Tom,
I have no doubt that you have seen the pictures that you mention. In a major
conflict, such as WWII, there are bound to be any number of versions of
vehicle markings. Some would have been done in strict accordance with "the
book", and some would have been "field expedient" markings. As you suggest,
a Jeep, or other small vehicle, might not have been used for transporting
bodies. It could very well have been for the exclusive use of the Graves
Registration personnel. Personally, I would suspect that a vehicle marked
with "GRAVES REGISTRATION" across the bottom of the windshield might have
been more likely to be found in the "rear" area. Maybe operated by the
people who set up and managed the large military cemeteries that,
unfortunately, are necessary in time of war. I would think that the
"front-line" troops might not have appreciated a vehicle driving around in
their area with what amounted to "UNDERTAKER" printed on the windshield. I
could be wrong, but that's how I would feel.
John
-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Woodburn [mailto:Twoodburn@earthlink.net]
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2001 11:29 AM
To: mil-veh@mil-veh.org
Subject: Re: [MV] FW: Grave Registration
John and others ,
You could be right for the post WWII Army but check your facts for WWII.
Graves fell under Quartermaster with QM etc. on bumper and sometimes, as
I've
seen in pictures, "Graves Registration" below the windshield. These were
probably not
used for carrying bodies but personnel. Graves did more than just move
bodies
from the front
to the rear, depending on the number of casualties.
But then again I could be wrong ...
Tom Woodburn
John Hutterer wrote:
> List,
>
> This is the reply that I got from a friend of mine when I asked him about
> the bumper numbers that would be assigned to a Graves Registration
vehicle.
> He's a retired Colonel, with 30 years of experience in the Maintenance
> field. I guess that he ought to know what gets painted on a bumper, and
what
> doesn't.
>
>
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon Mar 05 2001 - 07:58:30 PST