90th Infantry Division Pic of the Week: Chambois, France
April 4, 2011
Posted in 90th ID - Pic of the Week, 90th Infantry Division, Bootprints, Chambois France, Falaise Gap, World War II
Tags: 90th Infantry Division, 90th Infantry Division - Picture of the Week, Bootprints, Chambois France, Falaise Gap, World War II
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.
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?
Here I am Mike.
Great article, as usual.
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Take care.