00846 Gallery

The British Advance east of Tilly in Normandy, Northern France during the Second World

The British Advance east of Tilly in Normandy, Northern France during the Second World War.
Following a heavy opening barrage on 25th June, British forces broke through the German positions west of Caen main defence point of Rommel's armoured forces.
Heavy battles ensued against German armour and in three hours fighting, British infantry had driven forward from one to three miles towards the River Odon.
Picture taken during the early stages of the assault shows: An ammunition lorry was hit by enemy mortar fire but no damage was done by the flying debris to nearby vehicles including Sherman tanks and jeeps.
Note: Vehicles plates painted over due to censorship.
June 1944

© Mirrorpix

When the Army makes an assault landing in enemy occupied country

When the Army makes an assault landing in enemy occupied country, it is a well known fact that the Royal Navy convoy the men in assault landing craft. It is not so well known that practically the first troops ashore are the Naval Beach Party'. These parties make a reconnaissance of the best routes for road layers and to set up and maintain wireless contacts. They also make a reconnaissance of the foreshore, stripping off their clothes, linking hands, and wading to find obstructions such as submerged wire etc. Having decided the best places for the road makers to lay their roads for heavy and light traffic and also for troops coming off barges on foot, the party then erects signs facing seaward. Thus as the various craft come in with tanks, have guns etc, the crews know exactly at which point to beach their craft. The personnel of these N.B.P have a most extensive and strenuous training along commando lines and are made up of men from all parts of the United Kingdom and Empire. These pictures were taken during training in the Mediterranean area. Picture shows vigorous action of Naval Commandos during their training course. 11th July 1943

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British Army's new self propelled bridges. It is now revealed that two new bridging

British Army's new self propelled bridges. It is now revealed that two new bridging methods have been used by the British Army in Europe and are now being used extensively in Burma for crossing small rivers and canals, surmounting anti-tank ditches and concrete emplacements, and forming ramps for scaling cliffs and other obstacles. For supporting a bridge strong enough to take 38 tons is used. The bridge is fitted to the top of the tank by supports, and an arm worked by hydraulic pressure on the front of the tank lifts the bridge clear of the supports, brings it over and deposits it across the gap to be bridged. The Ark 2 bridge, of which the latest form is known as the Twaby has a superstructure on which are built two ramps which can be dropped down one front and one rear of the tank. On reaching anti-tank ditch, the Twaby is ditched in it and the ramps are let down to the bridge. An earlier form of the Ark carries one ramp in front which can be placed in position for scaling purposes. Picture shows, a scissors bridge laid over a river on the road to Tilburg. June 1945

© Mirrorpix