These Marines are arming No: 36 HE Grenades. These come in the very distinctive wooden box seen. Each has to be armed with a 4 second fuse. Two Grenades can be seen on the deck to his right on the right hand man. Killing Zone 25 yards but the base plate could kill up to 100 yards. Contrary to popular belief the Grenade is pulled FROM the pin where the thrower has a finger of the left hand through the split pin and the man pulls back to the full extent of the right arm before lobbing the actual Grenade at the enemy and taking cover!
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 13:57:08 EDT
The Jebel Jihaf .
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 13:43:10 EDT
The Camp was wholly tented, protected by dry-stone walls and barbed wire and armed Sentries. The high ground in the background was the Jebel Jihaf (7920 feet) we used to patrol up to, and along the plateau attop.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 13:41:41 EDT
The small neat houses near the Beach housed BP families with their Lido in clear view, this was protected by anti-shark nets. We were allowed access to beach and swimming. I swam out to the raft in the Lido many times! We were under orders to be on best behaviour when there (or else!).
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 13:35:47 EDT
The BP Refinery is away to the left. The building in between housed the 11 Hussars (Cherry pickers) and 45 Commando RM .
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 13:31:30 EDT
This is a RN Wessex “Whirlwind” operating from a Commando Carrier off shore, given the date it was probable HMS “Bulwark” the ability to ‘lift’ any significant weight being badly affected by the heat and altitude at Dhala.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 13:27:38 EDT
When 45 was stationed at Dhala supplies came up the Dhala Road from Aden the Capital and negotiated the Khiriba Pass so that the high ground overlooking that Pass was always picquetted to ensure safety. These Marines look very relaxed, no weapons to hand so perhaps there was no immediate threat.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 13:22:54 EDT
The left hand man in this group was a Squad mate name Skinner, may have been a Signaller when this was taken. We were in 723 (CS) Squad RM.
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 28 Aug 2020 18:53:18 EDT
I was a member of the RM /RMR Training Team when 131 Indep Commando Sdn RE(V) converted from Airborne Forces to the Commando role.This was my RMR Annual Training for that year. I carried out a variety of duties,
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 14:39:33 EDT
This is not the Canal Zone (flat) so maybe this is Palestine/Israel.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 14:24:41 EDT