Jolly Jeeper

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-21990326 It'll be a shame if this is the death knell for them

There's no gas, no barbed-wire, there's no guns firing now but here in this graveyard it's still no-man's-land. The countless white crosses stand mute in the sand http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22253147

Kelly's Heroes also spawned a remake/rewrite/rip off - Three Kings - set at the end of the Gulf War. Stolen Gold and all that which is of course a recurrent theme in many movies, another nonsense caper that springs to mind is Sahara. Re plausibility in movies though; many people - including myself - like Ice Cold in Alex but the key difference between the film and the book is in the romance. In the movie, the nurse ends up with the officer but in the book, she ends up with the dependable, practical and widowed Sergeant. I've always though that the book's version seemed more plausible as the nurse never struck me as the sort to get together with a gin-soaked fop officer.

I'm from Heswall; primary and secondary school there, went away to college came back for first real job and then drifted away again. I've been back a lot these last few years when Mum was ill and still am to help Dad now he's on his own and suffering memory problems. I have lots of fond memories of the Wirral - not so much school but going to the cinema with my cousin every half term, sea scouts, learning to drive, first big bike and Wirral Triumph Owners MCC, canoeing, plenty of pubs... all that kind of stuff. Miss the place, I do.

Seabank Road rings a bell. It's gone now, I've looked for it once or twice as I driven along. It was a small place I remember that. Are you a Wirral boy too then Hoseman?

Yes, the guys in the patrol are wearing 35th Infantry Division 'Santa Fe' patches and Oddball's wearing 'Super Sixth' 6th Armored Division patches and both of these units were in the area at the right time... How they played Hank Williams's lonesome country songs as they went into action is the stuff of fiction of course. I think there's elements of The Wild One in it and elements of Kelly's Heroes in Saving Private Ryan - the stereotype pugnacious NY Sgt for example; Big Joe and Horvath respectively.

Me for sure Bob - the opening sequence made me want a Jeep; my Mum and Dad took me to see it in a cinema in Wallasey as a treat one Saturday. I was nine when it was released in 1970 so a bit young for the censor's rating - it wasn't X, maybe A... 'It's a Mark VI... And we've got it by the ass!'

Yes, you're right. [After Big Joe calls Oddball's column of trucks a circus] 'Take it easy, Big Joe. Some of these people got sensitive feelings!'

I posted that link for reference because it was a discussion about movies, including Kelly's Heroes, and it contrasted with your dismissive post about my enjoyment of that movie. What's my name? It really doesn't matter, even though there's plenty of people on here who know my name, I'm just a bloke who thought that it was okay to express an opinion about a personal preference in a chatty thread without having it publicly rubbished. Silly me. Arf arf arf... That's my other dog impression.

Agreed, I'm very fond of this museum and this city. JC

Since you ask, I was thinking of this definition; boorish [ˈbʊərɪʃ] - adjective - ill-mannered, clumsy, or insensitive; rude. I'll add sarcastic to the list as well.

Where do you think I come from?

I was on that campsite on that trip. The chap in the GPA with the old South African flag had brought it from SA for the 50th. He took me for a spin off the beach at Arromanches in the GPA - first time I'd been in a swimming GPA. JC

Yes, but it would need to be Algerian sand...

And the sand was too coarse to be authentic!

Here's my, now sold, Hotchkiss on Utah Beach in 2004 - hood number is the same as in Kelly's Heroes and one digit short like in the film... It's all make believe so no non-original number is better or worse than another JC

Nice one - do you want to borrow my footpump? Shall I do two and you do the other two?

Not in the slightest - I was referring to Mr Grundy's reply to my post which is also the one that talks about 'lower class people'. JC

I'm not sure I should offer any more opinions here for fear of attracting more boorish remarks from one poster. As I see it movies are made for different reasons - some to change the world but most to entertain. Most trivialise their subjects - Erin Brokovich a real character, wasn't as good looking as Julia Roberts. The mother of the young lad in Mask was biker-trash and not the looker that Cher was. Top Gun and Days of Thunder have almost identical plots - just different vehicles. MASH trivialised the Korean War etc etc. Kelly's Heroes was made as an anti-Vietnam War film (although that message is weak), it's largely a comedy with poignant moments, it's not wholly accurate because it's a bank robbery film (although it's not as bad as it could be) like the Magnificent Seven in khaki but its dialogue has led to numerous famous quotes and, as has been pointed out several times, it's fun if a little wooden in places. I like it and I don't expect anyone else to do so if they don't, however I didn't expect to be described as a 'lower class of person' because I do. I don't know what people think of Saving Private Ryan - for example - but look closely and all the same movie cliches are in it once the guys are off the beach - misunderstood heroes, reluctant leaders, misguided officers, the greater good… They're all just movies. JC

When you buy something that's SORNed, the new owner has to declare it SORN all over again, even if the previous owner's SORN hasn't expired. If you don't a penalty notice will arrive - guess how I know this?

It depends on whether you want war movies that are akin to documentaries, historical epics or just entertainment. As for 'entertaining a lower class of person' - I've rarely heard something so pompous. So stick my honours degree, my published books and my magazine editorships where the sun don't shine. Some people - always with the negative waves... JC http://www.cnas.org/blogs/abumuqawama/2010/03/always-negative-vibes-moriarty-why-dont-you-say-something-righteous-and-ho

Sorry to disagree, not only do I think that Kelly's Heroes is the best war film ever, it's my favourite film of all time. I like its anti-war stance, its humour and the fact that it's just a cowboy film in khaki... Hoseman could be joking of course...

This comes via one of the veterans' groups on facebook LAYING TO REST AN OLD SOLDIER. CAN ANYONE HELP? My name is Christopher Homer and I am the home manager of Marmion Nursing Home which is located in Tamworth, Staffordshire. I am writing to ask your advice as we have just lost a resident of ours aged 89 years. He has been in our home for 21 years and has passed having no family members or next of kin. Marine William Albert Vaughn 24/3/1924 - 25/3/2013 As a young man he served in the forces as a marine and was honoured with the veterans badge that he treasured very much and loved nothing more than listening to old time songs that took him back. As he has no family members his funeral will be attended by staff from the home only. I therefore ask if there is a way of contacting veterans in our area who may wish to pay their respects to a fellow serviceman. If you can help and wish to contact me you can do so by calling 01827 67953. Thank You Christopher Homer. The funeral is April 12th at 1.30 The address for the Crematorium. Sutton Colfield Crem, B75 6LG Leaving from the nursing home at 13:00 For more info please call 01827 67953


I found this and thought it may be of interest. Complete press release posted here. JC Renowned Michigan Military Vehicles & Memorabilia Museum To Be Sold At Live Public Auction The Mike Yeck Estate and the Dundee Motor Pool Museum will be sold at live public auction on April 17, 2013 and April 27, 2013. Thousands are expected to attend to watch history cross the auction block Professional Michigan Auctioneers, Kenny Lindsay, CAI and David Helmer, CAI "Whatever your budget is, this auction enables everyone to own a piece of history." - Kenny Lindsay, American Eagle Auction & Appraisal Company DUNDEE, MICHIGAN (PRWEB) March 27, 2013 History is up on the auction block! Two live public auctions are scheduled in the month of April to sell the world renowned museum contents belonging to the late Michael Yeck, purveyor of the Dundee Motor Pool Museum. The first auction on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. will feature Antique to Modern Tools and Shop Equipment.**** On Saturday, April 27, 2013, the auction dubbed ‘The Grand Finale’ will feature a robust military vehicle and classic car auction along with thousands of military relics. The former Mayor of Dundee, Michigan, Mike Yeck passed away this past August was instrumental in establishing the Veterans Memorial in Dundee and a long standing member of the Moore-Lenz-Wakefield VFW Post 6462. In 1947, he established Yeck Manufacturing. Years later, he gained national prominence when he established Yeck Antique Firearms and ultimately the Dundee Motor Pool Museum which attracted visitors from all around the United States to view his enormous collection of military vehicles and memorabilia dating back to the Civil War. Mike Yeck served in the Army during World War II. In fact, Yeck was one of the first men to volunteer for the Selective Service in 1940 and had only expected to serve about two years. His plans changed, however, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and he served out the rest of the war, including participating in D-Day, June 6, 1944, when the Allies invaded Nazi-controlled France. During the initial part of the invasion, Yeck was aboard a boat the was towing an artificial harbor – a 200 foot long, 30-foot-high barge that was supposed to be used as a breakwater to make it easier for troops to disembark on the beach. Yecks boat was hit and sank while the barge broke up. Yeck and his crew mates treaded water until they were picked up by another boat. On the way back to England, he was ordered to go to a Liberty Ship, a cargo vessel, to operate a floating crane and replace the previous operator who had broken his leg. Tragedy struck when 10 of the 12 men in his crew were killed when his ship hit a mine. Yeck passion for collecting was born after he took his first trip back to France since the end of the war in 1989 during the commemoration of the 45th Anniversary of D-Day. From there, one of the most profound military vehicle and memorabilia collections began in a pair of aluminum hangers he created after the war for his manufacturing business in Dundee, Michigan. “Mr. Yeck was a profound showman of military history.This auction will provide the spotlight and stage that he deserves" Said professional auctioneer, Kenny Lindsay. Lindsay adds; “This auction is much more than military vehicles. There are thousands of individual items. Everything from Civil War cannon balls to wagon wheels, fishing tackle and a portable military organ. Heck, there is even a back-to-back double occupant military toilet. Whatever your budget is, this auction enables everyone to own a piece of history." The following dates are noteworthy. Tool & Equipment Auction and Open House, April 17th at 10:30 a.m. Media Preview and Open House on Wednesday, April 24th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and The Grand Finale featuring 40 Military and Classic Cars along with thousands of military artifacts on Saturday, April 27th at 10:30 a.m. Arrive early and all parking for the April 27th date will take place at Cabelas. Shuttle busses will be running throughout the day. To view over 600 pictures of what will be sold and for more information, please visit the American Eagle Auction & Appraisal Company website at http://www.MichiganAuctionCompany.com . Contact Kenny Lindsay at (734) 223-3277 or Auction Manager, David Helmer at (734) 368-1733.

The landlady of a Sheffield pub is organising anent for H4H and would like an MV or two to support it. She says, 'The event date is Saturday June 8th. The event for H4H is to be held at The Strad pub, 101. Stradbroke Drive, Sheffield S13 8SE From 1pm-7pm. We will be having Live music from local bands. Food. Bouncy castles. Stalls. Raffles. Fire Engine and Im hoping to get a military vehicle. For more info contact Kerry 07950254926 Thanks once again for your help Kerry kerryfields@aol.com.' Can anyone help? JC