The so-called 'cricket' used by the US 101st Airborne Division on June 5th/6th 1944 is being made again by the original manufacturers. This device originally designated the 'No. 470 clicker' and made by J Hudson of Birmingam is being made by them once more. Go to Airborne crickets and take a look.
I bet they didn't cost £19.95 back in 1944 Any reason why they are making them or is it just for nostalgic reasons?
Quite simply demand. There are so many cheap ones sold every year that it was felt that a good copy was due. J Hudson still make a number of their wartime whistles, Titanic White Star Line whistles etc. This is just one more vintage item.
I remember watching a WW2 movie where the Germans created havoc in a patrol operation after obtaining a cricket. Anyone remember the name of the movie?
The Longest Day. The crickets clicked once and a friendly was ment to reply with two clicks- the same as a bolt action Mauser Rifle used by the Germans. Classic John Wayne line after he clicks his cricket and gets the 4 click reply in the hanger before flying to France, 'That's all'. YouTube - The Longest Day in 30min PT1 of 3 See the bit at 8 minutes 33 seconds
