My grandfather took these during the war near the end. We're not sure quite where, other than Europe. He was certainly in Germany at the end and afterwards. My father and I would like to know please, can anybody tell us what says below the skull and what it means? The closest font I've managed to find to it is Cloister Black and it appears (to us) to say Sprll C ni Is it a German unit/regiment or does it mean something else? We know skulls appear in many German military insignia, but is there a significance to this skull being on the vehicle. That's not something either of us have seen anywhere before. Thanks.
Hi, Welcome to the forum. The vehicle make appears to me to be Dodge - which is an American company? Either it was being used by German Forces or the “motto” was painted on by allied personnel? Hope someone can answer your queries. Good Luck Steve
Am wondering if that is 82 on a black background as that would denote a Field Dressing Station in an Infantry Division. I have some proper documents somewhere but this chart will explain just as well Infantry Division Vehicle Markings
I read 'Hell Cat', and my guess is that it is 82 on a red/green background indicating a Transport company RASC in an Armd Division.. And that Dodge (a Canadian one) could be either a 15cwt (D15) or a three tonner (T110). Typical 'trophy' pic - Germans did not usually wear berets. Chris
Agreed on 'Hell Cat'. Scale of the vehicle makes me lean towards 3 tonner, but there may be other Dodge options. Seems larger. (Do you know who your dad was with, Bill?) Skull appears to be a mask picked up somewhere - strap hanging down? Edit - hmm, now on bigger screen, dunno. Name written on it: Wilson? Nelson? WOI rank or something written above? Plenty of skulls in German & British military iconography, but this looks mostly like some chaps hanging it there because they found it, and it looked cool.
I think it says Belson. Could be a name or referring to Belsen. Probably a name and just coincidence that it is similar as I think that it is a rank on the line above and it is typical military humour to find a skull and say "That looks just like the RSM" etc.
