Artefacts - Italy and Northern Europe

 

 

The purpose of this page is to provide a source of pictures and other information that may be of interest to anyone browsing the website, relating the Divisions service in Italy and Northern Europe. It will change as and when items are available to be added to it. Please be patient as one or two pictures may take a little while to load.

Italy

The first Armoured Car from 'A' Squadron, King's Dragoon Guards to enter Naples, on 1st October 1943. (NB. This is a MK IV Humber Armoured Car as it has either a 37mm or 2 pdr main armourment.)

Divisional HQ in main square in Pompeii

Divisional HQ in Pompeii

 

1/5th Queens practicing to cross the Volturno

 

Vickers MMG team supporting the crossing of the Volturno

 

Crossing the Volturno

Pontoon Bridge across the Volturno River

 

4th CLY Sherman crossing the Volturno River

1/6th Queens in action

Riding on a Sherman from The Scots Greys in Torre Annunziata, on the road to Naples

Entering Scafati, where they captured the bridge acrosss the River Sarno intact

 

On the way home.

22nd Armoured Brigade Workshops handing over a Sherman to 5th Canadian Armoured Division

The Transit Camp at Naples, where the Division spent a short nights rest in wet weather before embarking for the UK

 

Northern Europe (France, Belgium, Holland and Germany)

One of Wittmann's Tigers from the battle of 12th June, still in the rubble of Villers-Bocage in August 1944, after the town was liberated

 

One of Wittman's Tigers in the ruins of Villers-Bocage after its liberation in August 1944

 

22nd Armoured Brigade in Normandy, July 1944, preparing for Operation Goodwood.

22nd Armoured Briagde in Normandy. Note the two Achilles Tank Destroyer behind the lead Cromwell, distinguishable by the sloped side armour.

 

Bailey Bridge over the River Seine

A Bailley Bridge over the River Seine, September 1944

 

Men of 67th RASC and locals after the liberation of Hebeaux, 1944.

 

Men of 67 Company RASC and locals in Hebeaux, after its liberation in 1944.

 

Pictures of 22nd Armoured Brigade TAC HQ

Loading tanks and equipment of the Brigade at Felixstow, June 1944. Photographer David Beaven courtesy of Ian Beaven.

LCTs at anchor in the Port of Felixstow, 2 days before D-Day, June 1944. Photographer David Beaven courtesy of Ian Beaven.

Brigade LCT crossing the Channel on 6th June 1944. Photographer David Beaven courtesy of Ian Beaven.

Command Tanks from 22nd Armoured Brigade TAC HQ, distinguihable by the very long aerials. They are at Syke outside Bremen, April 1945.

Men for HQ examining maps. So many were needed to keep up with the advance through Germany.

Men of the TAC HQ protection troop, in Holland during the winter of 1944-45.

Men of HQ Protection Troop with the Brigade Armoured Command Vehicle in the background, after having crossed the Rhine. Photographer David Beaven courtesy of Ian Beaven.

Cromwell from Brigade Protection Troop near Sustedt advancing towards Bremen in 1945. Note use of the earlier TAC sign on this Cromwell rather than the newer sign on the Command vehicle in the left hand picture. Photographer David Beaven courtesy of Ian Beaven.

Brigade Protection Troop Cromwell called 'Nebby' and its crew near Eindhoven 1944. Photographer David Beaven courtesy of Ian Beaven.

Approaching Hamburg with German soldiers in retreat on the way. Photographer David Beaven courtesy of Ian Beaven.

Entering Itzenhoe, complete with liberated Photographer David Beaven courtesy of Ian Beaven.

Showing the flag to the local children. Photographer David Beaven courtesy of Ian Beaven.

There are some more pictures of the 22nd Armoured Brigade HQ in the desert on the Men of the Desert Rats page.

 

A Staghound Armoured Car of Divisional HQ, in Europe later 1944, with Major- General Verney in the turret, arriving in Ghent, 8th September 1944.

 

Preparations for Operation Blackcock

Painting 'Snow' camoflague of a Scout car ready for Operation Blackcock

 Cromwell with 'snow' camoflague moving up ready for Operation Blackcock

 

Crew of a Cromwell from 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, enjoying a glass (or two) of wine.

Cromwell of the 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards that ran on a mine in the village of Sint Odilienberg on 27th January 1945 when the village was captured. The tank was then destroyed beyond repair by a nightly German patrol into the village under the noses of the Rifle Brigade, and left behind by the Desert Rats

A well laden Cromwell, Borken, 30th March 1945.

 

Journeys End - The Ruins of Hamburg, 1945

 

Almost the end of the Divisions journey as it moves amongst the ruins of Hamburg.

 

Berlin 1945

Signaller Len Cosford (right) and his friend John with the Div HQ Sign Post Berlin 1945. Courtesy of Len Cosford and his Daughter Pam Morris.

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin 1945. Courtesy of Len Cosford and his Daughter Pam Morris.

Major General Lyne Saluting the Division as it enters Berlin on 8th July 1945.

 

Pictures of the hand over of the French Sector

Hoisting the Union Jack at the front of the Franco-Prussian War Memorial in the Grosse Stern on 6th July 1945

Hand-over of the French Sector. Brigadier J Spurling and his French counterpart inspect an Honour Guard of 11th Hussars.

 

Pictures of the Division's Military Police Provost Company in and around Berlin

In a Jeep out Provost Company HQ, Berlin.

It is believed that this was the motorcycle team that lead the lining up for the victory parade in Berlin.

Both this pictures are courtesy of Richard Willis, whose father is in the Jeep and also one of the motorcyclists. If anyone recognises the scene, then can they please contact him as per this email address.- Richard@cambriahouse.co.uk

 

Some Pictures from the victory parade in Berlin, July 1945

Honour Guard of 'B' company, 9th DLI, being inspected by General Montgomery

5th RHA, during the drive past

Honour Guard from 'B' Company, 9th Durham Light Infantry being inspected by General Montgomery during the Victory Parade.

Comet Tank, followed by Sexton SPGs from 5 RHA during the Victory Parade. The lead Comet Tank with the Z mark is that of the Commanding Officer 5th RHA.

8th Hussars during the parade

Closer picture of 5th RHA Sextons during the parade

Cromwells from 8th Hussars passing the review dias.

Sexton SPGs from G Battery, 5th RHA during the Victory Parade

To see more pictures from the Victory Parade please Click Here

If you have anything that you feel may be suitable for this page please click here to contact me

 

 

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