Original WW2 signs – info sought

They could have less than 26 bays, just lettered up to however many they had. Sign “MTM abc” and “MTM ijk” are maybe missing.

The reply by Robert Stering however is informative, just when we thought it was solved.

Moggy

Could they be maintenace bays? A little like going to Charlie browns and going to bay “A” or “C” or whatever.

That only works if they just happen to have twenty-six bays.

Likely?

Moggy

If this were an American dump, then there would be no Mechanical Transport flight or section instead it would be refered to as the Motor Pool.

If it were a Bristish run site then after MT, which is the prime acronym, there would be no doubt as to what the third letter meant i.e. the Mechanical Transport Maintenance flight would be MT Maint. or MT Maintenance.

MTM is typically the acronym for Medium Trench Mortar.

Moggy

Could they be maintenace bays? A little like going to Charlie browns and going to bay “A” or “C” or whatever.

Thanks Swiss Mustangs, I take it that’s a definate? It was what we assumed, cheers.

But why the alphabetical order then?

Would all the Scammells go to ‘S’ and all the Bedfords go to ‘B’?

I’m not sure we’ve got to the bottom of it yet.

Moggy

Thanks Swiss Mustangs, I take it that’s a definate? It was what we assumed, cheers.

Motor Transport Maintenance

Certainly one of these locations, to the north-west of Sheffield was used as an ordnace storage from late ’43 onwards. Whilst undertaking completely unrelated research at one particular site, I was assured by the (then) tennent farmer that ‘his’ land was used for such storage and clearly remebered the comings and goings of large US wagons. No buildings were erected at this site as all of the GP ordnance was stored open. Given the dates and the increased activity in later months (again according to the farmer) suggests it was a holding area for operations in support of Overlord(?). The anecdotal evidence was given to me during 1996, but it did make it into the historical management history which arose from the project (as part of my degree).

The site from which the signs orginate is further out from Sheffield and does indeed have sime original wartime buildings remaining. The intention is to donate these items (inlcuding a couple which are still in situ) to Aeroventure, although the removal of these will have to be negotiated.

That said, we’re still curious as to what the second ‘M’ refers to in the legend ‘M.T.M’. They are currently in my garage awaiting the attention/advice of an archaeological conservator (when she has a minute in her schedule!) on the best way to clean and preserve these items, which are still in superb condition.

Chris

Dave
The signs are from a bomb dump near Sheffield, one of two used by the USAAF in WW2. It was all a bit “Hush-hush” as most of the GIs were black. There are other original signs and artefacts on site which will be removed, with the owners permission, so they can be preserved, hopefully before the local darlings get there first! This is why we are not naming the place, if anyone knows where we are referring to please do the same!

As to why the USAAF had bomb dumps near Sheffield, South Yorks, again any comments or info most welcome.

Cheers

Just had a thought – what I have just suggested is probably rubbish because the vehicle driver would have to know what the letters indicated. Where did the notices come from? I thought the USAAF bomb dumps were in the East Midlands and East Anglia.

The letters underneath might denote the initial letter of the bases for which the bombs were being collected. ??

movements?

Just resurrecting the thread following new information, confirms Moggyc’s (and our own) thoughts. A posting on one of the “re-united” websites lists a serviceman as belonging to “motor transport (WW2 quote Moggy!!) MTM.
As ever any views appreciated, although once in the museum they will be annotated as Motor transport, unless we hear different! Despite the reference to “mechanical” transport, it still appears that even WW2 types refer to it as “motor”, probably a corruption of time! Still interested in the last “M” though – maintainance??

Best regards all.

Sorry to be pedantic

Never apologise for pedantry.

That’s what we (I) are here for – to learn.

Had you not corrected that it might have become one of the Internets many self validating inaccuracies.

Pleased to be corrected.

Moggy

MT generally refers to ‘Motor Transport’

Moggy

Sorry to be pedantic, by MT actually stands for Mechanical Transport, at least up to the end of the WW2 period at any rate.

Moggy

Yes we’re aware of that, cheers, can’t come up with the other “M” though. There was however a large MT section there so you’re probably on the right lines.

Thanks

MT generally refers to ‘Motor Transport’

Moggy