The Sangar is a Pashto word for fortification made using local Stone and similar immediately to hand. Dhala Camp was surrounded by a 5 foot, dry stone wall and barbed wire entanglements. There were two Sanger’s, Mortar and Machine Gun plus three Sentry Posts in early days but much improved latterly as the situation and threat changed. One thing that is not local are the sandbags forming part of this position.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 17:10:19 BST
The face of the right hand man in the front rank wearing a Green Beret has been blanked out may indicate a Royal Marine serving in SF (SBS?)
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 16:58:15 BST
Notice depth of monsoon storm ditch!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 13:18:14 BST
It is still North to South here with Exouth to,the right (West) of the Firing
Point.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 13:12:45 BST
Photo taken on Parade Ground at CTCRM with Officers’ Mess in background.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 12:48:14 BST
We would patrol the plateau at the top of the Jebel Jihaf Massif visiting 4 local militia Forts. The Forts were Shima, As-arir Hiab and Khana. In1958 rebels besieged the Fort at As-arir trapping the the British Political Officer (Advisor to the local Emir) they had come across from The Yemen for that purpose. Major Bill Boucher-Myers of the East Lancs seconded to the Aden Protectorate Levies led a fighting patrol up the Jebel (Mountain) taking four hours hammered the rebels and saved the day! He was a Commando Officer in WW2 under Lord Lovat getting a MiD after Dieppe. He was awarded an immediate DSO for this action!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 22:37:47 BST
On Exercise in Sardinia with 41 Commando RM leading a patrol back to base I spotted a USMC Helicopter base and thought, “Why not?” So I led my men in and asked. The USMC General running it called one of these from an off-shore Carrier and it flew us back, it was only 8 kilometres! The base was in air-conditioned Port-a-Cabins which had power, running water and Coca Cola Machines all lifted ashore, you could not make it up! You can drive Humvees into choppers.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 22:09:51 BST
Viaques is on Puerto Rico where the US Marines have Training Area.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 19:42:16 BST
This is not Bisley and is probably a similar Competition being held on Malta judging by the burnt appearance of the general terrain, There are British personnel present wearing uniform shorts and US Naval Members in ‘whites’. The Shottist next to QMS Lyon is using the issue US military Rifle, the .30-06 M1 Garand used by them up to, and including Vietnam.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 14:10:00 BST
The right hand medal with red and white ribbon is the Naval General Service Medal (NGS) it has one bar for the Malayan Emergency, also the two Korean War Medals awarded for his Service with 41 (Independent) Commando RM where they fought alongside the US Marine Corps being awarded the US Presidential Citation for their Conduct in support of the USMC particularly for the Chosin Reservoir Action. A streamer is attached the the Unit Colour Commemorating this. Also his small Corps lapel badge, Blazer badge and Commando ‘Flash’
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 13:58:11 BST
We were using Foggin Tor Quarry for this which is located North-West of Princetown and Dartmoor Prison and was one worked by Convicts back in the day, a wild place in Winter. We also used it for a “Cordon and Search” Exercise as part of the Commando Course Training Recruits in that Skill.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 08:04:45 BST
This Range was near Falais Camp being built for British Troops to move into when we handed over to the new Federal Army being formed from the Aden Protectorate Levies and Federal National Guard (FNG) but it would all end up as a ball of chalk when the Government pulled us all out and left them to stew!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 22:21:41 BST
Marine Pearson was an Oppo and must have been one of the first to fire the84mm Carl Gustav on the a short Range at Bir Fukum. The problem with the weapon was that when it was fired the Venturi Tube (no breech) rang with ultra sonic sound causing serious hearing loss. Once this was discovered a canvas ‘gag’ was strapped to the tube to prevent the actual vibration causing that noise. In all later pictures that addition can be seen.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 22:15:51 BST
Judging by the embroidered Cap Badge I am guessing this Commando is an Officer. Rank badges are now worn of a small frontal chest flap.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:58:13 BST
When skioring Troops are towed behind an over-snow tracked vehicle hanging onto an attached rope of cable. Vehicles used previously was the BAE (Sweden) BV but that has now been replaced by the “Viking” Armoured Fighting Vehicle. Skioring is a hard art to acquire as seen in the photo!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:55:29 BST
The sign behind this Gallant Royal Marine was designed for ‘X’ Troop 45RM Commando during WW2 and had it returned to ‘X’ Company by a former member of that original Unit when WW2 Commandos visited RM Condor in Scotland.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 12:32:19 BST
This Battery is a mix of RN, RM and Army Commandos who operate in very close liaison with SF out of a South Coast Base, I had a RA Oppo Radio Op who served with this Special Unit. Gunner John Mahoney RA (RIP). They are all Parachute Qualified.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 10:40:56 BST
I was stationed at CTCRM Lympstone when the first Gunners were going through training. Colonel O”Flaherty RA was very much in evidence during that time with his distinctive eye patch. The ‘buzz’ that went around was Spot On with regard to his Bravery at Vaagso but someone did say he had been awarded the VC. He was the holder of the DSO and from a distance the Medal Ribbon might have been mistaken.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 10:35:58 BST
The SNCO central is the Squad Drill Instructor holding his ‘Bsdge of Office’ the standard issue Pace Stick.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 18:56:06 BST
This interesting photo was taken at the Infantry Training Centre RM at Lympstone (now CTCRM) in front of Sylvan Glade where the original Tarzan Course was built. The brick building to the left of the picture was the old Camp Cinema. It can be seen that the already Commando trained NCOs are wearing the same dark blue beret with the scarlet patch as the Recruits as the decision that all Trained Ranks would wear their Green Beret at all times lay in the future.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 18:53:20 BST
See ROH
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 18:16:31 BST
Taken at CTCRM Lympstone on the occasion of his Kings Squad Pass Out where, on completion, the Squad Officer gives the Command , “ Royal Marines, to your Duties, Quick March! “They March Off to the tune of Auld Lang Syne played by the Royal Marines Band. He is wearing his hard earned Green Beret and the White Lanyard only worn by The Kings Squad. He is stood in front of the Centre Commando Memorial. Salute!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 18:04:44 BST
This Royal Marines Officer wears the Royal Navy Pilots’ Brevet (Wings) quite common as many qualified and flew from Aircraft Carriers. It is still a RM norm when they qualify, usually in Helicopters, but I read of one such who had qualified as a Hawker ‘Harrier’ Pilot and on secondment, in that Role, to the United States Marine Corps, quite recently.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 17:55:09 BST
This is a very unusual photograph as Marine Connolly stands at attention with rifle at the slope and bayonet fixed but is in front of the Regimental Colours of 42 Commando RM. I have never seen this allowed before. He must have been well thought of.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 17:46:11 BST
This Marine carrie the 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) which replaced the Bren Gun as a Section Support Weapon and used in the Light Role. It has the advantage of being belt-fed and can be used to lay down heavy immediate covering fire. It is fondly known as the ‘Gimpy’ It is also used in the Support Company in the Heavy Role as it can be
mounted on a solid Tripod and fitted with a heavier barrel. The ammunition comes as 4 in 1 Tracer.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 17:39:55 BST
