Field modifications and conversions to Allied vehicles.

Very interesting photo-as always. reisling M50, M1918 BAR and Colt M1895 potato diggers-brilliant
I suppose the Chief is reading the general order to return the museum pieces when they finish the exercise.

 

LOL Im glad you noticed. I forgot to mention that these are Coast Guard Jeeps.

 

Interesting photo. The Lieutenant up front is looking "well fed." (you can tell by the gold chin strap on his cover and two gold braid.) It is interesting that the machinegunners are using Marlin machineguns of WW 1 vintage on what look like locally manufactured stands. The only Chief is on the Left with the BAR. Given the armament I would say it is a naval landing party likely supporting Marines off the ships that the men in the photo came from. As for the jeeps, that is a bit unusual....

And, yes they are Coast Guard. The officer has the Coast Guard shield above his braid on the sleeve. At least it looks like the shield. But, if it is a star then he and the men in the photo are USN.

 

Well spotted I thought he just looked like a Chief, anyway I put myself on a charge and I'm off to peel some potatoes. Still can't get over seeing marlins and jeeps in the same photo.

steve

 

He does have a shield on his sleeve and the photo was captioned that these were Coast Guard.

 

I just noticed that the Chief and the coast toastie right above him also have the shield on their sleeves. That would make them Coast Guard.

 

LOL You can barely make out the letters "USCG" on the sides of the hoods too.

 

You might also note that the vast majority of the men are basic seamen (ie., E-1) as indicated by their lack of piping on their "Cracker Jacks." This would go aroung the cuff and neck flap. Each trace of piping (up to three) would indicate rank.
But, the junior enlisted might be wearing "undress" or "working" blues which would also account for the lack of piping.

The Chief is a "Left sleever." This means he is not a topside rating like Bosun's mate or Quartermaster but rather either a technical rating or works below decks like in engineering.

 

Do you know what the designation "SC" mean on the sides of the hoods?

 

5 SAS (Belgian SAS Company) jeep in North West Europe in 1944-45.

 

SAS "Blitz Buggy"

 

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