Did you buy it, Ben ? I hadn't realised that it was 'Buy it Now'....Signboard indicates 3km to Essars and 23km to Avesnes Le Comte...both in the same direction, but no mention of Bethune which makes me think that this is a sidestreet in Bethune. Is the road numbered 'GC8' ? The convent school / church ought to be locatable. but I'm struggling on Google maps...
Yes, I made an acceptable offer. It'll be interesting to see if any unit markings are visible once the original arrives. The Scout looks to be very "clean" compared to similar photos, usually the contents are split all over the road. I've not seen this shot before. Perhaps an original as apposed to the reproduced souvenir photos?? Who knows........
Ben, I'm glad that it has gone to a good home. With a bit of luck, it will be possible to enlarge some of the signs in the background and pin down the location.
RMY 645 was made by Aveling Barford. It was the first of seven carriers that rolled of the production line on 19/6/39. It was part of an order (contract T6024) for 296 Scout carriers, they cost £825 each. The T number on the side armour should read T5291. With any luck, one day documents will surface showing where carriers were allocated............ I live in hope. Ben
Does anybody know which units had Dodge lorries and where they were used ? I have a photo of my Father standing by two, but I don't know how to up load the photo. Thanks in advance
Need the pics really , Dodge not a big supplier in early war years , maybe impressed vehicles. To post photo, assuming its scanned onto your computer- When making a reply click on 'More reply options'at bottom right of box , then 'Browse ' find photo click on it then click 'Attach files ' that's it. Posted this Guy Quad while practicing, AOS 5 =field regiment RA -
This photo is a long time after the BEF...Post-war actually, judging by his medal ribbons and the lack of black-out masks. I'm really not good on non-UK softskins. The best thing might be to start a Dodge ID thread under the 'Weapons and Equipment' sub-forum as it'll also be seen by those with an interest in later-war vehicles.
Thanks Rich, I'm not sure when the photo was taken, I think it was around August 1946, but I'll stand corrected if some one knows different.
The Scammells and guns are in the village of Westoutre and there are a few photos of them about , wonder what the story was? The lady sweeping up around them with a brush symbolises the madness of war to me. It's all over now so will you all get lost ! Craig
Can't do a 'then and now' but I think this is the street in Westouter where the view was taken in 1940. At the end of Sulferbergstraat there is a bar called the St.Hubert, both the name of the village church and the nameplate in the close up photograph. I originally thought this might have involved 2 Field Regiment RA (RHA) as they were bombed here - post from Drew in 2010 here: http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/25706-1st-division-hq-royal-artillery-nominal-roll-1939/ refers to an incident on 27th May: "On his return, BM found 2 Fd Regt halted and closed up in WESTOUTRE H.45. Before he could get them on the move they were bombed. Gnr Hatcher was wounded and evacuated. Dennis Barlone in, 'A French Officers' Diary' refers to his men pulling English artillery tractors out of the way which they had used o block exits from Westoutre to facilitate their retreat to Dunkirk. Also, there are two men from the 2 Field Regiment buried in the village cemetery. But then I came across this: http://airfixtributeforum.myfastforum.org/Milicast_1_76_Scammell_R100_UK142_and_6_quot_Howitzer_UK252__about41667.html I can't reproduce the pictures but they show models of the vehicles (or ones very like them) in the photographs - and he accompanying post mentions "...finished up the Milicast combination and here are the Scammell R100 and 6" Howitzer depicting an abandoned unit of the 61st Medium Regiment RA - GHQ in Westoutre, Belgium 1940" Which all seems very certain. I wonder which came first, the knowledge of the incident or the photograph? I didn't realise medium regiments had 6" howitzers, but as they were replaced with 5.5" guns, I realise I'm wrong. Interesting - kept me from doing tedious work for an hour thanks.
One more photo of Morris and Bedfords, the seller said it was taken at Le Havre, could it be, trucks making a pier like some at Dunkirk ?.
There are cliffs behind so it could well be in the vicinity of Le Havre. No markings visible which is a shame. The vehicles are all badly damaged. Quite a lot of vehicles in Le Havre were pushed off the quaysides and were visisble at low tide upside down on the sea-bed. I've seen a similar photo which more clearly suggested that this row is of vehicles dredged from the harbour by the Germans.