The tanks, known as Duplex Tanks, were also fitted with a propeller on the ‘stern’ and could make headway once afloat.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:29:25 BST
These Commandos moving off the Landing Beach are wearing a single word shoulder title reading ‘Commando” and below that the circular Combined Operations ‘flash’. A Royal Marine Commando would wear a three part set of shoulder titles including his Commando Number, ie: 40 - 48, then a silk flash bearing the words: “Royal Marines” then a standard Commando ‘flash” as mentioned, and below again the Combined Operations circular ‘flash’. There is no doubt these are from an Army Unit. The silk ‘flash’ mentioned was made by the Cash Company more famous for making name tabs for school kids and still in use in the Corps until the 1960s, when Battle Dress was replaced by the Lovat Uniform which is now issued.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:26:14 BST
The Officer wears the Campaign Service Medal awarded after WW2 with the Medals awarded during that War.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:12:00 BST
The Troopers are wearing the Gas Capes which proved so useful being waterproof but never intended for this usage,
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:09:04 BST
Bob holds the Military Cross and fought in Korea. Janet has ‘pinched’ his Commando Association tie and wears a Royal British Legion Blazer Badge.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 16:59:53 BST
His Regiment is the Kings Royal Rifle Corps (Light Infantry) and he wears the black Corporals stripes of his ‘home’ Regiment. All SAS Troopers today have this same “home Regiment” and if killed that is used avoiding a SF reference.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 16:56:35 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 is a very interesting photo as there are weapons here which might not be that well known. The long barrelled weapon is a .55” Boyes anti-tank rifle, the other two are both .303” Bren Light Machine Guns but what is most unusual is that these are fitted with a 100 round circular or drum magazine. The Landing Craft is heading ashore to rescue members of the Parachute Regiment who had taken part in the Bruneval Raid where vital German Radar equipment was seized and the Regiment earned its First Battle Honour. In the Raid a RAF Radar Specialist jumped with the Troops and was awarded a very rare Military Medal for a member of the RAF at that time.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 12:27:27 BST
This Obstacle Crossing was known as “The Postmans’ Walk” and what can be seen is the rope tension is not adequate. This same sort of obstacle was built into all Commando Tarzan Courses and heavy duty pulley blocks used to get that tension right. The CTCRM Tarzan Course had a steel cable for the lower ‘rope’ which was caught against the heel-block when sliding the foot along.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 12:14:59 BST
Trooper Machin is wearing ‘Ever Open Eye’ shoulder flash designed by Lt. Rex Whistler, Welsh Guards, a famous Artist, KIA 1944. This badge was worn by those serving with the Guards Armoured Division formed 1941.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 12:01:00 BST
These Troopers are “enjoying” a hot meal and tea probably from the Field Kitchen seen in a previous photo. There are a lot of them which must be more than one Troop and they look quite relaxed in what must be a quiet time in the continuing actions.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 11:43:28 BST
The photo shows the Commando issue ‘A’ Frame Rucksacks with good detail. These were an immense improvement on the previous ‘37 Pattern Large Pack. The WO1 on the right wears the Cap Badge of the Reconnaissance Regiment and is armed with a pistol or revolver which is attached by the lanyard which can be clearly seen.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 11:39:51 BST
This is a ‘flash’ demo over a swimming pool and getting the tension on the rope may have been problematic. There are 2 US Navy men sat watching from the flat-roofed building distinctive in their Tropical Whites and the small round issue hat.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 11:24:30 BST
These Troopers are carrying the folding bicycles issued to Commando and Airborne Forces and which had been specially developed for that purpose.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 11:15:45 BST
This Royal Marine wears the dark blue beret with scarlet flash worn by those members of the Corps who were not Commando Trained so he was probably a Landing Craft Rating manning the small Craft used in the raid.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 11:13:25 BST
The lady wears her French Legion d’Honneur Medal awarded for her action in helping British Commandos and Canadian soldiers involved in the Dieppe Raid. Two small Canadian badges can just be glimpsed above the Medal.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 11:06:21 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 rough nature of the materials making up this obstacle means this was in the early days of Commando Training where the Instructors were working on a ‘make and mend’ basis using such items that were immediately to hand.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 10:29:56 BST
The two long items on stands in front of the Course as WD 4-draw ‘Scout’ Telescopes carried by all Snipers. They would always operate in twos, known as a “Sniper Pair”, so that one man could be observing generally and widely to their front whilst the other ‘stood down’ resting, making ‘wets’ etc., but could be quickly called in to action. The observer would use binoculars for the wider search and use the Telescope to pick out clear details on proposed targets, ie: Where are the Leaders as these would be the favourite target. Most of the fieldcraft, stalking etc., was drawn from Scottish Gillies skilled in stalking and killing Game. The methodology was much the same. If in position for any length of time the Snipers would build a ‘hide’ to give shelter, cover from view and protection for returning enemy fire.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 10:24:46 BST
Good photo all heavily armed but the give-away is the GPO (Red) Telephone Kiosk to the rear! Also stamp machine to the right of group.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 22:51:35 BST
The central man holds the Military Medal.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 22:37:13 BST
I have been trying to work out what is being issued and can only come up with cigarettes given the neat packaging and exact quantities. Apologies if wrong guys!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 20:57:32 BST
This is one of a number of photos showing Commandos building a temporary bridge over a ruined culvert using what materials are to hand. The photos are not in sequence,
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 20:52:43 BST
This a field kitchen set up to feed a full Troop with most food coming tinned in 10 man Ration Packs padded out with anything found, poached or pinched locally. The large metal boxes were known as Hay Boxes and were used to keep food (reasonably) hot, still in use well into the 1960s and very heavy.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 20:35:22 BST
