Captured Ammo and equipment

OK But don't laugh!


Twice I have been deep into the enemy territory on a specail mission, for the want of a better word. Once near Vire in Normandy and this time in Holland
Deception.

Bizarre, that is the only way to describe this little escapade, even now I look back and wonder, how the hell did we get away with it? A small group of us (about 4 or 5) had been briefed to make our way out on to the wet lands, penetrate through the German lines, and then travel some miles inside Enemy held territory, (again, who needs the SAS?) quiet as mice, the whole object of this operation was not to be caught.
At this point, I hesitate to go further with this description of what happened, in the past when I have told this factual story, I have been looked at sideways, just as though I was losing my marbles!

Our orders were to make our way right up to the banks of the river Maas, deep inside Enemy territory. Later at dusk, we set off, creeping along as quiet as we could, we never saw a soul, made our way right up to the bank of the river and lay there in the rushes in freezing, clammy, horrible wet Dutch mud, Our purpose to deceive the enemy.
NOW. Would you believe, we were playing little plastic disc records on a small portable gramophone, of men preparing to bridge the river, with all the sounds of clanking metal and men talking!

All night long we laid on our stomachs until our limbs froze, about midnight, two Germans came down to where we were, then loaded up a multiple mortar, a few feet away from our hiding place, talking amongst themselves with no idea that we were there.
When they had loaded the weapon they fired it at our base miles away, in the process, damn near deafening us, there was nothing we could do about it, they then set off back, talking and laughing together. Early in the morning, at first light, we set off back ourselves, frozen stiff and numb with cold, stiff as boards, we made it back without being caught. How we got away with it, I shall never know, I just wish that I could trace another who was there that night. When I tell people the full story I swear they think I am shooting a line. This really did happen!

Now, Folks! I did not mind lying in cold freezing Dutch mud on my tummy for hours on end, stiff as a board, putting up with the danger of being captured, or shot, or worse, cold wet and thoroughly miserable, for my country, but what I do object to, is people who look at you as though you are not telling the truth, it enrages me. But then, on reflection, I am not surprised, those were momentous times.

I hope that our youngsters will not have the same experiences. These days it would be considered a job for the SAS, or some other specialized group, back in 1944 great things were afoot, and the necessity to take on these tasks was seen as part of the Royal Engineers Field Companies duties!
When we got back not even our best mates wanted to know us. Covered in stinking mud from head to foot where we had laid in it all night long.
I would never tell this before, (Fearing ridicule) until I learned within the last ten years that there were others doing the same thing in Holland. One fellow even sent me a picture of the army gramophones we used.
More tea Vicar?
Sapper

 

Great Story Brian and no we wouldnt laugh at you, certainly not! I have heard of that sort of deception by both sides.

 

I expect you will all have heard of the "Moaning Minnies"?

I was watching Band of Brothers and in the episode where they attack Carentan, one of the sergeants shouts,"Screaming Minnies".

Is this what the Americans called them or is the 'Screaming minnie' something else?

 

Or looking on google, there's something called a 'screaming mimi'.

Maybe this is what he said, but then again are they the same thing?

 

Or looking on google, there's something called a 'screaming mimi'.

Maybe this is what he said, but then again are they the same thing?


Yes.

 

Cheers kfz. I thought so but wasn't sure.

 

Yes in the Donald Burgett books (also about 101st Airborne) it is written with an alternative spelling, as Screaming Meemies.

On the subject of captured weaponry, I read recently an account describing a section of English infantry, that they overrran a German position, found an MG42 with lots of ammunition, so took it with them for use against the enemy. It does not go on to say whether they actually used the weapon though.

But in one of Donald Burgetts books he describes his unit doing the same thing, and capturing several MG42's but then smashing them against trees to render them un-useable. At time of reading I thought it an awful waste of good guns, but if you don't have the right ammo, then theres no point carrying them around. Or if you do have ammo, the problem of attracting friendly fire due to the distinctive noise, I'd not thought of that.

 

With such a reputation (the MG42) there must have been a strong desire to turn it on its former owners, tactics, ammo, fear of friendly fire apart.

Kev

 

Surely the gratest danger with any disgarded ordnance, is the risk of it being booby trapped. I remmber as a youngster during WW2 being cautioned against torchlight bombs and butterfly bombs on the home front. by the school authrities and local police. I was in the SouthEast for most of the period of conflict and an avid collector. Whilst in Korea the same caution was issued as in Borneo. Aden we suffered from granades thrown over the walls or the open air cinama into the audiance, which included women and children. Then that is war!

 

See chap on the right, he's carring an Italian Beretta SMG





by all accounts very highly prized. Great shot Owen