OT-In the dark days of WWII, there was light...

[Hauksbee 103]

Just received this last night from a friend: In one of the lighter moments of World War II, the Spitfire was used in an unorthodox role: bringing beer kegs to the men in Normandy. During the war, the Heneger and Constable brewery donated free beer to the troops. After D-Day, supplying the invasion troops in Normandy with vital supplies was already a challenge. Obviously, there was no room in the logistics chain for such luxuries as beer or other types of refreshments. Some men, often called “sourcers”, were able to get wine or other niceties “from the land” or rather from the locals. RAF Spitfire pilots came up with an even better idea.

 

The Spitfire Mk IX was an evolved version of the Spitfire, with pylons under the wings for bombs or drop tanks. It was discovered that the bomb pylons could also be modified to carry beer kegs. According to pictures that can be found, various sizes of kegs were used. Whether the kegs could be jettisoned in case of emergency is unknown. If the Spitfire flew high enough, the cold air at altitude would even cool the beer, making it ready for consumption upon arrival.

 

A variation of this was a long range fuel tank modified to carry beer instead of fuel. The modification even received the official designation Mod. XXX. Propaganda services were quick to pick up on this, which probably explains the “official” designation. As a result, Spitfires equipped with Mod XXX or keg-carrying pylons were often sent back to Great-Britain for “maintenance” or “liaison” duties. They would then return to Normandy with full beer kegs fitted under the wings.

 

In typical fashion, the British Ministry of Revenue and Excise stepped in, notifying the brewery that they were in violation of the law by exporting beer without paying the relevant taxes. It seems that Mod. XXX was terminated then, but various squadrons found different ways to refurbish their stocks. Most often, this was done with the unofficial approval of higher echelons.

 

In his book “Dancing in the Skies”, Tony Jonsson, the only Icelancer pilot in the RAF, recalled beer runs while he was flying with 65 Squadron. Every week a pilot was sent back to the UK to fill some cleaned-up drop tanks with beer and return to the squadron. Jonsson hated the beer runs as every man on the squadron would be watching you upon arrival. Anyone who made a rough landing and dropped the tanks would be the most hated man on the squadron for an entire week

 

In his book “Typhoon Pilot”, Desmond Scott also recalls Typhoon drop tanks being filled with beer but regretted that it acquired a metallic taste.

 

. . Makes me want to crack a cold one right now and fire up OFF!

 

[carrick58 23]

I read somewhere that in the Pacific the pilots would fly beer up to 20 000 ft AGL then quickly land so they could drink the beer cold. In Vietnam, the Tobacco Companies use to give Free smokes in the Army "C" rations. I was Medvac one time ( sick as a dog) and the Red Cross gave out soap, Toilet things, Writing materials. Ect. I thought Oh how Nice then I found out that I was billed for the items. Oh Well, War is Hell !.

Edited January 6, 2012 by carrick58

[+DoctorQuest 107]

Good stories! Thanks!

[Flyby PC 23]

Roll out the barrels...

[RAF_Louvert 101]

.

 

Sorry Squadron Leader, I thought you said to take 37 back to Blighty for a 100-hour and an ale change. Now don't I feel the fool.

 

.

[Flyby PC 23]

Where's UKWidowmaker with his Spitfire Ale Advert?

 

 

Spitfire Ale - Downed all over Kent. (Just like the Luftwaffe).

 

 

(Sorry German buddies, but it was a funny advert.)

[carrick58 23]

Just received this last night from a friend: In one of the lighter moments of World War II, the Spitfire was used in an unorthodox role: bringing beer kegs to the men in Normandy. During the war, the Heneger and Constable brewery donated free beer to the troops. After D-Day, supplying the invasion troops in Normandy with vital supplies was already a challenge. Obviously, there was no room in the logistics chain for such luxuries as beer or other types of refreshments. Some men, often called “sourcers”, were able to get wine or other niceties “from the land” or rather from the locals. RAF Spitfire pilots came up with an even better idea.

 

The Spitfire Mk IX was an evolved version of the Spitfire, with pylons under the wings for bombs or drop tanks. It was discovered that the bomb pylons could also be modified to carry beer kegs. According to pictures that can be found, various sizes of kegs were used. Whether the kegs could be jettisoned in case of emergency is unknown. If the Spitfire flew high enough, the cold air at altitude would even cool the beer, making it ready for consumption upon arrival.

 

A variation of this was a long range fuel tank modified to carry beer instead of fuel. The modification even received the official designation Mod. XXX. Propaganda services were quick to pick up on this, which probably explains the “official” designation. As a result, Spitfires equipped with Mod XXX or keg-carrying pylons were often sent back to Great-Britain for “maintenance” or “liaison” duties. They would then return to Normandy with full beer kegs fitted under the wings.

 

In typical fashion, the British Ministry of Revenue and Excise stepped in, notifying the brewery that they were in violation of the law by exporting beer without paying the relevant taxes. It seems that Mod. XXX was terminated then, but various squadrons found different ways to refurbish their stocks. Most often, this was done with the unofficial approval of higher echelons.

 

In his book “Dancing in the Skies”, Tony Jonsson, the only Icelancer pilot in the RAF, recalled beer runs while he was flying with 65 Squadron. Every week a pilot was sent back to the UK to fill some cleaned-up drop tanks with beer and return to the squadron. Jonsson hated the beer runs as every man on the squadron would be watching you upon arrival. Anyone who made a rough landing and dropped the tanks would be the most hated man on the squadron for an entire week

 

In his book “Typhoon Pilot”, Desmond Scott also recalls Typhoon drop tanks being filled with beer but regretted that it acquired a metallic taste.

 

. . Makes me want to crack a cold one right now and fire up OFF!

 

 

By Jove, she was flying fine till I switched on the external fuel Tanks then she went down like a rock