Question of the Hour
- Thread starter Spr.Earl
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That's closer, here's a full answer. The web site http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/vehicles/wwiiveh.htm has some of this information but the best source is a long out-of print book.
Vehicle Marking Signs, a War Office Publication
Standard ones are:
Formation signs
Unit signs
Tactical signs
Bridge Classification signs
Commander's and staff signs
Speed limit signs
The special additional signs are:
1. Bomb disposal sign
2. Home guard sign
3. Tire pressure sign
4. Convoy sign
5. Left hand drive sign
6. Emergency sign
Canadian military vehicles also had WD numbers that identified the vehicle nationality and type. The prefix "CT" for example, would indicate a Canadian tank, and "CL" a Canadian lorrie. These are what Winstone went with in the first instance.
Hey Armyvern, I thought you went to bed! The unit sign is one and the others may be information contained on them. This one was a little harder to google. :warstory:
Vehicle Marking Signs, a War Office Publication
Standard ones are:
Formation signs
Unit signs
Tactical signs
Bridge Classification signs
Commander's and staff signs
Speed limit signs
The special additional signs are:
1. Bomb disposal sign
2. Home guard sign
3. Tire pressure sign
4. Convoy sign
5. Left hand drive sign
6. Emergency sign
Canadian military vehicles also had WD numbers that identified the vehicle nationality and type. The prefix "CT" for example, would indicate a Canadian tank, and "CL" a Canadian lorrie. These are what Winstone went with in the first instance.
Hey Armyvern, I thought you went to bed! The unit sign is one and the others may be information contained on them. This one was a little harder to google. :warstory:
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What was a "Sea Serpent"?
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Re: The Sea Serpent, no Winstone it's not the Hornet nor is it a trick question. As a clue it is another historical item from WW2.
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Wow this thread has come alive in the last few day's.
When I first posted the thread it was named "Question of the Week" and with in a day or two was re-named question of the Hour because of the knowledge out there.
Re; The Germans, however, sought to improve this rather crude French concept. As a result, they called on the Dutch airplane designer Anthony Fokker to develop some sort of synchronizing device that would temporarily halt the stream of machine-gun bullets so they would not strike the plane's propeller.
What Focker did was design a cam lobe that ran of the engine and fired the weapon when the blades of the prop was at the 3 and 9 O clock postion,up until then both Air Force's just plated the prop blades with steel which just ricocheted the round off the blade and in some cases even killing the pilot.
Good questions guy's keep them coming.
When I first posted the thread it was named "Question of the Week" and with in a day or two was re-named question of the Hour because of the knowledge out there.
Re; The Germans, however, sought to improve this rather crude French concept. As a result, they called on the Dutch airplane designer Anthony Fokker to develop some sort of synchronizing device that would temporarily halt the stream of machine-gun bullets so they would not strike the plane's propeller.
What Focker did was design a cam lobe that ran of the engine and fired the weapon when the blades of the prop was at the 3 and 9 O clock postion,up until then both Air Force's just plated the prop blades with steel which just ricocheted the round off the blade and in some cases even killing the pilot.
Good questions guy's keep them coming.
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Re: The Sea Serpent
I think it's some kinda of sub.
I think it's some kinda of sub.
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Re: Sea Serpent
The answer I am looking for is not a sub. As a clue, Spr Earl's answer is in the ballpark! Surely a Sea Serpent has something to do with at least one of the four elements... (Another clue?)
The answer I am looking for is not a sub. As a clue, Spr Earl's answer is in the ballpark! Surely a Sea Serpent has something to do with at least one of the four elements... (Another clue?)
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HMS Sea Serpent ~
Function -
Address and commissioning history - the base was located in two areas... Bracklesham Bay and Birdham near Chichester. It was commissioned on 20/10/42 and paid off on 30/6/45 leaving Birdham as tender to Victory III. Birdham was paid off on 30/11/45.
Other information - it was a Combined Ops 'suspense base' prior to commissioning. Used the Sussex Ideal Holiday Camp and Gibson's Camp in Bracklesham Bay, the Brackleshan Bay Hotel and various properties at Birdham
Function -
Address and commissioning history - the base was located in two areas... Bracklesham Bay and Birdham near Chichester. It was commissioned on 20/10/42 and paid off on 30/6/45 leaving Birdham as tender to Victory III. Birdham was paid off on 30/11/45.
Other information - it was a Combined Ops 'suspense base' prior to commissioning. Used the Sussex Ideal Holiday Camp and Gibson's Camp in Bracklesham Bay, the Brackleshan Bay Hotel and various properties at Birdham
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What about an amphibious flamethrower carrier?
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The Sea Serpent that I was looking for is the very rare LVT-4(F) Amphibious Flamethrower not the distinguished vessel of the same name. It was a 79th Armoured Division vehicle or funny. A handful of Sea Serpent participated in the Rhine and Elbe crossings as World War 2 was drawing to a close in Europe. They were in use from March to May 1945. :warstory:
Who commanded the 3rd Massachusetts infantry on its formation in 1862? What was this officer's subsequent command?
Who commanded the 3rd Massachusetts infantry on its formation in 1862? What was this officer's subsequent command?
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FIELD AND STAFF
Silas P Richmond, Colonel, Freetown
James Barton, Lieut. Colonel, new Bedford
John Morissey, Major, Plymouth
Lucien L Perkins, Adjutant, Plympton
Bethuel Pennimen Jr, Qr Master, New Bedford
Alfred A Stocker, Surgeon, Cambridge
Woodbridge R Howes, Asst Surgeon, Mattapaoisett
Charles A Snow, Chaplain, Fall River
NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
Edward L Robbins, Sergt Major, Plymouth
Joseph E Nye, Sergt Major, New Bedord
Theodore A Barton, Qr Master Sergt, New Bedford
Arthur Hooper, Com Sergt, Bridgewater
Eugene Whittenmore, Hospl Steward, Boston
It was ordered to Camp Joe Hooker at Lakeville, where its ranks were filled to the required standard, though the regiment of ten companies and 1,000 men thus organized bore but little resemblance in its make-up to the one of the same name which responded to the first call. The companies began to gather at the rendezvous September 16; they were all present on the 22d; eight companies were mustered the day following and the remainder on the 26th. Orders were received ont he 8th of October to prepare for departure to North Carolina
The regiment was assigned to Colonel Horace C. Lee's Brigade, the other regiments being the Fitfth, Twenty-fifth, Twenty-seventh and Forty-sixth Massachustets. An attack of the Confederates on the pickets at Deep Gully on the 11th of November called the Third to arms, and they stood during the night in momentary anticipation of marching orders, which did not come. That first expedition in which the command took part was that toward Goldsboro, starting on the 11th of December, and occupying 11 days. The regiment had a share in the actions at Kinston and Whitehall, though not actively engaged, and at Goldsboro on the 17th assisted in tearing up the railroad track under fire from the enemy, and later, as the main force was retiring, supported the artillery during the repulse of the Confederate attack. Though much exposed during the day the regiment escaped with a loss of but six wounded.
Silas P Richmond, Colonel, Freetown
James Barton, Lieut. Colonel, new Bedford
John Morissey, Major, Plymouth
Lucien L Perkins, Adjutant, Plympton
Bethuel Pennimen Jr, Qr Master, New Bedford
Alfred A Stocker, Surgeon, Cambridge
Woodbridge R Howes, Asst Surgeon, Mattapaoisett
Charles A Snow, Chaplain, Fall River
NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
Edward L Robbins, Sergt Major, Plymouth
Joseph E Nye, Sergt Major, New Bedord
Theodore A Barton, Qr Master Sergt, New Bedford
Arthur Hooper, Com Sergt, Bridgewater
Eugene Whittenmore, Hospl Steward, Boston
It was ordered to Camp Joe Hooker at Lakeville, where its ranks were filled to the required standard, though the regiment of ten companies and 1,000 men thus organized bore but little resemblance in its make-up to the one of the same name which responded to the first call. The companies began to gather at the rendezvous September 16; they were all present on the 22d; eight companies were mustered the day following and the remainder on the 26th. Orders were received ont he 8th of October to prepare for departure to North Carolina
The regiment was assigned to Colonel Horace C. Lee's Brigade, the other regiments being the Fitfth, Twenty-fifth, Twenty-seventh and Forty-sixth Massachustets. An attack of the Confederates on the pickets at Deep Gully on the 11th of November called the Third to arms, and they stood during the night in momentary anticipation of marching orders, which did not come. That first expedition in which the command took part was that toward Goldsboro, starting on the 11th of December, and occupying 11 days. The regiment had a share in the actions at Kinston and Whitehall, though not actively engaged, and at Goldsboro on the 17th assisted in tearing up the railroad track under fire from the enemy, and later, as the main force was retiring, supported the artillery during the repulse of the Confederate attack. Though much exposed during the day the regiment escaped with a loss of but six wounded.
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In Feb 1943, the remnants of the German garrison in the Castle at Velikiye Luki surrendered. After the surrender 1 member of each rank, from private to general was accorded special treatment.
What was it and why?
What was it and why?
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Don't have a clue for the Velikiye Luki question.
My next question, one that I can't seem to google, but have found in a book:
During the struggle to hold onto St bert-sur-Dives, Maj David Currie was awarded the VC. This action was caught on film by an army camera crew in still and motion pictures. It has been called "he closest you will ever come to seeing a VC beiong won captured on film".
Who captured the images (2 persons) and what awards were they given for their actions?
My next question, one that I can't seem to google, but have found in a book:
During the struggle to hold onto St bert-sur-Dives, Maj David Currie was awarded the VC. This action was caught on film by an army camera crew in still and motion pictures. It has been called "he closest you will ever come to seeing a VC beiong won captured on film".
Who captured the images (2 persons) and what awards were they given for their actions?
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Velikiye Luki
While the Soviets fought to reduce the fortified heart of the city the Germans brought up reserves and began a series of attempts to relieve the garrison. All the attempts failed, and during the final attempt commandos from the Brandenburger Regiment were used to infiltrate the lines and help the remnant of the garrison break out, but the city was permanently lost to the Red Army and only a small fraction of the original garrison escaped with the Brandenburgers.
The battle is sometimes called "The Little Stalingrad of the North" due to its similarities with the larger and better-known Battle of Stalingrad that raged simultaneously in the southern sector of the front. (However, a number of other battles in World War II and afterward have also been dubbed a "Little Stalingrad".)
Despite suffering heavy casualties, however, and losing a key transportation hub, the Germans could count Velikiye Luki as a tactical victory. Initially outnumbered 5-to-1, under almost constant air attack and with no coherent front line in place, Group von der Chevallerie prevented the collapse of the German defense with a hodgepodge of understrength first-line units, a nearly useless second-line infantry division, supply troops and overage reservists, while inflicting crippling losses on the Soviets.
German estimates of Soviet casualties claim more than 30,000 men were killed and thousands more wounded or captured. More than 600 Soviet armored vehicles and 400 guns were lost; 63 aircraft were shot down. A total of 31 Soviet units were considered destroyed. German losses were equally staggering--more than 17,000 men were killed or wounded and thousands more taken prisoner. The entire garrison of Velikiye Luki was lost. Several hundred armored vehicles and many precious bomber and transport aircraft were also destroyed.
Considering the number of casuaities the Germans inflicted on the Soviets, at the very least, they were executed.....
prolly with extreme prejudice....
with the remaining troops being sent to the mines and Gulags of Siberia
While the Soviets fought to reduce the fortified heart of the city the Germans brought up reserves and began a series of attempts to relieve the garrison. All the attempts failed, and during the final attempt commandos from the Brandenburger Regiment were used to infiltrate the lines and help the remnant of the garrison break out, but the city was permanently lost to the Red Army and only a small fraction of the original garrison escaped with the Brandenburgers.
The battle is sometimes called "The Little Stalingrad of the North" due to its similarities with the larger and better-known Battle of Stalingrad that raged simultaneously in the southern sector of the front. (However, a number of other battles in World War II and afterward have also been dubbed a "Little Stalingrad".)
Despite suffering heavy casualties, however, and losing a key transportation hub, the Germans could count Velikiye Luki as a tactical victory. Initially outnumbered 5-to-1, under almost constant air attack and with no coherent front line in place, Group von der Chevallerie prevented the collapse of the German defense with a hodgepodge of understrength first-line units, a nearly useless second-line infantry division, supply troops and overage reservists, while inflicting crippling losses on the Soviets.
German estimates of Soviet casualties claim more than 30,000 men were killed and thousands more wounded or captured. More than 600 Soviet armored vehicles and 400 guns were lost; 63 aircraft were shot down. A total of 31 Soviet units were considered destroyed. German losses were equally staggering--more than 17,000 men were killed or wounded and thousands more taken prisoner. The entire garrison of Velikiye Luki was lost. Several hundred armored vehicles and many precious bomber and transport aircraft were also destroyed.
Considering the number of casuaities the Germans inflicted on the Soviets, at the very least, they were executed.....
prolly with extreme prejudice....
with the remaining troops being sent to the mines and Gulags of Siberia
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Velikiye Luki
Were they shot as traitors for having switched sides as hundreds of Estonians did during that nasty siege? A very challenging question Larry!
Were they shot as traitors for having switched sides as hundreds of Estonians did during that nasty siege? A very challenging question Larry!
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Geo's good 
the Soviets took one person of each rank and executed them, in response for the amount of casualties received.
I have only found this in one book so far, Paul Carrell's " Scorched Earth".
To the best of my knowledge they were all German, although there would have been a bunch of "Hiwi's" who would have been local and I would imagine their fate would have been unpleasant to say the least.
the Soviets took one person of each rank and executed them, in response for the amount of casualties received.
I have only found this in one book so far, Paul Carrell's " Scorched Earth".
To the best of my knowledge they were all German, although there would have been a bunch of "Hiwi's" who would have been local and I would imagine their fate would have been unpleasant to say the least.
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In 1915, the Germans sent a small attache to which country to try and persude that country's government to invade India and thus open a new front to divert Commonwealth troops out of France?
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