sapper, is this your lot?

Owen · 10-03-2007, 09:06 PM

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

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.

Owen · 10-03-2007, 09:10 PM

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

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

Collection No.: 4700-29

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.

sapper · 10-03-2007, 10:44 PM

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

Owen · 10-03-2007, 10:52 PM

Wish I could find you !

This chap is showing the strain, isn't he?

Quote:

Photo No.: B 6015

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.

sapper · 10-03-2007, 10:57 PM

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

Owen · 10-03-2007, 11:01 PM

Photo : B 8311

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.

Owen · 10-03-2007, 11:03 PM

I know this is posed as the cameraman wouldn't be in-front of the mine clearers!

Photo No.:

B 8302

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.

sapper · 10-03-2007, 11:10 PM

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

Rich Payne · 10-03-2007, 11:13 PM

5 Div Sappers putting civilians at risk in Italy !

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

sapper · 10-03-2007, 11:15 PM

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

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10-03-2007, 10:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
sapper WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,515	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

10-03-2007, 10:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
sapper WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,515	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

10-03-2007, 11:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
sapper WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,515	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

10-03-2007, 11:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
Rich Payne Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 737	5 Div Sappers putting civilians at risk in Italy ! Sapper, What sort of camera equipment were the official photographers using in 1944 ? Was it still the old large format stuff ?

10-03-2007, 11:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
sapper WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,515	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

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