I was watching a tape of the PBS "American Masters" program last night on Robert Capa, the famous photographer. In the sequence about the liberation of Paris was footage of a camouflaged (something dark over something light like sand) Bedford (or maybe an AEC or Leyland -- something with a boxy cab but not a CMP) mobbed by happy civilians. It was driven by a GI and was loaded with GI's. I could tell they were GI's by the cut of their uniforms and by the M1 steel pot. I could not make out a division patch. The driver, as I recall, was similarly attired. The vehicle had an L-series serial number high on the door. It was four wheel. I rewound and looked twice so y'all would not think I was hallucinating.
Now considering that much of the footage shown in the war in Northwest Europe sequences looked like Italian campaign film this bit might be misplaced as well. The vehicle and its occupants intrigued me. Unauthorized acquisition would not surprise me. My father told me that his engineer unit had a long trailer used to haul aircraft wings that his guys modified to carry stuff like generators, small vehicles, and heavy tools.
Can anyone out there offer enlightenment?
Thanks for thinking.
Bob
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