Picture of the day

[kjohn]

Finnish tank crew WWII

View attachment 19922

 

[kjohn]

Finnish sniper

View attachment 19923

 

[gareez]

Finnish tank crew WWII

View attachment 19922

Russian Capture T 28

 

[diopter]

My Uncle's father was the driver of a Firefly on D day. Sank off shore and his commander was hit by machine gun fire when they scrambled to the back of the turret which was still partially out of the water. He was later given a medal for jumping into the ocean to keep the commander's head above water until he passed from his injuries. That was the first of three tanks he lost during the war. He never talked too much about the war, but I did pick up a few tidbits from him over the years. He said they were among the first to add extra armour to the Shermans, bits of track welded on and sandbags piled on here and there. The Brits made fun of them, called them cowards for doing it, until they saw action, he said the next time he came across the same group they had the welder out and all the spare track they could find.
As for the ammo, every single spare inch of space was stuffed full of extra rounds when they were on the attack, machine gun ammunition where 75mm rounds wouldn't fit. He said they used to even jam a few shells in the drivers compartment with him.

http://www.ww2incolor.com/canada/SOUVANIER.html

 

[Dark Alley Dan]

Sure, additional armour was helpful against projectiles. But what about mines? Perhaps the M4A1 T10 was a solution:

Or, apparently, not. Never got past the prototype stage.

 

[Sharps '63]

Doesn't look as effective as the "Flail" tank.

 

[RMXC51]

Great idea, especially since the Sherman has such a low profile. Not.

 

[NAA]

Yeah, that'd make a big target!

-------------
NAA.

 

[Sporting Lad]

Sure, additional armour was helpful against projectiles. But what about mines? Perhaps the M4A1 T10 was a solution:

"OK, people, we just need four more volunteers. Can we see a show of hands? Come on, lads, who wants to help young Baldrick here to clear those mines?
I say, on your feet, men!... Dash it all! Right, you lot. That's right, you four men seem willing enough...... No, dammit, you missed sick call half an hour
ago! In you go, there's a good lad! No, it's a direct order."

 

[grelmar]

"OK, people, we just need four more volunteers. Can we see a show of hands? Come on, lads, who wants to help young Baldrick here to clear those mines?
I say, on your feet, men!... Dash it all! Right, you lot. That's right, you four men seem willing enough...... No, dammit, you missed sick call half an hour
ago! In you go, there's a good lad! No, it's a direct order."

Reading that, all I could picture was that old skit...

"RIGHT! Now, you lad. Attack me, with the banana!"

 

[Sporting Lad]

No! ... You'll shoot me!
Yeah, besides, we done bananers last week....

 

[Dark Alley Dan]

"And peaches, fresh and canned..."

 

[shredder]

Sure, additional armour was helpful against projectiles. But what about mines? Perhaps the M4A1 T10 was a solution:

Or, apparently, not. Never got past the prototype stage.

Jeesus H, as if the Panthers, Tigers, and 88's needed a BIGGER target to shoot at!!!! :

 

[Sporting Lad]

It must've just flunked inspection. You can see the notation where they found the dirty spot... 0 |

 

[RMXC51]

It does look good for Rollin mines in da hood though.

 

[XRCD011]

It does look good for Rollin mines in da hood though.

True just need lots more chrome, a HUGE set of "spinners" and have rap "music" blaring out of it. Maybe for finishing touches paint it purple and install zebra seat covers to really pimp mon char.

 

[fraserdw]

Finnish tank crew WWII

View attachment 19922

Good socialist tank, everyone gets gun.

 

[fraserdw]

My Grandfather (on the left).

Another of his friends in similair uniform. Not sure if the clothes/uniform indicate anything?

The uniform is other ranks torpicals, worn as walking out and causal duty uniform in hot climates.

 

[fraserdw]

This is interesting. Just how hard up was the SS when it came to getting their hands on the latest and greatest?

Pretty hard up, it appears.

These are non-German SS, likely French. It was SS policy to arm non-German units with the captured weapons of the country the recruit were from. Later if these units made it to battle they would pick up better arms, likely Soviet but sometimes German.

 

[fraserdw]

The only cheerful faces are those two in front of the tree. As for the three in the back row left - the kind of faces you see in mugshots.

http://3.bp.########.com/-wU3bOkgAyhE/TvaXeWqQd4I/AAAAAAAAAUE/Yi7vIRMWRUk/s1600/xmas2.jpg

The date is 1940 from the calender on the wall so. If they think things are bad now, wait a while!

What's interesting is the Soviet tanks and the Sherman have been stripped for suspension parts. Suggesting that this was a tank salvage yard in Berlin or some other city where Allied and Soviet forces met and stayed. I doubt the Soviets would bother stripping a lend lease Sherman.

Likely no Western Allies there, the Soviets recieved and used 25000 Shermans, mainly in independent tank brigades that support infantry corps. This reserved the useful T34s for the tank corps and break-through mech corps.