I found this amusing photograph at the NARA II, College Park, MD, last month. The caption reads: "What was intended to be a formidable trap for advancing allied armies turns out to be an excellent place to dry washing. PFC Anthony Mesinko, Cleveland, Ohio, uses the barbed wire of the 'impregnable' Siegfried Line to hang out his clothes." Date: 15 September 1944. Photographer: Wescott. SC 194510, Credit NARA. Dave
I think it was Patton who said " fixed defences are a monument to the stupidity of man " Was that before or after he bumped into - then bounced off - Metz
[YOUTUBE]4JJEN5lwbBw[/YOUTUBE] Outstanding, Adam! I had no idea this song existed. We're Going to Hang out the Washing on the Siegfried Line - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Dave
Sometimes the cultural differences are quite funny Dave; I'd dare say that tune was the first thought of most Britischers seeing the picture. The song's pretty universally well known here. One assumes these things are the same worldwide, but so often they're not are they. (Though I'd guess whoever took the shot knew exactly what they were doing ). ~A
Adam, we are, as you noted, two nations divided by a common language and culture. I agree completely - no doubt, the photographer was thinking of the song at the time. Dave
The Siegfried line looks positively picturesque and calm on that photograph. No doubt a few days prior it wasn't quite the case.
I beleive that von Rundstedt who was charged with defending the Reich utilising the Siegfreid Line took one look at it and burst out laughing!
the tempo of this one is 'pub' and is the sort of pace that songs get banged out on the piano GEORGE ELRICK (issue title - DRAWING THE LINE) - British Pathe lol, you cant help joining in and tapping your feet at the "join in boys" bpm, I reckon! a shame the thread cant become a top trumps of videos, such a a lack of them out there..
