Jim Clark

Here some more pics of it restored and on the road last week. Paul managed to trace its history from being sold off by the MOD and also managed to retain its original reg number, Jim.

Here are some photos of a Willys MB my nephew Paul bought a while ago at a farm sale near us. We had it running and driving around the yard the next day for the first time in maybe 20years Jim.

I make the bars you are looking for. When I supply new canvas doors I always offer the bars as well because they are usually missing call me on 01454261100 if you are interested Jim

I would just like to say that for those who think that I have loads of money to do this sort of trip. I can assure you the whole thing cost me less than £400. Everyone who went on the trip paid the same money, £300, whether you went as a foot soldier with an M1 carbine, a Halftrack or a tank. This £300 paid by each person funded the whole trip, ferries, low loaders, fuel for all of the vehicles, food etc. In theory you could have gone with no money in your pocket at all The other £100 I spent was on fuel to and from Gavins and a few JD and cokes. Jim.

Hi Smithy, glad you enjoyed it. Jim.

Hi Tim, my pleasure, glad you enjoyed it. . Jim

Hi Jack, the whole trip was about the vehicles moving on the roads and tracks etc not just sitting around as static displays. During the trip we had no police with us at any time just our own outriders. Its probably going to upset some folks ,but once you have done this sort of event the UK static shows are a bit boring they just do my head in. Head down waiting for the flak. Jim.

Hi Olaf,the trip was great thanks and good to meet up with you again. Yes it was a bit wet wasnt it, still that little potbellied stove I took helped dry a few clothes out. Jim.

Sunday 7th October. 7,30 breakfast and then it was break camp for the last time. At about 14.00 hours we lined the vehicles up for loading. The Dutch army were so impressed by the whole group that they actually supplied 8 low loaders for the return trip to the port. So all of the vehicles were loaded and the crews went in a coach also provided by the army. It was good to meet up with old friends on this trip from all over the continent, like Olaf, Tim and Thomas Plus others whose names slip my memory from Holland .Martin Dusek, His brother and their team from Czech Republic.. 21.30 Sail from Hook of Holland to Harwich Monday 8th October Loaded My Sherman on the lowloader then rode back the Copemans farm where we said our good byes. My crew, Jason, Jamie , Pete Eakers and myself then travelled back to Bristol in my car. The whole trip was well organised and I would like to express my thanks to those who spent many hours making it possible. I can recommend anyone who is interested in this type of event to contact the "2nd Armored in Europe" if they want to attend the next big trip in August 2014. Jim.

Friday 5th October 7.00 Up for breakfast and then break camp 8.30 leave camp site for another wreath laying this time at Ospel memorial site, this is another memorial erected by a local family who were moved to do something in thanks for the 7th Armoreds sacrifices in the area. 9.30 short lecture by Niek Hendrix about the fighting around the area of Ospel . It was Niek and his father Harry Hendrix who had the memorial erected and dedicated in May 2007. Harry was one of only a few civilians who stayed in the area during the fighting. 10.30 We moved of again this time to Weert where we were we had been asked by the Dutch army to attend their military academy passing out ceremony. Some of the vehicles parked in the town square where the ceremony took place, but because the two Sherman's were too heavy we were parked on the main road near by. At 15.00 after the passing out ceremony had taken place there was a parade through the town by the Dutch Army and again we were asked to join them with all of our vehicles. After the parade we moved off to some park land in the town and set up camp. 18.30 evening meal 19.30 March into town to liberate the bars and clubs. Saturday 6th October The camp area was open to the public to walk around and chat to us. The weather had turned wet and so not many turned up, but those who did were very interested and the older folk had some fascinating tales to tell. 11.00 Wreath laying ceremony at the bridge of Weert. 18.30 Evening meal then wash and change into class "A" uniform 21.00 Into town for a "Special" evening and more liberation of bars and clubs.

Thanks Adrian, most appreciated. Jim.

Oh I suppose you have seen photos of the tree that jumped out in front of me in Holland then. I thought I got away with that. Jim

Thanks mate, feel free to use the pics as you like. Jim.

Sorry about some of the pictures they were taken on my phone camera, not the best. But there is one advantage to the phone camera, you can drive the tank one handed and take pictures at the same time LOL Jim.

Thursday 4th October. At 6.30 there was an optional excursion for the die hard re enactors, with a river assault and crossing in original WW2 boats. I am sorry I haven't any photos of this but here is a link to some on another forum. http://www.wwiireenacting.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=143&t=76277&start=448 Scroll down a bit and you can see some pics of the boats and crew. By the time they came back we were up and it was pouring down again as they got down from the GMCs I wish I had a video camera, they were soaked through, cold, miserable and dejected. You could almost imagine how the troops felt in 1944. 11.00 we moved off again for the town of Meijel for a static display with a meet and greet the local school kids etc At 15.30 there was another ceremony and wreath laying. !8.00 we set up camp near the town and had our evening hot meal. At 20.30 we walked back into town for a lecture and slide show by Neik Hendrix local historian held in the Oranje hotel. The conflict in this area is mostly not heard of because it was overshadowed by "Operation Market Garden" and then "The Battle of the Bulge" Later after a few drinks we returned to camp and got some more rest. Jim.

Wednesday 3rd October 6.30 wake up call by first Sergeant Shady 7.00 breakfast and break camp 9.00 we arrived at a small monument dedicated to the men of the 7th Armored who had died in the vicinity. A local man Siep Wilemsen as a child had played in the woods near his family home, whilst digging there he and a friend had uncovered the remains of two GIs. From then on he became more interested in the history of the battles which took place in his area. Later on he and his family had this monument erected in memory of those who paid the ultimate price for their freedom On the jeep bonnet you will see the photos of two GIs found in the woods. We then moved off to a German cemetery at Ysselsteyn. The cemetery covers about 71 acres and has 32,000 graves. We had a guide who took us around and spoke about some of those buried there. This is the grave of the youngest person buried here , Martin Clever was just 14 years old when he was killed, he was a cabin boy on a ship which was destroyed off the Dutch coast There is a famous picture of a German staff car which had been shot up and in the picture you can see the driver hanging out of the side of the car, also the major dead in the back seat. This is the majors grave. Later there was a wreath laying in memory of the German souls lost in the conflict. We left the cemetery at 14.30 and drove to Griendstsveen where we set up camp for the night. It was raining hard again but spirits were still high. 16.30 there was a battle field tour in two GMCs we had a local historian telling us about the relevant places we passed. Evening meal and then bed, Jim.

Hi Hanno and Alex, Yoe are probably correct being locals to the area, I am only passing on what one person said at the Overloon museum. I thought he was maybe a member of their staff, but did think it strange why the museum had changed the name. Sorry for the confusion. It was a brilliant trip and very well organised, all credit to those who arranged it all. Jim.

Tuesday 2nd October 7.00 start, packed all our gear and ate some of the rations. I had a WW2 Coleman twin burner petrol stove which we boiled water on for coffee and tea , before this trip the stove had never been used and was still in its dated and sealed cardboard box. Actually it was a shame to use it but then needs must. Before the trip I had made a rear bustle rack for the Sherman so we could carry all our tents and kit etc. When I looked at old photos of the 7th Armored tanks I noticed one had a small set of steps attached to the bustle rack , so I did the same and it proved very useful. After leaving the woods we formed up and drove to a small field, there we were told we would be going across open ground towards another wood which we could see in the distance.Behind the wood was a large mansion known as "Hattert Castle" which the Germans were using as a base. In 1944 on the same spot we were on 18 Sherman tanks assembled and attacked the wood where they knew the Germans were, what they didn't know was in the wood the Germans had two or three 88s and some 20mm cannons. As the tanks crossed the open ground the 88s opened up and took out 13 of the Sherman's as some of the crews tried to escape they were mown down by the 20mm guns. Air support was called in but only one Typhoon was available and as it approached it was shot down before it could open fire on the enemy.Later more air support was called in and the castle and wood were destroyed. We then proceeded across the fields and parked up near the wood where we camped for the night. In the afternoon we walked to the castle and a local historian gave us a talk about the events of the battle. He had old photos and we could make out parts of the old buildings. It is now a large farm and some of the old castle's gone. In the evening we had some r and r before the next day. Jim.

Hi Jack, we had I think about 9 or 10 Harleys doing the marshalling, Tim Sparkes, "Sparky" was in charge and he ran a very slick operation. We had no trouble with either traffic or the public also there were no police with the convoy at any time. Jim.

Hi Tony, the front 2 bows of the GMCs are at the correct height, the 3 rear bows that were raised when the trucks were parked up to allow the kitchen staff more head room. They had pins made to fit into holes drilled in the wood when the bow was lifted. Jim

You are so right, that food tasted good and hit the right spot after a long day jim

Monday 1st October. Up 7.00 breakfast at 7.30 and broke camp by 8.30 Here are few shots of the mess area with the two GMCs backed up to each other with the cookers inside.Hot coffee and tea were on tap and water for washing your mess tins. We moved off deeper into the woods where we again met up with German re-enactors they were everywhere and the sounds of MG42s could be heard for miles, also the returning fire from Garrands,M1 Carbines.30cals etc. We were ordered to take the Sherman up a small over grown lane and stay there until further orders. Later on in the day a field telephone was brought to us as we were then told we would be there all night. During the afternoon two Germans attacked us but Jamie (one of my crew) shot them with his garrand. They stayed with us the rest of the afternoon. One of the Germans actually was in the army as a tank driver he asked loads about the Sherman and was interested in its controls etc. When it went dark a jeep came around with hot food and K rations for the next day, they had a map of all the positions of the men dug in foxholes etc and fed them all. The evening meal consisted of stew and dumplings with rice pudding and jam for afters. jim.

Hi Adrian, you are probably right , having looked again at the photos of Wills Sherman I see it did have the extra armour on it. So I stand corrected. I wonder where that Sherman is now?

While we were at the Liberty museum I took a couple of pictures of two Shermans, the Sherman in the first picture I am told is the one which was named "America First" which was knocked out near overloon killing all of its crew. This was the name i painted on the side of mine before going to Holland, standing by the original tank was a very sobering experience. This M4A4 Sherman on the Dragon Wagon trailer is , I am pretty sure the same M4A4 Sherman that Will Davies bought along with the Sherman I now own. Will bought them both to make one good one and I then bought the left over scrap from him to build mine. Jim.