I was a little behind on the Carentan series, with part 5 just having been published. But hey, it’s not like I didn’t already have dozens of books on D-Day. I keep hoping that Michel de Trez and his team start making similar books on the Battle of the Bulge.

Anyway, I got part 4 a few weeks ago and had a chance to go through it. It absolutely looks every bit as beautiful as the other volumes (as well it might for €75). To be honest, I mostly look at the photos, and then read the text that goes with it. The photos are certainly well made. The ones of original WWII rare paratrooper equipment, I mean. There’s a Simplex motorcycle, a hand cart, many M-1942 parachutist jump uniforms, and lots more. My own collection has always been inspired on the photos of collectibles in these books, and how they are displayed. What beats most other collections, though, is that here you can see objects with personal provenance. That is always so much more interesting and relatable.

A CRN-4 beacon in Normandy?

One thing that stood out to me in particular was the mention of the CRN-4 ‘BUPS’ beacon on one of the first pages. I am still confused about this, and I believe this is a mix-up. The CRN-4 is mentioned in several books and sources about Market Garden and The Bulge. This is the first mention of one in a book on Normandy. But never do these sources show any photos. See my article about why I think the CRN-4 is not the BUPS: AN/CRN-4 beacon used in Bastogne. I think I will have to ask Michel De Trez what he makes of this.