Lee Enfield at War

[Seaspriter]

British troops with an American paratrooper in Avola, Sicily 11 July 1943


51st Highland Forces Seaforth Highlanders in deep water Sicily 1943


British troops scramble over rubble in a devastated street in Catania, 5 August 1943


Canadians in Sicily


Private Joe Pakokis of The Loyal Edmonton Regiment standing at the grave of an Italian soldier near Pachino, Italy, 11 July 1943. Capt. Frank Royal / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-138374.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[henry r]

British troops with an American paratrooper in Avola, Sicily 11 July 1943

these gents are wearing cartridge carriers not mk1/2 ammunition pouches which means (being 1943) they are most likely royal army service corps, unless they are RAF (someone more knowlegable on uniforms might have a better idea on this).


as are this lot.

THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH AFRICA 1942. Infantry manning a sandbagged defensive position near El Alamein.

on the topic of ammunition carring gear, this picture is the most surprising, that sure looks like WW1 Australian leather pattern gear (patt 15) in WW2 front line service.

Australians in the Jungle, note piling swivel.

can you tell i've been reading up on .303 ammo pouches?

[RobD]

Henry, I think pics 1 and 2 are probably South Africans. Our 1937 pattern webbing was slightly different to the British pattern, and the pouches and gaiters look right for SA infantry.
Rob

[RobD]

For what it's worth, here's a comparison of all the Allied kit in N Africa and Italy
the MCRS Forum View topic - Allied Kit - North Africa

[henry r]

thanks rob. i guess i've got some more reading to do.