<![CDATA[Col Peter Young briefs two snipers, Bernard Machin and Joe Leedham, in the Orne River area, 17th June 1944]]> https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/Z448-Col+Peter+Young+briefs+two+snipers+in+the+Orne+River+area_+17th+June+1944.jpg.html My father, Bernard Machin is in this photo. We have an original photograph of this scene and my father wrote Bernard under the figure on the left, Joe under the figure in the middle, and Col. Young under the figure on the right. He informed my mother that it was him and Joe Leedham in the official photograph. He also mentioned that they called Peter Young “Bunny” and had a lot of respect for him. The typed caption under the official photo in our album reads:
“B.5761. CAMOUFLAGED BRITISH COMMANDO SNIPERS GET FINAL INSTRUCTIONS – NORMANDY. Some of the fighting in the bridgehead resembles jungle fighting with snipers operating from hidden eyries and troops camouflaged with leaves and twigs. Under these conditions it remains just as fierce as more open operations. Picture shows: Officers of a Commando unit giving final instructions to two camouflaged commando snipers who are going to watch a German held house on the edge of Breville.”

Further information from Linda:

Incidentally, the date (which we did not know) of the two snipers, dad and Joe, with Col. Young on your website is given as 17th June 1944, which coincides with the date in the war diary for No.3 Commandos for that day: “20.35 L/C Machin and Tpr Leedham. Report having covered area of power house and road. Started out 3 hours ago. But for snipers and AA fire coming from rear of farm in the area of gliders there is no sign of Germans.” They are also mentioned on 15th June at 14.30 and consequently in Appx B No. 7."]]>
en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Thu, 28 Mar 2024 05:32:39 -0400 120 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/4057-7/Z448-Col+Peter+Young+briefs+two+snipers+in+the+Orne+River+area_+17th+June+1944.jpg <![CDATA[Col Peter Young briefs two snipers, Bernard Machin and Joe Leedham, in the Orne River area, 17th June 1944]]> https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/Z448-Col+Peter+Young+briefs+two+snipers+in+the+Orne+River+area_+17th+June+1944.jpg.html <![CDATA[]]> https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/main.php?g2_view=comment.ShowAllComments&g2_itemId=4055 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/main.php?g2_view=comment.ShowAllComments&g2_itemId=4055