Thread by @iowahawkblog

Today's episode of #DavesCarIDService is dedicated to the men and machines of the D-Day Invasion. All gave some, some gave all.

*The fallen machine is of course an iconic WW2 Jeep, either a Willys MB or identical twin Ford GPW. Almost 650,000 of these were produced 1942-45. The earlier Ford GP model is where the "Jeep" got its affectionate nickname which later became its brand.

In addition to our regular fare, today's thread will feature some IDs relevant to the liberation of Europe. If you've got family pics of WW2 GIs & their cars, they will get prompt attention.

Quick review of the guidelines:

This beautiful and poignant photo underscores liberation's price tag. Grandpa and Grandma are cooing on the bumper of a 1936 Ford 5 window coupe.

Operation Varsity, 3/24/45, was one of last major US pushes in the ETO, only 6 weeks before German surrender.

https://twitter.com/Thisism20264054/status/1399392980579110916

Another poignant photo from then-occupied Netherlands underscoring the value of the liberation - these two Dutch kids are on a circa 1930 Ariel LB31 250cc inclined side valve.

https://twitter.com/BarthelRoger/status/1399131618833469445

No sir, the 1941 Indiana plates indicated this was a few years before he became a tank driver for Patton. The tank he's sitting on here (in a pith helmet drinking a can of beer no less) is a 1941 Oldsmobile. Cheers, Grandpa.

https://twitter.com/jpchurch/status/1401523444110528518

*a brief diversion into beer cans: before the days of poptops, beer sometimes came in screwtop metal cans like those in the hands of Grandpa and Grandma. Canned beer was banned during WW2 due to war effort.

A while back Mr Milam passed along some dandy photos of liberation parades in Europe, which I've been holding in reserve. I apologize in advance for not being as adept at military vehicles as civilian, but I will give my best shot: here we have a GMC CCKW.

https://twitter.com/curtmilam/status/1387776513827909634

like the Jeep, the GMC 2.5 ton CCKW had an affectionate GI nickname, the "Deuce and a Half." As this White M16 half track, known as the "Meat Chopper."

https://twitter.com/curtmilam/status/1387776522400981003

quick PSA - like I said I am not as adept at these vehicles as I am at passenger cars, and invite military machinery buffs to provide corrections and assists on any that might stump me.

Let's not forget our brave British cousins who also stormed Normandy with American GIs, and brought along their own vehicles. I'll need an assist on this one which I think is based on Daimler Dingo or Humber; the onboard bike is a BSA M20.

https://twitter.com/curtmilam/status/1387776546027581450

This jaunty little jalopy is a Studebaker M29, affectionately known as the "Weasel." Designed for operating in snow, and used by US, British, and Canadian troops.

https://twitter.com/curtmilam/status/1387776536925937669

Now let's get to the Big Boys: I believe this is a GMC M18 Hellcat.

https://twitter.com/curtmilam/status/1387776530252767241

Last in the liberation parade is this bad boy, which I reluctantly must admit has me stumped. WW2 military hardware buffs are encouraged to help out with an ID here.

https://twitter.com/curtmilam/status/1387776561445801990

Not a lot to go on here, but is Dad about to hop in a P-51 Mustang?

https://twitter.com/TravisW02570348/status/1401547447248248843

Thank you to Chris and several others who provided a quick solution to the previous mystery fighting vehicle.

https://twitter.com/TheRealMcKeever/status/1401565666453245960

Another MB / GPW Jeep photobombing Grandpa here; by the looks of the architecture, picture was in the Alsace region of France.

https://twitter.com/alinks85/status/1401568192397463561

Let's not forget the airborne hardware of D-Day, and this was the tip of the spear - the first plane that dropped paratroopers into France in advance of the landing. Nose art lovingly restored by my Chicago hot rod pal Chad Hill.

https://twitter.com/iowahawkblog/status/1004332986299568128

Instead of continuing with regular car IDs, I feel this thread should be a stand-alone, so I will wrap up with a few thoughts.

77 years after D-Day there are few left who were there. I've had the privilege of knowing a few, including Vencil Mares, a D-Day medic who returned to Texas to become a BBQ legend. He passed away in 2019 at age 96.

Some day in the not-distant future, none will remain who have first-person memories of the sacrifices made at Normandy, or the Bulge, or the bloody islands of the Pacific. It's the duty of the rest of us to not forget, and to pass that memory on.

This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be rememberèd"

- Shakespeare, Henry V
#DDay

Addendum: a few more D-Day relevant ID request that came in late yesterday. The truck behind these 2 combat engineers is a stumper; cab & wheels look like Brockway, but seems they only made 6x6s in WW2. Will need another assist on this one.

https://twitter.com/pacecar86/status/1401594013963194369

Brought to mind this D-Day vet Diamond T tow truck I saw a couple of years ago at the International Towing and Recovery Museum. Well worth a visit when you're in Chattanooga.

https://twitter.com/iowahawkblog/status/1138776547354128390

An obviously happy homecoming for this D-Day vet here in his civvies with his girl and his 1946-48 Chrysler.

https://twitter.com/minhagim/status/1401604352272486405

Another WW2 wrecker, this one a 10 ton M1A1 made either by Kenworth or Ward LaFrance.

https://twitter.com/rockmom/status/1401640676794699780

This woody with USN markings is a 1942 Ford.

https://twitter.com/rockmom/status/1401641492842795012

Although the vehicle comes pre-ID'd, it's worth sharing to salute Dad, RIP.

Let's not forget that June 4 to 7 is also the anniversary of the Battle of Midway, and we also are indebted to the courageous sailors and Marines of the Pacific.

https://twitter.com/BlaschkeBill/status/1401621253715341324