saint venant 1940-------farm boulet

[Verrieres]

Possible the photo is out of its timeline? Could this be a 1944 image rather than a 1940?


Pte Anthony Corkhill
2nd Durham Light infantry
29th May 1940

Another year passes but you are never forgotten
RIP


Jim

[Baconwallah]

Possible the photo is out of its timeline? Could this be a 1944 image rather than a 1940?

You may well be right there, JIm. It looks as though the French bridge constructed in the winter of 1939-40 (background) has been destroyed and this is a temp construction on the spot where the old drawbridge was in 1940.

John

[ivor43]

Hi all.
Personally i doubt that it is out of context. I think that it is another instance that may show that the info we have may be suspect.


ivor

[dcdl12976]

I have been trying to ID the vehicle on the bridge as if we know the type it will give us a timeline for production and Country of manufacture and use.
The vehicle on the Bridge is a bit of an oddity to me im afraid it appears to be about the size of a jeep but the shape is all wrong, also it is unlike any British vehicle of early war that I have ever seen. In all honesty if the photo IS early war and in context the vehicles can only belong to three countries, France, Briton and German however if it is not in context and is late war we can add Canada to that list.

I shall continue to try to find out what the vehicle is as and when I get time

[dcdl12976]

Just found this on the net

And also: The hospital of Saint-Venant was caught between the two lines of German and Franco-British fire and was the scene of a bloody struggle, even in the same hospital courtyard 24, 25 and 26 May 1940. Located in the countryside, cut into a few hours of all communications with Outside, taken and retaken three times, in turn defended by the British and German troops, it had probably escaped complete destruction as urgent representations made ​​in full battle by the director and one of his assistants. Reduced due to lower men of military personnel had to face a tragic situation; asylum housed in effect in 2300 people, including 2000 patients, both civilian and military, both French and Belgian and English, for most victims of a bombing that destroyed 22 May half the town of Saint-Venant. We lamented at least 50 deaths, including those of the chaplain Louis Becque, sister Bethany Sainte-Madeleine and Jean Bonnet, mortally wounded May 26, 1940 in their ministry or service.

Shows us some of the problems with the hospital problem

[Verrieres]

I subscribe to the CWGC Newsletter this month they are asking for volunteers to file and catalogue their `vast` archive??? I thought they didn't hold any records? They also say if you are interested you can view their archives via appointment only this is what you can see todate.

http://www.cwgc.org/media/14251/ac_part_2.pdf

Jim

[Baconwallah]

Yes, I'd noticed the same in this month's newsletter. I know they have extensive records, have made use of them in Great War research, but it's the first official mention I've seen.

John

[Verrieres]

I`ve just heard that Arthur Willis, died at home 8 June 2014.aged 101 years He served with 2 DLI 1932-1938 and 1939-1946 he was at St Venant and although he could not shed any new light on the search was good enough to speak with Tony regarding the battle following his 100th Birthday.

RIP Arthur


Jim

[ivor43]

Morning all.

As you say, the Vehicle could be a clue to the timeline. Difficult to id as apart from the other Countries mentioned, it could be Austrian or Polish. Having had a closer look at this pic i wonder if the vehicle is a ''Staff Car'' as it appears that the 2 persons in the rear look to be sitting considerably higher than the Driver. Might narrow the field a bit.
will continue looking. But i wonder if similar vehicles would have been attached to the Bridging unit.


ivor.

[ivor43]

hi again.
The following link seems to be a good source of info. but sadly i can not find our vehicle, so it may well be a captured one

http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/ww2-weapons.asp

ivor