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
1/5th Queens practicing to cross the Volturno
Vickers MMG team supporting the crossing of the Volturno
Crossing the Volturno
1/6th Queens in action
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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 |
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On the way home.
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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 |
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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
22nd Armoured Brigade in Normandy, July 1944, preparing for Operation Goodwood.
Bailey Bridge over the River Seine
Men of 67th RASC and locals after the liberation of Hebeaux, 1944.
Pictures of 22nd Armoured Brigade TAC HQ
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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. |
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Command Tanks from 22nd Armoured Brigade TAC HQ, distinguishable by the very long aerials. They are at Syke outside Bremen, April 1945. The nearest man in the turret is Major Pat Fitzgerald (R.Signals) and the other is believed to be Major Joe Leaver (RTR) the Brigade Major. The man standing on the tank is Sgt 'Wisey' Wiseman, (R.Signals) |
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. |
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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. |
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| Approaching Hamburg with German soldiers in retreat on the way. Photographer David Beaven courtesy of Ian Beaven. | Entering Itzenhoe, complete with liberated bicyle. 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
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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.
The crew member with white mug and headphones is Sergeant Smith, behind him, with beret pulled over his eyes, is Major John Ward-Harrison MC, C.O. of 'C' Squadron, and the man with helmet is James Usher.
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.
Movietone Film of the Liberation of Prisoners of War, by the Desert Rats
Journeys End - The Ruins of Hamburg, 1945
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
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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
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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
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Honour Guard of 'B' company, 9th DLI, being inspected by General Montgomery |
5th RHA, during the drive past |
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8th Hussars during the parade |
Closer picture of 5th RHA Sextons during the parade |
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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
Main Site Map The Desert Years, Italy and Northern Europe, The Men of the Desert Rats, Memorabilia
Engagements and campaigns page Equipment Page Organisation Page
