Greece to Normandy Convoy '09

[zemsi]

The convoy arrived yesterday in Switzerland. After driving over the Simplon Pass and boarding the trucks onto train waggons through the Furka tunnel (pass is still closed till the end of June because of heavy snow coverage, the convoy drove through the narrow Schöllenen Schlucht. Driving down from Realp to Altdorf, we picked up some lost "sheep" ;-)

The convoy was greated by 50% of the Swiss-MLU population and 100% of the Aussie-MLU-Expads in Germany (Ben).

I took the Hedges in the evening to Lucerne, where we had a lovely dinner.

Today is another beautiful sunny day. Yesterday the temperature went up to 28 or so degrees!

The convoy drives from Seelisberg and crosses the border to France. In Mulhouse they'll visit the Schlumpf Collection.

Greetings
Chris

[Max Hedges]

Chris good to see that you and Ben have caught up with the convoy. Are they all travelling well and it must be a thrill for you to see the ute you drove to Corowa turn up in Switzerland.

Max

[Keith Webb]

Wonderful to see some of us there! That pic with the ute could easily have been taken in Yass...

Thanks for sharing the pics, Chris! Any more?

[Mike K]

Seen to the right of the ute , is a pile of dirt . Is that a slit trench ? Now that's a keen addition to the whole atmosphere of the camp site.

BTW at a local dispoosals store last Saturday, I spotted for sale - A 1918 vintage military horse drawn wagon, made in Switzerland . A 1959 Swiss made .5 metre searchlight with generator and a 1944 2 wheeled cart , Swiss made . All items were in original cond.

Mike

[Lang]

some more trip photos

[Lang]

More photos of trip

[Lang]

some updated photos of last week or so

[Lang]

Well, the show is over and was a great success. I have written a story on the whole expedition on 'word" but don't know how to get it up here for all to read - Jif, Hanno?

[zemsi]

... here is Lang's story

[Sydneymver]

Glad to have caught up with some of you in the Etreham campsite, i was in a civvy vehicle with my 65-D-Day plastic number plate, I spent my week based in Port-En-Bessan, and was billeted on 5th june in a house 75 metres from the Omaha memorial. Great event for this first timer to Normandy.

Currently still in UK, will be back in Sydney 24th.
See you Graeme and Mick at the next club event.

Bruce

( i miss my jeep and dodge )

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Some of the vehicles participating in this trip are for sale:

Chevrolet Coupe Utility 1945

1943 Chevrolet 4x2 truck, Model 4403

1944 CMP C15-A Chevy Blitz

The Studebaker was offered on MilWeb as well, I heard this was sold to a collector in Holland.

Willys Jeep - note: this was sold to a Dutchman, who is offering it for resale already, including the Australian registration DDAY 44.

H.

[Lang]

Hanno,

Thanks for the free sales plug! Unfortunately neither Mike nor I found a buyer in time so the Chev C15A and my Chev Coupe Utility are on their way home to Australia.

Lang

[zemsi]

... just got my latest copy of "Classic Military Vehicle". Haven't read the article yet but there's a 4 page coverage of the ANZAC Convoy. For all of you who will receive the magazin next year by snail mail, I made a copy There's a half page about Jim's C15 Wireless Blitz and Max & Johns Ute is starring with 2 pics.

[Jan Thompson]

Hi all,
I have received notification from Ronin Films that they have released the Driving to D-Day DVD. I am putting together an order so if you are interested in a copy at a reduced price please send me an email by Sunday 13th November. kveinc@optusnet.com.au


30 dedicated Australians drive through history in lovingly restored antique military vehicles to commemorate the liberation of Europe at the end of World War Two.

On 6 June 2009, tens of thousands of people from all over the world invaded the beaches of Normandy. They came in ships, in landing craft, military vehicles and motor bikes, aeroplanes and on foot. This was a modern invasion to commemorate an earlier invasion - marking the 65th anniversary of the landings in France that began the liberation of Europe and the end of World War Two. In the midst of the new arrivals were 30 slightly eccentric Australians. They had crossed the world to be there. But they didn’t just fly in as tourists or sightseers: they drove from Istanbul in Turkey across the whole of Europe in veteran military vehicles of World War Two, visiting the battlefields of Europe that have meant so much to the ANZACs.

Led by adventurer, Lang Kidby, the convoy of enthusiasts came from all over Australia and New Zealand. All were united by their passion for their beloved veteran military vehicles. The film not only documents their travels but also observes their detailed restoration and maintenance of the vehicles which probably had never looked so good!

RUNTIME [52 mins]
EXTRAS [50 mins]

• Interviews with Lang Kidby and Mike O’Sullivan
• Mike O’Sullivan flies his spitfire
• Deleted Scenes
Year: 2010
Classification: Exempt - Ronin Recommends: G
Produced In: Australia
Language: English
Produced and Directed by Stuart Scowcroft
http://www.roninfilms.com.au/video/878/0/5914.html

[Alex van de Wetering]

Jan,

Great! I think some of our European MLU members will be interested in a copy as well...I know I do. But, do you know if the DVD's are region-free? I mean....can we watch it here in our part of the world?

Alex

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

Jan,

Great! I think some of our European MLU members will be interested in a copy as well...I know I do. But, do you know if the DVD's are region-free? I mean....can we watch it here in our part of the world?

Alex

Hi Alex,

Australia uses the same DVD format as UK and I am sure Europe is the same. I watched the TV version of this a while ago and it is very good, even had my Bedford in shot on the drive along the beach to Arromanche.

[Jan Thompson]

Maybe Richard could take some back in March for the British and European people.