Posted by David Prichard on Sat 22 Aug 2020 08:44:27 EDT
I think the soldiers in scrimmed helmets and smocks are probably not Commandos as they are carrying 9mm Sten Guns so may be Airborne so may be from the Coup de Main glider-borne force who seized the two Bridges over the river and canal. If I am right they are mainly from the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Ox & Bucks LI). You will see, in contrast, that the Commandos wear Battledress (BD) . The Green Beret L/Corporal is expecting trouble as he has his pistol ready, could still be in close contact with Germans.
Posted by David Prichard on Sat 22 Aug 2020 08:41:12 EDT
Their Commando ‘flashes’ are clear and they are mostly carrying the famous ‘Toggle’ rope which were standard Commando issue.
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 21 Aug 2020 15:26:36 EDT
This is a very telling and interesting Commando photograph. These are returning from an extremely brutal Battle. They are upright, alert and also cheerful. The rear rank working left to right. The first is a .303 Bren Gunner, he is holding the gun with the conical flash eliminator visible in his right hand. He has magazines in each pouch with rounds visible. Next to him is probably his No: 2 as he has a spare Bren barrel strapped into his small pack and is holding his Personal Weapon the .303 SMLE. The third man is also holding a Bren Gun. The fourth man a RN crew member. The fifth a Commando Sergeant who has a bandolier of 100 rounds on his waist. He also holds a SMLE Rifle and the scabbard for his 18 inch bayonet is visible. In the well-deck are four men working from left the first holds the famous Thompson Sub-Machine Gun. The grinning Lance Cpl is probably a Gun Group Commander. The front man, looking up also has a spare Bren barrel strapped onto his small pack so is another Gun No: 2. Although they ...
This is a very telling and interesting Commando photograph. These are returning from an extremely brutal Battle. They are upright, alert and also cheerful. The rear rank working left to right. The first is a .303 Bren Gunner, he is holding the gun with the conical flash eliminator visible in his right hand. He has magazines in each pouch with rounds visible. Next to him is probably his No: 2 as he has a spare Bren barrel strapped into his small pack and is holding his Personal Weapon the .303 SMLE. The third man is also holding a Bren Gun. The fourth man a RN crew member. The fifth a Commando Sergeant who has a bandolier of 100 rounds on his waist. He also holds a SMLE Rifle and the scabbard for his 18 inch bayonet is visible. In the well-deck are four men working from left the first holds the famous Thompson Sub-Machine Gun. The grinning Lance Cpl is probably a Gun Group Commander. The front man, looking up also has a spare Bren barrel strapped onto his small pack so is another Gun No: 2. Although they have been given ‘comfort’ blankets these have not been used and the men are still ready for anything!!
He also g
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 21 Aug 2020 13:13:37 EDT
Names in front row
This photo was published in The Sphere - Saturday 05 June 1943, with names of those in the front row.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 11 Aug 2019 14:08:33 EDT
Named in photograph
Third from the left with moustache is Derek Gordon Page. Subsequently transferred units and went to India with the Gurkhas, through Burma and onto Indonesia. Retired as a Captain. Deceased 23 February 1979 in a car accident.
Posted by Richard Page on Sun 07 Jul 2019 14:08:23 EDT
Source
Thanks to Guy Hudson who discovered this image.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 08 Jun 2019 14:41:37 EDT
C/3 Combined Operations Bombardment Unit - HMS Pongo photo
My (late) father Herbert "Tony" Hawes is in a beret with his left hand on his left knee in the 2nd row (ie one back from the front row) 4th man in from the right. I know very little of the story of which this photo forms part. I think they went to Normandy. Can anyone please enlighten me? [email protected]
Mark Hawes
Posted by Mark Richard Hawes on Mon 14 May 2018 19:09:24 EDT
Note
There was a Pte T. Bibby (partial service number ?663944) who served in No 2 Commando. Not known if ident. with above man.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Thu 21 Dec 2017 11:58:12 EST
Unit query
Peachey and Smith were both attached from the South Lancs. Regt. There was a Pte. G.A. Stubbs in No 2 Commando who was also attached from the South Lancs Regt. The date and location suggest this was when they were in the Independent Company/1st Special Service Bn.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Wed 06 Dec 2017 10:20:35 EST