[sapper740]

Originally Posted by Noel Burgess

I too have pondered over this, and other similar trailer loads, seen on D Day photos.
Les: hadn't thought of baloon cylenders before but I thought that the initial baloons were the smaller ones taken (ready inflated) from the landing craft which flew them on passage. have not seen any referance to vehicles/trailers associated with the initial BB units
Sapper: how about rolls of PBS as mentioned recently in relation to the possible Tar Boiler.

At this site http://www.6juin1944.com/assaut/gold...page=69landing there are some fairly good landing tables for Gold Beach - these include 6 "Freuhauf" trailers landed for 235 Fld Pk Co and 3 of same plus 2 "20 Ton low loading Trlr" for 51 Mech Equip Sect but no mention of what any carried

I don't think its PBS as all the pictures I have seen show it in rolls a few feet wide in order to fit through the "Stamp Licker". I'm leary of the balloon gas cylinder theory as most barrage balloons were ship mounted so disembarking the cylinders would be counter-productive. I know some balloons were tethered ashore but wouldn't the service life of the gas inside exceed their time ashore at Normandy, thus negating any need to replenish it? Just my thought, gentlemen.

See also this picture which I posted some time ago http://www.mapleleafup.org/forums/sh...4621#post64621 this trailer appears to be carrying some sort of trackway ?

The rolls in the front of the trailer look very similar to ARC matting which was used extensively by U.S. forces in the Pacific. I'm unaware of it's use by Commonwealth troops. It's difficult to identify the rest of the load on the trailer.