Coastal Operations Equipment. Additional equipment helps when you land on unprepared coastlines. The suspension is protected from mud, and extended exhaust pipes and a metal baffle around the engine air intake reduce the chances that the engine will take too much water and malfunction.
Crew Belongings. Battle vehicles can sometimes become home for their crews, and it is the crew's personal belongings that give it its character and personality.
Mediterranean Ration. A hearty supply of provisions indicates that the crew is ready to operate autonomously and without being dependent on supply lines. The variety of rations is directly correlated to the broad geography of the crew's combat past. There are Sicilian oranges, a whole wheel of Parmigiano cheese, and rations saved for later.
Additional Armament. A Lakeman AA Mounting anti-aircraft turret near the hatch.
A BREN manual machine gun installed on pivoted and suspended anti-aircraft mountings.
The STEN submachine gun was the most mass-produced automatic weapon in the Commonwealth during World War II.
An Oerlikon 20 mm cannon automatic anti-aircraft gun.
Folding Boat. A folding boat from the Folding Boat Equipment. It was used both for transporting soldiers and cargo over water hazards and also as a pontoon base when building crossings.
Sound, Light, and Smoke Equipment. Mortars for putting up a protective smoke screen. A searchlight for making it easier to fight in the dark. Loudspeakers and an amplifier unit. Similar designs were often mounted on cars and tanks to psychologically influence the enemy.
Tank Engine Hydraulic Winch. Similar winches were installed on trucks, armored cars, and armored personnel carriers. It is difficult to say from which type of vehicle this very example was dismounted.
Hanmā for the Type 5 Heavy
"Hello, Dad. I hope you and Mom are doing well and don't miss me much. Things are looking up for me! I think I'll be promoted for the success of Operation Husky, just like you wanted. You should see the beast I command: a captured Japanese tank, as huge and reliable as a sledgehammer. Before our landing, our engineers reworked it so well, even you'd be surprised.
We're on the mainland now, moving north—though not too fast. But we'll get through it! We have no other choice. I've also made two friends: a bold French girl named Colette and a guy with a complicated fate named Stefan. They're great guys, but you might not say so at first glance.
In all other respects, things are the same. As they say, a front line is a front line.
Sincerely, your son Ian.
P.S. When we're done here, I'll bring you a captured Parabellum."
Free France! "We came for freedom. The enemy must know exactly who came to them."
A similar insignia was used by units of Free France, among other things, to mark captured materiel.
Landing Operations Boat. The U-shaped boat designed by engineer Pierre Debroutelle. Commercial production began after World War II. The first prototype was produced in 1946.
Additional Armament. Similar heavy flamethrowers were mounted on Sd.Kfz.251 armored personnel carriers and mechanized trailers. These particular trophy customizations appeared on the said self-propelled artillery vehicle at the personal request of Colette Bugeaud.
Crew Belongings. The Adrian M1915 steel helmets were used by Free France throughout the Italian campaign. The modern MAS-36 bolt-action rifle was produced even during the German occupation and until 1953. It was further developed into the MAS 36/51 semi-automatic rifle and into FR-F1 and FR-F2 sniper rifles.
Additional Equipment. A set of useful equipment. One cannot really imagine a true combat vehicle without such things.
Engine Transmission Compartment and Exhaust System Modifications. Armor shields protect the engine transmission compartment shutters from aircraft fire. In turn, extended exhaust pipes allow for landing on unprepared coastlines and passing through the surf without the risk of stalling or damaging the engine.
Églantier for the AMX 50 Foch B
"You probably think I became a commander while drinking coffee with croissants? You two have fewer combat missions under your belts than I do. Here, you know-it-all—take a closer look at this tank destroyer. You think I got this war trophy for my 'beaux yeux?' Yes, it looks very much like the French one, but it's a German design! Like the flamethrowers, which, you can be sure, will bring the heat during the first breakthrough. When you understand what makes the compressors work, then you'll be able to call yourself a tankman. But for now, don't take too much on yourselves, guys, and don't tell me who, when, and from where to attack. Je me casse."
Duplex Drive System. A mechanism that provides the tank with swimming capabilities. The folding water-proof screen, when unfolded, creates enough displacement to keep the vehicle afloat. There is also a propeller with a PTO system.
Engineer Equipment. Charges for detonating barriers and clearing passageways for infantry.
Anti-tank PIAT grenade launchers do not have jet stream backflash, allow for firing from tight quarters, and keep your position undisclosed when fired.
A BREN manual machine gun installed on pivoted and suspended anti-aircraft mountings.
Boat. Inflatable boats were widely used by all sides of the conflict during World War II. This one in particular was put in place as factory installed equipment at the beginning of the campaign, but it was never used.
Valuables and Memorabilia. A lancer regiment square-topped cap. Not the most likely element of decor for a tank built in the U.S.A. Stefan keeps it as a memento of his comrade in arms.
There is also a crate of soda, which they will finish off with Andrzej when he comes back. And he will definitely come back.
Additional Armament. A Browning M2 12.7 mm twin-barreled machine gun with a set of ammunition. It was widely used in the U.S. Air Force and Army during World War II, among other things, as an anti-aircraft gun. It is useful against enemy aircraft, and its tracer ammunition will be very effective during target indication.
Sworn Brother for the T57 Heavy Tank
"Do you remember, Yanka, how we volunteered for the Army? You signed up as Andrzej and didn't respond to this name for the first couple of days. I didn't think we'd be sent to the South—it's too far from home. Well, Africa's no resort, but we're not timid—we did it!
Looks to me we'll have a hard time in Italy, too, but who's going to ask us?
My only dream is to come back to my homeland and build a house when this is all over. A small one by the river. To live a normal life—although it seems it'll never be normal again… All right, everything will be fine. We'll take a steam bath, and that grandma will treat us to smalec. Be careful and come back soon, and I'll take care of that famed Duplex Drive system. The landing is serious business, so I'll be working here 'til morning."