C15TA: deployment in combat

[Ed Storey]

I find it interesting to see just how oblivious the civilian population is to the whole military operation that is being conducted in their vacinity. They are very happy to be liberated, but seem to have forgotten that there is still a war on. The German POWs seem pretty lucky as most don't appear to be guarded and they are not being harried by the local population. It is hard to believe that we are coming onto 80 years that that footage was filmed.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Look at the practical addition - to me this looks like a typical Canadian vehicle during the closing stages of WW2

C15TA during the liberation of the town of Hoogeveen, 11 April 1945:

0-1096939-B882528507Z.1_20200409141706_000G9G1LN5G0.1-0.jpg
Source: https://hoogeveenschecourant.nl/hoog...-26368617.html

[Ed Storey]

What a fantasitc image. If I were the proud owner of a C15TA, I would configure mine to look exactly like the vehicle in that photograph! Right down to the star and chalked writing.

[David Herbert]

You could dress your kids up in period costume too !

David

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Originally Posted by David Herbert

You could dress your kids up in period costume too !

They’ll be thrilled to be made to wear shorts in winter

[Ed Storey]

Wearing shorts in winter is an everyday occurance here in Canada!

I'd just like to have the civilian clothing in my collection as it is even rarer than the uniforms. Especially garments that were captured in a wartime photograph with Allied troops.

[Alex van de Wetering]

Originally Posted by Jakko Westerbeke

They’ll be thrilled to be made to wear shorts in winter

Ah, that would match quite well with the flip flops some wear in public every day

Nice picture Hanno.....never seen that one before!

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

What a fantasitc image. If I were the proud owner of a C15TA, I would configure mine to look exactly like the vehicle in that photograph! Right down to the star and chalked writing.

Ed, if you and I pool our pocket change, we might be able to pick one up. I'll set an alert on FB Marketplace for vintage armoured trucks, and see what hits we get.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Look at the practical addition - to me this looks like a typical Canadian vehicle during the closing stages of WW2

Bruno Bobak spotted one, too:

d8efad5f-b6fa-41c9-9e74-972a498688dd.jpg

[Ed Storey]

Some nice First Canadian Army markings on that Bobak example.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Another C15TA Ambulance: "Parade in Eelde of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division; a.o. Lord Strathcona's Horse Sherman Firefly; Westmister Regt. (engine) Can. universal carrier + .50 Browning"

125939.jpg
Source: https://beeldbankwo2.nl/en/imagebank...1-13a195a25a28


"The entry of the Allies. A British armoured car on the Nieuwe Laagzijde in Schagen". May 1945
Beeldbank WO2 198546.jpg
Source: https://beeldbankwo2.nl/en/imagebank...a-25e048497516


"Postcard with photo of the entry of Canadian troops into Amsterdam. Left girl with bow tie. In the centre is a Truck, 15 Cwt, Armoured with trailer with tacsign 50."
8 May 1945.
Beeldbank WO2 176333.jpg
Source: https://beeldbankwo2.nl/en/imagebank...c-3fe2537acab8

[Ed Storey]

Yes the 50 Arm of Service marking indicates an Engineer Field Company.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Another photo of a C15TA Ambulance (not C15TAA) crossing a temporary bridge in Hoogeveen, The Netherlands. Date 11 april 1945.

Rode_Kruiswagen_over_de_noodbrug_over_de_sluis_april_1945_1.jpg
Source: https://hoogeveen2000.com/overigen/g...11-april-1945/