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Message 2 - Army Transport.

Posted on: 11 May 2004 by Ron Goldstein

Hi Frank
I knew I'd get you going!
While we are at it, what about a toast to REME ?
Most units had at least one chap attached from REME to get them out of mechanical troubles and when I was later to become Tech Cpl of 'A' Sdrn I got to appreciate the wonderful work that this Corps performed.
I know you like to hear the odd 'true' joke so what about this one.
One of my jobs as Tech Cpl was to keep control of, and and be responsible for all the spares that our Sherman tanks required.
In my store wagon I had about ten verey light pistols neatly stored in an overhead locker and these had to tally with a master list of all equipment. A few weeks before my being posted home from Italy I decided to check these items and found one pistol missing.
As a natural coward, I was concerned that the shortfall would be discovered and that it might hinder my release.
I decided to use a German verey pistol that I aquired along the way.
The problem was to disguise it, but how?
I solved the problem by wrapping ALL the pistols in grease and then strips of oilproof camouflage. Only one piece of each gun was left visible, the part where the registration number was displayed. I then got someone to tap in the missing number to make things appear to be OK.
Sod's law meant that we had a brigade inspection and the visiting brigadier chose my truck as part of his visit.
He spotted the verey pistols, asked me what they were and I explained that I found the pistols kept better when treated in this manner.
He turned to his aide and said 'Make a note... that's a bloody good idea...well done Corporal!

Message 3 - Army Transport.

Posted on: 11 May 2004 by Frank Mee Researcher 241911

Ron my lad, it is a good job I was not your SNCO you would have been sore around the testimonials a few times.
Talking about REME how about this.
EMER's are the REME's staff of life. in an L.of C. outpost we would have six vehicles and one would be full of EMER's they gave you instructions for repairs to every bit of kit the army had that is how much we relied on them.
While having a brew with the German POW Mechanics one day they told me the story of the Desert war from their point of view and who said Germans have no sense of humour.
I was told that the men taken prisoner would be taken back as quickly as possible because they had an escape mode born into them all except REME.
If they captured a REME unit all they did was take the truck full of EMER's back and tell the men to get back to their lines. They knew that taking the EMER's was the same as cutting their hands off they would be useless. They all then burst into laughter. I did not think it was that funny.
I was blackjacked into the REME from the Infantry and fought tooth and nail not to have to go. After a few months of pet lip at the injustice of it all I began to realise that it could be a good thing especially as I could already drive every thing they had.
Dad was a Haulage contractor and he taught me to drive at an early age.
I could also take down an engine and gear box and put them back in a working mode something we had to do at home to keep the trucks moving so I found I was being fast tracked, with a bit of effort on my part things took off and I did end up loving it all.
Still waiting for those pictures to appear, they seem to be congealing on the editorial desk, are they that bad then.
Regards Frank.

Message 4 - Army Transport.

Posted on: 11 May 2004 by Ron Goldstein

Hi Frank
Thought I’d save you a bit of time.
The stories I’ve listed below ALL now have pictures attached.
Of the other’s articles shown on my personal page, if they are marked like this (P) but are NOT on the list below then they have still to be checked by the team. Does that make sense?

These stories have their pictures attached.

Five Sons, all serving in H.M.Forces (A2025028)
Training to be a Driver/Wireless Operator (A2065853)
Sicily, then on to Italy (A2370674) The 78th Div goes to Egypt to re-fit and re-form (A2515475)
Day leave in Rome (A1941383) Transformation from Gunner to Trooper(A2601839)
The War ends in Italy, 2nd May 1945 (A2039113)
Life in wartime Austria (A2545517)
My Welcome Home (A2072477)
German Propaganda leaflets (A2297333)

Best wishes

ron

Message 5 - Army Transport.

Posted on: 11 May 2004 by Frank Mee Researcher 241911

Thank you Ron,
It did save time and I checked them all out.
A picture gives a story a new dimension and suddenly we have living proof as they would say. It rather bats those knockers in the eye who say the site is rabid dont you think.

Whitby you would get the best Fish and Chips in the world, we go down just for a meal then home again.
Egypt, take you off the Camel and put me on, same picture there must be millions and all with the same Camel drover, probably the same Camels.
What was that truck in Austria, Dad had an Opel he bought just before the war began, not his best business deal but a good truck. It did have the opel shaped radiator on yours but not quite, more like those Czech trucks the Germans had so many off.
I once got my hands on one of those big German half tracks. a bit like driving a mangle but boy nothing stopped it.
Toilet paper? dry sand did a good job but a bit hard on the piles.
Regards Frank.

Message 6 - Army Transport.

Posted on: 11 May 2004 by Ron Goldstein

Hi Frank
Glad I was able to save you some time….. it’s such a precious commodity these days. More info coming up.
As on 5:22 pm on 11-5-04
All the following articles now have images attached

Five Sons, all serving in H.M.Forces (A2025028) (P)
Training to be a Driver/Wireless Operator (A2065853) (P)
Sicily, then on to Italy (A2370674) (P)
The 78th Div goes to Egypt to re-fit and re-form (A2515475) (P)
Day leave in Rome (A1941383) (P)
Transformation from Gunner to Trooper(A2601839)(P)
The War ends in Italy, 2nd May 1945 (A2039113) (P)
Life in wartime Austria (A2545517) (P)
My Welcome Home (A2072477) (P)
German Propaganda leaflets (A2297333)
Joining the 4th Queen's Own Hussars (A2310003) (P)
VE Day, as seen from a field near Venice (A2324189) (P)
Running a staging camp in Germany August 1945 (A2062513) (P)
Ron’s Grand Tour (A2156564) (P)

These articles have had images attached but are still waiting clearing and checking by the WW2 Team
The day my brother Mick nearly killed me (A2352647) (P)
Diary entries 11th April 1945 (A2017630) (P)
Oct ’45 Trieste, October 1945 to January 1947 (A2166130) (P)

The following articles have yet to be allocated images
(if I can find appropriate material)
Early Army Days,October 1942 (A2176616)
May ’43 A Driver/Op in Light Ack Ack (A2077274)
Monte Cassino, March to May 1944 (A2293616)
Two weeks in dock in Naples and not a wound to show for it (A2274761)
The day I should have died (A2513134)
Keeping a Diary in Wartime (A2509021)
Jun ’45 Danke Herr Mix! (A2072350
Waiting to be called up (A2416268)
Getting your Army Records (A2098000)

Blimey! I hadn’t realised I’d put so much on the site

Ron