July 1945 Berlin

[David Dunlop]

Ran across a short colour film shot at this point in time somewhere on Yahoo last night. In one shot in the background, a rather oddly painted 15 cwt Cab 13 CMP passed from left to right.

The vehicle had a fully tarped GS body and was painted what looked to be a gloss or semi gloss Bronze Green. The only marking on the driver's door was a large white outlined diamond, vertically oriented, dead centre on the door.

Any ideas out there as to who might have been operating that vehicle?

David

[Rob Dekker]

In this video?

http://youtu.be/R5i9k7s9X_A

[David Dunlop]

Yes, Rob. At around the 5:30 mark.

David

[Rob Dekker]

Here's a still image from the video...

[Bruce MacMillan]

I think the diamond is the insignia for a regimental HQ unit.

[David Dunlop]

Just looking at the photo capture Rob posted again and finally spotted the white star faded on the canvas, and it looks like the canvas may have window flaps similar to the 15 cwt Wireless early versions.

Don't ever recall seeing the star painted on side canvas before. Seems to always have been the doors with CMP's. Or am I out to lunch?

Adding to that confusion, if this is a British , or Commonwealth Forces CMP, should it not have the vehicle census number stencilled on the door?

David

[Ed Storey]

I enjoyed this thread, especially the attached colour film as I was just in Berlin last month with my Father. I had been to Berlin 20 years ago and Dad wanted to see the historic sites. Unlike 20 years ago, I have found that overall Germans are at ease with the past and that Germany today is so far removed from the events of 70 years ago that they no longer hide the facts of what transpired during the turbulence 1930s and 40s. Even the Cold War is ancient history to many young Germans (and perhaps most of society these days) so that era is also well covered in what was once a divided city.

The Brandenburg Gate has been beautifully restored and is naturally a popular tourist attraction. While at the gate I was pleasantly surprised to see large wartime images displayed on the Unter den Linden.