Photos WW2 British & Commonwealth Forces
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Sherman II of B Squadron 3rd County of London Yeomanry shot through the mantlet near Rouffigny in Normandy in August 1944
The 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) War Diary records heavy fighting on 18 August 1944 near Rouffigny with three of its tanks hit by anti-tank fire; ten men are recorded killed and eleven men wounded or missing in action. The diary records, 'A Mark IV special was seen and knocked out but shortly afterward the two leading tanks were hit by A/Tk fire. The driver of one tank succeeded in driving his badly damaged tank back out of range and was able to rescue his wounded crew. Arty fire was brought down on the suspected gun positions and another attempt was made to go forward but the leading tank was immediately hit'.
The 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) War Diary records heavy fighting on 18 August 1944 near Rouffigny with three of its tanks hit by anti-tank fire; ten men are recorded killed and eleven men wounded or missing in action. The diary records, 'A Mark IV special was seen and knocked out but shortly afterward the two leading tanks were hit by A/Tk fire. The driver of one tank succeeded in driving his badly damaged tank back out of range and was able to rescue his wounded crew. Arty fire was brought down on the suspected gun positions and another attempt was made to go forward but the leading tank was immediately hit'.
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Knocked out Churchill tanks and temporary graves near Éterville in Normandy after Operation Jupiter in July 1944
The advance went well at first but fighting for Hill 112 took all day and Maltot changed hands several times. On 11 July, counter-attacks by the 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen, 10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg and the schwere-SS Panzer Bataillon 102 in the afternoon, forced the British off the top of Hill 112 to positions on the north-facing slope. The operation was a tactical failure for VIII Corps but a strategic success for the Allies, attrition having reduced the II SS Panzer Corps to a condition from which it never recovered.
The advance went well at first but fighting for Hill 112 took all day and Maltot changed hands several times. On 11 July, counter-attacks by the 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen, 10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg and the schwere-SS Panzer Bataillon 102 in the afternoon, forced the British off the top of Hill 112 to positions on the north-facing slope. The operation was a tactical failure for VIII Corps but a strategic success for the Allies, attrition having reduced the II SS Panzer Corps to a condition from which it never recovered.
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One of six 3rd County of London Yeomanry Sherman tanks knocked out during the at Tenutella in Sicily on July 13th 1943
The 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) war diary describes elements of 'A' Squadron being involved in a fierce battle at Tenutella on July 13th 1943 in support of 15th Infantry Brigade. This action resulted in the loss of six of the seven tanks involved to anti-tank and mortar fire. Nine tank crew were killed and four men wounded. The tank pictured was commanded Lance Sergeant Philip H Budgen, a veteran of the campaign in North Africa, where he is pictured with the BBC's first war correspondant Richard Dimbleby. There are two grave markers beside the tank and Budgen himself would die of his wounds the following day.
The 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) war diary describes elements of 'A' Squadron being involved in a fierce battle at Tenutella on July 13th 1943 in support of 15th Infantry Brigade. This action resulted in the loss of six of the seven tanks involved to anti-tank and mortar fire. Nine tank crew were killed and four men wounded. The tank pictured was commanded Lance Sergeant Philip H Budgen, a veteran of the campaign in North Africa, where he is pictured with the BBC's first war correspondant Richard Dimbleby. There are two grave markers beside the tank and Budgen himself would die of his wounds the following day.
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British Sherman shot clean through the "A" Squadron triangular turret marking in Éterville in July 1944
It was commanded by a Sergeant Cooks, here he is on the right sitting on an 88mm gun in Italy in 1943, Sergeant Arthur Cook service no. 7911971 although I can't find any other history about him. The other man in the image is Michael Carter who was killed in Italy that same year.
Michael Carter was killed in this Sherman II near Termoli, Italy. Oct 6, 1943
It was commanded by a Sergeant Cooks, here he is on the right sitting on an 88mm gun in Italy in 1943, Sergeant Arthur Cook service no. 7911971 although I can't find any other history about him. The other man in the image is Michael Carter who was killed in Italy that same year.
Michael Carter was killed in this Sherman II near Termoli, Italy. Oct 6, 1943
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Sherman Firefly IC Hybrid field modified with a spaced armour panel on the glacis shot through the right hull cheek by a Jagdpanther at Udem on February 27th 1945. The grave of Trooper Thomas Fletcher of 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) C Squadron who lost his life in the incident is also visible. The Jagdpanther apparently knocked out two other tanks from the unit and others were recorded as being hit by artillery, with nine men being killed and eleven wounded in the action.
Later at 18:00 on the evening of 26th February 1945, the Scots Greys and 4th KSLI crossed their start line and soon made their first objective. After that opposition increased, but they continued the attack with the aid of natural and artificial moonlight and after a hard night's fighting had reached the railway line south west of Udem by 05:00 on the morning of 27th February, complete with 150 prisoners, 4 SP guns and 2 tanks destroyed to their credit. By this time 3rd Canadian Div had cleared all but the extreme south-west corner of Udem. At first light 44th Royal Tanks and 2nd KRRC passed through the Scots Greys and 4th KSLI, but their progress was slowed by the very boggy ground which was almost impossible for tanks, plus the fact there was only a gap of a few hundred yards between the anti-tank ditch round Udem and the thick woods. The latter was full of infantry, with many Panzerfausts (German bazookas), who were supported by a few SPs, which ran all along the Brigades long open right flank. At the end of the day, 3rd/4th CLY moved to support 4th KSLI and on 27th February they set out for Udem, with 'C' Squadron leading, who reported the town in Canadian hands. However, the regiment had to work round to the right of their route as it was blocked by Canadian vehicles. Three of the leading troop were brewed by fire from a Jagdpanther on high ground to the East and heavy fire was encountered by a patrol of No. 4 Troop, trying to recce the anti-tank ditches to the south east of Udem. 'A' and 'B' Squadrons, who were each carrying a Company of the Herefords, then passed through 'C' Squadron to offload their infantry. Then while supporting the infantry to their objectives, the Squadrons lost five tanks to heavy AP shooting from the North and South West. Meanwhile 'C' Squadron had carried a further Company of Herefords to Gochfortz ridge, right and forward of 'B' Squadron, who they then supported to their objective.
Later at 18:00 on the evening of 26th February 1945, the Scots Greys and 4th KSLI crossed their start line and soon made their first objective. After that opposition increased, but they continued the attack with the aid of natural and artificial moonlight and after a hard night's fighting had reached the railway line south west of Udem by 05:00 on the morning of 27th February, complete with 150 prisoners, 4 SP guns and 2 tanks destroyed to their credit. By this time 3rd Canadian Div had cleared all but the extreme south-west corner of Udem. At first light 44th Royal Tanks and 2nd KRRC passed through the Scots Greys and 4th KSLI, but their progress was slowed by the very boggy ground which was almost impossible for tanks, plus the fact there was only a gap of a few hundred yards between the anti-tank ditch round Udem and the thick woods. The latter was full of infantry, with many Panzerfausts (German bazookas), who were supported by a few SPs, which ran all along the Brigades long open right flank. At the end of the day, 3rd/4th CLY moved to support 4th KSLI and on 27th February they set out for Udem, with 'C' Squadron leading, who reported the town in Canadian hands. However, the regiment had to work round to the right of their route as it was blocked by Canadian vehicles. Three of the leading troop were brewed by fire from a Jagdpanther on high ground to the East and heavy fire was encountered by a patrol of No. 4 Troop, trying to recce the anti-tank ditches to the south east of Udem. 'A' and 'B' Squadrons, who were each carrying a Company of the Herefords, then passed through 'C' Squadron to offload their infantry. Then while supporting the infantry to their objectives, the Squadrons lost five tanks to heavy AP shooting from the North and South West. Meanwhile 'C' Squadron had carried a further Company of Herefords to Gochfortz ridge, right and forward of 'B' Squadron, who they then supported to their objective.
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The explosion of the MV Neptuna and clouds of smoke from oil storage tanks, hit during the first Japanese air raid on Australia's mainland, at Darwin on February 19, 1942. In the foreground is HMAS Deloraine, which escaped damage.
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North African Campaign. Egypt. Lieutenant General Bernard Montgomery proudly wearing his slouch hat which was presented to him on 14 August 1942 at 24th Brigade HQ, 9th Division (Australia) near El Alamein. The unit badges were added by the General later
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New Guinea Campaign. 10 February 1944. Private Keith Waller, an Australian Bren gunner, receives a light from PFC Archie Norman after the link up of the 30th Infantry Battalion, 5th Division, with American forces at Yuat River.
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