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
He was a a Sergeant in the FNG who acted as armed Militia or Police and
carried .303” SMLE Rifles (Short Magazine Lee Enfield)
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 20 Aug 2020 20:14:21 EDT
I mentioned the Aden Protecterate Levies in my first comment. They had a large camp near us andhad been originally raised, trained and Officered by the RAF Regiment to standard British military standards. They were Adenis and as smart as paint. On occasion we were carrying out a joint patrol with them in the Dhala area near the border with The Yemen we were fired on and a 3” Mortar Team of the APL swung into action near me, it was textbook, straight out of a training manual soon putting bombs down on suspect locations. I watched In total admiration, there was no more unfriendly fire needless to say. All small guys built like Japanese wrestling snakes.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 20 Aug 2020 20:09:37 EDT
We are wearing the SV Commando sole boots mentioned elsewhere
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 20 Aug 2020 19:44:07 EDT
The crippler was we were paid 6s 8p per week Kit Upkeep Allowance (KUA) and we had to buy new boots ourselves. These only lasted two or three patrols. They were known as SV Boots (Service Viulcanised) the original Commando sole and they were expensive. They would be sent up from Little Aden by convoy, you signed a chit and the full price was docked from Pay
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 19 Aug 2020 13:02:23 EDT
The guy just in view left was Scouse Griffith’s (722(CS) Kings Squad RM. The tall guy centrally was a Jock, name may have been Ferguson, good egg! The others are then”newbies” who were to relieve so we could go home to Blighty! Note bandolier of 100 rounds on tall Marine in centre (worn around waist)
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 19 Aug 2020 03:21:36 EDT
The 32 round magazine fitted the 7.62mm SLR but an old Penny had to placed over the loading tray as the tray would be damaged when the last round was fired when the rifle working parts came forward.
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 14 Aug 2020 08:08:42 EDT
This time of day is early morning and the misty area in the background is The Yemen with their border Town being Qataba.,We were informed there were Russian made APCs there.
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 14 Aug 2020 08:04:55 EDT
Should have put 360 degrees (or 6400 mils)!
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 11 Aug 2020 07:30:05 EDT
We were on Water Patrol, collecting bowsers full for the Camp, we were very close to the old border with the Yemen at a place called Awabba. We were ‘loaded for bear for’ this being a Country where every adult male carried a loaded rifle with the .303” Lee Enfield being most commonly seen.
This was either the SMLE or the newer Number 4 model.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 10 Aug 2020 15:37:15 EDT
