War Time Memories

At a recent Library book sale I made two purchases.  Cassino by John Ellis and MilitAary Intelligence blunders and cover-ups by Colonel John Hughes-Wilson.  Cassino appeared to have been extremely carefully researched with copious notes, Orders of Battle, sources and bibliography. One might assume that this book says all there is to say about the participants in this stage of the Italian campaign. Not so, however.

One of the reasons for my interest in the battle for Cassino was that my brother served with the 5^th (Scottish) Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, part of the 2^nd Independent Brigade Group that took up positions around Cassino on the 4^th April 1944.                                                                                                                           Throughout the Italian campaign they were deployed at various positions and under various commands (Indian and New Zealand) in the Cassino area until the 28^th May 1944 having landed at Taranto on the 9^th September 1943 with the Ist Airborne Division in the invasion of Italy.  During this time they were acting purely in an infantry role.

The 1st Airborne Division with the exception of the 2^nd Parachute Brigade were withdrawn from Italy in November 1943.  The 2^nd Parachute Brigade remained in Italy as an independent brigade group.  They were then deployed in various sectors of the Italian front in order to fool the Germans into thinking they were facing a full Airborne Division.  This ruse appears to have worked well as it not only fooled the Germans,  but also managed to avoid the presence of British paratroops being discovered by the author of Cassino.

Colonel Hughes-Wilson does not mention this episode in his excellent book on the use of Military Intelligence and it was certainly not on the scale of the D-Day deceptions.  It would however appear to have been effective in that the Parachute Regiment, despite the discomforts of a terrible Italian winter and suffering trench warfare similar to troops in the First World War,  fail to receive a mention in what, with its wealth of detail,  one assumes was a carefully researched book.  I am unable to say with certainty whether any of the German parachute battalions on this front were omitted from the book but the involvement of the British Parachute Regiment  appears to have been forgotten.

I should not imagine that many members of the 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th Battalions of the Parachute Regiment bought Cassino, The Hollow Victory.

James Bridge.

Filed under: Books | No Comments »

Atlas Editions: Constructive criticism.

Atlas Editions have produced some very good models over the years but they are not always as good as they could, or should, have been.

I have collected quite a few of their models and though I have found them to be generally acceptable there have been times when I wondered why they did not go the extra mile and produce a really first class model.

Why for instance did they produce aircraft with propellers that did not spin?
I realise that it makes little difference to a static display to have fixed propellers, but to have the blades all in exactly the same position on each engine nascelle does not , in my opinion, do anything to enhance the models appearance..
Guy Gibson’s Lancaster bomber, Admiral Prune, suffered from this defect, and unfortunately it was not the only fault. I found it difficult to believe that the designer of the undercarriage for this model had ever looked at a photograph of a Lancaster bomber.
The finished model appeared to be supported on two vertical poles and the absence of undercarriage doors made it look even more ridiculous. This was a good model let down by its undercarriage, no pun intended.

The model of the B17 “Memphis Belle” suffered from the propeller malaise,  but with careful attention having been paid to the undercarriage,  Atlas Editions Have produced a first class model. Shame about the propellers.
More worryingly, there could be a safety issue if very young children were to examine these models too closely. Those vertical prop.  blades do not bend easily.

The early models of the Spitfires and Messerschmitt 109s were also guilty of undercarriage defects. Atlas Editions to their credit corrected this problem with their later issues, but the fixed propeller remained.

I realise that cost is a vital factor in the production of these models but something about ships and ha’porths of tar springs to mind.

There would be no shortage of volunteers if this Company were to request a dedicated aviation enthusiast to look at their finished prototype model and tell them what was wrong with it. Most would do it free in the interests of authenticity.

James Bridge.

Filed under: Die cast models, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Atlas Editions diecast model cars.

Atlas Editions and the lack of imagination they show in their choice of car models is a subject I have commented on previously. As I will not be taking them up on their latest offer of the ever popular, but overdone, Aston Martin DB5 and the E type Jaguar I will only discover if they have become adventurous with the later models they have decided to produce when they start appearing on e-bay.
Should they be short on inspiration I would like to refer them to the Oxford Automobile Company, whose latest 1/43rd scale offering is the two and a half litre SS Jaguar. This model has the spare wheel mounted in front of the nearside passenger door and features spoked wheels and suicide doors. The only available model they have at the moment is in cream, but the minute they produce this model in black I will order one.
When it comes to knowing their market one cannot but admire them as they are producing, they say by popular demand, a third issue of a black hearse.

James Bridge

Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

Atlas Editions Diecast cars

I recently received an invitation from Atlas Editions to add to my collection the (in their words) legendary E-Type and the magnificent DB5. I would not argue with their choice of words, and I am sure that the quality of the models on offer will as always be superb.

What does surprise me is their choice of models. Every diecast model car manufacturer in the world must have at some time produced models of these two cars.

Why are they seemingly unable to think about producing a model that has not previously been done to death?
I personally have tried for years to find a model of the 1938 MG VA and the 1963 Vauxhall VX4/90 to no avail, and whilst not expecting Atlas Editions to miraculously end my search, regret that they have not been more adventurous in their choice.

Very few manufacturers, if any, have produced a 1/43rd scale model of the pre second world war Ford 8, the “legendary” £100 peoples car. Where are all the model Austin Sevens and the Morris Eights?

I am sorry Atlas but there can be very few model collectors who have not got at least one of their latest offers in their collection.

I would however be interested to know what the two free mystery gifts were that Atlas offered to those replying to their offer within seven days.

Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

Die cast model cars.

Some years ago a series of Solido/ Corgi diecast model cars were issued together with a magazine under the title of “A Century of Cars”. As usual with these promotions the models appeared on sale for a while at newsagents and then could be obtained only by post. The problem was that one could not pick and choose which model one wanted to collect. After a while the models appeared on e-bay, sometimes with, and sometimes without, the magazine. This gave collectors the opportunity to purchase only the model they required.
I was fortunate to find one of these models on e-bay that do not appear for sale very often. It was a very nice Solido model of the AC cobra 427 in red with its external chrome exhaust and black roll bar. It did not have the magazine with it but one can’t have everything.
I have noticed recently that the magazines are being offered on e-bay as separate items, but have not so far seen one relating to the AC cobra.

James Bridge.

Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

I finally summoned up the courage to turn a plinth mounted Atlas Editions model of the Bismarck into a passable waterline model. After removing the two screws holding the model to the plinth I arrived at the difficult part. The careful incision of a craft knife blade between the plastic upper structure and the metal hull.  Gentle leverage then opened up a gap wide enough to insert a thin blade screwdriver. Pausing for breath I then exerted enough upward pressure to break the hull away from its fixing points. The two screws fastening the plinth to the hull had served a double purpose in that they helped secure the plastic upper structure to the hull. The remaining fixing points were merely tight fits.  If  handled carefully no damage other than possible slight distortion to the plastic should be experienced. The lower portion of the model was now shaped from wood with the thickness determined by the distance from the bottom of the plastic upper structure to the black waterline on the metal hull.

Before glueing the two sections together with impact adhesive,  I glued  a little scrap metal ( anything will do) into the voids in the upper-structure to add a little weight.

Painting the hull with acrylic paints to match the existing paintwork followed.  DKM flags obtained from the Atlas Editions advertising literature were cut out and glued together and then stuck to the fixing mount at the stern thus providing the finishing touch.

Flushed by the success of the experiment I did the same with HMS Hood which turned out to be even less difficult.

Filed under: Model Ships | No Comments »

Atlas Editions:  Warship models.

I have commented previously about the excellent model warships  presently being marketed by Atlas Editions.  One can however meet with difficulties when dealing with this Company.     I have received no less than three models of HMS Hood together with three models of the Bismark.  I ordered only one model of each ship but I think that I must have created a problem when enquiring by e mail why delivery was taking so long. This appeared to have short circuited their system therebye releasing a flood of models.  Unfortunately it also released a flood of letters requesting payment for said models.

As I had agreed to purchase the next model,  HMS Prince of Wales, then Hood and Bismark were free.  This left me with the second set of Hood and Bismark priced £2.99.  I decided to keep this set and experiment with converting them to waterline models, and duly sent off the payment.  I was astounded when much later I received the third set of Hood and Bismarks, and to make matters worse, this time priced at £1.99.

Having been inundated with model ships I cancelled any further models after receiving Scharnhorst.  Unfortunately Atlas Editions were un able to stop delivery of the next warship in the series and I therefore received IJN Yamoto, the Japanese super battleship.  Atlas Editions were at least generous in informing me that I could keep this model free of charge.

The accounts section of Atlas Editions also managed to lose the cheque I had sent in payment for the Prince of Wales model but appear now to have found it as it has shown up on my bank statement as having been cashed.

I still think that the models are excellent value for money,  but would advise if dealing with them to keep a very careful record of all transactions.

I hope their accounts department are performing better with the donations promised to the Royal British Legion based upon sales of Warship models.  I would be interested to know how much they have received to date,  but it is unlikely that I will ever find out.

James Bridge

Filed under: Model Ships | 2 Comments »

National Service.

This week I received the Armed Forces Veteran lapel badge after applying for it on line.  It is a well designed little badge and it arrived in a presentation box with the manufacturers name Toye, Kenning & Spencer Ltd,  London and By Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen on the lining of the box lid.

There was an accompanying unsigned certificate with the Ministry of Defence anchor, crossed swords, and eagle logo together with the following wording.

With the Compliments of the Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans

This HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge is presented to you in recognition of your service in the United Kingdom Armed Forces.

Ministry of Defence, Whitehall, London, SW1A2HB

There was no name on the back of the badge nor was there anything other than the wording above on the certificate.

This at least was consistent with  recipients names being omitted from World War Two campaign medals.

Some National Servicemen suffered loss of earnings and reduced final pensions due to service in HM Forces and some paid even more dearly with their lives.  During my service in England over fifty years ago there were three fatal accidents on exercises in the Battalion to which I was attached.  These men did not receive any medals and only this year has a medal presumably become available to their families.

I am not ungrateful to the Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans for the lapel badge he sent me,  but I do feel that he might have at least included my name on the Certificate.  I would have been even more grateful for a National Service Medal.

One wonders if our elected representatives in the already discredited Palace of Westminster are two busy fiddling their expenses to worry about whether their colleague at the Ministry of Defence is once more seen to be doing something, but never getting it right.

James Bridge.

I

Filed under: Campaign Medals, Medals, Royal British Legion | No Comments »

National Service Medal.

The failure of successive British Goverments to recognise the service in the armed forces of two million National Servicemen has long been a source of intense irritation to me.  Those who served in conflicts such as the Korean War did receive some recognition for their efforts, as belatedly did those caught up in the Suez fiasco in 1956.  However  those with home postings received nothing.  The Government decided on where a serviceman would spend his time, and it should be remembered that this was for a period of two years on a poor rate of pay, approximately half of the amount received by a Regular.  It mattered not to the Government if you were  a Pay Clerk in the Royal Air Force stationed at Padgate, or if you were a cook in the Army Catering Corps stationed with the  Catterick Garrison.   On leaving the forces these men would have nothing visible to show for their two years service, other than an expression of relief  that it was all over for them.

I have now been informed by a friend that an “Armed Forces Veteran”  lapel badge is now available on completion of an application form capable of being downloaded from the internet.

This is available to all who have served in the armed forces and is described as a survivors badge,  which means apparently that it cannot be awarded posthumously.

As the last National Seviceman must now be around sixty years of age this should save a fair number of these badges requiring distribution.

What intrigues me is why this Government having  instituted the scheme in 2004 could not have gone the whole hog and produced a National Service Medal. It would have cost little more than an enamel lapel badge except perhaps for the cost of a ribbon.

I think that had Tony Blair or Gordon Brown been required to give up two years of their precious time “Square bashing “ in Aldershot,  then the production of a medal might not have posed such a problem.

As a postscript, on applying for a lapel badge the applicant can apply to have it presented to him by a civic dignitary.  One can only hope that it would  not be one of the “Honourable ?? Members” from a discredited House of Commons,  who was too busy flipping his second home allowances, to worry about the recognition of National Service.

James Bridge.

Filed under: Medals | No Comments »

Diecast Ship Models.

My request for information regarding the manufacturers logo, the letter “S” on a shield, stamped onto the underside of the 1200 scale model of a German destroyer has been answered. 

Martin Brown of Waterline ships  informed me that this was the logo of Hansa, a Company producing models in the 1960s /70s in what was then West Germany.

A further maker I did not know, with a double line diamond logo, he identified as being Delphin, another West German company of the same era which produced models of similar quality to Hansa.

He also referred me to a free download on his website “ Kelvin Holmes- Guide to waterline ship collecting”.  This is an extremely useful guide to the manufacturers of model ships with 40 pages of texts and photographs.

This guide is available on Waterline-ships.co.uk and is well worth looking at.

I still find amazing the amount of help that is available on the internet if you know where to look.

Thank you Martin Brown.

James Bridge.

Filed under: Die cast models, Model Ships | No Comments »