NEW THIS WEEK – MONDAY 24 MAY 2010
Hi and welcome to what’s new on Miliblog this week. Well after getting our feet wet last week, it’s back onto firm ground again as we head East once more for some more photos in our Eastern Front Collcetion. I can never understand why there are so many photos around of German forces in WW2 taken by the servicemen themselves. Is it because German cameras in the 1930′s were noted as being the best in the World, and cheaper and more available or what ? It’s always very hard to find photos taken by British or Commonwealth troops or indeed US servicemen while serving abroad.
So for starters this week, we have two knocked out Soviet tanks, with one providing valuable information for our modelling friends who are into super-detailing their models. Following on is a good shot of some German infantry marching past another knocked out Soviet tank. Looking at their dress, I think this is in mid-Summer and makes a contrast to many of our photos which show Winter scenes. Just look though at all the equipment they are loaded up with.
Next we have another group of German infantrymen marching along in the Summer, with one shouldering an MG34 machine gun. Following on we have a complete opposite of the previous two photos with a nice shot of Winter camouflage oversmocks in a Christmassy scene !!! Lastly we have an enlarged photo from a small snap of a German infantryman. Useful for a close up on the uniform and the rubber bands on his helmet, used for attaching camouflage, usually items found in the field such as tree branhes, twigs or leaves.
So next week, we’re off to Wolverhampton West Park Show, where weather permitting, we’ll have a good turnout of military vehicles to bring to you.
Cheerio !
Simon
Eastern Front Collection No 1159
Eastern Front Collection No 1171
Eastern Front Collection No 1188
Eastern Front Collection No 1206
Eastern Front Collection No 1218
The sun shone brightly and a hot for the organisors of this relatively new show near the town of Evesham, in Worcestershire. Organised by the South Midlands Area of the Military Vehicle Trust, it was held at the Ashdown WW2 Camp in the village of Badsey. It was a two day event held over the weekend of 26 and 27 of June.
Paul Valiadis, a good friend of Miliblog and the Chairman of the South Midlands Area, was seen around with his high-viz jacket either ushering vehicles into the arena or having a chat to other enthusiats. Paul’s own Austin K9 Wireless Truck was there in fine condition. Sorry Paul we weren’t able to take a photo as a wire fence was in the way ! Paul’s very much a fan of Austin K9′s by the way, running the K9 Register, and no, nothing to do with either dogs or Dr Who robots !!! Sorry Paul, but we couldn’t catch up with you for a chat !!! …….but we’ll be in touch
Well, what did we think of the show ? Absolutely brilliant !!!!!! Nice display areas, a fantastic selection of vehicles, plenty of room to move around in between them, good parking and a good selection of trade stands. What also was nice to see was that there was a small selection of civilian vehicles as well, The title said Wartime in the Vale, meaning the Vale of Evesham, and of course wartime tractors, cars etc were a nice addition. There were also a number of groups of re-enactors, with the one group portraying a USMC unit making an impression with some excellent groundworks.
Well who did we meet ? We met a great bunch of chaps with the Champ Camp of the Austion Champ Owners Club. After all these years of owning a watimr Ford Gpw Jeep, Phil Plumb made a very sound case indeed to add a Champ to our collection. He’d taken a group of Champs over to Germany last year along with some old soldiers visiting the old camps they were stationed, Around 150 miles a day over 10 days and never a complaint. Also a hello to the three guys who wanted to know if we were like the beach photographer who’d take their photo and then be back for £5 for the photo next day. Well you’re here free of charge !!!
So we’d read last year that the show had the making of becoming a great show in the future, and all we can say is that we agree 100%. There’s the room to grow and communications to get there are good to. So a highly recommended show for next year’s diary.
