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
This Commando is holding his Personal Weapon the US made Thompson Sun-Machine Gun which is also depicted on his right shoulder Combined Operations ‘flash’. I think that the hilt of his F & S Commando Fighting knife can just be seen in his right hand map-pocket.
Posted by David Prichard on Sat 29 Aug 2020 18:37:52 BST
This French Commando Officer wears the Cap Badge depicting the Cross of Lorraine symbol of The Free French. He is wearing his Commando Toggle Rope which seems to have been adopted as Badge of Honour by the French as they can be seen wearing them in many Parade photos.
Posted by David Prichard on Sat 29 Aug 2020 18:27:35 BST
In the preparations for the Invasion Troops trained in bombed-out areas of British Cities where they could practise and rehearse ’Fighting in Built-up Areas’ (FIBUA) as opposed to training in areas of open land such as the Hills and Moorland. In some parts of the UK whole areas were taken over and all the inhabitants and livestock moved out. Some have never been allowed back with those areas still retained by the MoD for Military Training. One is near Thetford in Norfolk, another at Imber on Salisbury Plain and the third is near Lulworth Cove which includes a ‘live’ Tank Gunnery Range. The whole of the South Hams in Devon was cleared for ‘live’ Infantry Training (means weapons were being fired ).
Posted by David Prichard on Sat 29 Aug 2020 18:15:00 BST
The reference here to a ‘Tommy Cooker’ is the small, tin folding cooker using Hexamine Blocks which were still in use in the 1980 when I finally hung up my Green Beret.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 23:44:31 BST
Although Major Keiffer appears to be on Parade in an urban environment he still proudly wears his British Commando Toggle Rope
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 23:32:38 BST
This unusual photo shows a Bren Gun mounted on a tripod designed for use when being used in the anti-aircraft role!
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 22:50:10 BST
These Commandos are holding Rising Sun flag which will have been taken from a dead Japanese soldier..Traditionally these flags were given by families and would have messages written on them, they would be found wrapped around the body. There have been cases where these flags have been returned to Japanese families when the British soldier has made the effort and traced them for that purpose.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 22:27:53 BST
This is the standard British 3 inch mortar in general use, the base-plate would be stamped into the ground prior to firing
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 22:17:32 BST
This Commando is wearing a standard issue life-belt but fully inflated for reason which are not clear. It was inflated by blowing through the mouthpiece.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 22:05:11 BST
These men are holding the famous Thompson Sub-Machine Gun so may well be their first sight of this US weapon.There was no British equivalent.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 21:52:02 BST
It seems the Scottish element has been dropped, Green Berets adopted and standard Army field dress worn.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 21:43:34 BST
Most of these Commandos are wearing the very popular issue brown leather jerkin (always a good ‘proff’) the man 6th left has the Commando Toggle Rope around waist.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 21:37:27 BST
The small packs worn on the chest hold the respirator (gas-mask) issued to all personnel as there was a real fear that the Germans both had, and would use, poison gases. Fortunately this never happened. The German equivalent is the metal, corrugated tubs often seen hanging off their Field Order. The men here are wearing field kilts in a plain, khaki cloth.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 21:25:08 BST
These Commandos are working/cleaning a .303 inch Bren and the others have the US .30-06 Garand rifles might indicate they were issued to give their Rifle Section additional firepower.The ammunition for these weapons are a different calibre so are not compatible.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 19:12:09 BST
These Commandos are carrying out a ‘live’ 3 inch Mortar shoot.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 19:03:17 BST
I believe this photograph was taken at RMB Eastney (closed)
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 18:56:27 BST
He is wearing his Commando Dagger on the right hip.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 18:53:27 BST
