Ed Tinker's New Book: "Veteran Bringbacks"

[bradsimpson]

I just checked the sight. I got the right form.

[Edward Tinker]

The book is at Simpson's and is being shipped to buyers !!

[Ida-Alp]

Ed--Your new book is very well done and enjoyable reading. You now have the task of compiling book 2!!! Thanks --Al

[alanint]

I sent a fax to Simpson Ltd. perhaps two weeks ago with no acknowledgment of my order or any other news since.
I guess I should contact them again via the net.

[alvin]

A few stories in the book mentioning "smuggling" captured guns -- disassembling into parts, hiding them, and shipping back via various kinds of tricks.

Q: Obviously, many could not get appropriate paperwork. Under what condition would military authority issuing "capture certificate"? I guess the application process was too complex to follow?

[Ron Smith]

Doug,

I haven't received my copies yet either. Maybe they are sending them a few at a time.

Ron

[Edward Tinker]

No, I was told they were all shipped out. I'd call them and ask...


Ron, there are several nice pages devoted to this war hero that you might remember;

[Ron Smith]

Ed,

I love that photo. Gene was a true hero and one of the most forthright, intelligent and honest men I have ever met. I respected and miss him as much as my own father. I want to give a copy to my wife, and one to her twin brother to help with the grief of his passing.

Thanks for posting it...

Ron

[Edward Tinker]

I was able to do the same type of thing; my father in law was a 3 time vietnam vet and he had 3 helo's go down on him (2 malfunctions, the 3rd I presume he was shot down) and I was able to place some bring backs in the book, will be a nice surprise for my wife's sister and brother.


Ed

[Ron Smith]

Ed,

That's another great photo. Thanks for commemorating the heros.

While on his death bed, just a day or two before he died. He told a Hospice Minister that he wanted to be forgiven for only one thing.

While stationed in Morocco he contracted food poisoning and was grounded. His Co-pilot took his flight to drop troops in Italy. His plane was one of the C-47s shot down by friendly fire over the Mediterranean by the U.S.Navy, who had not been informed of the the mission. He never forgave himself for not being with them.

Ron

[alvin]

Any thought on my question? More specificly -- what was the procedure to get a capture certificate during WWII? So many soldiers skipped it, I assume it's a very complex process ..... I have no clue. Thanks!

====

Yet another question: Was there similar concept of "capture certificate" in WWI ? I have never seen one.

[Ron Smith]

Alvin,

I'm not sure how it was done in WWII. In Vietnam , we (Navy) tagged the weapon with our name, rank, service number and unit. It was left with the weapons officer and stored in the armory. On our departure date we went to the armory and signed for it and were given the appropriate documentation. We also had the option of mailing it home prior to departure, in certain instances. I had a de-wat AK47 which I no longer have, but sure wish I had kept.

I would think that it was a very similar process.

[alvin]

Ron -- Thanks a lot for the info.

========

I don't have a bring back story, but I just read one -- Ed's excellent book does not have this story, I assume it's untold before (?). So, I'd like to borrow the interesting story on gunbroker.com. It's regarding a Mauser 1930 came with a U-boat! Unusual? Enjoy

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=113576076

[alanint]

Ed,

I received my book in the mail yesterday! A fine effort to preserve these stories, which would never have made a history book otherwise.
If you don't mind my pointing out one small typo, on page 88, which has our own John Sabato's 1917 Erfurt Luger bring-back story, it mentions That Charles LiBretto, the vet who liberated the Luger, was in a German Beer hall along with his unit on March 31st, 1944 at the time.
Surely this should read 1945, unless we had a whole division who sneaked into Germany prior to D-Day!!
I have my Dad's CZ24/26, along with his bringback papers. These papers at first sight do not appear like any of the others featured in the book, although I will check again with the book in hand before making that claim.

A great effort. Thank you, Edward!

[Edward Tinker]

great, just great, two typo's!


(actually, thats not bad)


I would love to see your gun and bring back paperwork, many of them evidently were unit designed before a certain date (early part of the war).

WW1 did not have bring back paperwork (that i have ever seen or heard about), PTO was different looking too. I have seen Vietnam bring back paperwork, very seldom seen Korean paperwork, although I have seen some.

ed

[alanint]

My Dad, Willard Douglas Andrews, was a radio Gunner assigned to B-24s with the 703 Bomb Sqdrn, 445th Bomb Group out of Tibenham, England. He arrived in Europe right at the end of hostilities and was subsequently assigned to an Air-Sea rescue Squadron. These were the B17s with the long boats attached to the bottom which were dropped to airmen stranded at sea.
Since there was no longer a need for a strategic airforce, Dad and many former crewmen like him were assigned to POW guard duty. In his case, first at Cherbourg and later in upstate New York, where he was finally discharged.
According to my Dad, who just passed away this May 27th. he was on gate duty at the Cherbourg POW compound when a German Panzer Corps Major arrived at the gate in full dress uniform with his orderly in tow!! The Major had two large suitcases and seemed prepared to spend a holiday at some resort, rather than a POW camp. While the other guards went for this Major's decorations, which he (rightly) strongly objected to, my Dad reached into a small valise at the Major's feet, which contained documents, the CZ pistol in a shoulder holster, a screw back Iron Cross, first class and a really nice SA Dagger.
We still posses the CZ pistol, the shoulder holster, (currently both in my brother's possesion), the Iron Cross, (which I'm told was for stepping out and not the issued award) and the dagger, along with bits of uniforms and other decorations.
I have the capture papers, which I'm holding onto while I negotiate obtaining the CZ from my brother, who cares nothing about the historical aspects.
I can fax a copy to you, if you like.
Regards,

DougA

[Lugers down under]

Ed,
My copy of your great book arrived from Simpsons yesterday.
I have read it from cover to cover twice. There are some wonderful stories.
Nice to see the two New Zealand vets bring backs, you covered them very well.
Congratulations and kindest regards.
Murray

[Edward Tinker]

Thank you everyone, this book was possible because of other collectors sharing and me having an idea!




Ed