This thread is only for posting up Pics of period archive photo and asking questions or making points about them to assist players in refining their impressions.
Please try to keep posts relevant and banter free as it will make it easier when you're trying to research kit or see how something was worn in the field.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
Pictures of First Allied Airborne Division during market garden.
These pics are of a variety of units and all go to show how the airborne solider looked and fought.
The border regiment in foxholes
A foot patrol, note the unusual use of the tank crew pattern leg holster
Soldiers with the first few captured germans
South Staffords en route to link up wiht 2 para, the soliders wear their small pack on the hip with heavy equipment carried in hand carts or on the jeeps towing their anti tank guns
Divisional signals troops on the landing zone
A combination of glider pilots, paras and airlanding infantry clear a ruined building
A signaller uses a WS 38 portable set.
Recce troops dig in
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
Small pack on the hip was a good signal for spotting glider landed troops. You cant sit in any degree of comfort in a Horsa with your pack on your back.
Good selection of shot there Gadge, covers most of the 'looks' of the 1st in the Market operation.
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
Small pack on the hip was a good signal for spotting glider landed troops. You cant sit in any degree of comfort in a Horsa with your pack on your back.
Good selection of shot there Gadge, covers most of the 'looks' of the 1st in the Market operation.
As I know nothing about brit kit and have VERY limited web access, how would the pack be attached to the belt?
Did it have belt loops, like a butt pack?
Thanks.
Its attached to the end of the braces.
Cheers Yith.
A signaller uses a WS 38 portable set.
Gadge
This is actually Pte Everett the Pl Sig of No 22 Pl, 'Letter' D Coy, 2nd (Ab) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI, 6th Airlanding Bde, 6th Airborne Division (not an Arnhem photo I'm afraid). This picture was taken in the UK during pre invasion (Normandy) training. You can actually see the Oxf & Bucks LI flash painted on the side of his helmet.
Pte Everett was in No 4 Glider during the Coup De Main in the opening stages of the invasion of Normandy on the night of 5/6 June 1944 and allocated to the River Orne bridge , No 4 Glider was the one that went astray and landed approx 10 miles away on a bridge over the river dives.
A little known contraversy stands as to who was the first person killed in Normandy/Coup De Main. It is generally accepted that Lt Brotheridge, Pl Comd No 25 Pl, 'Letter' D Coy, 2nd (Ab) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI is the first British soldier to fall to enemy fire (shot in the neck as he and his Pl stormed over the canal bridge, but does not die until early/mid morning). L/Cpl Greenhalgh No 14 Pl, 'Letter' B Coy, 2nd (Ab) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI (attached to the Coup De Main) actually died before Lt Brotheridge, as his glider landed it split in two, he was thrown out and landed (unconcious) in a lake/pond, then drowned. But this was not to enemy fire. The story of the lost glider has NEVER really been told in any great length. The only surviving person from No 4 Glider is a good friend of mine, L/Sjt (on the Coup De Main, later Sjt and Provo Sjt) 'Tich' Raynor, No 22 Pl, 'Letter' D Coy, 2nd (Ab) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI. He tells of how, after landing by the wrong bridge they stormed it and captured it. Soon after they realise it is the wrong one especially as there are no Billy box heads guarding it. Lt Hooper, Pl Comd, No 22 Pl, 'Letter' D Coy, 2nd (Ab) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI is sent out on a quick recce to get the parties bearings, he gets captured by the box heads. He is then marched back over the bridge (they have no idea the Brits are there) a snap ambush is executed, they shout for Lt Hooper to take cover and open fire cutting down the Germans. One of the Germans fires his MP40 in his death throws. The burst of fire catches Tich in his arm and Pte Everett between the eyes. Everett dies instantly. This is quite possibly the first Brit soldier to die in Normandy to enemy fire.
I do like the picture of my name sake Sgt Larry Ansell, B Coy, 2nd Bn The Parachute Regiment, that you have posted, I have a signed copy of that photo in my study.
Cheers,
Andy Ansell
5380059
WOII Ansell A.J.
2nd (Ab) Bn. Oxf & Bucks L.I.
(52nd of Foot)
Excellent pics Gadge. Also loving the phrase "box heads" - It's not one I've heard before 
I have a quick question about the photo, is that a WW2 version of the modernday "catseyes" band around Pte Everett's combat helmet?
"Will you stop talking about the war!!"
"What, you started it!"
"We did NOT start it!"
"Yes you did, you invaded Poland..."
not really mate, its usually a strip of rubber innertube used to put foliage in, but doesnt have any reflective IFOF stuff on it.
members of the parachute regiment , notice how big the smocks are. dont be afraid to get one thats large, these are how they were made and worn .
Many thanks for the helmet band info, great pics by the way, am looking at getting one of the tankie pistol holders as I prefere dropleg holsters, i just feel better with them
"Will you stop talking about the war!!"
"What, you started it!"
"We did NOT start it!"
"Yes you did, you invaded Poland..."
drop legs are awfull for running in, if i get a tank holster, i will wear it on my hip.
I use a drop leg when deployed as it is easyier to get hold of whilst in the cab of my Oshkosh Tanker on the convoys, I can always mod it to work better
"Will you stop talking about the war!!"
"What, you started it!"
"We did NOT start it!"
"Yes you did, you invaded Poland..."
