Picture of the day

[surfclod]

More time at the Shooting Range



This is "back in the day" when eye and ear protection was simply not a thought.



Am fascinated by the "pith helmet" style of headgear they have here.


Like I say, my grandfather spoke virtually nothing about his war experiences so in many cases I don't even know what I am looking at half of the time. Those of you who are military scholars (or play one on the internet ) please feel free to fill me in on what is going on in the photos as may be told by equipment and uniforms. Anything that would indicate the where, when and who's in my grandfathers photos.

 

[surfclod]

Neither of these photos are of my grandfather but were in his stuff.




I am assuming it is from his Jamaica days because of the Right Hand drive vehicle. It must have been a novelty for the Canadian farm boys.

Another glimpse into my grandfathers farm boy background is the various photos of local livestock, most soldiers would not waste film on cattle and such but he was a farm kid and cowboy at heart.

 

[surfclod]

My Grandfather (on the left).

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

 

[diopter]

 

[donor]

XB-70 Valkyrie.

Great idea from mid 60's but way too expensive to be actually produced in numbers and used.

Research did't go to waste-some of the aircraft produced in 70's used ideas and solutions from this project.

I'm pretty sure F-14,15,16 and 18 owe a lot to XB-70.

 

[Sharps '63]

re: "More time at the shooting range" ....

Takes me back to my service days and even Cadet training where we were introduced to the .303 at summer camp. No eye or ear protection!

Did a lot of shooting with the .303 using rifles with micro sights as well as the FN C1 over 12 years. Didn't matter after the first few rds as your ears were numb. Ear protection was not offered until the final years of my time in, and them it was to protect Infantry from diesel detonation inside APC's. Did we pay a price for it? Ask my wife who thinks I'm just ignoring her!
I also did a lot of shooting with the Inglis Browning, which was probably worse in the long run. I'm about to apply to Veterans Affairs about hearing aids.

 

[cornelunc]

How you guys controlled and kept those evil ak47s from killing everything in site, is beyond me.

At drilling training no ammo. On special days blank ammo. I shoot only 30 real rounds in almost 2 years in army.

 

[surfclod]

During my grandfathers time in Jamaica he had some photos of blimps.




Did a little Google search and found a little info about "Fleet Airship Wing Two" operated by the US Navy based out of Richmond Florida. On anti-submarine duty.

 

[Dark Alley Dan]

Airships were pretty decent ASW resources during WW2 - lots of loiter time, nice and stable. No good in bad weather, but you can't have everything.

If you haven't been to the Tillamook Air Museum in Oregon, you owe it to yourself to make the trip. Here's the original NAS in 1945:

Here's what remains today:

This from an architecture blog (http://pmapdx.com/category/blog-pmafindings/page/2):

Hangars A & B were built for “K type” dirigibles that are steerable, non-rigid, lighter than air aircraft used for naval air patrol of enemy submarines. During World War II, the hangars served as mooring and maintenance sites for two squadrons of dirigibles that patrolled the coast line from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to California. A fire in 1992 destroyed Hangar A. The remaining U.S. Naval Air Station Dirigible Hangar B, is the world’s largest wooden clear-span structure measuring ¼ mile long and 23 stories in height. Its construction technique is considered both resourceful for war time efforts and an innovative structural solution. Incredibly, the hangar was
completed in just 90 days.

The collection isn't much, but that magnificent old barn of a hangar will take your breath away. Looks like they're renovating a bit:
http://www.tillamookair.com/

 

[surfclod]

Yeah, been to Tillamook.
Was amused by this photo of a pilot who flew through the building


Fascinated by the all wood construction of those hangars. Read about one that they demolished and tried to burn the wreckage but the fire resistant treatment (some type of salt IIRC?) prevented it from burning. Then they had a mess on thier hands.

 

[purple]

The Tillamook museum is well worth a visit. I've seen it twice. If you go be sure to see the Evergreen Air Museum in Mc Minnville, OR. They have the "Spruce Goose" among other things.

 

[Brno8x57]

Some old photos from my grandfathers collection.

He served with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles during WW2 but refused to ever speak of his experiences. He did speak of time in Jamaica (photos from 1943-44) and Holland. He was a Bren gunner at one time but not sure what part of the war he filled this role.

Wish he had spoken about his experience even a little but he refused and is gone now.


Found this photo in his wallet. What tank is he standing on? Panther?

I have just finished reading "Forgotten Victory" part of the Canadian Battle Series by Mark Zuehlke. This book is about the battle to take the Rhineland, Operation Veritable, that was fought by First Canadian Army starting in February of 1945. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles are mentioned several times in this book for actions at such places as Neil, areas around Moyland Wood, Louisendorf, Rosskamp and Heselerfeld. After reading the book, I can appreciate why your Grandfather would not want to talk about it.

 

[kennymo]

i wonder if you could share with us a bit of your experience with the firefly?

what position were you in? how many rounds of what type were expected to be loaded in the tank for combat? were APDS rounds common during your service? i understand that the accumulator for the recoil system had to be under filled from early requirements because the gun wouldnt eject after the oil got hot on the 4th or 5th round, was this ever resolved?

what small arms were carried with the vehicle? stens, or were C1s issued?

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.

 

[Gibbs505]

I have just finished reading "Forgotten Victory" part of the Canadian Battle Series by Mark Zuehlke. This book is about the battle to take the Rhineland, Operation Veritable, that was fought by First Canadian Army starting in February of 1945. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles are mentioned several times in this book for actions at such places as Neil, areas around Moyland Wood, Louisendorf, Rosskamp and Heselerfeld. After reading the book, I can appreciate why your Grandfather would not want to talk about it.

I have been given "Terrible Victory" by the same author. It is about the Scheldt fighting. Looks like a very good read about a forgotten part of the war.

 

[Cdn303]

^ Those are a good series of books. I have slowly been tracking them down and buying them.

 

[surfclod]

Not sure of this photo.

Could be my grandfather, second from the left (behind the man first on the left).



See a couple of Thompsons as well as a Bren. Grandpa may be holding a Bren as well but can't see clearly. Neither the Thompsons nor the Bren have the magazine in them.

Not sure if its here in Canada on training or "over there". Some of you historians may be able to give a clue to the era based on uniform and kit?

 

[Dark Alley Dan]

Everyone looks grubby and well-fed.

 

[MarkCNP]

 

[vandoo66]

Sicily??

 

[RRCo.]

Not sure of this photo.

Could be my grandfather, second from the left (behind the man first on the left).



See a couple of Thompsons as well as a Bren. Grandpa may be holding a Bren as well but can't see clearly. Neither the Thompsons nor the Bren have the magazine in them.

Not sure if its here in Canada on training or "over there". Some of you historians may be able to give a clue to the era based on uniform and kit?

Over here from the buildings. Three Brens at least in the photo, two in the back row and one in front. Probably 1944 or 45, if it was wartime.