Kliment Voroshilov type 1 - KV-1 - tank, unknown provenance.  The tank is pock-marked with antitank hits; possibly used for target practice, or in a proving exercise.  This photo illustrates the difficulty for anybody using any German gun standard in 1941 (apart from the 88mm Flak) trying to destroy a KV-1.  After one incident on the Leningrad/Army Group North front, a tank crew counted over 30 hits on their KV-1, none of which penetrated.  The panzers involved were not so fortunate.  Mind you, the Russians' ears must have been ringing ... Best regards, JR.

KV-1.

Dame Vera Lynn, "the Forces' Sweetheart", in a recent photo.  Dame Vera just re-entered the British album charts with "Vera Lynn: National Treasure - the Ultimate Collection".  I understand that this includes 40 tracks, including a number not previously released.  Not sure about the "Ultimate" bit.  Dame Vera - who was probably worth an army group in terms of her contribution to military and civilian morale during WW2 - released a very successful album of her own recordings only a few years back.  She is only 97.  Could a comeback tour be in the offing ... ?  Best regards, JR.

There is nothing like a Dame ...

1914-commissioned "New York" class battleship, USS Texas, at the San Jacinto State Park, Texas (2006), where she rests as a museum ship.  USS Texas saw active service in both World Wars (particularly active in the latter, in both oceans).  Indeed, she was active even before WW1 - in the "Tampico Incident" between the US and General Huerta's Mexico.  She was awarded five battle stars in the process.

USS Texas was decommissioned in 1948.  Eventually, following lengthy periods of bureaucratic delay and neglect, she was restored and moored at the San Jacinto State Park as a naval museum and patriotic memorial.  The process of dry-berthing her remains "pending", I understand, requiring as it does Federal appraisal and funding.  2017 is the target date for the final completion of the project.  Hope it comes off - this looks like a splendid cultural and historical asset.  Best regards, JR.