Research for TV drama 'Foyle's War'

Hello,
I've edited this post from my original as I was giving a bit too much away!

I'm doing a bit of research for 'Foyle's War' and I am struggling to find some quite obscure documents that I can use to make some props.

I need some examples of German documents from around 1942:

A Journey log of a merchant ship.
A detailed list of cargo on board a merchant ship. (The ships is carrying food, cigarettes, whisky etc)

I am struggling to find many German shipping records from WWII. If I could speak German, it would be a lot easier!

Even if I could find British equivalents, that would be a start. Its difficult to explain without giving the story away but lets just say the ship is controlled by Germans as part of an undercover business operation, not necessarily the Kriegsmarine- it's a private operation. I may have to employ a bit of artistic license as it is a fictional story very loosely based on some real events.
Sorry to be vague but I don't want to give away the story.

Many thanks,
Mary

 

If you really truly are from the real Foyle's War: Welcome to two of the best ww2 Forums on the net!

Looking for "historically accurate German and British Shipping Documentation Paper Trail in order to create a series prop" (translated as necessary) is highly commendable.
Veterans and historians are routinely shaken when production units fail to use historically accurate information, sources and resources.

Cross posted back from: http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/51066-official-foyles-war-tv-series-research-request/
"My main concern is time. The nature of the TV industry is that they squeeze as much work out if you in as short amount of time as possible.
I only have just 3 weeks of prep on this project before we start filming the 3 episodes so I have to gather research and references as fast as possible.
So if anybody out there can suggest anywhere I can get the information. Please let me know!"

Welcome!

1. There are many threads worshiping Foyle's War on this and our sister Forum: http://ww2talk.com
http://www.ww2f.com/topic/51038-really-enjoying-the-new-foyles-war-series-from-bbc/?hl=foyle
http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/20653-new-series-of-foyles-war/?hl=foyle

ww2talk is very much Britain focused and is chock a block with phenomenal experts. You will be amazed at how authoritative and knowledgeable they are, It is probably the better forum to cross post this on.
ww2.com is more Allied Command focused.

2. I just fainted in delight at the thought of another year's worth of episodes.
- I just bought the entire 22 DVD set as a promo for a year's subscription to PBS Spokane Washington. Plus a complete set on tape!

Foyles War is carried on four local TV networks, each episode repeated at different times and different hours five times a week.
The same episode on all every week, so public Television TVO Ontario, The Knowledge Network British Columbia and PBS Seattle and Spokane are all in collusion to ensure everyone can find time to see each episode.

3. I have a recurring dream.
If I win the Lotto, and it is HUGE here right now, I will arrive in London to hire the Foyle's War producers and crew to do a similar series on Murray Peden's "A Thousand Shall Fall."
This is not a joke. I would have to fund the Sterling Restoration project to make a go of it, and I would. No Joke.

http://www.ww2f.com/topic/38106-a-thousand-shall-fall-by-murray-peden-perhaps-the-best-bomber-command-book-ever/

 

Thank-you for the warm welcome Fred.
I really truly am from 'Foyle's War'. Not sure how I can prove it though!
I'm afraid they'll only be 3 more episodes and we'll be filming in Liverpool this time.

So can anybody help with my challenge?!

 

Yes, Cross Post on ww2talk.com for almost instant gratification.

(I can think of no better production crew to do justice to A Thousand Shall Fall. Another true period piece.)
I can not begin to thank you and your crew enough for this phenomenal series. "British Television at its very very best."

 

Other forums you should cross post onto for instant gratification include:

The Movies and Documentaries section at: http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/index.php

The Living History or German Militaria 1933-1945 Photos - Papers section at: http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/living-history/

Edit: http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=204038

These are THE Axis Command English Language Expert Forums. Staggeringly good forums, again chock a block with experts - many of whom, like on ww2talk, are University History Professors.

 

I hope you have time to browse these three forums.
They are chock a block with very poignant personal memories written by living veterans. I can think of thousands that would fit into Foyle's War in an instant.

IMHO the most poignant of all is a moment in time by Ron Goldstein - who spends 99% of his time on ww2talk.
See: http://www.ww2f.com/topic/51211-why-wwii/

In my dreams, that memoir would be the opening scene for A Thousand Shall Fall. (90% can be read on Google Books.)

 

To save you some time, trusting that you are in fact from the Official Floyle's War production crew, I have cross posted this onto ww2talk/

For the moment I have forgotten my passwords for http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/ etc
If I can find it, I will cross post to there, then edit this to so state.

 

Question. Is this for real from Foyle's War, or is it a Fan Club YouTube site?
http://www.youtube.com/user/foyleswarfan

 

Stone me! I have taken part in three TV documentaries and live broadcasts. I could never quite understand why the UK never uses the experiences to create REAL stories/.daft isn't it... All we get is American stuff.

 

Fred, I had to alter my post as I probably mentioned too much of the script.

If you've pasted my post anywhere else could you delete it please?

Thanks.

 

And in answer to your question about the video, that is the start of season 7.
Have you not seen that one!

 

I did not and would not. Same holds true for everyone on both of our forums. We hold very true to diplomacy here, or get expelled in a heartbeat.

Even some of our best contributors have gone the way of toast. Even they are rarely given the grace of more than one or two slip ups.
Otto, who owns and runs both our forums, has set a standard that holds true for all. No grace no matter who you are.

Below my avatar you will see that I have over 1,100 posts and zero warning points. I rue the day I see one there. My life expectancy here after that would be very short indeed!

Cheers!

 

Nope. North America is several years behind, only recently having discovered Foyel's War.
I am not, not going to spoil the pleasure of enjoying this series in its proper sequence. Not even trailers! :twohearts:

 

Jugghead has walked that fine line many times...and very glad to see hes still with us...Valued members get a little more grace...

 

Welcome to the forums, Mary!
Foyle's War? Please don't make me have to choose between you and Honeysuckle.

 

Welcome to the Forum, Mary. I'm also a FW fan, but I promise to be more reserved in my giddiness.

You should also try posting your inquiry in the Militaria - Photographs and Documents section as well as the Information Requests section. Some members don't frequent the New Members section so it may help to cast a broad net.

 

Mary

I am an un-ashamed admirer of the Foyle's War series and therefore would be delighted to offer any help whatsoever in supplying ephemera or background material but from the British side of ww2.

Fred Wilson, as always, is being too kind in his evaluation of my various articles but he is quite correct when he says I spend most of my time on ww2talk.com.

If you think I can be of any help in the future just stick a note in my PM box and we can go on from there.

Best regards

Ron
http://www.blogger.com/profile/17035008

 

Back on task...
Just a thought, not meaning insult...

Have you thought to ask Museums or the National Archives? They might well have precisely what you need readily at hand.

 

Fred,
I was down at the Archives on Tuesday.
They hold hundreds of Merchant shipping movement cards but they only contain basic information about the Ship's movements and it's cargo.
I am looking for some kind of document that lists all items and quantities of cargo that a ship is carrying.
I am assuming that this was recorded some how.

Here's what it says about the cards on the National Archives website:

In 1939 the Admiralty instructed the Board of Trade, for reasons of security, to prevent masters of merchant vessels from using ships' logs or crew lists and agreements to record destinations or ports of call. However, it was still important to record the movements of merchant vessels and so the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen established this series of cards, now held by The National Archive.

I have tried all the Maritime and war museums with no luck.

 

Ron,
Thanks for your offer to help.
I tried to PM you via this site but it said you cannot get messages.
Is there another way I can contact you?