1944 C-15A-Wire-5 Restoration

[lssah2025]

Looking good on your beautiful resto, I actually saw that picture of Bergen Op Zoom after I visited there a few years ago, actually stood in that square!!

[Robert Bergeron]

Thank you for your good words Lance.

It would be nice if i could make it to Holland with the truck.

Today i ordered the angled steel and tubes to start the fabrication of the wireless table .

I painted the inside of the tool boxes and the jerrycan holders OD Green.

Inside this toolbox i will store my portable CMP toolbox with all the specific CMP tools and the trouble lamp. A gallon of coolant fluid would be handy also.

Also painted the diamond shaped steel grills for the generator compartment.

Inside the box i installed a temporary equipment rack on the rear wall.

Looking for the plans or sketch and measurements for the original.

In said rack we see some of the equipment that would be carried : Rolls of field telephone wire for the phones and radio remote. Extension cable for the wireless set headset and a satchel with extra headsets , guy ropes for the vertical antennae . A first aid kit and a canvas cover for the wireless set when taken outside the box.The leather bag is canadian specific and is for the vertical antennae accessories.Some instruction books on the wireless set and remote unit. A piece of hemp rope for the penthouse tent .

[Robert Bergeron]

Other toolbox painted OD on the inside.

Inside this toolbox will be stored a few 1 Gal oil cans and the chains you see mounted on the rear tires.

An hydraulic jack with wooden support board should also nicely fit in here and be quite usefull in the event of a flat tire.

[Robert Bergeron]

Friends,

Hope you all had a nice Christmas with family and friends , inside in the warmth of your homes.

Our Veterans had a very harsh winter over in Holland in 44-45.

I took a ride in the Wire 5 project and took a few pictures. The chains were a necessity because of a spell of freezing rain.

Now , just imagine a minute the setting is in Holland during the winter of 44-45.

The convoy is en route on the Maple Leaf Up road to the Brigade HQ RV before the next phase of the operation.

The Jerries are entrenched , putting up rear guard actions and comitting exactions against the local populations.The civilians have been deprieved by the occupiers of the bare necessities of life. Crimes against Humanity are being comitted.

The Canadians are beginning secret negociations with the ennemy in order to resupply the famished population of Holland.

It is a Christmas without precedent in history. While the other Allied nations are rushing Germany , the Canadians are about to begin the largest humanitarian operation of the war while still fighting feverishly an ennemy that will not surrender at any cost. Canadian lives are lost by the hundreds in order to reach the Dutch and feed them.

The first Canadian Division is now in play. They have arrived from Italy where they were bloodied and they will join the fight in Holland in the New Year.

The 3 rd Canadian Div is in the fight ever since D Day. The Sherbrooke Fusilier and the Sask Light's are the vanguard of the advance . They now need to regroup, resupply before pushing on in very difficult conditions.

We are very lucky to be Canadians and being able to enjoy freedom and wealth away from war especialy at Christmas. In great part because of the sacrifice of our veterans.

That's why this is the time of the year i think of our veterans the most.

Thank you Sgt Fowlis , 27 th Armoured Regt ( Sherbrooke Fusilier Regt ) wherever you are now.

[Robert Bergeron]

Here is the result of the oil and water cans in the tool box.

Quite realistic in black and white.

Also, the jerrycan holder is quite true to original.

Compare with Rob Love's original pictures.

[Robert Bergeron]

How many of these were carried in the Wire 5 truck ?

[Robert Bergeron]

Bags , aerial gear Canadian ?

[Grant Bowker]

I believe (only) one bag was carried, but wouldn't mind being wrong if someone has an easy-to-read kit list available.