Phantom GHQ Liaison

Discussion in 'Higher Formations' started by BNV, Apr 4, 2014.

  1. BNV

    BNV Junior Member

    What vehicles did Phantom actually use? We have a photo of British Humber 4x4 8cwt PU on the track leading up from the American, Omaha beach-head (Dog and Easy) towards St Laurent at Le Ruquet. Could this be a Phantom GHQ Liaison vehicle? Anyone got any ideas?
     
  2. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    It would help if we could see the photo. The only 8cwt PUs I have come across in Normandy were some used by Royal Navy signals. They were used to carry wireless sets ashore and off the beach but did not travel far.

    I have not seen any mention of them with Phantom.

    Mike
     
  3. BNV

    BNV Junior Member

    I am afraid can't copy the photo to this site. Do you know if Royal Naval Signals would have been on Omaha? I have seen that Phantom did use Humber PUs but they had moved on to Jeeps by D-Day. The photo was in a museum at St Laurent or Colleville sur Mer and the curator told us it was taken at Le Ruget. There is a White half-track in the foreground, laden with GIs, being followed by GMCs, DUKWs, Jeeps etc. It is someway from the sea, but still on sand. The sea can be seen in the background with landing craft on the water. The beach is covered with vehicles. The Humber is on the right-hand (East) side of the picture with a couple of GIs leaning against it as if talking to the driver of the Humber.
     
  4. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    RN Liaison Officers used PUs but they were Morris. Are we certain that you are looking at a PU and not the Humber Car 4 seater 4 X 4 with box staff car body. There were British units on Omaha. There was a RAF radar unit. There were also liaison officers.

    Mike
     
  5. BNV

    BNV Junior Member

    Photo found - in a book called The Normandy Landings, The strategic victory of World War 2 by General Jean Compagnon. Page 108. The photo is titled Leaving Omaha D + 5. (USIS document). In the book the Humber is only half shown but you can see the GIs leaning against it.
     
  6. BNV

    BNV Junior Member

    My son has looked at the photo in the book and tells me it is actually D + 3. I'm sorry my eyesight is not so good as it was! He'll do a scan for me and I can upload it to this site.

    MV
     
  7. BNV

    BNV Junior Member

    I hope the photo opens ok.

    D-day +3
    USIS
    Photo in the book mentioned before is acknowledged to Dr Jean-Pierre Benamou, curator of the Musee de Bataille de Normndie in Bayeux.

    I hope you can help

    Thank you

    Marion V
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Yes that is a Humber 4 X 4 PU all right. It is also Omaha. There are no markings visible on the front. There seems to be a star in a circle on the bonnet. The number on the door seems to end in RN but it is not very clear.

    Best bet is that it is a RN vehicle. They were using PUs on the British beaches. The US troops are leaning on it in a proprietorial sort of way so it could be Lend Lease. US forces did have a variety of British vehicles but usually only for use in the UK.

    Still looking and thinking. I see that 100 people have looked at the thread and 10 have downloaded the photo. Any suggestions?

    Mike
     
  9. BNV

    BNV Junior Member

    Thank you so much. If it were RN would it have been green or blue? Green I hope!
    I'm sorry to ask so many questions. We are taking our PU to Normandy this year and the grandchildren are coming so I am trying to guide research with them to make the trip educational.
     
  10. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    At this date the vehicles for all three services were green.

    It is an interesting byway, or sidewater, of history. A few British units were deployed in the US areas but the RN are the only people I have found using PUs.

    Mike
     
  11. Noel Burgess

    Noel Burgess Senior Member

    Another navy Royal Humber at Omaha beach but I am sure this one is a Heavy Utility "box" - note the white edging to the wings left over from the UK blackout.
    Not a great help to this thread but an interesting photo.
    RN at Omaha.jpg RN at Omaha.jpg
    Noel
     
  12. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Yes this has the same style number with the RN suffix. I have seen other Humber Heavy Utilities in use by the RN on British beaches. There is a RN rating on the far side of the Humber. Unusually he is in naval uniform rather than the more usual battledress. There is also some sort of marking on the nearside wing but I cannot make anything of it.

    Mike.
     
  13. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    I suggest that the Humber in Noels photo is being used by Admiral Ramsay. Ramsay was Allied Naval Commander and as such was as much responsible for naval operations on Omaha and Utah. He certainly visited Omaha but I dont have any dates. He is the only person I can think of who would have a naval rating in naval uniform rather that battledress.

    If the above is the case then possibly the Humber PU was one of the same group of vehicles. Senior Officers were usually accompanied by escorts, aides, communications and photographers. The photographs that come to us are usually part of a set taken by an official photographer on a specific occasion.

    Lots of ifs but it is a theory that fits the facts.

    Mike
     
  14. BNV

    BNV Junior Member

    Thank you again.

    It would seem that the Humber is Royal Navy. I am so pleased to have a good idea of the what and why the Humber was on Omaha. It has puzzled us for years.

    Kind regards

    Marion V
     
  15. Packhow75

    Packhow75 Senior Member

    Phantom deployed using the Jeep, White Scout Car and Motorcycles in June 44
     

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