British Album Africa Desert/Tobruk/El Alamain

[W Petz]

I just acquired a small photo album with some interesting pics of British forces in Tobruk and El Alamain with a few destroyed German and Italian tanks. One portrait pic of an Australian that maybe someone can identify his unit patch.

Here goes!! Pic 1 - Battle in the Desert

[W Petz]

pic 2 Destroyed Jerry Panzer

[W Petz]

pic 3 Destroyed Jerry Command Car being used for shelter

[W Petz]

pic 4 Spoils of War - British Soldiers rummaging through what was left behind.

[W Petz]

pic 5 Graves at El Alamain

[W Petz]

pic 6 Destroyed Italian tank

[W Petz]

pic 7 Italians surrendering

[W Petz]

pic 8 Old Bill Lindsay - Australian Soldier

[W Petz]

pic 9 - Old Bill Lindsay - Australian (Reverse side)

[W Petz]

pic 10 - The Victor

[ChrisB]

Cool photos, particularly the first one. As to the Aussie, this link might help identify his patch:

http://www.militarybadges.info/colou...ww2/00-ww2.htm

Had a quick look through the Aus nominal roll web sight and I reckon he’s this chap:

LINDSAY, WILLIAM GUTHRIE
service Australian Army
service number VX25214
date of birth 21 Jul 1909
place of birth STAWELL, VIC
date of enlistment 25 Jun 1940
address on enlistment CAULFIELD, VIC
place of enlistment CAULFIELD, VIC
next of kin LINDSAY, JESSIE
date of discharge 17 Sep 1945
rank Lance Sergeant
unit 2/1 ANTI AIRCRAFT REGIMENT
pow No

http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/

Cheers
Chris

[LeeG]

Great photos! I really like the first one as well with the tracers arcing through the sky.

[Ciaran Byrne]

One thing that is apparent from these photos is the fact that in the desert, nothing was wasted. The engine and wheels from the command car have been removed, presumably for parts. You can bet that the knocked out German tank was thoroughly searched after being knocked out.
In other photos I have seen, dead soldiers from both sides were always shown to have all their pocket flaps open on their uniforms, suggesting that they had been searched for anything of value.

[afrika]

The colour patch on the Australian is an artillery patch. I think its either 3 Div Arty or an A-A gun unit. I'm at work now, but when I get home I'll check on it. Those patches were worn at least by Bofors crews in Darwin during the Jap bombing raids up there. More info when I find it.

[W Petz]

Chris,

I really appreciate you providiing this information. I have several pairs of British Tropical issue shorts with WX markings on them. They were captured by a LW NCO in Afrika so this link will help me immensely in identifying the former Aussie owners. Cheers - Bill

Cool photos, particularly the first one. As to the Aussie, this link might help identify his patch:

http://www.militarybadges.info/colou...ww2/00-ww2.htm

Had a quick look through the Aus nominal roll web sight and I reckon he’s this chap:

LINDSAY, WILLIAM GUTHRIE
service Australian Army
service number VX25214
date of birth 21 Jul 1909
place of birth STAWELL, VIC
date of enlistment 25 Jun 1940
address on enlistment CAULFIELD, VIC
place of enlistment CAULFIELD, VIC
next of kin LINDSAY, JESSIE
date of discharge 17 Sep 1945
rank Lance Sergeant
unit 2/1 ANTI AIRCRAFT REGIMENT
pow No

http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/

Cheers
Chris