Is anyone able to identify the markings on the helmet of the soldier on the right? He was probably a member of the South Alberta Regiment, but no one has yet been able to identify these markings. At first glance, they look to be Polish, but on his tunic is the Canadian Volunteer ribbon. Kieran
The helmet is a Despatch Riders helmet. The markings could be the colours of his regiment, or from a Corps. He may not have been part of the main regiment here; he may just have been passing through and fancied being in the film! The fact that he has a Colt service revolver also makes me feel he wasn't a front line infantryman.
No he's Heer, eagle above pocket and collar badges and fact his rank is Hauptmann equals Heer. SS equivalent rank is SS-Hauptsturmführer. SS had eagles on their arm. Still can't work out who the other chap is with though, sorry , Kieran. I know your Dad said there were a couple of stray Poles there. Anyone picked up on the landyard yet? Does that help?
No he's Heer, eagle above pocket and collar badges and fact his rank is Hauptmann equals Heer. SS equivalent rank is SS-Hauptsturmführer. SS had eagles on their arm. Damn, my bad, I always forget about that although I've read bunch of illustrated books about SS ) And of course he doesn't have SS runes on his collar - there r Heer sign.
I was looking at Canadian Provost Corps uniforms thinking it may be one of them, but their Lanyard is RED. Looks whose lanyard it could be... Lanyard - www.canadiansoldiers.com <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD>The South Alberta Regiment </TD><TD> </TD><TD>A black and "old gold" (yellow) lanyard was worn on the left shoulder by all ranks of the overseas unit</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Lanyard being worn by SAR Sgt here, http://www.sarvaofcanada.ca/june03/johng11.JPG Also helmet straps are not same as a Despatch Riders, so must be the Armoured Corps style helmet.
Thanks, Owen. He was probably an SAR tanker. I think this helmet style was worn by tankers because the broad brim on a Canadian infantry helmet would be awkward. The marking on the side of it remains a mystery. It would be easier to identify if we knew the colour. Kieran
Links I posted earlier regarding lanyard are now no good. Found this on the same website, includes two pictures including a colour one of Maj Currie VC. www.canadiansoldiers.com South Alberta Regiment A black and "old gold" (yellow) lanyard was worn on the left shoulder by all ranks of the overseas battalion.
Is anyone able to identify the markings on the helmet of the soldier on the right? He was probably a member of the South Alberta Regiment, but no one has yet been able to identify these markings. At first glance, they look to be Polish, but on his tunic is the Canadian Volunteer ribbon. Kieran Kieran, On another forum I noted a comment from you that the captured officer (Hauptmann Rauch??) in the photo never made it to a POW cage and may have been shot by the Argylls. Have you learned any more about this man?
"In the Eye of the Storm" I assume that Arthur Bridge must be Keiran's father. Close to 3,000 German casualties in that small geographical area, over a 36 hr. period period, speaks to the intensity of that action. Major Currie's unit also destroyed seven enemy tanks, twelve 88 mm guns and 40 vehicles. 300 German soldiers killed, 500 wounded and 2,100 captured. http://www.wlu.ca/lcmsds/cmh/back%20issues/CMH/volume%209/Issue%203/Bridge%20-%20In%20the%20Eye%20of%20the%20Storm%20-%20A%20Recollection%20of%20Three%20Days%20in%20the%20Falaise%20Gap,%2019-21%20August%201944.pdf
One of the most famous photos in Canadian military history shows Major David Currie accepting the surrender of a large group of German prisoners in St. Lambert-sur Dives on 19 August 1944 near the end of the Normandy Campaign. For his role in the action, Currie was awarded the Victoria Cross. In referring to this picture, C.P. Stacey wrote in the official history that, "This is as close as we are ever likely to come to a photograph of a man winning the Victoria Cross." From subsequent research it is also as close as we are ever likely to come to a photograph of a prisoner being killed (Hauptmann Siegfried Rauch).
Canuck, Here's a nice quality photo of same scene taken by Lt. Donald I. Grant, CFPU. Major David V. Currie is on left with pistol. Cine footage was also taken by Sgt. Jack Stollery, CFPU who you can see on the extreme left with his camera. The moment Currie steps out with a pistol and stops the approaching German convoy taking the commanding German Officer by surprise and forcing a surrender can be seen in Shooters, James O'Regan's documentary on the CFPU. I pulled the picture from this collection of Bundesarchive Photos on Histomil German prisoners August 19, 44 at 2:00 p.m., go to the battle group of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division, consisting of C Squadron of the 29th Reconnaissance Regiment (The South Alberta Regiment) and B Company of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada Princess-Louise's under the command of Major DV Curie. The Hauptmann Rauch (with his glasses on his cap) of 2. Panzer-Division goes to Major DV Currie (left with a revolver listening to the report of the soldier RJ Lowe's "C" Squadron). He faces the Colour Sergeant-Major George Mitchell. We notice quite left, a cameraman filming (Sgt Jack Stollery of 1st CAF & PU). Regards ...
View attachment 89370 From subsequent research it is also as close as we are ever likely to come to a photograph of a prisoner being killed (Hauptmann Siegfried Rauch). Huh???
It's hard to tell from this poor quality video but it appears Rauch approaches in a sidecar of a motorbike. Note the man at the rear of jeep ready to blast right through the windscreen of the jeep with a bren (?) if need be. The scene in question begins at 35 second mark.
Huh??? Hauptmann Rauch (2nd Panzer Div) never made it to a POW cage and it was reported that he was shot soon after the photo was taken. Canadians at the scene reported him as being highly arrogant!! I have not seen any further details.
