Under Construction We also created an infantry-only forum for those who are interested as well: Poor Bloody Infantry: The British Infantryman 1939-45 - Login Regards.
Much appreciated. The tommy helmet has been missing from our reenactment events here for quite some time; no D smocks, no airborne berets, no commando titles. Just infantry. ------------- Under Construction British WWII Infantry Forum at Poor Bloody Infantry: The British Infantryman 1939-45 - Login
The tommy helmet has been missing from our reenactment events here for quite some time; no D smocks, no airborne berets, no commando titles. Just infantry. I like that. The Tommy in the PBI is the forgotten soldier of WW2 , he's not as 'sexy' as other units like the ones you mention.
Owen, Thats the reason we formed Rifle Brigade. Para, Commando, SAS - even the more specialized 'recce' groups are chosen rather than a standard "plain jane" infantry impression. And when an impression is chosen its usually Scottish, Irish or Welsh. The standard English county unit is simply not sexy enough; and the G.S. cap is certainly not on par with a green beret. Although Rifle Brigade wears a brown beret, its still infantry, even though motorized. British infantry were the workhorse of XXI Army Group in NWE (and other theatres, not to mention the D-Day Dodgers and the "forgotten front" in Burma). My hope is that Spielberg will devote a movie to the standard, long-suffering British infantryman --- who worked wonders on the battlefield during the war.
just a small point. XXI Army Group Only Corps used Roman Numerals, ie XII Corps, XXX Corps. 21st Army Group would use arabic numerals.
Owen, Much appreciated. I just wrote a short history for our website; I'll make that change. Proper military numerology is quite interesting. I remember a decade ago I was talking with a Parachute Regiment veteran. We were customs and courtesies from both militaries (US and Britain) when he stated in jest, "... and another thing, you yanks refer to our wartime groups as "2 Para"; its 2nd Bn., The Parachute Regiment." Details! Merry Christmas to everyone!
