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Post by miker on Jun 6, 2023 14:17:10 GMT
An estimate by the VA is 167,284 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are alive in 2022. An estimated 180 die every day. Do not mourne them but give thanks and praise that such men lived at all. Many were drafted and probably didn't want to go but did their duty. www.nationalww2museum.org/war/wwii-veteran-statistics
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Post by yanmacca on Jun 6, 2023 18:53:30 GMT
What in Jupiter's largest crater, is an Sd.Kfz. 250 (late) ?
Aaaach, so............ link
link Sd.Kfz. 250 ALTE (Early) link Sd.Kfz. 250 NEU (Late), basically a light armoured halftrack which the Germans decided needed simplifying, the late version had a different hull which was easier and quicker to build.
Ian
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Post by yanmacca on Jun 6, 2023 18:59:56 GMT
Watering 4th Cavalry. THE ARRIVAL OF THE CAVALRY GROUPS, D-DAY TO THE WEST WALL - During the war in Europe, the 4th Cavalry [Reconnaissance Squadron] was repeatedly committed in every type of role except one—we were not dropped by parachute or glider. —Lieutenant Colonel John R. Rhoades, Commander 4th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron In the inky darkness of the morning of 6 June 1944 a group of four men slipped over the side of a boat armed only with knives. Against the black backdrop periodically punctuated with flashes and claps of artillery, they made their way to the small islands of Iles St. Marcouf, some six thousand yards off the coast of Normandy near what the world would come to know as Utah Beach. In their wake followed a small task force composed of men from Troops A of the 4th and 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadrons. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Edward C. Dunn, the cavalry troopers seized the small mine-infested islands at 0430, 06 June 1944, two hours in advance of the assaulting divisions at Omaha and Utah beaches. In doing so, the cavalrymen joined the paratroopers in leading the way for the ground forces bent on invading France and conquering Hitler’s Third Reich.
...........
The rest is history. An 18 year old assaulting those beaches, will today be 98 years of age if still drawing air. Attention!
In capturing those islands the US lost 2 men dead and 17 wounded.
Ian
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Post by yanmacca on Jun 6, 2023 19:12:54 GMT
This is the day which every year I mention two men who were an inspiration to me.
Sgt M.F. McCarthy 114th Regt. LAA (Armoured) Landed on Juno Beach. Sgt P.F. McCarthy No.4 Commando & 46 Royal Marine Commando (M.M.) Landed on Sword Beach.
Ian
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Post by yanmacca on Jun 15, 2023 19:39:23 GMT
I recently joined another WW2 board, on this there was a section about Royal Marine Commandos, so I mentioned my Uncle Peter being awarded the MM and some bloke I have never heard of before sent me this. The name Lord Lovat jumped out at me straight away.
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Post by quincannon on Jun 15, 2023 20:31:56 GMT
Only a few left. Well, that's true, but what scares the bejesus out of me is that I am old enough to remember the same thing being said about Spanish American War vets.
Life is indeed a bitch, no, a bitch and a half. Think I will have a hot cup of Earl Grey, light up my pipe containing very expensive tobacco $ 110.00 a pound, following it with Lifeless Mary (V-8, Hot Sauce, Black Pepper) look out the window watching the rain fall and remember when I was young, if I can remember how to remember
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Post by miker on Jun 15, 2023 21:22:52 GMT
The oldest veteran I remember meeting was from WWI at the 75th anniversary gala of the 1st Infantry Division.
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Post by Elwood on Jun 17, 2023 12:59:50 GMT
My grandfather enlisted in the army and was sent for training in New York during WWI. He was scheduled to be sent to Europe but there was an outbreak of the Spanish flu in NY. This would have been 1918 I believe. He became quite ill I was told as did other soldiers. When he recovered he was kept stateside. I’m sure he was quite miserable but if not for that flu, who knows.
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Post by miker on Jun 17, 2023 15:14:18 GMT
Apparently, Spanish Flu didn't start in Spain, but in Fort Riley, KS or nearby towns and soldiers visiting same carried it to the fort.
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Post by Elwood on Aug 10, 2023 13:22:43 GMT
Been reading just a bit on British firefly tank. Were these simply upgraded Shermans with larger guns? Other modifications?
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Post by quincannon on Aug 10, 2023 14:25:39 GMT
There were actually three Firefly types Mister E. The first was the Sherman Firefly Ic based on the M4. The second was the Sherman Firefly 1c (Hybrid) based on the M4 Hybrid, and the third was the Sherman Vc Firefly based on the M4A4. Each of them were slightly different from one another. The most noticeable thing about them though other than the long gun was the bustle added to the rear of the turret in all instances. The bustles themselves are a bit different between the Ic and the Vc. The bustle was basically a counterweight for the 17lbs gun but was also used for on board storage.
Everything I have read about the Firefly indicates that it performed well and could deal with the Panther on equal terms, and could hold its own against the Tiger I. Not really sure what it could do against a King Tiger, Jagdtiger, or Jagdpanther though. All three of these latter mentioned had well sloped frontal and turret/casemate armor.
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Post by quincannon on Aug 11, 2023 13:37:33 GMT
Elwood: You may want to check out a web site called Tank Encyclopedia for some of your armor questions. It contains an extensive amount of information on most armored vehicles from WWII to the present.
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Post by Elwood on Aug 11, 2023 17:59:13 GMT
Will do. Thanks.
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Post by Elwood on Dec 30, 2023 3:21:04 GMT
In the movie “Patton”, while enroute to relieve Bastogne, Patton’s informed of McAullife’s reply to the German surrender demand. Patton replies, “Keep moving Colonel, a man that eloquent has to be saved.”
Patton really say that? I can’t find it actually attributed to him. I know the Colonel is supposed to be Gaston Bell. Sounds like something Patton would say but if he didn’t its a good piece of hollywood writing.
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Post by yanmacca on Dec 30, 2023 19:51:27 GMT
Funny enough Elwood, there is a discussion on another forum I am on, it is about Gen. Patton linkGood site the Axis Military forum, some really cleaver people on there.
Ian
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