I know that their two most commonly used cars are Volvo v70s and XC70s, and Saabs, but I can't figure out what model of Mercedes van they use. It's clearly Mercedes though. Here's the picture.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Mercedes also makes an armored version. Made at the Daimler AG of Stuttgart plant, where my family home originally was. Cars and trucks are in my genes.

Thanks for the quick answer! :D

Isafjordur, during the allied invasion of Europe, my father went ashore in a LCVP at Le Havre, France. Of the 25 soldiers on the landing craft, only he and his best friend (Rolf), from Reykjavík, Iceland, survived. His sergeant told everyone to go to the left, when they got off up to their shoulders in water. My father said to his friend, "I don't like this, let's go to the right." That life changing decision allowed them to live and fight their way to shore with their BARs. The others were mowed down by German light weight, super fast, easy replaceable barrel MG-42 machine guns. The liberation of Europe is very personal to me. I live in total awe of my father and what he went through, from the initial invasion, to the Battle of the Rhine, to the Battle of the Bulge, and to the Jewish death camps. It's all hallowed ground.

Many Germans now live in Texas.

P.S. My father's best friend survived the war and returned to Reykjavík. God is faithful and in control.

Fascinating, Tx !

You'll like this, kitch 428. My father is 88 years old and still works on his own cars, both of which are Toyotas. He wouldn't own anything else.

My Dad is 86 and called me last night from Orlando AP "I'm off to Manchester UK. (our home is Leeds) See you when I get back mid Sept".
The guy is unfricken believable! God bless'm

Cool deal about your Pops!

Kitch 428, my fraternal grandmother was from London, one of 13 children. When her mother died at childbirth, all of the kids were broken up and sent throughout the British Commonwealth. Some went to Canada, others to Australia. The rest of my family are German.

Have a great trip and thanks for your help. I may be returning to Europe in the winter or spring.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TxGreaseMonkey

Isafjordur, during the allied invasion of Europe, my father went ashore in a LCVP at Le Havre, France. Of the 25 soldiers on the landing craft, only he and his best friend, from Reykjavík, Iceland, survived. His sargeant told everyone to go to the left, when they got off up to their shoulders in water. My father said to his friend, "I don't like this, let's go to the right." That life changing decision allowed them to live and fight their way to shore. Both of them carried BARs. The liberation of Europe is very personal to me. I live in total awe of my father and what he went through, from the initial invasion, to the Battle of the Rhine, to the Battle of the Bulge, and to the Jewish death camps. It's all hallowed ground.

Many Germans live in Texas.

P.S. My father's best friend survived the war and returned to Reykjavík.

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Neat story! I love the history of WWII, I don't talk about it as much as I used too though.

Yes, when I return to France, look out from Le Havre and Normandy, I'm beside myself with disbelief and gratitude that he survived. Several years ago, my wife and I tried to retrace some of his steps from the initial invasion in France. I was particularly interested in where he and his friend were cutoff behind German lines. They were hiding in a barn, 10 feet from a cobblestone road, when a German SS division marched by. My French is not very good these days and I had to give up the search around Rouen. Regardless, I'm grateful for my father's friendship with the soldier from Reykjavik--they went through a lot together. I've never told this story before.