They also had a propeller driven off the main engine so they could make way once in the water still a dangerous way to go to war with many sinking including a complete US Tank Unit off Omaha Beach, the Tanks are still there!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 19 Sep 2020 14:48:29 EDT
The Cap Badge is The Shropshire Light Infantry.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 18:37:15 EDT
Trooper Wells is wearing a very unusual shoulder title apparently reading “Special Service” which may have been used prior to the adoption of the Boer word and title “Commando” chosen by a Churchill.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 11:34:27 EDT
The Censor has blanked the Thompson Sub-Machine Guns held by the leading three Troopers and some-one off-camera but has left the one held by the right hand grinning man, who has had his Bren blanked instead. The guy second from left has his gas cape on. The men are donning life-belts and are all wearing brown Army pumps/daps issued for PT. Considering what they have been through these guys look remarkably chipper and up for it!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 11:24:42 EDT
Lewis served in the Welch Regiment
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 08:32:39 EDT
This Trooper served in a Light Infantry Regiment evidenced by the Hunting Horn on his Cap Badge.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 08:31:14 EDT
The plaque on far wall is that of 40 Commando RM as the sky blue flashes are both the Unit Colour and that of the Lanyards worn on right shoulder. 42 is White, 45 is Scarlet and Brigade Commando Green.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 08:27:18 EDT
I did not realise that, when serving with 45 Commando RM in the rugged mountains of Aden, that I was walking in the footsteps of this superb Wartime Commando Officer. We patrolled the Jebel Jihaf Massif visiting Forts manned by the Federal National Guard (FNG) a form of local Police one being at Al-Asirir. In November 1958 Major Bill Boucher-Myers of the East Lancs Regiment, on secondment to the Aden Protecterate Levies (APL) led a rescue when the local British Officer was besieged by Yemeni dissidents who had crossed the nearby Border. This was successful and Major Boucher-Myers was awarded an immediate DSO.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 05:49:19 EDT
The Sherman Tanks in this photo are Duplex Drive fitted witha flotation collar which enabled them to ‘swim’ from Landing Craft onto the Beaches.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 14:01:37 EDT
When 45 RM Commando went to Achnacary in 1943 for the final 10 days of their Green Beret Training they lived in Bell Tents in the grounds and slept on straw. It was basic but adequate. The period mentioned included the Acquaints and the Commando Tests. All preparatory training had been Prior to arrival. Source: Ply/X 105503 Marine Cliff Welsh RM. who was a Unit Founder Member, MMG Gunner and member of “F” Troop in pub conversations well after the War, he landed on Sword Beach D-Day and went on thru all their Battles into Germany.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 12 Sep 2020 09:42:10 EDT