Footage in France 44-45

[connie]

This am I came across some random color footage of American troops in France pieced together over a background of boogie- woogie music. There's nothing particularly insightful here. But for those of us who weren't there it may give a few new visual images and for those who were there it may recall something of the equipment and backdrop of the war.

I was particularly interested in seeing vehicles exit landing ships and a brief glimpse of what looked to be a bridge put up by military engineers... Of course the warm greetings by the locals were something dad spoke of in Belgium, too. And the destruction in the background comes graphically home:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB3JmGn5e7U

Does this stir any observations, Floyd?

[floydragsdale]

Hi Connie:

From the sad,to the glad, from the B17 Bomber Flying Fortresses, the Landing Craft on the beaches and the destruction of war. The only thing that I do not remember is all that shirt-sleeve weather.

Floyd

[connie]

Floyd, You certainly had enough cold, harsh conditions to last a lifetime. But probably post VE Day during your summer days in Germany you saw some warn weather. I seem to recall Dad mentioning a time when Army regulations still dictated that he wear wool uniforms even when weather seemed to call foe something lighter. Did you have this same experience?

[floydragsdale]

Hi Connie:
The shirtsleeve weather in Germany, after the war, I remember. The only time we had to wear wool clothing during that time was when we had dress parades; then we wore wool trousers and our Ike jackets.

Floyd

[connie]

Hi, Floyd,

When I have access again I'll have to dig up Dad's complaints on clothing. He was in France longer than you were and it could be the hot spell he hit was there prior to official summer. Or it could be that this was a case of rank having its draw-backs as well as its privileges. Maybe on official business he was required to wear the wool stuff at times when you were not... Anyway, glad to hear that you didn't have to swelter... after having frozen all winter!

Connie