It does have that "Signal" feel to it, doesnt it Tom? i'd say those boys got an awful shock a year later trying to stop a T-34 with that piece of equipment!
Gerard, That is when the nickname "Door knocker" was given to the 3.7 cm Pak and then a quick upgrade to 5cm and later the 7.5cm. Regards Tom
I have the aerial photography of this area for 1941 somewhere. I'll have a look for a tramline going through the woods if anyone is interested?
WO 167/296 Page 918. Ref Comments on the Germans using BEF vehicles I wonder how many were repairable via 'Local Purchase'? The page below shows that getting spares for BEF vehicles was easier locally rather than indenting for them from the UK via the normal channels.
I suspect that spares shortages at vehicle depots were partly caused by the components appearing on the black market in Lille. Bedford, Fordson and Humber spares in a 1930s French garage ? There were Fords in France but not many Opels (Bedfords) and I'd suspect very view Humbers. I suppose we can't blame the French for selling the British their own parts back ?
Bedfords were very strong on exports from their beginning 1930 until their sad 1986 demise , so I would guess they had a reasonable dealer network in France by 1939.
They had time to photograph this Great War memorial (to the 18th Eastern Division) at Clapham Junction. Great photos. You've probably seen one of these cards: http://www.********.co.uk/WW2talk/18divmemorial.jpg
Well I've studied the aerial image and can't see a tramway going into any of the woods along the N8 (as it was then). ah well
Extract from The Ypres League Map of The Salient that was reproduced by the WFA back in 1980s. Shows Clapham Junction & the light railway/tram line.
Looking in Andrew Foulkes excellent book, Rich is correct 34 is 2 Cheshires. 47 is either 1 Supply Personnel Coy, RASC or 1/7 Middlesex Regt.
Copied on my last visit and the diary says the Company were in Le Mans at the end of May. So that motor should below to the Middlesex Regt.
I have seen this photo somewhere - I'm sure it was taken by a Kriegsberichter -war correspondent from one of the Propaganda Kompanies. Often the giveaway is the relaxed attitude of some of the soldiers or the perfect exposure or perfect viewpoint/angle the picture is taken from. Quite often these would be passed around and copied, so many soldiers would end up with the same photograph in their wallet. Just read a very good book by Janina Struck, Private Pictures - about the history of soldiers' photographs.
I can assure you this is not an official photo in any way. It was taken by an officer of the unit with his own camera. Having collected military images for over 30 years I think I know the difference by now.
