to a quarter tank, the faster it goes "

 

.

 

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General Apathy
On 5/3/2021 at 7:46 PM, mikie said:

I took a quick look but haven't come up with anything.  I can usually find more stuff about Navy vets than Army.   If you still need help, our own USMF research wizard Aznation  may be able to help out.  It's amazing what stuff that guy can find.  I can ask him if you'd like.

 

Mikie

.

Hi Mikie,

 

thanks for trying to find details for me,  I would be pleased if you have a connection with AZnation to see what he could find out. thanks.

 

I see looking back at my original request post that the predictive text had changed the soldiers name from Albin A Warner to ' Walker ', ????????   didn't spot that until I just looked back.

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, May 05 2021.

 

" Life's too short for reproductions "

 

"  Life is like a tank of gas, the closer you get to a quarter tank, the faster it goes "

 

.

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General Apathy
On 5/4/2021 at 9:33 AM, Johan Willaert said:

More on MPs guarding POWs in Normandy
Military Police Soldiers on D-Day :: FORT LEONARD WOOD (army.mil)

 

 

The_Normandy_Invasion-watson_Corporal_Ernest_Streich.jpg

.

Hi Johan,

 

thanks for the post and links you have added regarding Albin A Warner and the unit he served with.

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, May 05 2021.

 

" Life's too short for reproductions "

 

"  Life is like a tank of gas, the closer you get to a quarter tank, the faster it goes "

 

.

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General Apathy

.

Found these two old pieces of Jeep spring in the spares Shoebox this morning . . . . . . . . . . and the story came to mind

 

Back in the mid 1980’s I had virtually finished rebuilding my 1974 CJ5, straight six 4.2 litre,  and  I took it to a farm at the weekend to test I had rebuilt it correctly.  Watching me testing the Jeep one of my friends John said to another friend ' he's going to have an accident in that '. . . 

 

Well speeding down the field again there was a dip in the terrain and having no seat belt the Jeep followed the dip and I floated into the air and my foot came off the brake pedal. By the time I returned to the seat and found the brake pedal again it was too late and I went straight through the field hedge into a ditch on the other side. 

 

The Jeep stood vertical on it’s front bumper with me gripping the steering wheel and out the seat and over the top of the wheel, my knees were cut on the dash and my face hit the bonnet fortunately the Jeep came back down onto it’s four wheels . The front axle was snapped out of the central diff casting, the sump ripped off the bottom of the engine, the left spring snapped completely, the right spring bent at one end, top two leaves shown in the photo, the exhaust ripped off, the right wing bent, the steering wheel spokes broken from my grip preventing me flying out the Jeep,  and a few other minor pieces of damage. 

 

However I rebuilt the Jeep for the second time and ran it for several more years and eventually gave it to John  before moving to France, he sold it to two guys driving past who spotted it in his garden. 

 

John had stood and watched these events and found it more than amusing . . . . . . and said he was more concerned for the Jeep than for me, and another one of life’s adventures lived. .  😹 

 

.fullsizeoutput_acc8.jpeg.a81af692902c5c0326b8168e79bab459.jpeg

 

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, May 05 2021.

 

" Life's too short for reproductions "

 

"  Life is like a tank of gas, the closer you get to a quarter tank, the faster it goes "

 

.

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General Apathy

.

And another story came to mind . . . . . . . 

 

reading an article in a UK newspaper a couple of days ago reminded me of an event that happened in a friends garden back in the late 70's, the article referred to WWII glass bottle Phosphorous grenades being discovered at a property.

 

My Jeeping friend in the 1970's was a chemical engineer at the local university, being interested in WWII, Jeeps etc, various WWII items were still to be found at that time, Jeep parts, uniforms, weapons, ammunition etc, etc. 

 

So we were working on a Jeep on his front drive when the wooden shed close by burst into roaring flames, the glass windows blown out and other pieces flying through the air.  We grabbed the garden watering hose and fought the blaze until we had put out the flames and remains of the shed. 

 

Being interested in WWII he had been given a canister of Phosphorous in water and he had stored it in his wooden shed, over the years the can had corroded and all the water leaked out, once the Phosphorous dried out it self ignited.

 

another one of life's little adventures  . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

.fullsizeoutput_ac2c.jpeg.73a7a87f735f72bbe5033c29d87b08a4.jpeg

 

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, May 05 2021.

 

" Life's too short for reproductions "

 

"  Life is like a tank of gas, the closer you get to a quarter tank, the faster it goes "

 

.

 

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General Apathy
4 hours ago, Johan Willaert said:

Well, at least now I can sit in it....

 

 

252-GPW56685-04Mei21 (18).JPG

.

Hi Johan,

 

well that looks great well done, look forward to seeing it.  While it's still unfinished with a television screen rested on the dash the family and you could sit and eat your evening meal and watch television . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, May 05 2021.

 

" Life's too short for reproductions "

 

"  Life is like a tank of gas, the closer you get to a quarter tank, the faster it goes "

 

.

 

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General Apathy

.

French newspaper report yesterday . . . . . . . .

 

This is a copy of yesterdays newspaper, short story is that the skeletal remains of a WWII German soldier had been found at Gatteville-le Phare, this is at the top of the Normandy peninsula between Cherbourg and Barfleur .........

 

fullsizeoutput_acca.jpeg.606bc21d47fee7ba77d3b1837baea0e7.jpeg

 

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, May 05 2021.

 

" Life's too short for reproductions "

 

"  Life is like a tank of gas, the closer you get to a quarter tank, the faster it goes "

 

.

 

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General Apathy

.

Looking through the spares Shoebox again . . . . . . . . . 

 

Yesterday I pulled an original NOS Ford oil filter element out the shoebox, these were very very common in the late 70's and early 80's but other manufacturers could also be bought such as Purolater and others, however as the wartime stocks dried up modern commercial replacements were offered.

 

Another item I pulled out was an oil filter bracket, the colour is standard British army engine colour from the late 40's early 50's, it also features a repair plate welded to it, flipping it over I was pleased to see that it had an ' F ' stamp that had not been covered or damaged by the repair.

 

Obviously Willys Jeep owners would prefer to only use Willys parts in a similar vein as Ford owners desire Ford parts.  A jeeping friend in London has an early 42 Willys slat grille, however when he bought the Jeep it had a Ford drivers seat and rear seat.  He filled and sanded the ' F ' stamp on the drivers seat to hide it, the stamp on the rear seat is hidden by the seat pad.  What I did point out to him on the rear seat is that during manufacture the back panel had been attached to the framework back to front, very unusual  . . . . 

 

So I laughed out load when I found the attached image of a Willys slat grille and the words attached to it . . . . . . . . 

 

.fullsizeoutput_ac2d.jpeg.1a73a880e8ae5a5513214566648da5cf.jpeg 

 

.fullsizeoutput_acc0.jpeg.c30835fc372f8e1e59c45d814d7db7f3.jpeg

 

.fullsizeoutput_acc5.jpeg.95fb529643933a4b4dc754a293ab5b87.jpeg

 

.fullsizeoutput_ac33.jpeg.305a86b4ccf392760f4b86fd05786470.jpeg

 

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, May 05 2021.

 

" Life's too short for reproductions "

 

"  Life is like a tank of gas, the closer you get to a quarter tank, the faster it goes "

 

.

 

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4 hours ago, General Apathy said:

.

Hi Mikie,

 

thanks for trying to find details for me,  I would be pleased if you have a connection with AZnation to see what he could find out. thanks.

 

I see looking back at my original request post that the predictive text had changed the soldiers name from Albin A Warner to ' Walker ', ????????   didn't spot that until I just looked back.

 

Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, May 05 2021.

 

" Life's too short for reproductions "

 

"  Life is like a tank of gas, the closer you get to a quarter tank, the faster it goes "

 

.

I have created a topic here...

Hopefully Mr AZnation will find some useful info. Please add any other details you may have to help the search. He has proven to be a real wizard in the past.  

 

Mikie 

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Johan Willaert
6 hours ago, General Apathy said:

While it's still unfinished with a television screen rested on the dash the family and you could sit and eat your evening meal and watch television

 

That's a thought but no TV-dinners in this household, Ken!
As a rule, when we are all at home together, we like to have dinner at the appropriate table and actually talk to each other about all kinds of things.....
....and Jeeps... LOL

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Johan Willaert

7th May 1945 VE-Day, formal surrender of the German Forces in the ETO signed at Eisenhower's HQ in Reims, France.
The building still stands, is now a museum and the map room was kept in its original setting...

 

 

Signature_de_la_reddition_le_7_mai_1945.jpg

RedditionReims29Okt08 005.jpg

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4 hours ago, Johan Willaert said:

7th May 1945 VE-Day, formal surrender of the German Forces in the ETO signed at Eisenhower's HQ in Reims, France.
The building still stands, is now a museum and the map room was kept in its original setting...

 

 

Signature_de_la_reddition_le_7_mai_1945.jpg

RedditionReims29Okt08 005.jpg

Hi Johan, that is a very significant and historic building, thanks for the prompt on this special day!

I visited there in 2015, and was amazed by the map room. It really is incredible. The whole museum is very well equipped, and a humbling place to visit.

I enclose a couple of photos, including the Normandy segment of the map! (The Plutos were not operational to Cherbourg at this time; I assume because they had many more Plutos laid from Dungeness to Boulogne in 1945.)

Cheers Graham

 

P1280700.JPG

P1280704.JPG

P1280692.JPG

P1280669.JPG

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2 minutes ago, MCDUFF said:

Hi Johan, that is a very significant and historic building, thanks for the prompt on this special day!

I visited there in 2015, and was amazed by the map room. It really is incredible. The whole museum is very well equipped, and a humbling place to visit.

I enclose a couple of photos, including the Normandy segment of the map! (The Plutos were not operational to Cherbourg at this time; I assume because they had many more Plutos laid from Dungeness to Boulogne in 1945.)

Cheers Graham

 

P1280700.JPG

P1280704.JPG

P1280692.JPG

P1280669.JPG

A couple more of the map

P1280668.JPG

P1280670.JPG

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Johan Willaert

Thx for posting these, Graham...

I visited that museum back in 2008...

A couple of the displays back then... There was a display dedicated to the 101st AB Div because of their stay at Mourmelon near Reims in late 1944...

 

 

RedditionReims29Okt08 006.jpg

RedditionReims29Okt08 007.jpg

 

RedditionReims29Okt08 001.jpg

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Looks like I may own that same 1944 map sheet of Normandy.  Mine came from Major Robert Dexheimer, 979 Field Artillery Battalion.  If it’s the same map sheet, then I’ve posted a photo of what’s printed on the back side of the museum map.
 

 

967A3202-19CD-4828-AAA1-CEA767F2B246.jpeg

7B936DD7-040E-457D-A3B8-5A4257D2219A.jpeg

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