Artefacts - The Middle East and Italy

 

 

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 7th Armoured Brigades service in Italy. It will change as and when items are available to be added to it.

Please click on the pictures to see large versions.

Brigade HQ Christmas Menu 1942

Christmas Day Menu from 1942. Even in the Middle East the normality of Christmas Day was to be maintained! Courtesy of Tim Oughton

Men of 2 RTR in Iraq, in 1943.

Men of 2 RTR in the Baghdad Olympic Stadium, that was never used. Picture is courtesy of Peter Watson, 2nd Bn. RTR.

Men of 2 RTR on the 'Lion of Babylon, 1943. Picture is courtesy of Peter Watson, 2nd Bn. RTR.

Men of 2 RTR, at Latify, Irag. Picture is courtesy of Peter Watson, 2nd Bn. RTR.

Men of 2 RTR in Iraq, 1943. Picture is courtesy of Peter Watson, 2nd Bn. RTR.

2nd RTR after Burma. It is not certain is this is in India or the Middle East. Photograph courtesy of Mark Steel.

2nd RTR after Burma in the Middle East. Photograph courtesy of Mark Steel.

Photograph courtesy of Mark Steel.

Photograph courtesy of Mark Steel.

A sandstorm approaches. Photograph courtesy of Mark Steel.

Watching a sandstorm. Photograph courtesy of Mark Steel.

 

Men from 2 RTR Light Aid Detachment, with a recovery vehicle, Syria 1943.

The vehicle is AEC Matador medium artillery tractor, modified to the recovery role and fitted with an American made Hyster crane.

Being used to lift the engine of a Staghound armoured car.

 

Men from 2 RTR inspecting a knocked out Panther near Cassino, Italy 1944.

 

 

A Sherman Crew from 'C' Squadron, 2 RTR, near Forli, Italy, in December 1944.

A Sherman Crew of C Squadron 2nd RTR by their US 76mm tank in Italy 1944. The name of the tank is 'CAMERON'.

C Squadron 2nd RTR US 76mm tank (Cameron) in Italy 1944, with a 17 pdr Firefly behind as denoted by the muzzle break.

2 RTR in Iraq and Italy 

Tanks and Crews of 2RTR. Probably taken before sailing for Italy in 1944. Photograph from Richard Evans courtesy of Glyn Evans.

Tanks and More crews of 2RTR. Probably taken before sailing for Italy in 1944. Photograph from Richard Evans courtesy of Glyn Evans.

Richard Evans beside the HQ sign of 2nd RTR. This is either in Iraq before they went to Italy or early in the Italian campaign, when 2 RTR was the second junior regiment in the brigade as the AoS Number is still 51. Photograph from Richard Evans courtesy of Glyn Evans.

Sherman called Minnesota II, which is probably a US 76mm armed version. The censor has deleted the turrent markings. Photograph from Richard Evans courtesy of Glyn Evans.
Putting a track on US 76mm Sherman. This is either in Iraq before they went to Italy or early in the Italian campaign, when 2 RTR was the second junior regiment in the brigade as the AoS Number is still 51. Photograph from Richard Evans courtesy of Glyn Evans.

Two tanks for 2RTR. The front one is T269341 and the rear one a US 76mm version. The back of the photo with the mens names is to the right of this picture. Photograph from Richard Evans courtesy of Glyn Evans.

Names of the men in the picture to the left. Photograph from Richard Evans courtesy of Glyn Evans.

2 RTR in Austria after the war.

US 76mm armed Sherman as denote by the fact it retains it hull MG unlike the 17 pdr Firefly version. Photograph is courtesy of Mark Steel.

US 76mm armed Sherman as denote by the fact it retains it hull MG unlike the 17 pdr Firefly version. Photograph is courtesy of Mark Steel.

17 pdr Firefly Sherman as denote by the fact it does not retains it hull MG unlike the US 76mm armed version. Photograph is courtesy of Mark Steel.

Far let a Sherman Firefly (denoted by large counterweight on the turret) and two US 76mm Shermans of 2nd RTR in Austria in 1945. A fourth Sherman is hidden by the bushes, but should be another Firefly. Photograph is courtesy of Mark Steel.
2nd RTR Sherman Firefly in Gratz, Austria in 1945. The guard Robert Steel. Photograph is courtesy of Mark Steel.

Order of service from the Memorial service held by 2nd RTR, Italy, November 1944

Courtesy of Mark Steel.

Courtesy of Mark Steel.

More pictures of 2nd RTR from their time in the desert can be found on the main 7th Armoured Division Website on the Pictures Page . Please click here to go to it.

 

Sherman DD Tanks of 'B' Squadron, 7th Hussars, 30th April 1945.

Carrying men of 5/5 Mahratta Light Infantry (8th Indian Division)

In Piazzale Roma, Venice

 

Two Artefacts from the Brigade.

8th Army Newspaper Article from 25 October 1944 Front Cover of the Thanksgiving service Padua, May 1945

Brigade Shoulder Flashes

Brigade Shoulder Flashes

 

One final interesting exhibit

The Rat on top of the box is 'nibbling' at the flags of the three major axis powers against which 7th Armoured Brigade fought.

 

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