The leading Commando has a slung .303” SMLE Rifle as evidenced by
the two studs just under the muzzle so this might be an early photo I. By
mid-1944 the .303” Lee Enfield No: 4 Rifle with a pig-sticker bayonet was
on issue.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 04:57:10 EDT
The caption states “Mortars on Fire!” But this probably means the a Mortar
is BEING fired as there are casings for the Bombs for the 3 inch Mortar visible on the grass on the low right of this picture. A Mortar is simply a strong steel tube and the only thing that can burn are the ‘charges’ attached to the Bombs by the 3 man crew. The type of charge and number being governed by the type of target and range. These charges look similar to the phials of petrol which could be bought in a Tobacconist for lighter fuel.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 04:52:39 EDT
The item low centre is a No: 36 HE Grenade which has a distinctive shape
similar to a pineapple, they must be expecting trouble having this so close
to hand! The segmentation design meant that the Grenade exploded into
many pieces propelled outwards by 1lb of HE.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 04:42:47 EDT
This looks like “Letters from Home” being distributed by the man standing
who might be the Unit “Postie”.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 04:39:31 EDT
This would appear to be a Japanese PoW judging by he cap he is wearing.
Not many prisoners were actually taken as they either died in a final
“Banzai” charge or committed Seppku (A form of ritual Suicide also known as Hara-Kiri)
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 04:36:44 EDT
They are preparing food for either a Section or Troop as the the metal “box’ to the left of the seated Corporal is a Hay-Box liner in which hot food was
taken forward to Troops in the field. The steel pot handle visible in the bottom left hand corner is a standard issue cooking pot used on a 1Star Petrol fired Field Cooker still in use well into the 1960s. The ladle the Corporal is holding is another clue!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 04:32:22 EDT
The Welch Regiment.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 17:55:18 EDT
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 17:27:53 EDT
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 17:17:32 EDT
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 14:12:09 EDT
These Commandos are carrying out a ‘live’ 3 inch Mortar shoot.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 14:03:17 EDT
This Officers’ Sam Browne has a fitting for his whistle on the shoulder strap normally seen on those worn by Light Infantry Officers although his ‘collar dogs’ are either Royal Artillery or Royal Engineers.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 12:48:59 EDT
Photo update
'Tich' Dayson surname seen spelt elsewhere as Dyson.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 30 May 2020 16:26:43 EDT
Photo update
Davidson surname spelt elsewhere as Davison
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 30 May 2020 16:22:58 EDT
