A Para Stands at the Door - a Bert Hardy Photo

Discussion in 'Airborne' started by Cee, Jul 25, 2012.

  1. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

     
  2. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    Most of the men in the "Mush" photos have now been identified in a new book about 10 Para ;)
     
    brithm likes this.
  3. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Hi Paul,

    That's great! Someone asked me recently if the new 10 Para book was out yet. Where is it available? Oh and thanks for pointing out Captain Nick Hanmer and Sgt Peter Kincaid ... :)

    Regards ...
     
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  4. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    brithm likes this.
  5. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    Cee

    I think that you're getting this new book confused with another book about 10 Para which Mr Pariso has announced the imminent arrival of in the past. The latest news on that particular book is that it "is at the publishers", as it has been for the past six months. From recollection the publication of that book was first announced in 2012. Perhaps, after a very long wait and like London buses, two will come along together.
     
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  6. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Thanks John for clearing that up. I noticed the Facebook site for R.N. Sigmond Publishing gave an email address for anyone interested in 'Desert Rise Arnhem Descent'.

    https://www.facebook.com/SigmondPublishing/

    Regards ...
     
    brithm likes this.
  7. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    Cee

    That site is primarily for people in The Netherlands where Robert is acting as distributor. In the UK you should contact Arnhemdescent@gmail.com. As the publishing costs were put up by one of the authors the print run had to be restricted and only 400 copies were printed. On the day of the book's launch the first 120 of the print run were quickly sold and I understand the remainder are selling fast. If you want a copy I'd suggest that you act fast.

    John
     
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  8. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Thanks John, I'll look into it. Actually I'll probably try an end run as we are just trying to put a few names to faces here.

    Regards ...
     
  9. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    There are a number of photos in the book, "Desert Rise - Arnhem Descent" which show Major George Widdowson taken by Hardy during Exercise Mush. Unfortunately his face is turned aside in most of them.

    Guy Hudson and I discussed the possibility that he is the man to extreme left in the coloured Malindine photo. Guy found a post war photo of Major Widdowson. Born in 1911 Major Widdowson would have been 33 years old at the time.

    TR 1662 - Widdowson.jpg

    Major Widdowson, Second in Command of the 10th Parachute Battalion, was later captured during the Arnhem Battle.

    Widdowson Clipping.jpg

    Regards ...
     
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2023
    brithm likes this.
  10. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Hi.

    I was reminded of this old thread when the Malindine photo was posted here recently.

    Possibly the same chap in this compare, but did we ever identify him? The Para in the Malindine pic was originally spotted by Guy Hudson.

    Compare.jpg

    Regards ...
     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2023
    redtop likes this.
  11. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Same guy ... ?

    Could be going by helmet camo.

    TR1662-H37713 Compare-.jpg

    Regards ...
     
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2023
    redtop likes this.
  12. BGUNN

    BGUNN Active Member

    Definitely the same guy as you also see the guy with the moustache sitting a couple along from him
     
    Cee likes this.
  13. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    I adjusted the left image a bit.

    Yes and you can also see the middle man's helmet and pouch on his empty seat in the H37713 photo.

    Regards ...
     
  14. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Hi,

    Here is the final shot from Hardy's April 22nd series (H37700 - H37722).

    H 37722.jpg H 37722-2.jpg

    Regards ...
     
  15. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    IWM Film

    One of the film shorts that captured 10 Para on Exercise Mush is now available for viewing:

    BRITISH TROOPS PARTICIPATE IN PRE-INVASION EXERCISES

    One clip which shows a parachute strap number caught my attention (R, 7, 2, 5, ...) as it was similar to the one worn by the "Para at the door".

    A70 7-1.-01.14 - Strap.jpg A70 7-1.- Compare.jpg

    We still don't know his name but we may have another view of him ... ?

    A70 7-1.- 01.18  - X.jpg

    A PDF based on the thread is downloadable at link below. It may be updated later with new findings.

    Para at Door - Hardy Photo.pdf - Icedrive

    Regards ...
     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2023
    JimHerriot likes this.
  16. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    An Illustration

    There is a drawing in the book "British Paratroops In Action" by Leroy Thompson that is based on the full figure Hardy photo of the "Para at the Door". The chutes rear central strap numbers were copied exactly - "R, 7, 2, 5 ..."

    H37719-Drawing Compare.jpg

    But there is also the possibility that all chute straps were numbered the same (or were few in variation?).

    Regards ...
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2023
    JimHerriot likes this.
  17. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Collage

    A collage of facial views found so far of our unidentified jumper as taken on April 22nd, 1944 during Exercise Mush. A few have been flipped.

    Collage-Jumper at Door-.jpg

    Regards ...
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2023
    Ludo68000 likes this.

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