United States' 1/4 Ton Amphibian Truck added

I was just having a conversation the other day how it would be so cool to have an amphibious vehicle. Here I've added one to my site, the Amphibious Jeep.

United States' 1/4 Ton, 4x4, Truck, "Jeep" added

I've now added a page for the American Jeep.

United States' M3A1 Scout Car photos added

Here's some more photos of the M3A1 Scout Car from Life Magazine that was sent to me by Mark Holloway:

British and South African updates

To reduce the number of blog entries for minor updates, I'll start to combine them when I can. Here's some minor updates for the following:

• South Africa: Marmon-Herrington

• United Kingdom: Crusader Mk I, Valentine Mk II, Universal Carrier, Cruiser Mk II

Britain's Matilda II Infantry Tank updated

Added some minor updates and some clean up for the Matilda II.

Britain's Matilda I Infantry Tank updated

I've made some minor updates to the Matilda I Infantry Tank page.

Britain's Bren Gun Carrier updated

I've made some updates to the British Bren Carrier.

Britain's Handley Page Hampden bomber photos added

I've added a couple of photos, from Usenet, of the Handley Page Hampden bomber.

Britain's Cruiser Mk IV, A13 Mk II updated

The Cruiser Mk IV has some minor updates made to it.

Britain's Light Tank Mk VI updated

I've made some minor updates for the Light Tank Mk VI.

France's Laffly S15T artillery tractor added

Continuing with the addition of some trucks, here's a new page for the French Laffly S15T artillery tractor.

Poland's Polski Fiat PF-618 light truck added

The Polski Fiat PF-618 light truck has now been added.

Britain's Bedford OYD GS 3-Ton truck added

I've added a page for the Bedford OYD GS 3-ton truck.

Britain's Number of Tanks in Units, May 10, 1940 added

Definitely only an approximation of the number of tanks in Britain's units as of May 10, 1940.

France's Citroen-Kegresse P19 added

I've added a page for another French half track, the Citroen-Kegresse P19. Don't have much information on it or pictures, so if anyone wants to send me some photos that would be great!

France's AMC Schneider P16 half track updated

In the late 1920s France produced around 100 of the AMC Schneider P16 half tracks.

France's Char Léger 17R (Renault FT-17) updated

Another holdover from World War I, the French Army still had around 1,300 FT-17s in operation when the Germans invaded.

France's Char Léger FCM-36 updated

The French built tanks intending for them to just be infantry support. The FCM-36 was such a vehicle that was built in small numbers.

France's Char 2C (FCM-2C) update

A leftover from World War I, the Char 2C was to be a break through tank however that war ended before it was produced. Only ten were constructed right after World War I and probably eight were operational at the time of the German invasion. One source says the Germans bombed them on their railway flat cars and destroyed them and another says they were destroyed by their crews to avoid being captured.

France's Unic P107 half track updated

I've made separate pages for the different half tracks the French Army used during the invasion by Germany that I have listings for. I've updated the Unic P107.

France's Number of Tanks in Units, 1940 updated

I've made some more additions to the Number of Tanks in Units page.

Panhard 178 armored car updated

The Panhard 178 is now updated.

France's Char B1 bis updated

Keeping up on doing minor updates. This time for the Char B1 bis.

Char de Cavalerie 35S (Somua) updated

Made some minor updates for probably the best French tank to go against the Germans in 1940, the S-35.

Britain's Fairey Battle and Swordfish photos added

A couple more photos via USENET. This time of the Fairey Battle bomber and the Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber.

Patton, Montgomery, Rommel Masters of War review

Patton, Montgomery, Rommel Master of War, Terry Brighton, 2008

Having read a lot (hundreds probably) of books on World War II I have developed some notions on the different commanders represented in this book. Even so there were some things that I didn’t know about them, more on the sordid details in their private lives not so much on the commanders that they were.

The book goes into details of the men, their younger years, their school years, their early military careers and then what they did during and in Montgomery’s case after World War II.

What I walked away with from this book is that there is probably no “perfect” commander. They each had flaws. Patton had his temper that got him almost sent home. Rommel in his unflagging devotion to Hitler. Montgomery in his inability to achieve his missions in a fast paced war of movement.

It would be interesting to see the same thorough treatment of the many other commanders during World War II that didn’t get the headlines that these three did.

United States' M4 medium tank, Sherman, photos added

Here some more photos of the M4 Sherman coming my way from Mark Holloway.

Britain's Avro Anson trainer photo added

Over 10,000 Ansons were produced, with about 1/3 produced in Canada. Here's a new photo via USENET.

Britain's Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bomber photos added

I've added some new photos, that came via USENET, of the Whitley bomber.

French light tank updates

I've made some minor updates to the pages for the H-35, H-38, and R-35 light tanks that were in use with the French Army when Germany invaded in 1940.

France's Production and Tank in Units added

I've now added a page the covers the production and a page for the number of tanks in units used by France.

Belgium and the Netherlands updated

I've made updates for Belgium: T.15, history, units and the Netherlands: M39, history. Both countries were in a similar situation as Poland, with modernization coming too late to have any affect on the Germans.

Polish updates

The Poles fought very well, but they were outnumbered and didn't have the tactics to defeat the invading Germans. I've made updates to the history, 7TP, and TKS pages.

Poland's wz.34 armored car updated

The Poles had some armored cars in their arsenal, one of those being the wz.34. I've added some minor updates.

United States' M3 light tank, Stuart photo added

Rounding out this morning's photo additions is the M3 light tank.

United States' M3 medium tank photos added

The M3 Medium Tank was used in North Africa and the Pacific with some success. It definitely wasn't the best tank for it's time, but the 75 mm gun did bring a good punch that the British forces were lacking. Here's some photos of the M3 at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, with some of the photos with women test driving.

United States' M4 medium tank, Sherman, photos added

The main tank used by the Americans was the M4 Sherman. I've added some photos of the M4 and the M4A2.

United States' Gun Performance tables updated

I've made some updates for the 37 mm, 75 mm, and 76 mm guns.

Britain's Gun Penetration Tables updated

I've made some additions to Britain's Gun Penetration tables.

Polish Tank Units and Numbers added/updated

Added some numbers to the ever conflicting numbers of tanks the Polish forces had when Germany invaded. Also, this is the first time I've seen numbers on what some of the different Polish units had in the way of numbers of tanks. Whether you believe them or not is up to you.

United States' M6 heavy tank photo added

Here's a photo of the M6 Heavy Tank that were never used in combat during World War II.

United States' M4 medium tank, Sherman photos added

Trying to do multiple things at once here in my office. So additions are a little slow this morning. But here's the next batch of photos from Mark.

Here's some more photos to add to the numerous photos I already have for the M4 Medium Tank, the Sherman.

United States' M3 light tank, Stuart photo added

We're going to start the morning with another new picture. This time a M3 Light Tank.

United States' M3 medium tank, Grant, Lee photos added

Mark Holloway keeps sending'em (and so could you!) so I'll keep posting them!
Added photos of the M3 Medium Tank that the United States produced during the early years of World War II. They were just an expedient until the M4s came along.

United States' T92 Howitzer Motor Carriage photos added

Though the World War II Vehicles web site is devoted to the World War II time frame, I will post pictures that fall outside that period if it shows a vehicle that was used then.
The T92 Howitzer Motor Carriage had a life past World War II and here are a bunch of photos from 1946:

United States' 240 mm Howitzer Photo added

Added a photo of a 240 mm Howitzer, though you won't see much detail as it's under camouflage and in the distance.

United States' 75 mm Howitzer Photos added

I've added some photos for the 75 mm Howitzer from Life Magazine via Mark.

United States' M6 heavy tank photo added

Another photo added from Life Magazine, this time the M6 Heavy Tank.

United States' M10 3" Gun Motor Carriage photo added

Here's a photo from Life Magazine of the M10 Gun Motor Carriage at the end of World War II with a captured German flag.

United States' 37 mm M3A1 Anti-Tank photo added

Here's a new photo of a 37 mm anti-tank gun.

United States' M1 Combat Car photos added

A couple of photos of the M1 Combat Car sent me by Mark.

United States' M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage photos added

I've added some more pictures sent my way by Mark Holloway of the M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage aka Priest.

Hitler’s Rockets The Story of the V-2s by Norman Longmate

As a disclaimer I received, Hitler’s Rockets The Story of the V-2s by Norman Longmate, as a Press Copy from Skyhorse Publishing (www.skyhorsepublishing.com).

I have to admit I did learn a lot from The Story of the V-2s as I had little knowledge about the V-2s other than towards the end of the war they were fired at England in small numbers.

However, the notion was quickly dashed when I learned that in fact 1,403 V-2s were fired with 1,054 of them reaching Britain. There were a total of 9,277 casualties (injured and killed) as a result. In fact not a small number at all.

The main scientist who was responsible for much of Germany’s rocket program was Werner von Braun, who later lead the United States’ space program. This unfortunately happened at the expense of bringing him before the Nuremberg Trials as a war criminal, though this book doesn’t go into that in depth.

What The Story of the V-2s does do is go in depth of the creation of Peenemünde and the German program to develop and build the V-2. Also covered is the Allied attempts at trying to figure out what was the truth in the reports that were slowly filtering out of occupied Europe about a rocket program. We also learn how some of the top officials in Britain didn’t want to believe such a program existed since British scientists hadn’t developed anything similar.

We go on to get graphic details of the results of the attacks from the people that were wounded or witnessed the attacks. At the time the British government kept the attacks very secret but most of the public learned or figured out what was falling from the skies. Many in The Story of the V-2s knew that the V-2 could strike at any moment without any warning at all.

If you are interested in the Battle of Britain, or the German V rocket programs, this would be a very good read for you.

United States' 155 mm Howitzer Photos added

Some more photos from Life Magazine, some 155 mm Howitzers.

United States' M10 tank destroyer video added

Now added a video on the M10 tank destroyer which was pointed to me by Mark Holloway!

T19 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage photos added

Some more photos via Mark that were taken by Life magazine. This time they are of the T19 105 mm Howitzer Gun Motor Carriage.

United States' M26 Pershing heavy tank photo added

Mark Holloway has passed another picture from Life Magazine my way for posting! It's a picture of a M26 Pershing undergoing wading tests.

United States' 105 mm Howitzer Photos added

I've added some pictures that Mark Holloway directed me to that were from Life Magazine of 105 mm howitzers.

United States' 37 mm M3A1 Anti-Tank photo added

Now for a photo of a 37 mm anti-tank gun being towed by a jeep.

United States' M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage photos added

I've added some more pictures sent my way by Mark from the M7's manual.

United States' M26 Pershing heavy tank photos added

And now for some photos of the M26 Pershing that was used in the last few months of World War II and then in Korea.

United States' M2A3 light tank photo added

A photo of the M2A3 light tank provided by Mark Holloway.

United States' M36 Gun Motor Carriage, "Jackson," photos added

And more photos from Mark! This time for the M36 Jackson.

United States' T28 heavy tank photos added

Here's some more photos from Mark of the T28 heavy tank. In reality it's a self propelled gun, so that's what I'll classify it as.

United States' M24 light tank, Chaffee photos added

Thanks to Mark Holloway! I've added some pictures for the M24 Chaffee.

United States updates

I'm starting to go through and update and add links to the new gun pages for the United States.

United States' Gun updated and added

I've been adding more information for the guns that the United States used in World War II.

• 155 mm M1918A3
• 155 mm M3
• 75 mm M2
• 90 mm M3
• 76 mm T3
• 3" M5

United States' Guns added

I've now started to add a little bit more information on the Guns that the United States used during World War II.

United States' Armored Divisions updated and Mountain Division TOE added

I've added some minor additions to the listings of Armored Divisions formed by the United States in World War II. I've also added a Table of Organization and Equipment (TOE) for the United States 1944 Mountain Division.

Main Menu United States' Tables of Organization and Equipment (TOE) updated and added

I've now added the TOE for the 1942 and 1945 Armored Divisions and updated the 1943 Armored Division.

1942:

1943:

1945:

United States' Tables of Organization and Equipment (TOE) added and updated

I've added and updated some of the American TOEs that were developed during World War II.

France's Tables of Organization and Equipment (TOE) added

I've added a TOE for the 1940 Light Mechanized Division.

France's Tables of Organization and Equipment (TOE) added

I've now added a couple of the TOEs of France in 1940.

United States' Tables of Organization and Equipment (TOE) additions

Added some more TOEs for American divisions.

United States' Tables of Organization and Equipment (TOE) added

One reads about how the United States relied a lot on artillery to help soften up objectives and used to devastating affect in defense and all you have to do is see how much artillery a 1943 Infantry Division was supposed to have.

Britain's Supermarine Spitfire fighter photo added

I've added a picture of what many (including me!) think is one of the most elegant fighters to come out of the World War II period, the Spitfire.

Germany's Tables of Organization and Equipment (TOE) added divisions

I've added the TOEs of Volksgrenadier, 1939 Panzer, and 1941 Panzer divisions.

Britain's Infantry Mk III, Valentine, more photos

Here's the last of the photos added for the Valentine to be added this go around.

Britain's Valentine photos added

I've now added some photos of the Valentine:

Valentine I:

Valentine II:

Valentine V:

Valentine X:

Valentine XI:

Britain's Infantry Tanks, Valentine and Valiant updated

I've added additional information on the Valentine variants and the Valiant.

Britain's Valentine updated

Added some new info on the Valentine series. Will be adding more info on the variants and probably add some photos over the next week.

Britain's Cruiser Mk I and Cruiser Mk II updated and photos added

Before World War II started Sir John Carden designed the first of the Cruiser series of tanks. The Cruiser Mk I, A9 and the Cruiser Mk II, A10.

Mk Is:


Mk I and Mk II:

Mk IIs:

Australia's Australian Cruiser Mk I, AC1, Sentinel updated

For a country that didn't have an automobile industry to speak of, Australia was able to design and manufacture the Sentinel. It did have the unique feature of an all cast hull. The Sentinel also showed that a 17 pdr. gun could be carried successfully by a tank.

Britain's Infantry Mk IV Churchill, A22 updated

I've updated the pages for the Churchill, but mostly organized them not so much new content.

WWII in HD thoughts

I’ve been watching the taped WWII in HD series on my TV this past week. I usually always tape stuff so that I can forward through the commercials, after all who cares about the commercials? Well maybe a marketing department in some tower in a big city.

I, being an amateur World War II historian started to watch the series with a critical eye, like I do with all documentaries or movies pertaining to that period in history. After only a few minutes I’m already seeing errors that get my hackles up. I pause the recording to tell my girl friend about the mistake in video of ships and planes out of historical context and she basically says that if I hadn’t told her about them she would have never known.

Often times, while continuing to watch, I’ll scoff to myself about the additional errors, but not for this TV series. I started to try and chill out about the inaccuracies and start listening to the stories being told by the men and women who were there. After all I bet they don’t care if the snippet of film found by the film maker was completely 100% accurate that tried to give some visual context to their story.

I then got to thinking about how 60+ years ago the person carrying the camera that recorded the events happening through their lens didn’t care that 60 years later if they were used exactly and precisely in context in some documentary I’d be watching in the safety of my living room. They were trying to show what was happening in the war. In excruciatingly gory detail so that the folks back on the home front or even the generations that have come since then could get some understanding of what went on as one individual said, the events that were burned into his soul and would never be forgotten by him.

So is the WWII in HD series perfect? No, it isn’t. But it is perfect in the story being told by the individuals that lived through it. I have never personally known what war is like, I’ve not fought in a war, or been touched by it, except by seeing, reading, and hearing what did happen from the people that did live through it.

So from now on I hope to use a less critical eye when it comes to World War II history, after all, except for some historians, amateur or otherwise, who would notice that the snippets of video were out of historical context?? Could the film maker have done better? Maybe, but is the story any less authentic that was being told by the individuals in the show? It’s their history, their story, not mine.

Britain's Cruiser Mk VIII, A27M, Cromwell updated

Wow, guess I was 1/2 asleep when I posted the last two entries! They are now corrected! Sheesh!
I've now made some updates to the Cromwell pages.

Britain's Cruiser Mk VIII, A27L, Centaur updated

I've now made some updates for the Centaur.

Britain's Cruiser Mk VII7, A247, Cavalier updated

I've made some minor updates for the Cavalier.

Germany's Tables of Organization and Equipment (TOE) updated

I've added TOEs for the 1939 and 1944 Infantry Divisions. These are by no means complete of everything a division had, or even based on the reality of the front lines. But it does give what was intended to be the makeup of the particular unit.

United Kingdom's Cruiser Tanks updated

I did a few updates yesterday and forgot to get them posted to the Blog, so here they are.

• Cruiser Mk II
  
• Crusader
  
• Cruiser Mk V
  
• Cruiser Mk IV
• Cruiser Mk III

Britain's Cruiser Mk I, A9 updated

The philosophy of the British tank corps was to have Cruiser tanks that would act like cavalry and exploit by driving into and beyond the front lines of the enemy. The first of that breed was the Cruiser Mk I (A9).

United Kingdom's Light Tanks, more updates

A couple more updates to finish off the light tanks.

• Vickers 6 Ton
• Harry Hopkins

United Kingdom's Light Tanks updated

Now starting on the source that was my very first one used in building the site. Hoping to find some new tidbits to add that I didn't initially. Also to properly attribute it as a source.
I've now made some modifications to the Light Tanks used by the United Kingdom. More to come!

• Tetrarch
  
• Light Tank Mk VI
• Light Tank Mk I

Britain's history and production updated

I've made some minor updates to Britain's history and vehicle production.

United States' Aircraft Aces updated

I've additional aces to the list.

Soviet Union's Tank Units Table of Organization added

I've added a table of organization for the Soviet Tank Division of June 1941.

Soviet's Foreign Vehicles updated

The Soviet Union received a great number of vehicles built by Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. I've updated the list of which vehicles were received.

Soviet Union's heavy tanks updated

The Soviets had to continue to upgrade their designs to combat the latest German designs. The KV-85 was a stop gap until the IS-1 became available. The IS series was to be the Soviet heavy tanks to take on the heaviest of German designs.

• IS-3
  
• IS-2
• IS-1
  
• KV-85

Soviet Union's ISU-122 and ISU-152 updated

The Soviet's upgraded their assault guns to use better guns and the IS-2's chassis and hull.

• ISU-122
• ISU-152

Soviet Samokhodnaya Ustanovka (self propelled guns) updated and photo added

The Soviets saw how successful the self propelled guns were for the Germans and the need to mount larger weapons persuaded them to produce the SU series.

• SU-76
• SU-122
• SU-152