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
Smashed “Horsa” Glider in background
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?
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
Photo Taken in ENVERMEU. All prisoners from DIEPPE raid were there.
This photo about N°3 Cdo men was taken front the First War mémorial in ENVERMEU.
Ext. Right with Beret ( R.A.C ) is Ronald GITTENS
3 Cdo 2 Troop
Posted by stephane on Fri 08 Sep 2017 05:01:27 EDT
