April 1945, Garderen, Holland solved!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Wout Jansen

A few more photos of "De Wittenberg" near Garderen.

1st pic. Sld WC Skadratu and AA Annala (photo taken SJ Woods)

Then and now as pictured back in 2010!

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

[Lynn Eades]

Can anyone shed any light on the origin of the crow bar on the back of the above Otter?
What vehicles were they first issued with?
The item shown is very similar to the Sherman one, but I believe The early British (pre Universal) carriers were issued with a shorter version, that had a splayed end.
Any info?

Sorry about the hijack, but this is where the crow bar is.
It is great to see that she has survived and appears well loved.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

It is great to see that she has survived and appears well loved.

The surviving Otter was restored as F.210158, but it is not the same vehicle. F.210158 was replicated as the surviving Otter was missing it's turret, and research carried out through MLU proved there were turretless Otters in Canadian use.

This fact has lead to at least two (this one and one in the UK) being restored as turretless Otters, which otherwise had languished as unrestored wrecks as no turrets were available.

[Wout Jansen]

It would be wonderful to make PHOTOS THEN AND NOW in the same place with the same layout as in April 1945. Of course with the same type of vehicles!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Wout Jansen

It would be wonderful to make PHOTOS THEN AND NOW in the same place with the same layout as in April 1945. Of course with the same type of vehicles!

I agree! I can bring my 15-cwt and ask the owner of the turretless Otter? The jeeps and 10-cwt trailer will be no problem.

[Robert Bergeron]

Hanno, Wout,

Don't forget the motocycle ! A BSA, Norton?

A turretless Otter is neet.

[Wout Jansen]

Hanno, I'm going to try to organize the meeting with the residents of "The Wittenberg."
You will hear from me.

Wout