Good morning all. I have been trying to locate as many different original variants of the 8th Airforce wartime shoulder insignia to add to our mobile displays here in England at the old wartime airfields over the summer months. So far we have managed to acquire these 4 wonderful different variants. I know we have many more types to try and locate but even with the humble 4 we own their differences in materials, patterns and construction methods it's already making for a wonderful display. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do. Greetings from accross the pond in England. 

The above comes from a never seen before film, at least in America, of Allied POWs being transported through Paris to trains back to Germany, here you'll see U.S. Paratroopers  and Glidertroopers of the 101 and the 82nd, more 29th GIs among others, British Para, British Commandos, British 50th Tyne Tees Infantry Division Tommies among others. As you'll see, there being groups of French civilians spitting, cursing, at tjhe POWs with at least one man punching a GI real hard right in the face as he walks by, in another view from another edited view on the Deutsche Woschenchau newsreel, a man, a civilian kicks an allied soldier, maybe even trying to kick him between the legs.   I was shocked when I seen this, never seen this before, why are thy  doing it? One site, a Reddit, discuses this footage, and basically narrows it down to these people either being hardcore collaborators, or having lost family to the Allied Bombing Campaign of areas all over France in the Spring, or just being paid to do it by the Germans.    

29th Division patch on a POW in Paris, captured in Normandy..

Here's a great opportunity to drop A LOT of $$ into a very cool project!   

Fence, I think your bayonet being a French 1842 bayonet can be ruled out. I have a copy of one of Ian Skennerton's old annual magazines; "No 21, I A & M Collector" series, page 95, dated about 2002 ; which has a short write up on these bayonets by a collector of same in Queensland, Aust.. It does not have a lot about markings on the bayonets, but does say many lack any markings, has a list of rifles that they are used on and country's that used them and also that there are slight differences between makers. It does say that the French 1842 bayonets have a deep square stopped fuller/grove as on photo below, it is unlike your example above and most other examples of similar made bayonets. Cheers.

There is a diorama displaying the remnants of the Zero at the Pacific Aviation Museum in Hawaii.

Really NICE!!

Look at my thread - all is there!

How about a coconut for Russell Johnson, The Professor from Gilligan’s Island? He was really fun to chat with. There was very little traffic at his table so we sat with him for about a hour while he told stories about the show. One of the best celebs I’ve met at autograph shows. Years later, much to my utter sorrow, the gold paint from the pen he used started to fade. Let that be a lesson, everyone, NEVER EVER USE GOLD PAINT PENS!!! Silver ones are much much better and seem to last forever.  Bob Denver was there too so I had him sign a cap. He was more reserved than The Prof was. As a lifelong devoted Gilligan’s Island fan, this was heaven.  mikie

Nice score! I really like the Iraqi freedom grouping!