Re: Norton 16H in Italy 1943 traded for Navy Rum by crew of MGB 659
The Italian campaign was famous for stories of theft and pilfering. The locals could dismantle lorries in guarded compounds and spirit them away overnight.
There's a good chance that the bike was one which had already been listed as 'missing' or damaged beyond repair - or 'borrowed' from another unit.
Do you have a photo of your father with the bike ?
Re: Norton 16H in Italy 1943 traded for Navy Rum by crew of MGB 659
Hi Rik
You are right that there is something very fishy about being able to have a "spare" bike to sell without there being consequences. Apparently it ran very well especially when they used the 100 octane fuel normally used for the MGB. (the MGBs used four Merlin engines built by Packard in the states giving nearly 5000 horsepower)
I have a picture but am not sure how to upload it.
Re: Norton 16H in Italy 1943 traded for Navy Rum by crew of MGB 659
This is Nick's photo. Unfortunately it's not really possible to pick out any extra detail. It's complete with pannier set. I wonder how they managed to ride around on it without attracting attention from the Army Provost or the RN shore patrols.
Re: Norton 16H in Italy 1943 traded for Navy Rum by crew of MGB 659
On Steepholm island they'd used old guns as vertical mountings for newer swivel guns above; this despite the older guns having been officially accounted for as removed from the island.
A mate of mine who served in Malaya told me they'd lost a complete Scammell road train. It left the docks in convoy with several others and was never seen again.