Walky Talky

[dhermann1]

I was with my girlfriend's family this weekend, and noodling around in a back room I noticed this. I asked "Is this a real WWII Walky Talky?" The answer was affirmative. D's dad carried this Walky Talky all over southern France in 1944 and 1945. He lugged this, which must have some sort of cast iron transformer in it, because it weighs a ton, plus his M-1. plus ammo, etc., etc. This was after he was seriously wounded in Italy ("I don't like to talk about it.") and recuperated in Corsica. He decided maybe his Uncle Sam wouldn't need this after the war. He is a very cool guy.

 

[Teekay44]

I don't mean this to sound bad and no disrespect to your girlfriends dad but I am relatively sure that the item is a US Signal Corp battery powered telephone EE-8A. Still a WWII item. It was connected by wires to another phone or a switchboard. Used by forward observers and the like. The side lever when unfolded and cranked operates the ringer on the other end.
The small hand held unit (SCR-536) was called a "handy talky" and the larger back pack one (SCR-300) is a "walky talky" The line has blurred over the years. (Some older fireman call a portable radio a HT and the younger ones call them a WT) The EE-8A is a great item to have. A real treasure for the faimly to hold on to.

 

[dhermann1]

I thought so. My recollection of the Walky Talky was that it was larger and bulkier. Anyway, he lugged it around and called headquarters with it. His time in France was combat, but nothing like Italy. He was at Anzio, (NOT the first wave) and later Monte Cassino. He had his fill of war.
BTW, he also has his canteen and haversack, both in perfect condition. Plus a 1946 Lincoln, but that's another story.