Having seen Peter's thread this morning The milk must get through, reminded me of how Spitfire's were used to transport beer to the Normandy beachhead. The beer having been donated by the Heneger and Constable Brewery was attached to the Spitfire's hardpoints and then flown across the Channel. Apparently HM Customs & Excise stepped in once they heard of the venture, the brewery was in breach of the export laws as no duty was paid on the beer! bogen.org - Now With Occasional Clarity The Beer Run - Veterans Affairs Canada Nick edit dbf: added beer to title
Ha ! Thats quality...I wonder if they had the two can run then too Cheers for posting Nick I wouldn't have a clue.
Trust the Revenue people to spoil the morale booster! Regards Tom ..don't they always but rules are rules. Nick
I have been asked to verify or disprove the following item of information: I hope your learned gentlemen can offer some insight. *hic* [FONT="]During the war, the Heneger and Constable brewery donated free beer to the troops. After D-Day, supplying the invasion troops in Normandy with vital supplies was already a challenge. Obviously, there was no room in the logistics chain for such luxuries as beer or other types of refreshments. Some men, often called "sourcers", were able to get wine or other niceties "from the land" or rather from the locals. RAF Spitfire pilots came up with an even better idea. The Spitfire Mk IX was an evolved version of the Spitfire, with pylons under the wings for bombs or tanks. It was discovered that the bomb pylons could also be modified to carry beer kegs. According to pictures that can be found, various sizes of kegs were used. Whether the kegs could be jettisoned in case of emergency is unknown. If the Spitfire flew high enough, the cold air at altitude would even refresh the beer, making it ready for consumption upon arrival. A variation of this was a long range fuel tank modified to carry beer instead of fuel. The modification even received the official designation Mod. XXX. Propaganda services were quick to pick up on this, which probably explains the "official" designation. > As a result, Spitfires equipped w ith Mod XXX or keg-carrying pylons were often sent back to Great-Britain for "maintenance" or "liaison" duties. They would then return to Normandy with full beer kegs fitted under the wings. Typically, the British Revenue of Ministry and Excise stepped in, notifying the brewery that they were in violation of the law by exporting beer without paying the relevant taxes. It seems that Mod. XXX was terminated then, but various squadrons found different ways to refurbish their stocks. Most often, this was done with the unofficial approval of higher echelons. [/FONT] This is from an 'our allies' site in Netherlands
I think I would like to have that beer laid up for a week or so before tapped and dropped otherwise you are going to get the 2 bob bits. They 'ant kegs they are 9s or more commonly called firkins
And speaking of Spitfires and beer... link And the above commemorated by: You never cease to amaze me. How on earth did you find that?
Near where I live The Flying Fortress, Bury St Edmunds - Pub & Airfield History The Douglas Bader – Martlesham Heath | Martlesham Heath Pub and Restaurant
You never cease to amaze me. How on earth did you find that? I took a PhD in Rocket Science (Advanced) and googled "Spitfire beer" and then Images Do that yourself, you'll like the outcome
I actually came in here first because I wanted to speak to those who know these things. I normally do google things but thought of here first
The actual nickname of the plane that bought the beer across the channel was nic " The Brewers Dray", beer played a large role in secrecy and information posters during WWII
I took a PhD in Rocket Science (Advanced) and googled "Spitfire beer" and then Images Bet you can't find of photo of one doing a barrel roll.
I actually came in here first because I wanted to speak to those who know these things. I normally do google things but thought of here first Thanks for the kind thought, I am amazed at the collective expertise of the forum! I just happen to be lucky in having a decent visual memory and a strong google-Fu Bet you can't find of photo of one doing a barrel roll. Hardly, but in my post above on the third phot I'm sure the barrels had to be rolled under the Spit wing
