Random Question

Dive guides didn't know. A quick web search didn't turn up anything. even wetpixel search did not find the search terms....

surely some of the bright minds on wetpixel know

why are there wellington boots on the thistlegorm? why would a vessel carrying vehicles and ammo to world war II soldiers in the desert also be carrying wellington boots?

i'm sure this must be well known but the typical quick search hardly mentions it.

Hi there,

Yes there are wellies on the Thistlegorm!

As far as I am aware they are all size 10 (UK) and left feet!

I've heard all sorts of explanations-that they were for use in refueling aircraft etc-none of which really makes sense! I think that in war time, cargo manifests were often confused. I think these were intended to be taken somewhere else!

Adam

Hi there,

 

Yes there are wellies on the Thistlegorm!

 

As far as I am aware they are all size 10 (UK) and left feet!

 

I've heard all sorts of explanations-that they were for use in refueling aircraft etc-none of which really makes sense! I think that in war time, cargo manifests were often confused. I think these were intended to be taken somewhere else!

 

Adam

Allegedly the boots were destined for the airfields. Due to the heat and volatility of the aviation fuel it was unsafe for the ground crew to wear hobnail boots due to risk of igniting the fuel, so the poor buggers had to sweat in wellies.

Interesting. seems such an obvious question but these are the best answers i've heard on the subject.

thanks for the answer guys, its a little more clear.

i thought the ship was full up with jimmy cricket fans when it went down.

Stew