Snapper

:-D I remember it, great snaps and stuff about the approach road etc. Not forgotten. I think you're right it must have died in the crash. We all lost stuff with it. Bloody shame. Don't ever let it put you off, there's plenty of room for a broad discussion on the merits of Ship matches. M

Hi John, I've no problem with field walking, I think too many people who do it have been tarred with a particular kind of brush when only a minority do the nasty stuff. Metal detecting in France or Belgium, does, to me; suggest treasure hunting. We've had many debates about this on the forum, especially as you point out, about aircraft wrecks. I would actually support you in many respects for doing a bit of casual relic finding. I'm fortunate in that my dead great uncle and grandfather have war graves.I think we both know the chances of finding someone who can be identiable these days are getting harder and harder. So, I would always come down on the side of any argument protecting the chance to give them a decent burial. But I can't have it both ways. The thought that keeping an artefact might stop that from happening would really make me feel guilty. We carry on visiting - I'll be back soon. For me it is a genuine pilgrimage and I make no apology for it. I take friends and first time visitors to spread a little knowledge (they say it's dangerous) and spread enthusiasm. It works. As long as we can respect each other's position while not encouraging the sharks (for want of a better word), then all's well. Mark

Fair play, Bernard. Just in case you can! M

I don't agree that some are being hysterical. I think, to be fair, we have here a collection of strong views about the grave robbing going on all the time. I visit the battlefields regularly and have spoken to many of the professional archaeologists. It is absolutely right that many people do record and report finds leading to burials - and not all of them are professionals, some are farmers and even fieldwalkers. Using a metal detector in France without a licence is a criminal offence and anyone using one in this way can be deemed to be doing it for unscrupulous reasons - generalising, but there you go. I've seen the evidence of what some of the extreme end of treasure hunting can do. I've brought home the odd rusty shell case, fuse heads and a few entrenching tools. I've never found anything more exceptional and always leave live stuff. The very serious historians think lifting this stuff robs them of recording history. I do wonder, given the millions of shells fired - 18 pounder in particular in the case of the British - whether they protest too far; but the principles are all sound. It isn't a grey area. Grave robbing for profit is shameful. It goes on. Fieldwalking for nicknacks and for the experience is a lot different...perhaps. Someone will be along to disagree. MB

I don't know how many times the B17s went to Eperlecques from memory. But here are two snaps of damage caused by the USAAF. We went there in 2004. This place has to be seen to be believed.

Can you take a snap of it for us??? That would be grand! :-D

You pick interesting holiday locations (joke). Great pix. Got any more? :-D

Grimmer has note of one in woodland near Southend that may still be there. It's on the list for a recce. We're playing with AA guns at the moment. MB

Time constraints hitting again. I need to be snowed in for a few days :coffee:

Noted. :-D

Saw this in one of the heavies last week. Great story. one-hundred thousand gold coins or some such amount. Wow! M

Hi Alastair, See my PM MB :-D

Will do. Mark, you're probably right about the metalwork. I didn't see much extra armour. But I need to see it parked in daylight. Wouldn't it be great if the owner sees this thread and joins us! MB

I was stunned to see one of these while walking home from work a week ago, and saw it again on Saturday morning. I had to look it up, it's a Alvis/GKN Tactica. Quite a beast. I copied this snap of one off another site.

Welcome to the Friendly Forum, Chris. The last time I saw Dancing Girls anywhere near this forum I had accidentally got the web address wrong. It's ALL the fault of the Dutch, thick as thieves, that lot. You can't leave anything loose around here because one of them will nick it. Not suggesting the Dancing Girls are loose per se, ..I can see I am digging a hole here. Time to stop. Your turn to stock up the fridge Joris, we've run out of that flipping Dutch beer of yours again and my local supermarket doesn't stock it. MB

Might be :cool2: Primary interest is learning stuff about these places. M

Chaps, Can't say much at the moment. But I know of a AA gun site which has some signs painted up which I need to clarify are from the time it was in use. The different shelter parts have signs saying DAY or NIGHT and one has SHRAP, which I assume is shrapnel. Thoughts please! MB

A before and after snap of the renovation of the magnificent memorial at Vimy Ridge. I haven't matched the exact names out of pure befuddlement, but the principle is fine.

Some great pix there. Love Spanter's snaps....really nice. The snow vehicle from Sir Vivian Fuchs Antarctic expedition is always nice to see. MB

Amazing stuff, Bernard. Really interesting. Thanks very much for sharing this. MB :-D

To hide the alcopop bottles.

Cool. Technical stuff is essential - Certainly not my territory! and we need to be diverse - as said by the chaps. The more the merrier. MB

Please don't encourage him.... He's got an attitude already. His mum will sort him out. It takes him so long to tidy his room one side is a mess again before he gets to the end. Last week we found a Renault car seat in there. Can't think where that came from.

Great. Let's see what we can quickly put together with info from Hanno, Maurice, Adrian and anyone who is up for it. Then we'll move on with it. Many thanks, MB

Good points. I see no reason why we cannot give marks out of...but I think we would need a panel to do that and not one person. However, a single review could come with a star rating as long as the personal nature of the thing is emphasised. HMVF endorsing things is perhaps a little more tricky and would need serious thought. Show coverage should just be reports based on facts - who, what, when. I would hope that views and comments on anything would remain in the forum which is where the strength of what we do belongs. It also stops any grounds for complaint coming to HMVF as a whole. Not being timid, just practical. There has to be a degree of separation. MB