Everything in these photos point to them being taken in the Far East.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:59:11 BST
The Rifle pictured would be issued with an 18” Bayonet.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:58:00 BST
The leading Commando has a slung .303” SMLE Rifle as evidenced by
the two studs just under the muzzle so this might be an early photo I. By
mid-1944 the .303” Lee Enfield No: 4 Rifle with a pig-sticker bayonet was
on issue.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:57:10 BST
The caption states “Mortars on Fire!” But this probably means the a Mortar
is BEING fired as there are casings for the Bombs for the 3 inch Mortar visible on the grass on the low right of this picture. A Mortar is simply a strong steel tube and the only thing that can burn are the ‘charges’ attached to the Bombs by the 3 man crew. The type of charge and number being governed by the type of target and range. These charges look similar to the phials of petrol which could be bought in a Tobacconist for lighter fuel.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:52:39 BST
The item low centre is a No: 36 HE Grenade which has a distinctive shape
similar to a pineapple, they must be expecting trouble having this so close
to hand! The segmentation design meant that the Grenade exploded into
many pieces propelled outwards by 1lb of HE.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:42:47 BST
This looks like “Letters from Home” being distributed by the man standing
who might be the Unit “Postie”.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:39:31 BST
This would appear to be a Japanese PoW judging by he cap he is wearing.
Not many prisoners were actually taken as they either died in a final
“Banzai” charge or committed Seppku (A form of ritual Suicide also known as Hara-Kiri)
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:36:44 BST
They are preparing food for either a Section or Troop as the the metal “box’ to the left of the seated Corporal is a Hay-Box liner in which hot food was
taken forward to Troops in the field. The steel pot handle visible in the bottom left hand corner is a standard issue cooking pot used on a 1Star Petrol fired Field Cooker still in use well into the 1960s. The ladle the Corporal is holding is another clue!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:32:22 BST
This photo taken on Tilbury Docks, the War had ended and these Commandos are back in the UK with bulging Rucksacks and Kitbags. I wonder what they have managed to ‘scrounge’ under the “To the Victor the
Spoils Rule! A war time Commando told me that the seabed outside the
entrance to Portsmouth Naval Base would have been littered with German
Lugers and Daggers after being warned that Customs Officers awaited!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:19:26 BST
These men appear to be living in ‘Civvie’ digs, standard in the Commandos of the day with a Subsistence Allowance being paid.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:10:43 BST
These are not the standard British Sniper Rifles issued at that time which was the .303inch Lee Enfield No: 4(T) and was still in use in the Royal Marines until mid-1960 when it was re-chambered to use the 7.62mm round. The standard round issued was not good enough so special rounds were ordered for Sniper use only. When using the Lee Enfield Snipersin the Corps would try an d get the .303inch 7Z round which was standard issue for the .303inch Vickers Medium Machine Gun (MMG) which had a “Boat end or tapered “ bullet, the new style Rifle was called the L42. In this photo these Rifles are perhaps being “trialled” to measure their worth.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:07:44 BST
There is a Commando Trained Bugler on the left of this photo sounding a Salute Call.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 19:23:25 BST
This Commando is holding a German Stick Grenades and draped in belted ammunition which is probably also from the same source.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 19:17:13 BST
This Royal Marines SNCO is in full Blues, the Badge above his Sergeants’ stripes mean that he is either a 1st Class Drill or Weapons Instructor. Back in the day there was a Specialist Qualification of Military Instructor who would teach both disciplines.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 19:14:27 BST
I hope that is a Green Fez!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 17:41:48 BST
This shows a 3’ Mortar Team preparing to open fire. No: 1 of the weapon is setting the sight whilst the others prepare bombs for the ‘stonk’ they are about to drop onto the target.The striped rod in front is one of the aiming posts which would be set out to use in the DF(SOS) mode, Defensive Fire SOS. The range would depend on which fuses were placed in the base of each bomb.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 17:37:01 BST
The three front Commandos each hold a .30-06 inch a Garand Rifle issued to provide extra fire power as these are semi-automatic weapons
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 17:25:41 BST
This shows Jim’s’ Regimental Number, Religion (Methodist) with name and Initials. The reverse will show Blood Group. This circular ID Disc would be taken from a man who had been killed and sent to his Regimental Pay and Records Office for his Service Record to be closed. In the Royal Marines that would be entered as: “Discharged-Dead”, all hand written back then. A second Disc (different shape and colour) would be buried with the man for later identification and proper burial
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 17:12:57 BST
The cups of tea are a major clue!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 16:59:33 BST
This an interesting a Commando photograph. As the Commando Units were being formed they had no regular home or Barracks, added to that was the fact they moved frequently to many different locations. What was decided is they would be paid a Subsistence Allowance and take lodgings near to their current training area. This proved popular, they could pick and choose, were away from Barracks Routine, could team up with chums, would be living in Town close to attractions such as Pubs, Cinemas, Dance Halls and young ladies! The rent money they paid was welcomed by their Landladies many of whom had siblings serving in the Armed Forces and they would also bring home anything they could scrounge. It worked well and explains the smiles in this photo, some long-terms friends and relation ships were forged, many married into families they had lodged with.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 16:58:19 BST
In this case there appears to be a rope ladder attached and not a single rope
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 16:17:51 BST
The equipment shown here is a rocket-propelled grapnel which would be fired up and over the cliff edge in the hope that it would ‘bite’ and have sufficient purchase for the trailing rope to be used to scale the cliff. The US Rangers used these in their famous Point de Hoc attack on D-Day! That is still a place of pilgrimage and homage for the survivors.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 16:16:36 BST
This is free climbing as opposed to using ropes placed by Unit Climbers, in the Royal Marines these were originally entitled Cliff Leaders which was changed in the 1960s to Mountain Leaders. They are now classed as Special Forces and form 3 Commando Brigade Patrol Group (BPG). They come (at you) very heavily armed!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 16:05:09 BST
The central man is using an Army issue Prismatic Compass, an essential bit of kit which together with an accurate Map and Protractor would be used to navigate safely anywhere from a Desert, to Mountain to Jungle.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 15:59:02 BST
The boots seen worn in this photograph were known as ‘Scramble Boots’ being standard Army leather boots fitted with cleats for climbing and three point stud used on the sole which I read originated with the Romans! When we started Commando Training we were issued with this type of boot. Also a Cap Comforter, Dennison Smock (mine dated from 1943 and was ragged), a Field ‘38:Pattern Fighting Order, an ‘A’ Frame Rucksack, short Puttees, and Cotton, feather filled Sleeping Bag with no item waterproof. Happy Days!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 15:51:51 BST
