Anecdotal evidence points to John also being at Dieppe. According to his daughter, he and Platt remained in contact after the war. According to the family "John rescued him from Dieppe beach and put him in a boat". Furthermore, after the war, John visited Dieppe and commented that he had been there during the war.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Wed 20 Oct 2021 17:44:29 BST
Keith Douglas
The commando, kneeling far right, with the coil of rope is Keith Douglas ( Kurt Dandler/Dungler ).
Identified by his late widow.
Posted by Nick Collins on Wed 02 Jun 2021 12:13:06 BST
Possible ID
Amanda McGunnigle adds, "We do not know the name of the soldier on the right, but my mother believes that the one on the left is my father's friend Ernie Stocks."
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Tue 30 Mar 2021 17:38:15 BST
Front row L/R:5.Carlo G.SEGERS (Belg.);7.Teddy VAN DEN EYNDE (Belg.);
Back row L/R (7 persons):3.Freddy LAURENT (Belg.);5.Georges GERARD (Belg.).
Posted by Jan Mas on Thu 19 Nov 2020 15:18:25 GMT
This photo represents the Belgian Commandos of 10 IA Commando during a parade at the Abbaye de la Cambre in Brussels. The occasion is the Belgian National Day of 21 July 1945.
They will soon leave the British Army to become part of the new Belgian Army as "Régiment Commando".
The reviewing officers are (L/R):
Capt.Paul ROMBOUTS; Maj.Godfrey FRANKS(HQ 10IA
Commando); Lt.Gen.BEERNAERT; Maj.Georges DANLOY(C.O.);
Capt.Pierre ROMAN M.C.;Maj.Gen. G.E. WILDMAN-LUSHINGTON (Commando Group).
Posted by Jan Mas on Mon 02 Nov 2020 14:45:27 GMT
The Troopers are French Fusiliers Marins wearing traditional Naval Caps , they wear their Commando ‘flash’ above a Cross of Lorraine symbol of Free French Forces.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 30 Sep 2020 18:53:31 BST
On this formal occasion Trooper Baloche chose to wear his French Naval Cap perhaps in deference to Lord Louis Mountbatten.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 30 Sep 2020 18:42:03 BST
These Troopers have constructed a temporary field kitchen using the frame of and old reclining chair and appear to have things well in hand. Adapt, Improvise, Overcome!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 28 Sep 2020 19:15:48 BST
The sign behind the troopers reads “Waldfrieden” a German word sometimes used as Wonderland!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 10:30:22 BST
Note that the Trooper second from left has his pistol ready to use!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 10:25:37 BST
The right hand man is wearing his (mouth) inflatable life-belt so they are probably waiting to go ashore.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 10:22:49 BST
The Trooper stands in a 3 inch Mortar ‘pit’ with the covered muzzle of one tube just visible.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 10:20:09 BST
Westkapelle is a small City near Walcheren the photo taken during a lull in fighting as none of these men is armed.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 10:16:10 BST
This appears to show a ruined German Casement or Bunker probably close to, and overlooking, thevLandingnBeach.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 10:10:41 BST
This is called, “Living off the land”. Those chickens should leg it now!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 10:08:32 BST
This shows a US built M4 Sherman Tank one of almost 50000 built and used in all Theatres of the War. They used petrol, the common fuel adopted, but caught fire relatively easily so the Germans called them “Tommy Cookers”. The photo was probably taken in Holland as some of the men are wearing traditional clogs, the Royal Marines call Dutch Marines “Cloggies”.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 10:04:39 BST
This is probably on active service the left hand man has a bandolier only used for ‘live’ rounds, he has his mess tin out, and seems to have ‘proffed’ a couple of spuds so a cook-up is in the offing.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 09:57:26 BST
What is rarely mentioned is the fact that when the Invasion began and the areas on and around the Landing Beaches were bombed and shelled very heavily but the French residents were still in place and could not be given any warning. They suffered huge casualties, their livestock was killed and buildings massively damaged, there was no alternative. The amazing fact is that when Allied troops moved thru these same areas they were welcomed in a manner which can only be described as rapturous! Anything to get rid of the hated Boche!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 09:46:23 BST
Note the No: 36 HE (High Explosive) Grenade clipped to his belt by the fly off handle. It holds one pound of HE and has an immediate killing zone of 25 yards with the base plate up to 100 yards. If it comes off he has 4 seconds to get to safety!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 20:29:19 BST
Interestingly in this impressive set is the UN Korean War Medal.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 16:51:10 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
I believe the badge on the chest of the Commando in the centre of this photo are Polish Parachute “Wings”
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 11 Sep 2020 21:13:35 BST
This photo shows the small (back) pack of the ‘37 Pattern Webbing with Gas Cape neatly folded, below that is the ‘new’ style Respirator pack and below that the handle of the entrenching tool. All these Polish Commandos are also carrying the famous Toggle Ropes .
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 11 Sep 2020 21:10:51 BST
They are Training as there is no Magazine on the Gun.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 22:11:07 BST
