I wrote a couple of weeks back in the 'tavern' style sub forum (Die Kniepf or somesuch..apologies if I spelled it wrong) that I had had the honor of meeting a veteran GI from WWII while working overtime one evening. I had helped the vet find a handicap spot because there was none available and we struck up a conversation afterwards that ended up with me finding out that he had been involved in WWII.
His outfit was the 187th Para-glider infantry, nicknamed 'The Rakkasans'. I didn't want to keep him for too long because he was on the premises to see an event - but I left him with my address if he ever wanted to correspond and share war stories with me. I thanked him for his service and let him be on his way.
Well to my surprise he ended up sending me a packet that contained 6 photographs. Two of the six are modern (Ie Fujifilm) but I do believe 4 of the 6 are actual period photos
He wrote that he'd like me to have them for my collection, and even wrote on the backs of the photos explaining what is taking place. Below are the aforementioned photos. I'll add captions because he wrote on the back of most of them.
This is a modern print. (Fujifilm)
Back: This is a malfunction of main chute. Reserve chute implimented.
Back: Main chute and reserve chute open. Not recommended. Could tangle and collapse both.
Back: "Rakkasan" 187 Regimental combat team (11th Airborne Division)
Static line training jump.
C-47 troop carrier
Static line hooked up to cable inside C-47
Pulls out chute, prop blast + air open's chute.
You are out the door
You count one thousand, two thousand, three thousand, four thousand - if the main chute does not open? You pull ring to open reserve chute.
Back: Chute pops open! Check your canopy!
Modern print
Back: In the beer hall. All these troopers are "Rakkasans". All are from So. Calif.
Camp Crawford 11th Airborne
Sapporo, Japan 187 Reg. Combat Team
1946-48 "L" Company
Apparently this outfit was involved taking some area back in the Philippines and were involved in some pretty bloody battles. The vet also told me if I remember right that they helped liberate some POW's from camps in territory that they were taking back.
I figured you guys would get a kick out of these pictures and the stuff that this very awesome vet wrote.
-Jen
His outfit was the 187th Para-glider infantry, nicknamed 'The Rakkasans'. I didn't want to keep him for too long because he was on the premises to see an event - but I left him with my address if he ever wanted to correspond and share war stories with me. I thanked him for his service and let him be on his way.
Well to my surprise he ended up sending me a packet that contained 6 photographs. Two of the six are modern (Ie Fujifilm) but I do believe 4 of the 6 are actual period photos
He wrote that he'd like me to have them for my collection, and even wrote on the backs of the photos explaining what is taking place. Below are the aforementioned photos. I'll add captions because he wrote on the back of most of them.
This is a modern print. (Fujifilm)
Back: This is a malfunction of main chute. Reserve chute implimented.
Back: Main chute and reserve chute open. Not recommended. Could tangle and collapse both.
Back: "Rakkasan" 187 Regimental combat team (11th Airborne Division)
Static line training jump.
C-47 troop carrier
Static line hooked up to cable inside C-47
Pulls out chute, prop blast + air open's chute.
You are out the door
You count one thousand, two thousand, three thousand, four thousand - if the main chute does not open? You pull ring to open reserve chute.
Back: Chute pops open! Check your canopy!
Modern print
Back: In the beer hall. All these troopers are "Rakkasans". All are from So. Calif.
Camp Crawford 11th Airborne
Sapporo, Japan 187 Reg. Combat Team
1946-48 "L" Company
Apparently this outfit was involved taking some area back in the Philippines and were involved in some pretty bloody battles. The vet also told me if I remember right that they helped liberate some POW's from camps in territory that they were taking back.
I figured you guys would get a kick out of these pictures and the stuff that this very awesome vet wrote.
-Jen