This is mid-1930s & the trucks are sporting listening devices & apparently searchlights. Mine all seem to be at Albrook AFB/ Clayton. Have seen quite a few similar parades & am confident in this. Bob Karrer
As per Karrer above, these are 1933 (approx.) GMC trucks (see strip ornament on hood sides) carrying aircraft searchlights and towing trailers with aircraft listening devices (acoustic horns) for detecting aircraft before the advent of radar. Soldier in passenger seat in nearest truck is carrying his unit’s guidon, while soldier on trailer is sitting at attention. Note safety chains between truck and trailer, in case towbar becomes unattached. All the trucks have radiator guards mounted in front of their radiators and exterior visors mounted over their windshields.
Agreed! Coastal defense listening devices. There were several types, some literally were lodged, at the small end, into a man’s ear… some were attached to amplifier-devices, but human sound recognition was actually more accurate and instantaneous. Unfortunately any excessively loud sounds such as a backfire or a gunshot in close proximity could result in the bursting of an eardrum.
7 Comments
Nina Brown Kosik -- BHS 55
WW II searchlights?
Robert Raymond dixon Gordon
Beats me. I was’nt around at trhat time.
Robert Raymond dixon Gordon
Beats me. I was’nt around at that time.
bkarrer2013
This is mid-1930s & the trucks are sporting listening devices & apparently searchlights. Mine all seem to be at Albrook AFB/ Clayton. Have seen quite a few similar parades & am confident in this. Bob Karrer
Lance Terrell
As per Karrer above, these are 1933 (approx.) GMC trucks (see strip ornament on hood sides) carrying aircraft searchlights and towing trailers with aircraft listening devices (acoustic horns) for detecting aircraft before the advent of radar. Soldier in passenger seat in nearest truck is carrying his unit’s guidon, while soldier on trailer is sitting at attention. Note safety chains between truck and trailer, in case towbar becomes unattached. All the trucks have radiator guards mounted in front of their radiators and exterior visors mounted over their windshields.
Lance Terrell
The same type military truck and trailer with the searchlight and aircraft listening device unit is shown in the blog archives for March 2014.
Chris Maggio
Agreed! Coastal defense listening devices. There were several types, some literally were lodged, at the small end, into a man’s ear… some were attached to amplifier-devices, but human sound recognition was actually more accurate and instantaneous. Unfortunately any excessively loud sounds such as a backfire or a gunshot in close proximity could result in the bursting of an eardrum.