I believe the vehicle is a captured German Kubelwagen (based on a VW Peoples’ Wagon)
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 28 Aug 2020 18:01:46 EDT
These Commandos are making a Field Brew using a ‘Tommy Cooker’ a small, tin folding issue item which comes with 8 Hexamine blocks usually handed out with a 24 Hour Ration Pack (4000 calories)
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 28 Aug 2020 17:59:34 EDT
Two Commandos in this photo are holding Thompson Sub-Machine Guns fitted with the round magazines.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 17:13:09 EDT
These men look remarkably chipper given their situation. I note they are wearing the ‘new’ Commando Boots with inside rubber soles. After Hitler issued the infamous Commando Order these were used to identify Commandos and so could prove a Death Sentence!
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 25 Aug 2020 12:24:17 EDT
The Lance/Corporal with his right shoulder facing the camera has a slung Thompson Sub-Machine Gun over that shoulder. There is Bren Gunner checking his weapon just in front of the Officer wearing peaked cap (in background) The Commando on the right has his gas cape folded over left arm these proved to be water-proof so a life-saver when living ‘rough’ (which was most of the time ) I heard that from Marine Clifford Welsh RM who served with 45 Cdo RM, landed Sword Beach and ‘yomped’ right through to Germany so he would know!
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 25 Aug 2020 11:38:27 EDT
I don’t think Lord Lovat is carrying an issue Rifle, it has an exposed barrel and the Butt is much thinner than any standard Lee Enfield Rifle. He may
have brought his Deer Hunter!
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 25 Aug 2020 09:57:50 EDT
The US style rifle sling was issued to Royal Marines Snipers during my time with their Sniper Rifle having an additional fastening in front of the magazine.
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 25 Aug 2020 09:52:05 EDT
This a cracking photo in which the .303” Bren Gun can be clearly see with the conical flash eliminator and folded down bipod. This was a superb Rifle Section Light Machine Gun (LMG ), beautiful design from a Czech Munitions Factory, if it had a fault it was too accurate with a tight ‘beaten’ zone, ie. there is a narrow catchment area. A broad ‘beaten’ zone increases the possibility of hits when a long burst is fired. It could fire single rounds or automatc. A good Gunner could get this off in short burst of 2/3 rounds, rearming after each. The US Ranger is armed with a US M1 .30-06 Garand semi-automatic rifle the standard US Infantry weapon still being used in Vietnam! The Ranger is carrying 2/3 Bandoliers of rounds in clips of 10 so has at least 200 rounds, he may have done this because the British standard rimmed round would be of no use. The Official caption says that he is getting a light for his cigarette from a compatriot. The man holding the match is a British Commando. He is wearing British denims...
This a cracking photo in which the .303” Bren Gun can be clearly see with the conical flash eliminator and folded down bipod. This was a superb Rifle Section Light Machine Gun (LMG ), beautiful design from a Czech Munitions Factory, if it had a fault it was too accurate with a tight ‘beaten’ zone, ie. there is a narrow catchment area. A broad ‘beaten’ zone increases the possibility of hits when a long burst is fired. It could fire single rounds or automatc. A good Gunner could get this off in short burst of 2/3 rounds, rearming after each. The US Ranger is armed with a US M1 .30-06 Garand semi-automatic rifle the standard US Infantry weapon still being used in Vietnam! The Ranger is carrying 2/3 Bandoliers of rounds in clips of 10 so has at least 200 rounds, he may have done this because the British standard rimmed round would be of no use. The Official caption says that he is getting a light for his cigarette from a compatriot. The man holding the match is a British Commando. He is wearing British denims (called fatigues), boots, and he has his ‘37 Pattern small pack slung from the waist so may have had that filled with No: 36 HE grenades. He is carrying British rifle as the Butt is visible with a webbing rifle sling held in place with 2 clips. He is also wearing a life-belt around his chest with the mouth-piece in view. In contrast US Forces were issued as standard brown leather rifle slings with all brass fittings which is seen on the Garand. I have read that some of these rifles were issued to Commandos in the Rifle Group of Rifle Section who would be called on to give covering fire when the Gun Group we’re moving during “Fire and Movement” keeping one foot on the ground was the term used. That style of life-belt was still in use in the Royal Marines in 1960 during my Commando Training and the “Rocky Landings and life Assault” phase in Plymouth Sound.
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 25 Aug 2020 09:48:17 EDT
Photo updated
You are right David. It should have read Commandos meet Airborne.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 22 Aug 2020 12:05:02 EDT
These Snipers would carry the .303” Lee Enfield Model No : 4(T) Rifle The standard British Sniper Rifle which was still in use in the Royal Marines until the mid-1960s when it was rechambered to fire the 7.62mm rimless round. When the Rifles came off the production line they would be test fired fixed to a stand. The best were converted by adding a cheek rest, an additional sling-swivel ahead of the magazine, fitted with a X4 magnification telescope and the Battle Sight ground off. The “T” in Brackets indicated Telescope.
Posted by David Prichard on Sat 22 Aug 2020 08:56:28 EDT