Where ever these guys are they have their weapons close to hand with one (right hand) wearing a full bandolier of 100 rounds!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 23:19:30 BST
I put this given where this man lies buried. I used to have a pint with Marine Cliff Welsh RM (45 RM Commando) a Vickers Machine Gunner. He told me of motoring thru the Reichwald Forest in one of three Jeeps. His was rearmost. They ran into a German Panzer which immediately opened fire hitting the two leading Jeeps and killing or injuring the Marines in them. His driver headed for cover so they were not hit. I wonder if Marine Keough was in one of those Jeeps.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 23:15:32 BST
The Welch Regiment.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 22:55:18 BST
They are Training as there is no Magazine on the Gun.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 22:11:07 BST
Cleaning the famous Commando issue SV Boot (Service Vulcanised) The cleated sole made by the Itside Company and screwed to the upper.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 22:08:01 BST
Looks remarkably like the Woodbury Common Endurance Course used now, getting wet a Commando Tradition!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 21:49:41 BST
The Flag shows the Cross of Lorraine Symbol of the Free French Military.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 21:47:09 BST
This shows Bren,’live’ firing as the formation is not tactical and it looks like an improvised Range.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 21:45:01 BST
In the early days at Achnacary it was very much ‘hands on’ with Assault Courses being built with materials to hand. Training with actual logs was part of everyday fitness training, one which the Commando Logistics Regt Practise now!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 21:42:26 BST
The close-up,shows how the ropes were used.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 21:36:21 BST
This photo shows how the Commando Toggle Rope every man carried could be utilised to make a bridge of sorts which could be quickly broken down after the men had made a ‘dry shod’ crossing. When I did my Commando Course at Lympstone there was one as part of the Tarzan Course in Sylvan Glade.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 21:35:05 BST
The left hand medal in the photo bears the Bar for the North West Frontier so dates from a Service in India up near the border with Afghanistan!
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 21:00:16 BST
One man can be seen carrying the small issue motor cycle also used by Airborne Forces, not dis-similar to a Vespa Scooter later developed.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 20:41:40 BST
There would have been a telephone fitment on the rear of the tank which could be used for communication. The tank is the famous Sherman.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 20:39:02 BST
He is wearing the ‘split’ Cap Badge of a QMS RM or an Officer so will have been promoted at some time.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 20:34:18 BST
The right hand Royal Marine shoulders a .303” Lee Enfield Rifle fitted with a launcher for No: 36 Grenades. A primed Grenade fitted with a 7:second Fuse would be placed into the cup-like fitting and fired using a Ballastite Cartridge (like a powerful blank round) so powerful that the normal grip on the small of the butt would not be used and the trigger ‘stroked’ using a stiff fore-finger. The rifle could be used as normal otherwise with some effect on accuracy.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 20:27:26 BST
The Royal Marine second from right is holding a 2” Mortar Bomb Carrier of holding 6 Bombs.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 20:18:40 BST
The Nissen Hut seems to indicate this might be on Woodbury Common (also known as Dalditch) where the Corps still trains today.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 20:14:48 BST
The right hand man is a RM Commando holding QMS (now WO2)
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 20:12:33 BST
I asked Marine Cliff Welsh RM (45RM Cdo) about the Bikes and was told they were ditched almost immediately together with some other items which gave no advantage.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 19:40:20 BST
This Norwegian Commando is holding his Personal Weapon the .303 inch Lee Enfield which was standard issue. What is unusual is that it is fully ‘cocked. Look below the raised rear leaf sight you can see that the cocking device is fully extended, if there is a round in the chamber the weapon is safe provided the safety catch is ‘on’ . Judging his appearance he may be on a Rifle Range and not in contact with the enemy.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 18:04:43 BST
The piece of kit on the floor is a collapsible assault boat and the oars are clearly shown. The Commando walking centrally seems to be carrying a Field a Radio as it is certainly heavy so he may be a Signaller.
Posted by David Prichard on Sat 29 Aug 2020 19:16:33 BST
There are three Bren Gunners in this photo. The left hand man has a FFD strapped over a wound above the left eye, but seems unconcerned. The right hand Bren Gunner has a 28 round magazine in the left top pocket.
Posted by David Prichard on Sat 29 Aug 2020 19:09:43 BST
The Commando seen emerging from the hatchway is wearing a souvenir German cap with the Eagle and Swastika in clear view so he must have got to very close quarters in Dieppe! The man behind holds a Bren LMG across the shoulder whilst Gunner Ruskin holds his Thompson Sub-machine Gun. He may have been wounded as his right hand denim leg is gone and it appears that a First Field Dressing has been applied (FFD - A pre-packed sterile bandage carried by all British Infantry soldiers and which should only be used to treat him. If Morphine has been administered the letter M in blood would be placed on his forehead.
Posted by David Prichard on Sat 29 Aug 2020 19:01:01 BST
Proudly displaying the Cross of Lorraine Free French flag.
Posted by David Prichard on Sat 29 Aug 2020 18:40:38 BST
