Commando units and Commandos during WW2

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Date: 16/12/2011 Views: 3973 Owner: Pete Rogers (Admin)

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	Given the quality of photographs taken by Corporal Emerson, the vast range and the access he had plus seemingly unlimited amounts of film I would suggest he was Unit Photographer who could go anywhere without let or hindrance and everyone would know his role. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 15:41:07 BST
	The photo shows a Field Latrine at ‘Action Stations’ with the man nearest camera wearing a Royal Marines ‘split’ Cap Badge, given the sophistication of this set-up I am guessing Officers Only. Field Latrines were commonly known as ‘Thunderboxes’! The belt around his shoulders is a Naval Issue money belt which, when new, would have been Navy Blue. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 15:30:16 BST
	A 3” Mortar in action and just been fired! Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 15:20:51 BST
	Given that a wheeled Maxim Machine Gun appears in one of a Corporal Emerson’s’ photos could these men be captured Croats serving under German Command? They are certainly unarmed unlike the British present. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 15:17:09 BST
	These are two Royal Marines Officers evidenced by ‘split’ Cap Badge on right hand man both appearing to be Captains. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 15:08:47 BST
	The front man is holding Thompson Sub-Machine Gun pointing almost directly at the photographer! The rearmost man is a Royal Marine. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 15:02:47 BST
	This a Commando seems to have ‘proffed’ a German Schmeiser Sub Machine Gun which has a folding stock. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 14:56:48 BST
	The man nearest camera wears a Royal Marines ‘split’ Cap Badge so is probably an Officer as he has no sleeve insignia. The other is an Army Warrant Officer Il and is wearing motor cycle breeches and boots, his rank precludes him from being a Despatch Rider (DR or Don Rider). Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 14:54:07 BST
	Trooper Hill has awarded himself some German medals taken as War Booty souvenirs! It is a Luftwaffe Eagle evidenced by the swooping wings. The other might be a high honour Bravery Medal, Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 14:38:12 BST
	The ‘pig-sticker’ Bayonet is clearly shown in the photo replacing the 18” Bayonet standard issue previously for the .303 inch SMLE Rifle. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 14:30:10 BST
	He has also been doing a spot of huntin’ on the side and has a brace of Pheasants over his shoulder heading for the cooking pot, hope he was ‘In Season!’ Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 14:22:12 BST
	He is also wearing short puttees and not the more usual webbing anklets these were still in use in the Royal Marines into quite late on when the US Style High Boot was first issued. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 14:18:11 BST
	The nice thing in this photo is that they have given this guy a blanket, a wet, and some scran the same as they are having. Nice touch! Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 14:07:20 BST
	On the run-in to Sword Beach on D-Day Cliffs’ landing Craft was sunk by the German Gun Batteries. He swam ashore with his MMG on three life belts losing only his Green Beret in the process. Once the gun was set up and firing he was asked by an Officer about the missing Beret and was told to go down to the Beach to get a replacement from one of the many dead! Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 11:09:46 BST
	SS Dagger stuck in ground forward of the Nazi Flag. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 11:05:01 BST
	This is a Field Kitchen set up to feed the hun grey Commandos en bloc, Sliced bread is piled on the table to it appears they anticipate feeding a fair number. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 11:00:32 BST
	I think this Commando might have ‘proffed’ a German Luger pistol as the grip is not British, the push-rod for cleaning the barrel is also visible. These weapons were eagerly sought as souvenirs. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 10:55:17 BST
	These Commandos have the scaling ladders and other equipment which might prove useful once in France. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 10:48:41 BST
	The vehicle is a captured Wehrmacht ‘Kubelwagen’ based on the Porsche designed “Beetle” . The front Number plate bears the letters ‘Wh” which Identifies it as Army. A SS vehicle would have the SS Lightning runes in front of the number. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 10:46:13 BST
	The Rifle being used in the photo was a captured German Sturmgewehr 44 (StG44) which could be fired single round, bursts or automatic. It used a ‘short’ 7.92mm round weaker than the standard German ‘long’ 7.92mm round bust that made it easier to fire and aim. It proved quite expensive so the design was amended to make it cheaper and easier to make.It was superior to the British .303” Lee Enfield No: 4 Rifle in its ability to bring heavy fire to bear, not dis-similar to the US .30-06” Garand kin that respect. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 10:41:45 BST
	The Sniper Rifle in this photo was the .303” Lee Enfield No: 4(T) fitted with a X4 Sniperscope usually used at ranges up to 600 yards. At that range when fired you could see ‘swirl” as the bullet passed through the air and could follow that into the target. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 09:01:00 BST
	I sent a copy of that same photo up to 45 History Room at Arbroath, at his request back in the day with some artifacts for display. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 00:14:52 BST
	I have previously mentioned Ply/x 105503 Marine Cliff Welsh and blow me down there he is! Left hand man (as you look at photo) in the centre rank with the round smiling face. A founder member of 45 RM Commando and Vickers Machine Gunner in ‘F’ Troop part of a Support Troop. He had no contact with the Corps since the War, soon put that right! Signed him up with the RMA, the original Commando Association and 45 Commando RM Association. I was also able to guide him through a successful War Pension Claim. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 23:58:19 BST
	These daggers have a distinctive shape and design fetching big bucks on the Collectors Market. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 23:29:09 BST
	These Marines are examining two Nazi Daggers which are probably SS and would have a black hilt and scabbard. These fetch very high prices in the collectors markets. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 23:24:49 BST