Found this in 8th Reconnaissance Regiment (XIVth Canadian Hussars) WD June 1943. Report on Reconnaissance Regiments North Africa - WD June 1943 Major A A Ballachey 8 Cdn Recce Regt (14CH) posted 46 Recce 12 Feb 43 – 15 Apr 43 Lt N A McLean 32 Cdn Recce Regt (RMR) posted 46 Recce 12 Feb 43 – 15 Apr 43 Sgt Stevenson 8 Cdn Recce Regt (14CH) posted 56 Recce 12 Feb 43 – 15 Apr 43 Have re-uploaded images Added PDF of original images
This is absolutely first-rate stuff! What are... "LRC"? Light Reconnaissance Car? "Gin Palace"? Interesting to see the term "out in the blue" used in Tunisia in I presume 1st Army - it's something I associated with Libya and 8th Army!
Terminology might differ and I cant read the text posted, nor can I post photos of two supposedly drunken Army Cadets leaning against the Gin Palace when we got back from a trip to the Artillery Ranges. It was the Mobile Command Post. Each Gun Battery had one. Residence of the CPO (Command Post Officer) and his team, directing the gunfire, acting as a bridge between the FOO Forward Observation Officers and the GPO's Gun Position Officers. The Gin Palace mentioned above, contained a filing cabinet. Two cadets were placed in there for the journey home when our 3 tonner broke down and we were distributed around the other battery transport to get back. They found some empty bottles so drank the dregs. Even Monty had one although he probably called it something else. (Wasn't he tea total?) (Mennell Family Collection) Photo taken standing by RHQ mobile CP San Clemente Valley "Out in the wide blue yonder" shortened to "out in the blue" Possibly an old Royal Navy term. Also "out of the blue" something unexpected.
Gin Palace was a nickname for a 15-cwt truck fitted for wireless, which in the early war could be carrying No.1 or later No.11 sets, and sometimes No.9 sets.
I think there is a little bit of linguistic development that went on, because it goes from "out of the blue" (the sky) to "the blue" meaning "out in the desert", presumably because there is so much of the sky to see?
If anyone is having trouble reading - I think the forum might have shrunk mitch's images or imposed a size limit. You can see the originals here and it is possible to zoom in: War diaries : T-12686 - Héritage It's really interesting - a report by Canadians posted to British recce units to gain experience, reporting back to their own regiments. Thus offering us an at-the-time critique of operating procedure in the regiments to which they were attached. Lots of great detail, like too much responsibility being held by the CO and Adjutant, and the Adjutant having too much to do.
