90th Infantry Division Pic of the Week: Chambois, France.

Monday morning, and time again for the 90th Infantry Division Picture of the Week.  This shot comes to us from Chambois, France where combined American and Polish forces soundly defeated the retreating Germans at the Falaise Gap in August 1944.

A German half-track and crew unload Nazi casualties at an American aid station in Chambois, France - August 21, 1944. (U.S. Army Signal Corps Photo, Courtesy National Archives)

I love dissecting these old pictures.  The vehicle looks to be a Sd.Kfz 251 German half-track.  Do you think the wounded soldier being helped out is a German officer?  He looks to have the collared jacket.  The soldiers on the right are obviously American medical personnel.  What do you make of the helmet worn by the guy assisting the German casualty?  It appears to have a rim on it that reminds me of the old Brodie helmet from World War I.  I know the Polish were in the Chambois area, but I think their helmets resembled the American M-1 style.

And I must admit that I have not heavily studied the emblems of World War II.  Does the mark on the back of the half-track look more like a trident than the standard-issue German insignia?  Help … please.

And maybe our on-site French follower, Tristan, can help us with the locale.  Tristan, if you’re out there, do you recognize the arch-shaped opening in the right background or the “apparel” shop on the left, from Chambois?

One Response to “90th Infantry Division Pic of the Week: Chambois, France”

  1. Tristan says:

    Here I am Mike.
    Great article, as usual.
    Please check your emails, just sent one with good things for you.
    Take care.

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