sapper, is this your lot?

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by Owen, Mar 10, 2007.

  1. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Looking throught he excellent IWM photo archive found this photo of 3rd Div sappers.
    Wonder if Sapper Guy RE is here?

    IWM Collections Online: Search Photographs Archive

    Photographer: Wilkes (Sgt)
    No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit

    Title: THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORMANDY 1944

    Collection No.: 4700-29 <!-- [View Collection Summary]-->

    Description: Sappers clearing the last mines from the beach front of a former French luxury hotel, now in use as a rest club for troops of 3rd Division, 15 July 1944.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Photographer: Laing (Sgt)
    No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit

    Title: THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45

    Collection No.: 4700-29 <!-- [View Collection Summary]-->

    Description: A mine-detecting part of 3rd Division at work, 25 November 1944. The leading man is wearing special protective clothing and 'skis' to spread his weight on the ground.
     

    Attached Files:

  3. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Hi Mates, NO not me, we were Third Div Field Sappers Three Companies 246 17 and 253, When I look at those pictures one thing stands out They are all "Posed"
    In the first picture you do not have three in front and three behind that is set up for the camera, As is the second picture. What a wierd get up, and what does he think he is doing?

    If he is prodding for Schu mines he is in dreadful trouble with that long prod for there is no way he could "Feel" for a mine like that. As to the feet? Just makes me laugh. Where ever did they get those from?

    In action we wore khaki denims, If yiou see a picture of what looks like a group of pirates. One with a Bren on his shoulder (me) and always with his sleeves rolled up. I did have my picture taken, but in real action. If you see a 19 year old, again with his sleeves rolled up, rifle and tin hat, with a broad grin on his face, and at the end of a ruined village near Falaise. Oddly enough with an enemyt 88 at the end of the street. having a go now and then,
    THose pictures are "Unreal"
    Cheers
    Sapper
     
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Wish I could find you !

    This chap is showing the strain, isn't he?
    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top align=left><TD>Photo No.: </TD><TD noWrap width="100%">B 6015 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
    Description: Lance Corporal Lodge of 278 Field Company, Royal Engineers, holding a German hollow charge anti-tank magnetic mine during Operation 'Epsom', 26 June 1944.
     

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  5. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    The second picture has a German in the background? And what foir heavens sake is this bloke prodding with the added discomfort of ammo pouches? Two posed pictures, And not very good ones at that, Recreation centre???? What was that? We were miles inland, Certainly never saw a rest centre.
    Good try though friends! any more Sappers? glad to see them. We seldom came out of action. By that I mean at the "sharp end" I did get one shower,,,That was nice, but never a hair cut. See what I mean about a piratical crew. Those men did not look as though they had lived in dirty earth foxholes.Too clean and tidy. We certainly would not have been brought back to clear mines in front a hotel or anything else. (Would have jumped at the chance!)
    Sapper
     
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top align=left><TD>Photo : </TD><TD noWrap width="100%">B 8311</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

    Description: Sgt F J Petrie and Sapper L Roberts examine a captured German 'Panzerschreck' anti-tank weapon during the offensive south of Caumont, 31 July 1944.
     

    Attached Files:

  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I know this is posed as the cameraman wouldn't be in-front of the mine clearers!
    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top align=left><TD>Photo No.: </TD><TD noWrap width="100%">B 8302 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
    Description: Troops use a mine detector along the side of a road during the offensive south of Caumont, 31 July 1944. A dead German lies in the foreground.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Genuine Sappers Note the denim uniforms Action Kit! I do not recognise that charge in the second picture? And I thought I was pretty well up with enemy mine ordinance? You do not get many photographers where we use to get to. Sounds a bit odd? But is true, we did have one bloke he was killed, and did not get buried for some time.....A war corespondent.
    Sapper
     
  9. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    5 Div Sappers putting civilians at risk in Italy !

    [​IMG]

    Sapper, What sort of camera equipment were the official photographers using in 1944 ? Was it still the old large format stuff ?
     
  10. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Did not get that one Owen?
    The war photographers ..Not many would chance their arm in active areas. For a good reason ....they had more sense.

    Nearly every picture you see is "Set up"
    Cheers Friends,
    sapper
     
  11. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    ...and another one from the same book.

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top align=left><TD>Photo No.: </TD><TD noWrap width="100%">B 8573

    </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
    Description: Royal Engineers search for mines near a knocked out German Panther tank, near Villers Bocage, 4 August 1944.
     

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  13. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I love this one.
    NA10325
    Description: Troops learn to handle mines and booby-trap devices 'blind' using a special screen at 10 Corps Mine School, 28 December 1943.
     

    Attached Files:

  14. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Bryan, You were in Caen doing this weren't you?

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top align=left><TD>Photo </TD><TD noWrap width="100%">B 6897 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
    Description: Royal Engineers move through the ruins of Caen, looking for mines and booby-traps 10 July 1944.
     

    Attached Files:

  15. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    That one Rich is also a "Set up" it looks like a Teller mine and no way would they all be stood around. Tellers have a booby trap device under the rim, about one third towards the underneath centre. Very dodgy making them safe. you would be having a real "close look" not just bending over the bloody thing,
    And no one to distract you, like an audience waiting to be blown sky high.

    Then to prove my point what is the silly dick doing with a Teller??
    I can tell you in a case where it does not matter, you put a cord round it, get out the way, and pull the bloody thing. If it comes out without blowing? up just disarm, Though the best bet, if in doubt? is to blow the blasted thing in situ. a little bit of plastic a detonator and a bit of black safety fuse.......Light it with your cigarette .....Walk away...never run.... ......EASY ........BANG.
    The voice of experience Matey.
    Dab hand at blowing things up me!!

    S MInes have to be lifted, as do schu mines. Horrible.... specially with the enemy have a go at the same time. I know, they bloody got me near Vire
    Lifting S mines? I still have a steel ball in my skull....Near my right eye, You are going to get casualties...
    Interesting aint it?
    Sapper
     
  16. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Yes I was in Caen The first half dozen to enter the city by the left hand route that overlooks the Colombelles industrial estate, far down below in the valley. Got shelled direct short range... In a farm house that blew into the air while clearing the route free from the enemy and mines. Lost good mates..... Got out in one piece. Just!
    Sapper.

    Utter shambles. everytrhing destroyed ..Shocker No sooner in that we weer withdrawn... our job done. We were then prerpared for the onlsaught of the Goodwood battles
     
  17. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Can you show that Caen picture Owen?
     
  18. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Wonderful...... I am off to bed to get my beauty sleep. Us young virile blokes have to get our proper rest ...Cheers, thanks for the photos Owen.
    Sapper
     
  19. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Can you show that Caen picture Owen?
    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachments/unit-history/4903d1173566139-sapper-your-lot-b6897-jpg
     
  20. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Morning Owen.
    Now that is a genuine picture. can you see one with a Bren on his shoulder? That is how we moved...In sections of about 8. strung out. With the later tin hat the sloping back keeps the rain off.
    Sapper
     

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