 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
As part of my research on the 505th PIR's Normandy campaign, I came across a story about an O.S.S. team inserted into Normandy prior to D-Day. The story is related in Philippe Esvelin's book, "D-Day Gliders" (see p.79).
The story intrigues me in that it appears to suggest that certain drop zones were pre-marked for the paratroop pathfinders. In correspondence with Philippe, he has forwarded me three images of an object which was left at a farm house by this group.
I have inverted each image in Photoshop and converted to B/W to see if any additional clues appear. Click each image below in order to see the full size version.
The writing on the bottom states:
GENUINE CALF
FILLS-EASY
PAT. PEND.
I have tried searching the on-line search facility of the U.S. Patent Office without success. I am not sure if the patent mark refers to the British or the U.S. Patent Office.
You can follow my thread of this story on the Battlebus web site forum here
To date, Philippe has given me the following:
Hello,
Concerning Ray Welty, I felt pretty alone when I've written this story but found another person who gave me extra information. In a farm of Neuville au Plain, a french farmer took care of a group of american paratroopers, one even had a broken leg. They left something there (see attached photos) and we don't know what it is. I'm working on various missions in France and sometimes there are nothing written in the archives, unfortunately.
Best regards.
Philippe Esvelin
and:
Hello,
This item has been found by my contact in Normandy in a farm that had hidden OSS men on daylight june 5th, 1944 and the theory of my contact is that this team is the one I mention in my book. However, I can not confirm.
I have to ask my contact before giving you the green light for showing these photos on any sites. I'll let you know.
Best regards.
Philippe
I have now received the green light from Philippe to publish these images and I would be very grateful if anyone can identify this object. The bottom image is just a slightly enlarged view of the top image.
Thanks,
Pat Curran 18/04/2009 [email: pat@whitebeamimages.ie ]
***STOP PRESS***
As I was about to upload this page, I had one final 'Google' using the key words, "FILLS-EASY" and "pouch" - guess what I found! - see here and here. I am 95% sure the object is an older version of these - an American tobacco pouch!
As of 21/04/09, my latest email from Philippe reads:
Dear Pat,
Concerning the link you are about to post, it's ok for me. I thank you for talking about my book. The only thing I would like is if you can precise that this discovery of the leather item has been done in a farm of Neuville au Plain by Gilles Bré. The OSS team stayed there overnight. I attach the photo of the map.
Best regards.
Philippe Esvelin
My latest to Philippe reads:
Thanks Philippe,
Have you had a chance to look at the two links to the tobacco pouches - I am 95% sure this is what your object is. The best images are here - it appears to be a 1950's version of your pouch. The other pouch seems to be older, see here
Regards,
Pat
OK, so one swallow does not make a summer, but this is a very intriguing development in this story - watch this space!
|
|
|
|
|
|