Visited the Falaise pocket

Fantastic 'then and now' photos, Edward. I love this sort of thing...

 

This is a wonderful thread. Many thanks for such great then and now shots!

 

Just excellent, Gruber - really very good ! Especially the Panther site in Argentan.....

 

Great "now and thens "Grüber! Well done, well taken and sites well chosen.

 

Not that difficult, click on the little scales at the top right of each post

 

Great pics. Especially the closeup of the Panther.

 

..sensible advice Martin...there was a case recently at the port. Secure (400 metre) perimeter thrown around the guy's car, controlled explosion and in the subsequent court case, he got a six month prison sentence....
very nice thread Grüber

 

- have we heard from Jagdpanther44 recently ??

Oh, yes - a couple of days ago - phew, you had me worried for a moment, there !

 

Everyone who wants to practice this technique is more then welcome to abuse my scales.....

 

No, it's wasn't me...honest!

I fetch most things back home with me, but live ordnance are left well alone.

 

Very nice Gruber! thanks for sharing!

 

And up to Falaise! First a visit to the museum:
Musée Août 1944.

In the garden around the museum 2 allied tanks, a 8.8 cm Flugabwehrkanone and an original WWII bailey bridge to reach the entrance.



A close-up of the anti-aircraft gun.



The original marks are still visible. Nice!



I could not resist screwing open this box. Nothing in it, but still the original paint and signs.



The museum itself is in a poor condition.
It has had its best time. Dirty at some spots, old and dusty. It looks like some displays have not been touched for the last 20 years.
Pitty, there is rather nice stuff inside that is intresting for the collector. But for an passing-by tourist who wants to find out some more will be dissapointed.
If you have a lack off time, and are in a hurry, just leave the museum for what it is.
I think the city off Falaise deserves better.





A very nice restored Famo SdKfz 9. But you can't get a good view on none off the vehicules displayed.



And a fine restored SdKfz 251





And this one I like: a pile off old iron from the local scrapyard.
But also this is not for taking home with you!



Later more of the city itself.

 

Once again, nice photos!!

 

I visited the museum a few years ago, although it had some very good displays, I have to agree with Edward, the building looked tired and was in need of a lick of paint and a little 'sprucing up'.

Another thing I found frustrating was the fact that most of what was on display was behind glass or placed too close together which made viewing difficult, this also made it hard to get any good photos...

 

..and they close for lunch.....I ask you

 

If the kitchen looks like the toilets.....
In Falaise itself you have better choices!

 

nice pics there gruber thanks for showing us your good time
cheers krieg

 

Gruber, do you know what the insignia on the front and back of the halftrack designate?
Great pics by the way!!!

 

Hi ceraphix,

On the front is the sign of the:
12.SS-Panzer-Division "Hitler Jugend"

The other sign on the front and on the rear are tactical signs of "panzer einheiten" wich vehicle it is in that division and what its function is.
I tried to look it up for you but I couldn't find this particular sign.

Maybe someone else does!

Edward

 

Absolument - c'est la France !

Bonne chance - et la plume de ma Tante est sur la pupitre !