My purchasing dry spell continues so when a picture of one of my "most wanted" SMLE's came up I had to grab it as it might be as close as I get to finding one. From the age of some in the picture it appears to be a reserve unit.
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My purchasing dry spell continues so when a picture of one of my "most wanted" SMLE's came up I had to grab it as it might be as close as I get to finding one. From the age of some in the picture it appears to be a reserve unit.
That might explain the SMLE MK I found in Belgium/France some years ago. Perhaps there were some naval units involved in the retreat to Dunkirk.
Was it WWI dated? If so, it might have been a remnant from one of the Naval Divisions that served on the Western Front. Then of course, there was the Zeebrugge Raid. Link: Warfare - Featured Articles - The Zeebrugge RaidQuote:
Originally Posted by Frederick303
Can anyone identify what is written upside down on the cross-strap thinggy of the centremost man. Looks like xxxurgexxx to me.......
something "FORCE" ? I'm guessing it is a the equivalent of Red Forces and Blue Forces or our day.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
Burges? There was an HMS Burges that served in the Atlantic and English Channel late in the war:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Burges_(K347)
The photo was taken the day after Dunkirk ended, probably to show we still had people to fight invading Germans. Is that a Mk I with a charger bridge?
It looks like a cond. MkIV
Not Cond MkIV as thats a conversion to MkII pattern, looking at the nosecap of the rifle carried by the man being helped up the hill, the sight protector looks to be straighten so most likely MkII*** Cond.
page 469 TLE
Can't make it out but his mate on the right is a " Gun Layer 2nd Class"Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
"Not Cond MkIV as thats a conversion to MkII pattern"Quote:
Originally Posted by 5thBatt
Sorry, that should have read MkIII pattern not MkII
I think that's his gas mask bag strap Peter..Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
The rifle in question is either a SMLE Cond Mk II**, a Cond Mk II*** or a Mk I *** with a bridge charger guide fitted, all Royal Navy issue rifles of pre-1915 vintage.
Not sure what "order" they're wearing, but it's not "landing order" that's for sure; nothing but a web belt and respirator.
Are these wearing "landing Order"?Quote:
Originally Posted by Surpmil
The Navy On Land - British Path
For anyone unfamiliar with Pathe archives, if you scroll to the word "stills" you can see detail photos from the clip.
First post and Lee Enfield less at present, hope you don't mind if I tag along.
Always room for one more...Quote:
Originally Posted by TomH
That's much more like it. Not sure if the Navy had small packs, other than the Royal Marines that is; anyone?Quote:
Originally Posted by TomH
Yes, the haversack(small pack) was part of the kit.
They appear to be wearing 1908 Pattern webbing. The RN used 1908 and 1919 Pattern webbing until WWII when it was gradually replaced with 1937 Pattern webbing.