WWII souveniers and pics

[zaika]

Hey everyone!
This weekend I had the pleasure of convincing my grandmother that grandfather's photos and souvenirs from his service in Italy and Northern Africa were very valuable. Since he was in the 5th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron, he had access to all these photos. I don't think he actually took most of them. But, either way...they're still good. And my grandmother didn't care one way or another, and let me take home boxes full of some really great stuff. I'm scanning and taking photos of stuff...but I'll prolly have to share the originals with the rest of the family...which is not a big deal. I guess...lol. Today was the first time my aunt had even seen some of this stuff.
So...I have to share. And as I scan and upload, I'll post more. I have some great candid shots of my grandfather's buddies, a USO show, the locals, rubble, etc.

Here is a scan of a tour book...

 

[zaika]

 

[zaika]

Possibly the fall of Tunis? May 1943?

A couple of these photos are in the pictorial history I have of the Mediterranean Allied Photo Reconnaissance Wing book that I have. "...their [Germans, I assume] Generals were flown to Maison Blanche, where they were transferred to planes taking them quickly from the theatre." I have the photo that they published of Jurgin von Arnim being transported by car. I'll post it a bit later.

 

[AmateisGal]

Z, these are AWESOME. You are so fortunate to have them!

 

[Micawber]

Excellent photographs - thank you for sharing them.

 

[thunderw21]

That's quite a pic. I wonder what's happening here.

 

[Hawk_Eye]

well the top aircraft is a P-38, the bottom one is a little harder to identify. Judging by the shape of the tail and rear fuselage I'd say a hurricane, though what a hurricane and P-38 are doing crashing into eachother is beyond me.

 

[J. M. Stovall]

These are really great, do you suppose that B-24 is on the Ploesti Raid?

 

[Spitfire]

Thank you so much for sharing Zaika.
It is a lot of work to post things like that here, first you have to scan and then via photobucket or something to this site.
And most of the time, people do not respond. They might look - but just dont respond. Too bad.

And when you go through the trouble taking pics and posting them, especially if somebody asks you to, (Please post a pic of you new hat, jacket, flyingboots whatever...)you would like some response. At least from the people who asked you in the first place.
Why else post?
OK - I've had my 10 seconds. Will step down from my soapbox now...
So - hoping that you will post even more - thank you again

 

[ethanedwards]

well the top aircraft is a P-38, the bottom one is a little harder to identify. Judging by the shape of the tail and rear fuselage I'd say a hurricane, though what a hurricane and P-38 are doing crashing into eachother is beyond me.

I think it's a Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk. It's a terrifying picture whatever, I hope
they got out, one way or another.
And you're right Zaika, those photos are valuable! Great to see them.

 

[DutchIndo]

Thanks for sharing those pics ! Makes you wonder what treasures lurk in peoples attics.

 

[alexandra]

Those are really great pictures. I just pretended I took them in my mind.

I posted a few pictures of my grandfathers in the Vintage Family Photos thread from the war.

 

[zaika]

I'm so glad that you all have enjoyed the photos so far!
Spitfire, you're right. This does take a lot of time. A lot. Of time. But it's for my entire family, so i'm happy to do it!!
I'm not sure about a lot of things in regards to my grandfather's service and exactly what the photos are of. I'm hoping that some of you might be able to fill in the blanks. My grandfather died when I was only 8, so I never had a chance to pick his brain, and unfortunately, no one else seems to have any real insight. So...anyway...here are some more!

 

[zaika]

Some photos of my grandfather and a family that he got really close to in Italy. My grandmother didn't really want to say much about it...so, I wonder what "close" really means here. But...[huh] Cute photos, nonetheless...

 

[jspott]

great photos

Zaika, you could post these photos at the wix forum (warbirds information exchange) they might be able to give you alot of info on the planes and people in the photos.

 

[Story]

Since he was in the 5th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron, he had access to all these photos.

Z,
Might it have been the 5th Photo Group?
http://tenninetyseven.homestead.com/26thbasehistory.html
If so, you might want to start a thread here
http://forum.armyairforces.com/forumid_313/tt.htm

Here's a good narrative on how Photo Groups were put togethor - see the thread on Saint Expurey too.
http://www.unctv.org/WWII/veterans/airforce/hallred.html

Background on the P38 photo recon
http://www.airventuremuseum.org/collection/aircraft/Lockheed P-38 Lightning.asp
and training in general
http://www.33rdprs.org/html/organization/AvCadet.html

That would also explain the Douglas A-20 attack aircraft in the one pic (as an F3)

Look closely at the Spitfire - anyone see any muzzles?

 

[zaika]

I finally took a closer look at one of his certificates...and it says...3rd Photo Group, 12th Photo Squadron. But in one of the photo "yearbooks" I have for the 5th Photo Recon Squadron, it says that they were under the 12th squadron...and then everything was dissolved into the 3rd?

I'm so bad with all those military terms and such. Squadron this, group that...lol This'll be a good crash course, I suppose.

At any rate, thanks for all those links, Story.

 

[ethanedwards]

Look closely at the Spitfire - anyone see any muzzles?[/QUOTE]


Good eyes Story. This looks like a Photo reconnaissance Spitfire Mk XI. After
seeing this, I wonder if it's the aircraft in the photo with the P-38? I thought
that was a Tomahawk, but I reckon this Spit matches that profile well too.
Here's a nice pic, sans armament -

http://www.lesmala.net/jean-michel/avions/spit5.jpg

The US airforce did use these aircraft, there's aphoto of one here -

http://www.airrecce.co.uk/WW2/recce_ac/RAFAR.html

Great photos, look at that B3! Thanks again Zaika.

 

[Big Man]

These are great pictures. Thanks so much for sharing.

 

[Story]

At any rate, thanks for all those links, Story.

Glad to get you within handgrenade range. Between the 1st and 2nd link, you could probably cobble up a diagram of how the units were eventually merged.

You might want to check these guys out, too
http://p38assn.org/

I thought
that was a Tomahawk, but I reckon this Spit matches that profile well too.

The crash was someplace with trees, so probably one of the Australians flying the Spits.