| The
Austin Motor Company at Longbridge produced a variety of their small 'Seven'
series vehicles for Army use during WW2. |
| Pictured
below are a few of these cars in various guises. |
| During the
summer of 1944 the allies were planning to invade the French coast of Normandy
with what was to be known as the largest amphibious assaults ever
made. |
| It is
believed that several days before the main D-Day invasion was to be launched, a
few gliders were towed across the English channel by either Halifax, Sterling
or Albemarle aircraft from an airfield near the south coast most probably
Tarrant Rushton near Blandford in Dorset |
| Along with
the specially trained men the Hamilcar and Horsa gliders carried, were a few
reconnaissance vehicles in the form of modified Austin Sevens. |
| These
little 7hp vehicles were chosen because of their size and weight plus their
nimble ability to travel along the narrow unmade lanes that ran through the
French countryside. |
| Add to this
the fact that nearly all transport was in short supply or had been commandeered
for the war effort. |
| It is
thought that their purpose was to help their army occupants, possibly soldiers
from the Royal Signals, speedily locate, (with help from the French Resistance)
intact Telegraph Poles that ran throughout the region. The poles would have
been scaled and the wires tapped. |
| One
particular model was located in Northern France during the 1960's and is
currently under restoration after being brought back to England in the mid
70's. |
| Found
inside the vehicle were a pair of field telephones, some army clothing, helmet
and a bren light machine gun together with complete box of ammunition
magazines. This rare vehicle has created a lot of interest and a few offers
have been made, but my arm is yet to be twisted hard enough! |
| Based: Bournemouth Dorset (South Coast) United Kingdom
|
| Tel: Bournemouth 01202 397070 |
|
