This is one of a number of photos showing Commandos building a temporary bridge over a ruined culvert using what materials are to hand. The photos are not in sequence,
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 20:52:43 BST
This a field kitchen set up to feed a full Troop with most food coming tinned in 10 man Ration Packs padded out with anything found, poached or pinched locally. The large metal boxes were known as Hay Boxes and were used to keep food (reasonably) hot, still in use well into the 1960s and very heavy.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 20:35:22 BST
The wreckage is that of a Short “Stirling” aircraft converted into Glider Tugs to tow Horsa Gliders across as part of the Airborne Forces. These took very heavy losses.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 20:24:39 BST
The Sherman Tanks in this photo are Duplex Drive fitted witha flotation collar which enabled them to ‘swim’ from Landing Craft onto the Beaches.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 19:01:37 BST
The Bailey Bridge was invented by a Donald Colman Bailey who had been called to come up with this form of design. It proved an essential ‘bit of kit’ and he was Knighted for his contribution after WW2. The famous Allenby Bridge across the River Jordan between Jordan and Israel was originally a British Army Bailey Bridge!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 18:43:54 BST
The small assault boat in the picture was US built and still in use for Royal Marines Recruit Training in the early 1960s during the Cliff Assault and Rocky Landings Phase in Plymouth Sound. A bowman was selected to stand on that blunt bow holding a rope and when the boat hit the rocks he had to jump and hold the whole thing steady as the Troops leapt
ashore. This fell to me, at night, and I still bear the scars!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 18:33:31 BST
This a ‘live firing’ Bren. If using blank ammunition a different barrel would be fitted, wooden rounds used and the cone shaped flash eliminator on the barrel would have a half metal plate across the bottom.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 13:22:05 BST
This shows a much larger Aldiss lamp fitted on board a Warship given the gun in the background.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 13:18:46 BST
These would appear to be Signallers training in the use of the Aldis Lamp dating from a time when this means was still in use, the man sat in front appears to be using a field issue Morse key. Interestingly the SAS used Morse well in to the latter part of the 20th Century due to the range this equipment had and the difficulty that arose if anyone tried to ‘jam’ it. In contrast a pal of mine with the Falklands Task Force spoke to SAS men on the deck of a Carrier heading South who were using equipment with a ‘fan type’ aerial similar to the old camera ‘flash’ gun and when he asked they were stealing Satellite time to have a chat with their families. As he expressed disbelief they linked him immediately with his Wife in Cardiff! You could not make it up!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 13:15:52 BST
I believe that this Troopers’ medals include a Police Long Service Medal so he may have been one of the Wartime Police entries who returned to that Job on demobilisation, it is the right hand medal as the photo is looked at.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 13:06:37 BST
I served with a number of Wartime Commandos in Cardiff City Police and was told that when they arrived at the Commando Depot they had no previous military affiliation so had to select one prior to being issued with kit, given a Regimental Number and receive any pay. Some chose this Cavalry Regiment because of the Cap Badge. Correction to previous.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 12:59:26 BST
These Troopers appears to be sat on the roof of a railway carriage given the curved roofline and it is interesting that they are wearing studded boots (Boots AP or Army Pattern) and not Commando Boots with It side made cleated rubber soles so perhaps this is quite early on.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 12:49:53 BST
This shows a .303 inch Bren Light Machine Gun loaded with a magazine which could hold 28 rounds and there are spare mags stacked close to hand in the picture.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 12:45:42 BST
These LSTs were built to run straight up onto the beach where, if possible, Tanks, Troops and other equipment could be landed ‘dry-shod’ through large doors in the bow. Each was also fitted with a huge Kedging Anchor on the Stern which had a swivel ‘fluke’ plate attached to powerful windlass also stern mounted. On the run-in to the beach that anchor would dig into the seabed. This meant that the LST and other similar ships could quite literally haul itself back out into deep water where that anchor was recovered. That Kedging Anchor features on the famous Combined Operation ‘ flash’ brought into use which also shows the equally famous Thompson Sub Machine Gun and an Eagle for the Air Forces involved.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 12:39:17 BST
His Parachute Badge looks similar to that worn on Best Blues as it has a black or dark blue background and the wings appear to be gold in colour. It might also indicate that he had been attached to a Special Unit who wore this to show that distinction.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 12:15:47 BST
If a soldier sees a camera........
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 12:12:24 BST
The toppees worn in the photo were standard issue back in the day once a soldier arrived at a certain latitude where it was originally feared that the hot sun might scramble the brains of Britons exposed. The white Royal Marines Parade helmets (known as the Wolsey Helmet) is based on this headwear.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 12:10:57 BST
The ‘beds’ in this photo are made up of old-style petrol jerrycans balancing on planks. These thin tin cans were superseded by British copies of the German petrol cans, hence ‘Jerricans’! Simple when you know how.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 12:07:38 BST
Both the Brothers are Royal Navy Stokers, on the left is an Able Seaman on the right a Petty Officer (rank equivalent is Sergeant), both wear one Long Service stripe showing 4 years under the Colours. The Stokers arm Insignia is a Ships’ propeller and the term dates back to coal fired ships.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 12 Sep 2020 20:38:25 BST
Sergeant Robinson is wearing the distinctive SAS Parachute Brevet (Winged Parachute) above his North Africa Star, later the badge would be worn on the right shoulder below any Regimental Title.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 12 Sep 2020 20:32:13 BST
This is a vey early Parachute photograph as the Commando is wearing the protective helmet designed to prevent head injury when exiting a Whitley converted Bomber, the only spare aircraft available. A circular hole was cut in the floor, the parachutist sat on the side ready to jump going thru the Red light/a Green light procedure. Many hit their heads on the other side of the hole which was not a good way to start the descent. The padded helmet was intended to prevent that kind of injury. A steel helmet designed for Para Troops’ use was soon issued and the introduction of the US made Douglas DC-3 ‘Dakota’ with side exit ended that problem.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 12 Sep 2020 20:28:10 BST
When 45 RM Commando went to Achnacary in 1943 for the final 10 days of their Green Beret Training they lived in Bell Tents in the grounds and slept on straw. It was basic but adequate. The period mentioned included the Acquaints and the Commando Tests. All preparatory training had been Prior to arrival. Source: Ply/X 105503 Marine Cliff Welsh RM. who was a Unit Founder Member, MMG Gunner and member of “F” Troop in pub conversations well after the War, he landed on Sword Beach D-Day and went on thru all their Battles into Germany.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 12 Sep 2020 14:42:10 BST
They are ready to ump from a Dakota and it will be noted that no reserve Parachutes are being used, these were not introduced until late 1940s at earliest. They would jump using the static line which opening the ‘chute on exiting the aircraft if it did not work.............ROH!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 12 Sep 2020 14:31:23 BST
He is armed with the 9mm Sterling Sun-Machine Gun a gas and blow-back operated weapon.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 11 Sep 2020 22:38:18 BST
The second man from left is carrying the very heavy MMG Tripod like it Has no weight! The Commando in front of him has a Bren slung over his right shoulder.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 11 Sep 2020 22:34:50 BST
