General Apathy Posted June 19, 2022 #21076 Posted June 19, 2022 18 minutes ago, Johan Willaert said: Spent this Sunday afternoon putting markings on a friend’s freshly restored 1943 Dodge WC-52 3/4 Ton truck. It is marked for mechanics of A Company of the 126th Ordnance Maintenance Battalion attached to the 4th Armored Division. The 4th AD landed in Normandy in July 1944 and was the unit which broke the Bastogne siege in December 1944. Also shown is an original photo I based the markings on… More on the 4th AD: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th_Armored_Division_(United_States) Ken, this belongs to one of the guys that were with us in Normandy earlier this month. . Hi Johan, well done using an original photograph as inspiration for the markings, looking at the photograph further inspiration could be taken next weekend by finding a muddy field for a little run through . . . . . . . . . 😈 Say hi to the guys for me. Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 19 2022. ...
cutiger83 Posted June 20, 2022 #21077 Posted June 20, 2022 13 hours ago, General Apathy said: . Hi Graham. . Very kind, how do I thank or respond to an accolade like that, give me a year and maybe I could think of something, Many Thanks Graham Yes lets try and meet again in 2024. Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 19 2022. ... Ken, I quickly run out of "likes" when reading this thread. This is always my first "go to" to see if anyone has posted anything. Sometimes I only have time for a quick glance but always come back again to read closer. I can only echo Graham and Mikie in saying thank you for ALL you do for this hobby and this thread. ...Kat
mikie Posted June 20, 2022 #21078 Posted June 20, 2022 6 hours ago, General Apathy said: . Hi Johan, well done using an original photograph as inspiration for the markings, looking at the photograph further inspiration could be taken next weekend by finding a muddy field for a little run through . . . . . . . . . 😈 Say hi to the guys for me. Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 19 2022. ... 😄
BryanJ Posted June 20, 2022 #21079 Posted June 20, 2022 I’m just curious, how many WWII vehicle restorations have you guys been involved in?
General Apathy Posted June 20, 2022 #21080 Posted June 20, 2022 33 minutes ago, BryanJ said: I’m just curious, how many WWII vehicle restorations have you guys been involved in? . Hi BryanJ, Speaking for myself I think that's on par with ' what's the meaning of life ', I have never kept count of restorations, repairs, helping friends with rebuilds, etc, etc. just been playing with these things since I was sixteen. When I joined the UK club the MVCG ( now MVT ) in 1972 I took out life membership as I knew that having that much fun I would be doing this stuff all my life. In fact only yesterday morning over coffee in Ste Mere Eglise I proposed to friends that in place of brass handles on my coffin I would have Jeep grab handles, and a representative sized windscreen laying flat on the coffin and a Ford script on the rear panel. !!!! as I said if you can't laugh at yourself don't laugh at others . . . . . . . . Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 20 2022. ...
doyler Posted June 20, 2022 #21081 Posted June 20, 2022 Activity at an USAAF Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in Normandy France, possibly near Beuzeville - June 1944 LIFE Magazine Archives - Ralph Morse Photographer
numbersix Posted June 20, 2022 #21082 Posted June 20, 2022 19 hours ago, General Apathy said: . Hi numbersix, Thank you very much for sharing details and a photograph of the map room, all the more enjoyable being taken personally by a forum member and a contributor to this thread. Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 19 2022. ... Very welcome, it is nice to contribute in some small way to such a grand thread and brings me great joy to be able to be part of it; thank you. An additional note for the map is that the original order, to maintain secrecy of the operation, was for a map that covered the area from Scandinavia to the southern Spanish coast and it was made by a subsidiary company owned by Tri-ang, the toy maker. Most of the map was discarded on delivery and the bit we see is all that was used. The two carpenters who put it in place were then placed under house arrest at Southwick House until September 1944 to maintain secrecy as they were now part of the small group that knew where the then coming invasion would take place! By all accounts this was not so bad as food and other items were not rationed there so they were detained in some considerable comfort.
cutiger83 Posted June 20, 2022 #21083 Posted June 20, 2022 1 hour ago, General Apathy said: . Hi BryanJ, Speaking for myself I think that's on par with ' what's the meaning of life ', I have never kept count of restorations, repairs, helping friends with rebuilds, etc, etc. just been playing with these things since I was sixteen. When I joined the UK club the MVCG ( now MVT ) in 1972 I took out life membership as I knew that having that much fun I would be doing this stuff all my life. In fact only yesterday morning over coffee in Ste Mere Eglise I proposed to friends that in place of brass handles on my coffin I would have Jeep grab handles, and a representative sized windscreen laying flat on the coffin and a Ford script on the rear panel. !!!! as I said if you can't laugh at yourself don't laugh at others . . . . . . . . Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 20 2022. ... Ken, I love it! Sounds just like you! ...Kat
Dogsbody Posted June 20, 2022 #21084 Posted June 20, 2022 2 hours ago, General Apathy said: . Hi BryanJ, Speaking for myself I think that's on par with ' what's the meaning of life ', I have never kept count of restorations, repairs, helping friends with rebuilds, etc, etc. just been playing with these things since I was sixteen. When I joined the UK club the MVCG ( now MVT ) in 1972 I took out life membership as I knew that having that much fun I would be doing this stuff all my life. In fact only yesterday morning over coffee in Ste Mere Eglise I proposed to friends that in place of brass handles on my coffin I would have Jeep grab handles, and a representative sized windscreen laying flat on the coffin and a Ford script on the rear panel. !!!! as I said if you can't laugh at yourself don't laugh at others . . . . . . . . Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 20 2022. ... and why not for good measure mount a shovel and axe to the sides?
cutiger83 Posted June 21, 2022 #21085 Posted June 21, 2022 9 hours ago, numbersix said: Very welcome, it is nice to contribute in some small way to such a grand thread and brings me great joy to be able to be part of it; thank you. An additional note for the map is that the original order, to maintain secrecy of the operation, was for a map that covered the area from Scandinavia to the southern Spanish coast and it was made by a subsidiary company owned by Tri-ang, the toy maker. Most of the map was discarded on delivery and the bit we see is all that was used. The two carpenters who put it in place were then placed under house arrest at Southwick House until September 1944 to maintain secrecy as they were now part of the small group that knew where the then coming invasion would take place! By all accounts this was not so bad as food and other items were not rationed there so they were detained in some considerable comfort. This is very interesting! ...Kat
earlymb Posted June 21, 2022 #21086 Posted June 21, 2022 17 hours ago, BryanJ said: I’m just curious, how many WWII vehicle restorations have you guys been involved in? The only vehicle me and my dad ever owned is the jeep we still have, but I have helped working on many... Far too many to remember or list all. I have also driven or hitched a ride in some pretty amazing vehicles over the years too, but a ride in a Sherman has eluded me till now 😋
earlymb Posted June 21, 2022 #21087 Posted June 21, 2022 16 hours ago, doyler said: Activity at an USAAF Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in Normandy France, possibly near Beuzeville - June 1944 LIFE Magazine Archives - Ralph Morse Photographer The jeeps appear to have the vesicant paint between the circle and the star on the hood. I always liked that contrast myself. Also note the orientation of the stars on both, the white edges on fender and grab handles on the left jeep etc.
Johan Willaert Posted June 21, 2022 #21088 Posted June 21, 2022 18 hours ago, BryanJ said: I’m just curious, how many WWII vehicle restorations have you guys been involved in? Well got my Jeep in 1983 and did some minor work on that to make it presentable. Since then, I've re-restored it completely twice, restored my Harley 42WLA between 1994 and 1997, did two Jeep trailers of which I kept one, restored three WW2 US Army bicycles, a Brit bike and both a Utility Hand Cart and Reel Cart along the way. Then with friends, I (helped) restore a Dodge WC63 6x6, Dodge WC54 Ambulance, worked on their Jeeps, a couple of GMC 2 1/2 Ton Trucks, Harleys, trailers and other stuff... And still plans to redo another Harley to today's quality as I write this.... Like Ken, for me it never ends...
mikie Posted June 21, 2022 #21089 Posted June 21, 2022 4 hours ago, Johan Willaert said: Well got my Jeep in 1983 and did some minor work on that to make it presentable. Since then, I've re-restored it completely twice, restored my Harley 42WLA between 1994 and 1997, did two Jeep trailers of which I kept one, restored three WW2 US Army bicycles, a Brit bike and both a Utility Hand Cart and Reel Cart along the way. Then with friends, I (helped) restore a Dodge WC63 6x6, Dodge WC54 Ambulance, worked on their Jeeps, a couple of GMC 2 1/2 Ton Trucks, Harleys, trailers and other stuff... And still plans to redo another Harley to today's quality as I write this.... Like Ken, for me it never ends... So what do you do in your spare time?😁
Johan Willaert Posted June 21, 2022 #21090 Posted June 21, 2022 2 hours ago, mikie said: So what do you do in your spare time?😁 I play around with my dolls.... ;-)
mikie Posted June 21, 2022 #21092 Posted June 21, 2022 1 hour ago, Johan Willaert said: I play around with my dolls.... ;-)
doyler Posted June 22, 2022 #21094 Posted June 22, 2022 More cans Dülmen, Germany on March 28 1945.Captured German Opal truck entering the city
General Apathy Posted June 22, 2022 #21095 Posted June 22, 2022 . Then & Now from UK friend Len . . . . . . The Royal Albert Bridge Inn, Plymouth, US troops loading for D-Day. . . . . . . . Thanks Len . Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 22 2022. ...
General Apathy Posted June 22, 2022 #21096 Posted June 22, 2022 . Ste Marie du Mont village church. The story goes that a church warden / cleaner heard German voices in the confessional box inside the church in Ste Marie du Mont and went outside and reported it to an American soldier who went inside and sprayed the booth with Thompson rounds. !!!!! I took the photo of the Confessional box last week, the box is just inside the front door of the church and on the right. Ste Marie du Mont is the first village encountered when leaving Utah beach heading for the larger town of Carentan. . Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 22 2022. ...
cutiger83 Posted June 23, 2022 #21097 Posted June 23, 2022 4 hours ago, General Apathy said: . Ste Marie du Mont village church. The story goes that a church warden / cleaner heard German voices in the confessional box inside the church in Ste Marie du Mont and went outside and reported it to an American soldier who went inside and sprayed the booth with Thompson rounds. !!!!! I took the photo of the Confessional box last week, the box is just inside the front door of the church and on the right. Ste Marie du Mont is the first village encountered when leaving Utah beach heading for the larger town of Carentan. . Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 22 2022. ... Wow! Very interesting that the bullet holes are still there. ...Kat
mikie Posted June 23, 2022 #21098 Posted June 23, 2022 1 hour ago, cutiger83 said: Wow! Very interesting that the bullet holes are still there. ...Kat Interesting for sure! But begs the question if the bullets are still in the holes?
General Apathy Posted June 23, 2022 #21099 Posted June 23, 2022 5 hours ago, mikie said: Interesting for sure! But begs the question if the bullets are still in the holes? . Hi Mikie, The wood of the confessional is only the width of a finger and the the Thompson would have only been a couple of paces away so little chance of the heads still being in the wood, when you look through the holes there is daylight on the other side. A good point though its made me think that I should check the other side of the box next time I visit to see if there are any exit holes on the opposite side. . I would say that hundreds of people have opened that door and looked inside without ever making any confessions. Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 23 2022. ...
General Apathy Posted June 23, 2022 #21100 Posted June 23, 2022 . Local field find . . . A local friend found this American toothbrush in a field near his house, I have checked what toothbrushes I have and don't have a matching brush to try and ascertain the actual maker. The word ' Professional ' is clearly seen, little else. Here's the last remaining unissued ' Park Avenue ' brush I kept along with the shipping carton when I sold militaria, with the matching manufacture I found in a field near Bastogne maybe thirty years ago. . Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 23 2022. ...
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