Special Gallery

Pistol, Welrod

Welrod Silenced pistol. 32, mk 2, serial no. 3247, 1944 (c). This pistol was probably used by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War Two. The receiver markings of a square and a star indicate it was made at B. S. A. (Birmingham Small Arms Company) It has a five round magazine. Associated with World War Two (1939-1945). The Welrod pistol derives its name from where some were produced; the Special Operations Executive Research Centre in Welwyn, Hertfordshire. The pistol is unique in that in its final stages, the designers realised that it was senseless to make a pistol then manufacture a silencer for it - rather, they designed a silencer first and then made the pistol mechanisms. Date: circa 1944

© The National Army Museum / Mary Evans Picture Library

Commandos Crossing the Rhine at Wesel; Second World War, 194

Sketch showing the night crossing of the River Rhine, made by British Royal Marine Commandos of the 21st Army Group, near Wesel in Germany, 23rd March 1945. This illustration shows the Commandos in their Buffalo amphibious transports leaving the West bank of the Rhine and heading towards the opposite shore. In the right background of the picture, can be seen the fires then burning in Wesel. This drawing was made by Captain Bryan de Grineau, Illustrated London News Special Artist, who was then attached to the 21st Army Group

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10219907

Airmail postcards at Gamages, London

People at Gamages in Holborn, Central London, addressing postcards and posting them in the special London Aerial Postbox, in time for the first aerial mail service from Hendon to Windsor and back again. The service flew on 9 September 1911. King George V gave permission for the aeroplanes to land in the grounds of Windsor Castle. Gustav Hamel was the first pilot to deliver by airmail. During September 1911 the Grahame-White company operated an experimental air mail service for two weeks between Hendon and Windsor. As well as commemorating the coronation of King George V, and raising money for charity, the event publicised the possibilities of the aeroplane as a means of transport

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10410838