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 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. 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! Cliff had no contact with the Corps since the War, I 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. 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 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
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
