bigjarofwasps

Here is a e-mail sent to me by a medic in Iraq

Chris, I wanted to share the below email with you and also something that happened the other day. I was sitting in the DFAC (dining hall) when a soldier walked up to me and asked if he could give me a hug. I said sure. He hugged me and told me that I had given his squad angels a few months ago and that ever since then no one had gotten hurt. He kissed me on the forehead saying "this is from me", kissed me again "this is from my wife" and kissed me one more time "this is from my kids". He was on his way to Kuwait and then home. Your angels have become a hot item over here and departing troops are handing them over to the new guys as they come in. We hand them out daily to civilians and military alike. I gave angels to some Iraqi National Guard guys and they were so excited. One of them gave me prayer beads in exchange, another handed me a knife and a third gave me a can of room deodorizer - not sure about that last one but it sure smells good!

We are now known as the "Scania Angels" - it is pretty cool and worth every cent! Thanks - Mikii

Carry a guardian angel pocket coin.

Get your pocket guardian angel coins

The same coin carried by US troops in Iraq.

The pocket angel coin will protect around the clock..

Finished in genuine pewter.

Makes a great give away item at a great price, hand out to family and friends.

PROUDLY MADE IN USA.

Measures 3/4"L x 3/4"W. Buy direct and $ave.

Makes a great give away item at a great price, hand out to family and friends. Add $4.00 s/h unlimited

Now thats better isn`t it!!!!!!!!!

Check out this beast..........

Specification

Crew : 6

Engine power : 600 hp

Combat weight :70,000 kg (154,350 lb)

Max speed : road 37 km/h (22.98 mph)

Length : 10.65 m (34.94 ft)

Range : 170 km (105.57 miles)

Width : 3.63 M (11.91 ft)

Main gun : 128 mm(5.04 in)

Height : 2.95 m (9.68 ft)

Armour : 40 mm (1.58 in) to 250 mm (9.85 in)

The Jagdtiger was based on the Tiger II which already had a powerful 88 mm(3.47 in)gun. But the Jagdtiger went one better it was armed with a 128 mm(5.04 in)gun 55 calibre long by far the most powerful anti-tank weapon used in action during World War II.It could destroy any Allied tank it hit from far beyond the effective range of most Allied guns.

The Jagdtiger was a massive 70 tonne(77.1 US tons)vehicle with its limited-traverse gun mounted in a large fixed turret were sloping plates manufactured in one piece with the sides of the hull.Retaining the Tiger II engine it was underpowered but it was to prove a superb defensive weapon platform.Despite the top priority given to the Jagdtiger production it suffered from the same difficulties as the Tiger II - Allied bombing and raw material shortages.

Production began in July 1944 but by the time the War ended only 77 Jagdtigers had been delivered just sufficient to equip two special Panzer battalions.One battalion was used during the Ardennes offensive and later saw combat in Holland.The other fought in the East taking part in the desperate defence of Budapest in 1945.Few Jagdtiger survived the war for many were destroyed by their own crews to prevent them being captured intact.One of the few surviving examples is on display at Bovington tank museum.

DOH!!!!!!!!!!!

Tony, Good point, well presented!!!!!

Slighty off topic, but I suppose worthy of pointing out. Have you seen the film Enemy at the Gates? Theres a scene in it where hero gets it on with a female sniper. Pretty as she is I can`t help but think they`ve both been living in the field for weeks, enough said!!

I seem to have answered my own question?

What a cracking bit of kit!!!!!

Specification

Crew : 6

Engine power : 600 hp

Combat weight :70,000 kg (154,350 lb)

Max speed : road 37 km/h (22.98 mph)

Length : 10.65 m (34.94 ft)

Range : 170 km (105.57 miles)

Width : 3.63 M (11.91 ft)

Main gun : 128 mm(5.04 in)

Height : 2.95 m (9.68 ft)

Armour : 40 mm (1.58 in) to 250 mm (9.85 in)

The Jagdtiger was based on the Tiger II which already had a powerful 88 mm(3.47 in)gun.But the Jagdtiger went one better it was armed with a 128 mm(5.04 in)gun 55 calibre long by far the most powerful anti-tank weapon used in action during World War II.It could destroy any Allied tank it hit from far beyond the effective range of most Allied guns.

The Jagdtiger was a massive 70 tonne(77.1 US tons)vehicle with its limited-traverse gun mounted in a large fixed turret were sloping plates manufactured in one piece with the sides of the hull.Retaining the Tiger II engine it was underpowered but it was to prove a superb defensive weapon platform.Despite the top priority given to the Jagdtiger production it suffered from the same difficulties as the Tiger II - Allied bombing and raw material shortages.

Production began in July 1944 but by the time the War ended only 77 Jagdtigers had been delivered just sufficient to equip two special Panzer battalions.One battalion was used during the Ardennes offensive and later saw combat in Holland.The other fought in the East taking part in the desperate defence of Budapest in 1945.Few Jagdtiger survived the war for many were destroyed by their own crews to prevent them being captured intact.One of the few surviving examples is on display at Bovington tank museum.

Hi Guys,

Never had girls like the one on the right when I was in the Army!!!!!!

Maybe I joined 60 years to late, and the wrong Army???

Hi Guys,

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between a Jagertiger and a Jagerpanther?

Did the Jagertiger ever see active service?

Have been told this..........

The "gnome" was actually a Springender Teufel - springing (or jumping) devil. The symbol was adopted by the Das Reich Tiger Company in the early summer of 1943, and painted on their tanks for the Kursk offensive. It was based on a Russian metal devil figurine.

Tributes paid to British soldiers killed in Iraq

By Simon Freeman and agencies

Private Lee Ellis (MoD)

Tributes were today paid to two British soldiers killed when a roadside bomb destroyed their armoured Land Rovers in southern Iraq.

Private Lee Ellis, 23, and Captain Richard Holmes, 28, of the Second Battalion The Parachute Regimen were on a routine patrol in the town of Amarah, when an improvised device planted in an abandoned car exploded as they passed.

Private Ellis, of Wythenshawe, Manchester, was described as "bright, enthusiastic and immensely popular". He leaves a fiancee Sarah and a daughter Courtney.

Captain Holmes, of Winchester, Hampshire, leaves a wife Kate, who he married shortly before leaving for Iraq in October 2005.

A third soldier was wounded and had to be rescued by reinforcements who came under attack from a mob of around 30 locals hurling bricks. He was taken by helicopter to the Shaibah field hospital where his injuries were described as non-life threatening.

The deaths of the two men bring the total number of British personnel killed in Operation Telic, the British military campaign in Iraq, to 103.

Private Ellis, was described by his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel James Chiswell, as “an outstanding soldier”. He had been in Iraq since October 2005 with D Company and operated in Maysaan Province as part of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Battle Group.

He joined the Army in September 2003 and had served with the regiment since April 2004 after completing his basic training at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire.

Lieutenant Colonel Chiswell said: “Bright, enthusiastic and immensely popular, Private Ellis displayed all the qualities of a first class Paratrooper. His strength of character and dedication were reflected in his determination to overcome injury and to join his friends and comrades on operations in southern Iraq.

“He was a natural team player who always looked out for others and who was always upbeat and focused. Above all else he was a total professional, dedicated to his task. He made a genuine difference in Iraq.”

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said that Private Ellis had been a keen sportsman and had given up an apprenticeship with Wigan Athletic Football Club to join the Army. He was also a boxer and had been due to represent his company and battalion on its return to Colchester.

The spokesman said: “Private Lee Ellis was not only a comrade but a close friend to many. He will be sorely missed by all those who were privileged to serve with and know him. Our thoughts are with his family and young daughter.”

In a poignant final entry on the Friends Reunited website, Private Ellis said that he hoped to make it back from Iraq “in one piece”. The message, posted on the site on January 24, says: “Over in Iraq now and it’s very hot not much to say at the mo.”

Relations between the Army and regional leaders in al-Amarah were strained by the release of film taken in 2004 showing members of the First Battalion of The Light Infantry beating local youths.

Soldiers have since been targeted by an increasingly sophisticated terrorist campaign using high-tech bombs triggered by infra-red tripwires. Amarah lies on the River Tigris, close to the Iranian border.

Video film taken afterwards showed locals hurling rocks at troops arriving on the scene. A blazing vehicle, thought to be that carrying the bomb, and two Land Rovers, one of which was badly damaged, were also visible.

Private Lee Ellis

Thanks again Larry.

Am I right in thinking that the 503 would have other types of Panzers within it, or would such tanks as the Panther, Jager Panther & Elefant be with other Regiments?

Cheers Laurence, thats great. Many thanks.

14 Kiger Tigers thats a hell of a fighting force!!!! And thats without the Tiger 1`s!!!!!

Am I right in thinking, that the Regiment would break down as follows.......

Staff Company ???? Tanks

1st Company 4 Platoons each with 4 King Tigers (16 in Total)

2nd Company 4 Plattons each with 4 Tigers (16 in Total)

Ditto 3rd Company

Many thanks Lawrence thats very interesting

Have you any idea what the unit symbol was? Other than Tiger 1 & 2 `s did they have any other forms of armour? Did they have their own infantry support or would that come from elsewhere?

Any idea, how many tanks in all would have formed the Regiment?

Rick, no idea? But I`ve found this........

The "gnome" emblem used by the 8th Company, was actually known as the "Springender Teufel" (Springing Demon). In Akira Kikuchi's article (AFV News Jan-Apr. 1994 Vol. 29, No.1) he provides some background to this strange emblem. Mr. Will Fey, a veteran of the 8th Tiger company, (and author of Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS) indicated to Mr. Kikuchi that "a tank man of 2.Pz.Regt.Das Reich found a strange metal figure in the streets of Kharkov after the battle in March 1943. He named it Springender Teufel. He was transfered to the Tiger Company, along with the figure, in April at which time the lucky emblem of the Springender Teufel was adopted by the Tiger company. "

SS Gnome, Whats all this about?

Did they have King Tigers too?

I was all set to buy a copy of this book, which seemed to hold the key, until I saw the price that is!!!!

Don`t even go there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many thanks Laurence, thats very interesting & a great help. Thanks again. Anything else you come across would also be of great interest.

LAST ROUND : The Red Caps, the Paras and the Battle of Majar (Hardcover)

by Mark Nicol

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/029784641...glance&n=283155

It might be of interest to know that a book has been written about this incident. Sorry but I can`t for the life of me remember what its called. I`m sure someone will be able to tell us?

Think this might be the one your after......

Honours and Awards to members of the Armed Forces for service in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, the former Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, The Congo and miscellaneous operations for the period 1 April to 30 September 2003, together with a list of American awards to British Personnel.

Conspicuous Gallantry Cross

Corporal Shaun Garry JARDINE

The King's Own Scottish Borderers

Sergeant Gordon ROBERTSON

The Parachute Regiment

Mention in Despatches

Lance Corporal Marcus Damian CLARKE

Corps of Royal Engineers

Warrant Officer Class 2 Mark Andrew CUNLIFFE

Corps of Royal Engineers

Corporal John Eric DOLMAN

The Parachute Regiment

Lieutenant Glen ESPIE

The King's Own Scottish Borderers

Private David John FRAME

The King's Own Scottish Borderers

Corporal James Scott HASLAM

The King's Own Scottish Borderers

Corporal Barry JOLLY

Corps of Royal Engineers

Lieutenant Ross Alexander KENNEDY

The Parachute Regiment

Corporal Darren Alan KIMBER

The King's Own Scottish Borderers

Lance Corporal Philip John LAW

Corps of Royal Engineers

Lance Corporal Mark Thomas LAWRIE

The King's Own Scottish Borderers

Bombardier Jamie Daniel McMILLAN

Royal Regiment of Artillery

Corporal Eammon Thomas MUIRHEAD

The King's Own Scottish Borderers

Lieutenant Michael Peter PEEL

The Queen's Lancashire Regiment

Major Andrew Michael PULLAN

The King's Regiment

Lance Corporal Adrian Peter REDFEARN

The Queen's Lancashire Regiment

Private Gary Francis Edward SMITH

The Lancastrian and Cumbrian Volunteers, Territorial Army

Captain Charles Julian Lister SPEERS

The Blues and Royals

Kingsman Paul Dennis VANDEN

The King's Regiment

Corporal Craig WEIR

The Black Watch

Vicey, is this any use?

Armed Forces honours and awards

This is a full list of the honours and awards given to Armed Forces members for service in Iraq, Northern Ireland, the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone and others between 1 April, 2004 and 30 November, 2004.

Mentioned in Despatches (MiD)

Lieutenant John Robert Pemberton Bailey, of Harrogate, The Black Watch

Lieutenant Nicholas Peter Colquhoun, of Warminster, The Black Watch

Lance Corporal Andrew John Connor, of Canterbury, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Private Gary Cooper, of Paderborn, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Private Daniel Shane Crucefix, of Paderborn, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Private Thomas James Ferguson, of Paderborn, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Major Martin Alexander French, of St Austell, Scots Guards

Corporal Lee Stephen Gidalla, of Paderborn, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Corporal Simon John Gower, of Andover, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Sergeant Martin William Gregory, of Aldershot, The Royal Welch Fusiliers

Lieutenant William Jeaffreson George Greswell, The Royal Welch Fusiliers

Private Gary Andrew Hannah, of Greenock, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Private Joseph Dominic Hartnell, of Paderborn, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Sergeant Stuart Alexander Henderson, of Canterbury, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Warrant Officer Class 2 Matthew Paul Hibbs of Paderborn, The Royal Regiment of Wales

Captain Robin Hicks, of Hadleigh, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Lieutenant Richard John Holmes, of Warminster, The Black Watch

Lance Corporal Christopher Stuart Huxley, of Bulford, The Cheshire Regiment

Lance Corporal Paul Avi Jaycock, of Dwyran, The Royal Welch Fusiliers

Sergeant Benjamin Llewellyn Kelly, of Leicester, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Sergeant Andrew Dominic Kuss, of Paderborn, The Light Infantry

Private Ben Thomas Ludbrook, of Paderborn, The Light Infantry

Sergeant Neil Adrian Brian Mason, of Bulford, Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Sergeant Daniel Mills, of Andover, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Lieutenant John David McKeirnan, of Salisbury, The Cheshire Regiment

Lance Corporal Josese Tunidau Natumeru, of Paderborn, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Lance Corporal Lisa Marie Newburn, of Chaddesden, Royal Army Medical Corps

Lieutenant William James Passmore, of Okehampton, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Sergeant Andre Paul Joseph Pepper, of Paderborn, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Lieutenant Benjamin Udo Plenge, of Folkestone, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Sergeant Jonathan Gregg Plimley, of Aldershot, The Royal Welch Fusiliers

Sergeant Peter Poole-Reeves, of Sidmouth, The Rifle Volunteers Territorial Army

Major James Christopher Roddis, of Watchfield, The Black Watch

Corporal Michael Alexander Ross, of Warminster, The Black Watch

Sergeant Andrew Paul Stewart, of Darlington, Corps of Royal Engineers

Lieutenant Adam Philip Styler, of Dunstable, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Lieutenant Matthew Richard Thomas, of Tidworth, The Royal Regiment of Wales

Major Simon Christopher Thomsett, of Tidworth, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Major Charles Gordon Vere-Whiting, of Aldershot, The Royal Welch Fusiliers

Staff Sergeant Richard Henry Ward, of Warminster, Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Corporal Anthony Michael Wilson, of Catterick, The Light Infantry

Sergeant Douglas Graham Wright, Corps of Royal Engineers

Hi Guys,

Can anyone tell me anything about this Division.

I`m not very up to speed with my German tank formations. Am I right in thinking that different units had diffent styles of paint designs for their vehicles?

I know these are only models, but I`ve been told this is the design for the 503rd, is this true?

I`m not so sure. I think they`ll stick with the OSM, but how long or how many medals they`ll issue before the cost aspect creeps into it is anyones guess? Surely they must have thought that this medal would end up being issued on mass!!!

Cheers Kevin, it appears to be very similar to our Yeomanry/TA Units.

Yes, I concur I think its safe to say he got his BS, for Iraq, as he doesn`t seem to have the OSM. I trying to narrow down the other clasp for his GSM, and can only think of the Air Ops Iraq clasp. Would the RLC/OED be deployed on this I know the RE did?