7 - Artifacts used on battle of Normandy - June 6th, 1944

Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) M1918A2 History, technical details and pictures
Browning Automatic Rifle history The M1918A1 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) was created in 1917 by engineer John Browning. This new weapon was to replace the French Chauchat light machine gun still used at that time in the U.S. Army. First used by American troops at the end of World War I, the M1918A1 model was also used during the Second World War. In 1940, a new BAR model was created, called M1918A2, offering two different shooting modes, a slow one (300-450 rounds per minute) and a one fast (500-650 rounds per minute). It is also fitted with a fire shooting cover removing flames and allowing the shooter to hide its position during night fights. Also used during the Korean War, the BAR has enabled platoons of U.S. forces to have a major fire power. But its main shortcoming is that its charger contained only 20 bullets. The BAR magazine was so to avoid any overheating of the weapon. The BAR magazine is empty in less than 4 seconds during a continued fire. 155 mm M1 "Long Tom" gun History, technical details and picture 155 mm M1 "Long Tom" history During the period between the two world wars, the U.S. military have envisaged to develop a powerful artillery, learning from the WW1 lessons. In 1920, following the recommendations of the Westervelt Board study, specialized in the artillery, the first plans for a long-range 155 mm gun were drawn. This project lasted until the 1930s, the engineers being reluctant to set the gun on a mobile structure. In 1939, the first prototypes appeared under the name T3 8in howitzer. It was installed on eight wheels and finally adopted the name M1. Used on the various theaters of World War II, it was deployed during the Battle of Normandy, where it offered a strong and long range fire power. It was nicknamed "Long Tom". After the war, it is modernized (model M4) and installed on a powered chassis to improve its mobility (model M40). Appreciated for its reliability and its fire power, it was sold to many nations such as Denmark, Greece, Japan, Italy and Austria. The D-Day cricket History, technical details and pictures D-Day cricket history It was after during the Airborne operation over Sicily in 1943 that Commander Taylor, the future general commanding the 101st Airborne Division, realized the importance of the communication among the parachuted units into enemy territory. Indeed, scattered in various places, isolated paratroopers had a hard time to find their comrades without risking to expose themselves to the enemy fire. The Americans reused the principle of a popular toy at the time which consisted of a steel spring blade emitting a click when pressed. Indeed, British THE ACME firms had received the production order of several thousands of small brass crickets, some were made in chromed brass. Only the 101st Airborne Division was provided with crickets (only the paratroopers from the division) a few days before 6 June 1944. In addition to this recognition mean, an oral code was developed (valid 24 hours after the start of the operations): "Flash", a word which should meet "Thunder". The second day, the code became: "Hustle" - "Along". Other means of identification were: smoke (colored or not), billboards, lights or flags. The paratroopers were free to hang their cricket wherever they wished. Some have kept it in the pockets of their jackets or their pants, others have hung it around the neck or on their helmet. Nowadays, many reproductions have been produced and it is not uncommon to hear "click-clack" in the commemorative ceremonies in Normandy.