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!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 11:09:46 BST
SS Dagger stuck in ground forward of the Nazi Flag.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 11:05:01 BST
This is a Field Kitchen set up to feed the hun grey Commandos en bloc, Sliced bread is piled on the table to it appears they anticipate feeding a fair number.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 11:00:32 BST
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
Alan Richardson was a very Senior Fire Chief in Gwent afterwards, may even have been Fire Chief for County.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 10:18:17 BST
I had great difficulty understanding what Jock was saying but every time I bumped into him after that he would buy me a pint! Drown away Royal!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 10:16:32 BST
Yaffling scran (Marine term for eating food) NOT haggling,
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 10:10:41 BST
Dhala Camp - me goin g on overnight Sentry Duty carrying my beloved \Bren. You can see from the wet tentage that there had been a downpour. Always welcome cleared the air.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 10:05:56 BST
Dhala Convoy en route to Yemen Border. This is Tom Pennington from Nottingham he was on his second Commission (tour), the Ferret in the background is from the 11 Hussars (Cherrypickers).
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 10:04:10 BST
RMR Mountain Training Glencoe Area, one of the breaking-in Yomps.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 09:47:35 BST
RMR Mountain Training Glencoe area, two Regular RM Mountain Leaders, both Falklands Veterans. The one on the right is Corporal Fitzgerald RM.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 09:46:16 BST
RMR Mountain Training around Glencoe area, Alan Richardson still yaffling scran! People say this looked like rugged Country, it was and is still perfect for Commando Training, it was the hardest thing I ever did.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 09:43:28 BST
RMR Mountain and Arctic Warfare Training with 42 Commando RM. We were just going onto the Nursery Slopes to try and ‘crack’ skiiing not my strong point. I preferred “Yomping”, a modern Royal Marines term meaning Load-carrying with everything needed to fight and survive over any terrain In all weather conditions. Came in handy in the Falklands War! I did NOT serve in the Falklands War. There was a prohibition in force with regard to Reserve Forces (since lifted).
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 09:40:13 BST
RMR Mountain Training me fully rigged and armed. Those are 2 X 82 Smoke Grenades hanging off my Fighting g Order. The 7.72mm SLR is fitted with a Blank Firing Attachment (BFA) which allowed the rifle to re cock when firing blank ammunition, always painted bright yellow.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 09:35:07 BST
RMR Mountain and Arctic Warfare Training at Andalsnes, Norway, February 1979. This is Captain Sam SMITH RD RMR (later Lt/Colonel RMR and CO RMR Bristol). We founded the Cardiff Detachment back in 1968 at RNR Base HMS “Cambria” and still going strong!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 09:30:39 BST
RMR Mountain Training, Me with Peep Luks on a Munro.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 09:24:25 BST
RMR Mountain Training this in July!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 09:23:28 BST
RMR Mountain Training, this is Lt Dudley (RMR London) with Marine Alan Richardson in background haggling scran (eating)
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 09:22:34 BST
RMR Mountain Training, this is left to right Marine Alan Richardson (Civilian Firefighter) who went up to Hereford and last heard of was WO2 (SASR). He told me later that this period of Training was harder than his SAS Selection! The middle guy is a Glaswegian Jock (Heavy Weapons - RMR Mortars), he was a non-swimmer and on one occasion was drowning, I dived in and pulled him out, he bought me beer and said, “ You are nae bad for a Polis!” The other guy is Peep Luks (Cardiff Detachment)
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 09:20:40 BST
Corporal Fitzgerald demonstrating method os using this single strand bridge.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 09:13:44 BST
RMR Mountain Training, this is Corporal Fitzgerald (Regular Mountain Leader) who was one of our Instructors. I believe he fought in the Falklands.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 09:12:39 BST
RMR Mountain Training this is Peep Luks from an Estonian Family who fled before the Nazi Invasion of WW2. He was a fearless Scaffolder and Welsh Amateur Boxing Champion, we are still in touch,
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 09:10:54 BST
