wattie

Still clearing my desk found picture of 25 pdr at Pontrilas whouls seem they are all gone now.

Hi John,

I remember all those vehicles when I was at the camp in the early 70's but they were nearly all taken away before the end of the 70's. I wasn't an enthusiast then and didn't take much notice when they disappeared the last vehicle there was one of the 25 pounders which was still there in the late 90's but I expect that has gone too now

Bob

Hi Bob

I suppose it is that long ago I first went to Pontrilas in about 1975 and went back several times until about 1986 . I will see if I can find some pictures of the 25 pdr's . At around the same time I remember vehicles on Sennybridge a Churchill and a LVT ,I think the Churchill was fairly complete but the LVT was not so good . I also have pictures of these somewhere.

I joined the MVCG in 1973 so was interested in these vehicles in fact the more I think about it there was a lot of stuff littering these training area's

Thanks for your reply

John

wattie, if you can remember the location where you took the photo of the Comet you could look on Google Earth. You may be lucky and find that it is still there.

Thanks, I did give that a try but the photo was taken late 70's/80's 30 years plus now ,there was also a bit of an internal rail system on the site but it was not in use . I think the site was an ammunition compound prior to it becoming a training area.

There were 25pdr's around some of the bunkers ( I think I have photos of them somewhere) but they are probably long gone now as is the Comet.

John Watt

I was clearing my desk today and found a picture I took many years ago at the Pontrilas training area Herefordshire when I was in the TA . It look like the MOD reg is 15ZB?5

I think its a Comet but seems to have been modified and the gun does not look correct the radios were still in it ,as I recall there was also a Daimler armored car cannot remember which type and quite a few 25pdr guns littered about the area.

The vehicle was very complete and as Pontrilas was a secure training area had no public access so nothing was robbed or vandalized . Did it ever get recovered ? be a shame if it went for scrap.

Some interesting observations on this site

http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2012/09/challenger-3-or-leopard/

Found this on RM Museum web site

Although the RM Commandos had started to experiment with the new 120mm Battalion Anti-Tank (BAT) gun, the ammunition had not been passed for use in hot climates, so 17pdr weapons and their crews were borrowed from the Somerset Regiment. Difficulties were experienced in waterproofing the towing vehicles.

So I suppose other regiments would not have used them for the same reason.

http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=218643

This thread on the G503 forum might help , it would seem that one manufacturer does like to stencil up canvas that is over the top . There is plenty of evidence "Left Hand Drive No Signals " but not much else.

In my humble opinion I would have thought it unlikely that Ford or Willys made there own canvas .

A Tracker wouldn't have stopped the vehicle being stolen but the brake pedal chained to the floor (or similar immobilising devices) most likely would have.

On my jeep I had a switch hidden under the dash connected to earth and the points terminal on the distributor the switch cost a few pence , the worst that could happen was that the thief would flatten the battery first, because the jeep was never going to start.

Best to prevent the vehicle being stolen in the first place than relying on a tracker when the vehicle has already been stolen .

There is a Sherman outside 3 Div HQ Picton Barracks Bulford and another outside RTR HQ Tidworth nether can be seen from outside the barracks.

There was another Sherman painted sand colour at the now closed Erskin Barracks Salsbury .HQ land forces went to Andover but I am sure the Sherman is not there.

Had a similar problem on a 1/2 Ton Dodge ,check vent port not blocked even if its NOS .

I had this problem with my jeep .

Problem was caused by worn track rod ends

Nice to see the Enola Gay on public display after being neglected for so many years.

Excellent pictures need to go and visit.:-)

Dan

Thanks for posting Dicks report ,a trip down memory lane . I was trying to think why I was not on this trip and then Dick mentioned Exercise Lionheart ,that why, I was in the TA on the exercise .

As I recall was it around this time that an A26 Invader aircraft crashed at Biggan Hill , I won a raffle ticket to fly in this aircraft a few months previously . I remember reading about it in Germany or was I on exercise Crusader 80 its all becoming a bit of a blur after all these years.

Dicks report has prompted a lot of memory's from this time for me.

The fun I have had with Military Vehicles will stay with me for ever. :-)

I have a ww2 German drop knife taken from a guard on a German k gun

Any idea of what its worth its in fantastic condition

 

 

 

http://www.snyderstreasures.com/pages/germanknives.htm

Canadian troops were issued US Army helmets for the Kiska Task Force, the invasion of the Aleutian Islands in 1943.

Not sure why , recognition, maybe as they were working with the USA as well.

The AA gunners possibly were training before going to the Aleutians.

The second picture of the parade of vehicles on West Georgia Street Vancouver not sure why Canadian troops would be riding in USA trucks the 148th FA Hv Btry were a Idaho National Guard Regiment at the time , Idaho does have a small border with BC perhaps it was a goodwill visit. There is an American flag flying in the background.

The Georgia hotel in the background is still there with the same sign and the Devonshire was demolished and can be viewed on You Tube.

I must get out more:undecided:

If anyone could let me know anything about Richards passing and the fate of Schlachthof Funf it would be greatly appreciated, publicly or by PM.

Hi Dan

I have sent you a PM regards Dick

Wattie

Quartermasters at the Angle ,Torrens Street the building is still there . Formally known as Military Marine ,York Ave Sidcup, Kent.

Spent a lot of time rumedging through all those old tea chests .

Just nearby in Upper Street was Call to Arms owned by Chris Farlow always a good source of WW2 US Army kit.

Happy Days

A working intercom system between driver and commander . The commander has 360 view around the vehicle a driver a LOT less .

How long does it take to pass on a hazard warning to the driver with out one .

Hi Gradez

From the info from your original post, Gen Von Kleist was released from his command in March 44 and went to enforced retirement . ( In other words he had upset Hitler )

Gen Walther Nehring took command of the 1st Panzer army on 2oth April 1945 until its surrender .

Wattie

I reckon its General Walther Nehring.

Looks like a crescent moon with an amplified light shining through it.

Might be an unofficial sign created by the troops themselves.

I was only in the Tank Museum on Armistice Sunday looking at Mike's White Scout car with the tax and tour stickers still on the windscreen from the day he donated it to the museum.

RIP