2019-01-01 The Armourer PDF

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January 2019 • £4.99 Incorporating Classic Arms & Militaria
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INSIDE THE
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OPERATIONS
EXECUTIVE
Collect the weapons,
gadgets and militaria
of the WWII service
Japanese armour
Collecting the Samurai way
The Shangani Patrol

Last stand heroics in the Zulu War
French Chamelot-Delvigne
The evolution of the 1873 revolver
Phantom Third Tank Regiment The Home

Reich awards greeting cards Front 1918
The mystery medals and Celebrating Christmas Life back home
fantasy badges that you at the front with as war raged
need to avoid collectable cards across Europe Display until 2 Jan 2019
MILITARY HISTORY // EVENTS // AUCTIONS // COLLECTING

Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria
Forthcoming Auctions
5th and 6th December 2018
27th and 28th February 2019
8th and 9th May 2019
17th and 18th July 2019
25th and 26th September 2019
4th and 5th December 2019
www.dnw.co.uk
16 Bolton Street Mayfair London W1J 8BQ
Telephone 020 7016 1700 Fax 020 7016 1799
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Warners Group Publications,

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Welcome
B
Publisher Rob McDonnell efore we get into this month’s the soldier’s felt and experienced, and
robm@warnersgroup.co.uk issue I’d just like to comment because of that, I’d suggest it should
Editor Duncan Evans on Peter Jackson’s They Shall be mandatory viewing in every school.
duncane@warnersgroup.co.uk Not Grow Old which was The Americans do a very good job of
Tel: 01778 391103 shown in cinemas briefly, on BBC and recognising veterans and drumming
Head of Design and Production then on the iPlayer for a week. While into pupils support for the flag and
Lynn Wright not perfect thanks to people having nation. Post-colonial Britain’s educators
ADVERTISING salmon coloured faces and bizarre have been a disgrace in this regard and
Auction House Sales Executive eyes at times, the technical work was it’s films like Jackson’s that are needed
Kristina Green astonishing in bringing to life images to redress the balance.
kristina.green@warnersgroup.co.uk from 100 years ago. Here were clips, All of which brings me to this
Tel: 01778 390296 running at the right speed, as young month’s magazine and the work of the
Multi Media Sales Executive men sat and looked into the camera, Special Operations Executive. Our cover
Danielle Warr
chatted amongst themselves. This image is from Max Manus - a film about
danielle.warr@warnersgroup.co.uk
Tel: 01778 391129 record offered nothing new – it’s all a Norwegian resistance agent who
material in the Imperial War Museum received British Commando training
Advertising Production & Design
Nicola Lock and BBC archives – but thanks to before being dropped back into Norway
nicola.lock@warnersgroup.co.uk the work done on it, to create a new to sabotage the Nazi war machine.
Tel: 01778 392420 interpretation, putting together the Supporting articles this month include
MARKETING voices of those soldiers from long looking at the equipment used by the
Marketing Executive ago, it gave a perspective that time SOE, concealed edged weapons and the
Katherine Brown has largely eroded. These were young Sten gun.
katherine.brown@warnersgroup.co.uk men signing up because it was the These were young men and women
Tel: 01778 395092 right thing to do. It was awful at the from Britain and the occupied countries
DISTRIBUTION front but they had the view that it of Europe who risked capture, torture
Warners Distribution needed to be done and when it was and death to fight back against the
Andy Perry done it was seen as a glorious victory. Nazis. From supporting the local
Tel: 01778 391152
That horror though, was so extreme, resistance, to sabotage, assassination,
Cover image: that the veterans couldn’t talk about abduction and direct assaults, these
Max Manus, Aksel Hennie, 2008
it when they got home, because the were very high risk missions. Like those
© B&T Film/Courtesy: Everett Collection
general public had no concept of what young men of WWI, they volunteered
This publication is
printed by Warners
they had been through. The hand because it was the right thing to do and
01778 395111 wringing over needless slaughter and someone had to step up to do it. It’s
lions led by donkeys narrative didn’t that personal cost that should always
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www.armourer.co.uk // January 2019 3

Contents
Inside
JANUARY 2019 // ISSUE 161
WIN!
102
48
33 52
REGULARS 18 Royal
Museum
Navy Submarine
3Welcome
What the Editor has to say about this
issue, where we look at the heroic and
Kerry Culbert heads for the Historic Dockyard
at Portsmouth and takes a boat across the
harbour to Gosport and the only remaining
dangerous endeavours of the Special British WWII-era submarine.
Operations Executive in WWII.
7 News
What’s happening in the world of
21Under the hammer
Discover what has been sold at recent
auctions, including classic arms and armour
80
militaria, museums, exhibitions, collections at Hermann Historica, medals and daggers
and events. at Bosleys, old guns at Southams and mixed
militaria at Bishop & Miller.
12Militaria for sale

Lenny Warren takes a trip around
the internet in search of rare, interesting and
desirable collectables. This month he digs up
FEATURES
some collectable German buckles.
33The Shangani Patrol
Neil Thornton describes the
defiant, but doomed, last-stand action in
85
EVENTS the Matabele War between British South
Africa forces and an off-shoot tribe
15Inrooms
the sale of the Zulus.
Discover what’s coming up

for auction, with classic
arms at Thomas Del Mar,
38The fleet that
never was
Graham Caldwell explains the
expensive treasures at Czerny Royal Navy’s employment of
International, orders and dummy battleships during both
decorations with DNW and guns World Wars to deceive the enemy
galore at Marlows. over capital warship strength.
15 70
4 January 2019 // www.armourer.co.uk

REGULAR
COVER
FEATURES COVER
STORY
24The Special Operations
Executive
Gerald Prenderghast describes the role of the
SOE during WWII and how Churchill’s Secret
Army stopped the Nazis from developing the
atomic bomb.
44 SOE
field equipment
The Executive had a team of highly
inventive engineers developing
64The Sten SMG
George Prescott
explains why the Sten sub-
of concealable knives and daggers
made for agents trying to evade the
clutches of the Gestapo.
specialist sabotage equipment machine gun was the weapon of choice for SOE
and explosives for use agents operating in occupied Europe in WWII.
in the field by its
agents, as Edward
Hallett finds out. 76SOE edged weapons
Lee Sheldon takes a look at a variety
48Fantasy Nazi awards

Jamie Cross looks at the German
WWII awards that were never issued, were
roles they performed in
wartime Britain. 90The Photo Inspector
Ray Westlake takes a look at the
uniform and markings of a Regimental
thought up after the war or are incredibly rare.
70French
Crimea
in Quartermaster-Sergeant of the King
Edward’s Horse.
52Collecting Japanese
arms and armour
Gabriele Esposito details
the organisation and
Robert Attard takes a look at a recent auction
to showcase what is available for the collector
uniforms of the French
military forces taking
SIGNALS
of classic Japanese militaria. part to the Crimean War
against Russia, 1854- 93Reviews Duncan Evans takes a look at the
56 The Home Front in 1918

David Bilton explains how
1856.
61 latest releases including On a Knife’s Edge,
SPQR: The History of Rome and an SOE
everyday life for civilians changed between
1914 and 1918 as shortages began to 80 Tank
Regiment Christmas
story with Heroes of Telemark.
impact public life.
56
cards
John A Smith looks at collecting 98Auction Diary
Don’t miss that must-have militaria.
61 The Alaskan
Territorial Guard
Cynthia J Notti tells the story of the
the epitome of ephemera, the
military Christmas card of tank
regiments in WWII.
It’s your diary dates and locations for
upcoming auctions.
forgotten men and women of the

Tundra Army of WWII who were
stationed in the Arctic circle. 85 The French
Chamelot-
100 Your letters
Have your say on collecting
militaria, features in the magazine and
Delvigne identifying mysterious objects.
68Female
workers
railway
Author of the book of the same
John Wallace describes a
significant step forward in the
evolution of the military pistol 102Competition
It’s your chance to win a copy
name, Susan Major looks at how with the commonest revolver in of With SOE in Greece, The Franks or Female
women joined the railway and what the world. Railways Workers in World War II.
23 SUBSCRIBE TODAY! SAVE MONEY ON THE ARMOURER

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REGULAR
militarianews
Duncan Evans reports on what’s happening in the
world of military history and collecting
MUSEUM
Buccaneer cockpit arrives at Newark

The latest addition to Newark Air pleased to report that the cockpit
Museum’s collection of airframes will be participating at their
and cockpit sections has arrived Cockpit-Fest 2019 event that
at the museum site in eastern takes place on Saturday 22 and
Nottinghamshire, close to the Sunday 23 June, 2019.
county border with Lincolnshire. Also at the museum, its
The new arrival was the Cessna 310 has been repainted
cockpit section from Blackburn into USAF colours. The recent
Buccaneer S.2B XX899. good weather has enabled the
The cockpit was transported restoration and repainting work
from its former display location on to be completed. The Cessna
in Coventry to Newark by 310, G-APNJ aircraft has been
Nottinghamshire based contractor repainted into a representative
Gillivers Haulage. The move was USAF colour scheme that
made possible thanks to the the type wore operationally
good offices of the managers at as a U-3 ‘Blue Canoe’ utility
Coventry Airport who were kind outside Display Hangar 2 on particular Buccaneer cockpit is communications aircraft.
enough to grant their permission the museum’s Southfield Site. that it retains a significant section As previously reported, the
for the cockpit to be lifted over These cockpits were recently of fuselage structure, which selected colour scheme is similar
their perimeter fence from its repositioned to create sufficient allows the canopy to slide on its to the last civilian colour scheme
previous display location. space to accommodate XX899. rails as per its original design. worn by G-APNJ.
Owned by Robin Phipps, A few panels have been The trustees of the Newark This aircraft will be one of
Buccaneer cockpit XX899 has removed from XX899 on a Air Museum were happy to several to feature in a Night
been placed on long-term loan temporary basis and this is to welcome both the Buccaneer Photo Shoot to be hosted by
at the Newark Air Museum, allow them to be returned to cockpit and its owner to their the museum in Spring 2019.
where it will be displayed display standard by the owner. Gateway Aviation Site in eastern For more details, go to www.
alongside several other cockpits One important feature of this Nottinghamshire. They are also newarkairmuseum.org. ■
COMMEMORATION since the signing of the Armistice

in the Glade of the Armistice,
Armistice Compègne, France, and the
Watch on ceasefire that effectively ended

the fighting. The hope is to evoke
display remembrance, reflection, respect,
reaction, reviewing and response.
Watch designer Mike Etienne has Reading the Watch: The face
created a timepiece to reflect on relates to time; the rear relates
the Armistice of 1918 when the to place and 100 years; the strap
guns of WWI fell silent. The 11th relates to reflections of location
hour of the 11th day of the 11th in World War I, secured with old
month of 1918 saw the signing of clockwork parts demonstrating
the ceasefire - The Armistice - to existing now as the Mémorial the mechanics of time; the mount
end the horrors of the Great War. de l’Armistice. The Armistice is Ash, made from a felled tree
This event has become an time of Watch is loosely based on the from the artist’s property, which
remembrance for nations around wristwatches of World War reflects the ash to ashes refrain
the world. I, which gained popularity as associated with funerals.
The Armistice was signed in they were easier to read that a The Armistice Watch will be on
the forest of Compiègne, France, pocket watch. Its aims are to show at the Musée de l’Armistice
in a French Railway Carriage, commemorate the 100 years for the centenary. ■ ❯

News
HISTORIC EVENTS
Royal Palace events for 2019

Discover the events coming up Experience life in the Baroque
for the new year at Hampton Palace and meet characters from
Court, Kensington and the Tower the past this February half term at
of London. At both Hampton Hampton Court. Perfect for all the
Court Palace and Kensington family, visitors can enjoy live drama
Palace the Baroque era reigns and hands-on activities exploring
supreme this spring, with hands- the stories of Queen Anne and her
on family activities exploring the courtiers. Included in Hampton
lives of Queen Anne and the late Court Palace admission.
Stuart monarchs taking place
over the February half term. Over Party at the Palace
at the Tower of London, get set 17 February – 22 February
for a swashbuckling February Kensington Palace
half term with the return of This February half term, come
Knight School. Travel back to a and join in the gossip, display
world of heraldry and valour and and Queen, Margaret of France and entertainment, to martial skills and fun of the Baroque court
explore all the essential skills of and enjoy live drama exploring and fitness, learn the essential at Kensington Palace. Take part
a medieval warrior on a quest to a world of chivalrous knights, components of a Knight’s arsenal. in traditional court games for a
become a knight of the Tower. troublesome lords and royal Finally, the training culminates in chance to meet Queen Anne,
prisoners. Included in Tower of a knighting ceremony, where new along with other hands-on
Life in the Medieval Palace London admission. recruits are enlisted to defend activities perfect for all the family.
2 January – 31 March the Tower and keep the great Included in Kensington Palace
Tower of London Knight School – Defend the landmark safe from marauding admission.
Step back 700 years and enter Tower! invaders. Included in Tower of
the Tower of London’s Medieval 16 February – 24 February London admission. All events are subject to change,
Palace, home of King Edward Tower of London please check www.hrp.org.uk for
I, Hammer of the Scots. Meet This February half term become Life in the Baroque Palace up-to-date information on prices,
characters from the past, a knight and defend the Tower of 16 February – 24 February opening times and details on
including Edward’s new wife London! From manners, etiquette Hampton Court Palace event booking. ■
FESTIVAL 23 February. Crowds are also

expected to line the city streets
Viking on the afternoon of 23 February
women take for the parade of hundreds of

warriors from York Minster to
centre stage Coppergate, home of JORVIK
Viking Centre.
Europe’s largest Viking Festival The eight-day long celebration
returns to York next February, of all things Norse runs from
telling the stories of Viking Wednesday to Wednesday in 2019
women beyond the homestead in line with differing dates for the
through the voices of seers, school half term holiday across
queens and shield maidens – a the country, ensuring that as many
story of women whose influence some superb source material in at Freya’s Banquet on Friday schoolchildren as possible can visit.
was as great as any mighty the sagas, which enable us to tell 22 February, and re-enacted As usual, the entertaining
warrior. JORVIK Viking Festival stories of exploration, settlement, by a cast of warriors and shield public events will run alongside
runs from 20-27 February 2019. conquest, magic and nobility.” maidens on the evening of academic talks and presentations
“For the last 35 years, the Characters coming to the Saturday 23 February at the Eye highlighting York’s pre-eminent
themes of JORVIK Viking Festival fore during JORVIK Viking of York. role in the understanding of
have enabled us to tell stories Festival 2019 will include the Visitors will also enjoy a Viking culture. Guest speakers
that encompass many different seeress Thorbjorgr litilvolva, the larger encampment this year in include Dr Judith Jesch, professor
aspects of Viking history and colourfully named Sigrid the Parliament Street, and the main of Viking Studies at the University
though women have taken key Haughty, Aud the Deep Minded stage which hosts presentations of Nottingham, who is one of the
roles in many of the stories, this is and Gunnhild Konungamodir, and displays throughout the week world’s top experts on women in
the first time we’ve told all of the wife of the last Viking King in York will be in St Sampson’s Square the Viking age.
stories from a female perspective,” Eric Bloodaxe, who manoeuvred to accommodate the growing Full details of all of the events
commented Sarah Maltby, her sons to positions of power crowds who come to watch in this year’s JORVIK Viking
Director of attractions for York in Scandinavia after Eric’s death. the Best Beard and Strongest Festival will be posted online at
Archaeological Trust. “We have Their stories will be presented Viking Competitions on Saturday www.jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk. ■ ❯

SELLING YOUR MILITARIA?
Warwick and Warwick have an expanding requirement for British and Worldwide uniforms, edged weapons,
badges, headgear, firearms, antique arms/armour and militaria. Our customer base is increasing dramatically
and we need an ever larger supply of quality material to keep pace with demand. The market has never been
stronger and if you are considering the sale of your militaria, now is the time to act.
FREE VALUATIONS
We will provide a free,
professional and without
obligation valuation of your
collection. Either we will
make you a fair, binding
private treaty offer, or we will recommend
inclusion of your property in our next
specialist public auction.
FREE TRANSPORTATION
We can arrange insured transportation of your collection to our
Warwick offices completely free of charge. If you decline our offer, we ask
you to cover the return carriage costs only.
FREE VISITS
Visits
Visitsby
byour
ourvaluers
valuersareare
possible anywhere
possible anywhere in the
in country or abroad,
the country or abroad,
inusually
order to assess more valuable collections. Please phone for
within 48 hours, in order to value larger collections. details.
Please telephone for details.
ADVISORY DAYS
We are staging a series of advisory days and will be visiting
the following towns within the next few weeks,
Redditch, Ross on Wye, Edmonton, Harlow, Tavistock, Tiverton,
Bridgnorth, Spalding, Wakefield, Rotherham, Newark, Cowes, Andover,
Oswestry, Barrow in Furness, Bury, Kettering and Mansfield.
Please visit our website or telephone for further details.
EXCELLENT PRICES
Because of the strength of our customer base we
are in a position to offer prices that we feel sure
will exceed your expectations.
ACT NOW
Telephone or email Richard Beale today
with details of your property.
Warwick & Warwick Ltd.

Auctioneers and Valuers
Chalon House, Scar Bank, Millers Road,
Warwick CV34 5DB
Tel: 01926 499031 Fax: 01926 491906
E-mail: richard.beale@warwickandwarwick.com
www.warwickandwarwick.com
News
COLLECTORS BOOK AWARDS The 36th annual Women of
The Folio Society honours RAF women the Year Luncheon and Awards
ceremony, hosted by BBC
Wilfred Owen win award Midlands Today’s Arti Halai, took
place at the Hilton Birmingham
A new limited edition of A group of women from the Metropole Hotel, NEC on 12
poetry by Great British RAF have been jointly awarded October 2018. In excess of
war poet, commemorated at the annual Women of the 600 guests came together to
in a deluxe publication Year Luncheon and Awards highlight and celebrate the
with illustrations from Neil ceremony held in Birmingham, achievements of their peers from
Bousfield and introduced in honour of their centenary across the UK.
by Owen Sheers, has been year. Accepting the Women of Revitalise CEO Chris
released. The Folio Society Achievement Award 2018 on Simmonds, who was among
has commemorated the behalf of the women of the Royal those in attendance at the event
centenary of Wilfred Air Force was Air Vice Marshall commented, “It has been an
Owen’s death on 4 Tamara Jennings. absolute pleasure to be here
November with a limited The women take over from today in celebration of the
edition publication the current holders who were outstanding achievements of so
featuring 42 of his poems. and a coloured top edge. Set in also a collective of women from many exceptional women. I can’t
The publication costs £195 Plantin at The Folio Society and across the Emergency Services, think of a more fitting tribute
and is limited to 1,250 numbered printed letterpress by The Logan who received the award in to honour the centenary of the
copies. Introduced by Owen Press, Wellingborough. It runs to recognition of their leadership Royal Air Force, than by awarding
Sheers. Illustrated and signed by 108 pages and has nine original and dedication in the face of the the exemplary women who
Neil Bousfield. Quarter-bound engravings and eight letterpress terrorist atrocities in Manchester have displayed such incredible
in goatskin by LEGO, Vicenza, vignettes. The paper-covered and London and the terrible dedication and innovation over
with paste-paper sides by slipcase is blocked in gold on tragedy at Grenfell Tower. the past 100 years.” ■
Victoria Hall. Printed on Zerkall one side and inset with a printed
(© Paul Thomas Photographic Ltd)

mould-made smooth paper with label. For more details go to
Marcate Nettuno endpapers www.foliosociety.com. ■
CONVENTION
OMRS convention is a hit

Events at the first-ever Orders building in the heart of the
& Medals Research Society city, proved ideal. The elegant
Convention to be held in glass roof provided a light and
Nottingham proved hugely spacious area for exhibitors on
popular with attendees. Saturday and the OMRS Medal
The new venue, the Fair on Sunday. The talks by
Nottingham Conference Centre, Major John Monn on Norwegian
a superb recently refurbished awards, Air Commodore Graham
Pitchfork on the
evolution of the upon-Avon 2017 record of was once again extremely high
Royal Air Force over 400 to just over 330, there with six exhibitors being awarded
and Paul Evans on was a big turnover of members gold medals. On Sunday there
military archives, registering. A quarter of those were 24 trade stands at the
were well received who came to Nottingham did OMRS Medal Fair, with was a
and greatly not go to Stratford the previous distinct buzz in the room and
aided by superb year, including new attendees dealers reported trading as being
technical facilities. from New Zealand, Australia, fair to very good.
The arrangements Hong Kong and Canada. One The Orders and Medals
for refreshments of the principal aims of moving Research Society is a UK-based
also went down the Convention out of London organisation with a global
well with the and around the country was membership dedicated to
university-level to encourage new people to studying and collecting orders,
pricing proving come to the weekend and this decorations and medals and
particularly is clearly happening. It is hoped through research to preserving
popular. that some of the newcomers will the memory of the men and
Although become regulars. Attendance in women to whom they were
overall attendance Nottingham was higher than in awarded. For further information
was down from the final year in London. on the Society look at the OMRS
the Stratford- The standard of exhibitions website at www.omrs.org. ■

CO S
L PE
WEAPONS • INSIGNIA • MEDALS • UNIFORMS • GEAR ED LEC CI
IT TO AL
IO R
N ’S
A GUIDE TO COLLECTING
IMPERIAL GERMANY ❘ WEHRMACHT ❘ HEER ❘ LUFTWAFFE ❘ KRIEGSMARINE ❘ WAFFEN-SS ❘ NSDAP
WIN!
£7.99
FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF
THE ARMOURER
COLLECTING ADVICE • RARE AWARDS • CURRENT PRICES • SPOTTING FAKES
by visiting www.militaria.ma/germanmilitaria or by calling 01778 392489

Buying and collecting
Militaria for sale

Lenny Warren trawls the internet to find bargains,
F OR
rare, interesting or bizarre items of militaria SA L E
During the last 40 years I’ve collected most
things from badges to helmets, medals,
bayonets as well as inert ordnance and
various other items. However, for the last
few years I have concentrated on German
Belt buckles from 1847-1945. I find this
area fascinating as buckles are personal to
an individual soldier, tell the story of their
service and there are also a vast array of
designs, materials and finishes.
One of the most interesting designs
is the Art Deco style of the Reichsbahn/
Bahnschutz buckle. This is an early pattern brass
construction with a pebbled background, the
buckle shows the script ‘Deutsche Reichsbahn’.
The buckle is not maker marked, looks like a
ground-dug example, the prong-bar is heavily
rusted, however still a rare and desirable buckle.
Priced at €150 from www.militariaplaza.nl.
One of my favourite belts is what I would
describe as a souvenir belt. I’m not a fan of the
term ‘hate belt’ as I believe it to be a collector
term, not used by soldiers of the period. I
have no doubt these were made during both
World Wars, however I have heard many a from www.therupturedduck.com buckles with belts simply to hold their trousers
tale of them being constructed post war. I’m I’ve spoken to former German POWs up. Factories made de-nazified buckles simply
not keen on the term ‘gravedigger’s belt’ either who have told me that they could only keep to keep people working, any money coming
as I’ve not seen any period evidence this took their buckles in captivity if they scraped off into the economy was very welcome.
place. However, keen eyes may have spotted a the swastika. Also, in immediate post war There is a worrying trend that has started
British example worn by Harold Steptoe! Germany, times were hard and there was a lot over the last few years though, unscrupulous
This example is described as a ‘WWI of make do and mend. Many wore de-nazified sellers are purposely de-nazifying buckles just
German Gravedigger’s Hate Belt’. Ignoring the so they can list them on eBay, which has a
description, it is constructed from an Imperial ban on showing the swastika. This is blatant
German belt with 22 buttons added. The destruction of history, totally different from
buttons are German, US, Belgian, French a period de-nazified buckle, which for
and include a German cockade. The me is a powerful reminder of post-war
buckle is a cloth cockade of red and gold Germany and a valid part of the history of
with a tan canvas strap and brass naval the German belt buckle. Here we have nice
button. The belt is cut down from its original example, by Richard Sieper & Sohn with a
length and there are a few buttons missing nice bit of paint finish. Priced at £25 from
but still a really nice example. Priced at $175 www.fritzandbrits.co.uk ■

ARMS & MILITARY
AUCTION
7th February 2019
Viewing from 8am
throughout the sale
Start time 10.00am
TO BE HELD AT
Ravon Court, Drummond Road, Stafford, ST16 3HJ
Contact us for free valuations. For further details, contact Kevin King
07789 628030 / 01785 214100 or info@marlowsauctions.co.uk
www.marlowsauctions.co.uk
Consignments Invited
The Spring Sale

March 2019
.303 Vickers heavy machine
gun, on tripod stand The Auction Centre, Eastcotts Park,
Sold for £4,400 Bedford, MK42 0PE
EVENTS
In the sale rooms

The weapons, uniforms, medals and militaria coming up for auction
Rare items at Thomas Del Mar

A rare carved Maori large model century. It features a slender blade
canoe, otherwise known as a of diamond-section for its upper
Waka, dating from the 19th third, the lower two thirds with
century and measuring over 2m scalloped edges and engraved
is amongst the eclectic array of on each face with a criss-cross
objects to be offered in Thomas design. Estimate is £400-£600.
Del Mar Ltd’s sale of Antique Also in the sale is a collection
Arms, Armour & Militaria on 5 of almost 20 Japanese edged
December. The canoe is carved weapons including a wakizashi
with traditional masks and sword dating from the Shinshinto
was listed in the inventory of period (estimate £4,500-£5,500),
Worden Hall in Lancashire – it is which has a blade decorated with
estimated at £4,000-£5,000. an engraving of a dragon.
Also from Worden Hall is an British/Afghan history was Rajender Wadeer, Raja of Coorg, The final section is devoted to
English or Flemish close Sir William Macnaghten, dated 1808/10. English and European firearms
helmet, c. 1560, which baronet (1793-1841). A Also included in the sale are 17 which includes a fine cased pair
carries an estimate of descendent of his is lots from the collection of James of 16 bore percussion officer’s
£4,000-£5,000 and is offering a fine Coorg D. Lavin Ph.D (1929-2013). Items pistols by Westley Richards,
believed to be part of gold-hilted knife include several firearms, notably dating from 1840 and estimated
a collection amassed which carries an a rare 34 bore Spanish miquelet- at £5,000-£8,000, while a cased
in the 18th century by estimate of £6,000- lock belt pistol, c. 1645 which is pair of 20 bore silver-mounted
Sir William ffarington (c. £8,000 and has a estimated at £2,500-£3,000. flintlock duelling pistols by James
1704-81). pommel that bears Or, how about a Spanish left- Barbar, London, 1758 is estimated
A key figure in an inscription for Ling hand dagger, from the early 18th at £10,000-£15,000. ■
Orders, decorations and medals at DNW

There’s a plethora of medals of Her Majesty to John Dodd,
and other militaria at the DNW British Merchant at Ke-lung
auction which kicks off on 5 Formosa, wrecks of Schooner
December at 10am. As well as Anne of Hong Kong and French
the Waterloo and Crimea medals Barque Adèle on 9th. August
highlighted in the last issue, 1871’. Estimate is £7,000-£9,000.
there are more modern medals Let’s wrap up with a look at
as well. One of the highlights is a superb Great War 1918 Battle
the unique post-war QPM for of Hamel VC action DCM, 1917
Gallantry, World War II Military Battle of Arras MM and Battle
Medal and Bar group of four of Polygon Wood second award
awarded to Lance Sergeant, later Bar group of five awarded to
Detective Inspector J. O’Donnell, Company Sergeant Major, WR
of the Irish Guards, who was with Royal Mint case of issue; along with AM Margary, Assistant Rogers, 16th Australian Infantry
awarded the MM for his gallantry Military Medal, G.VI.R., with in HM Consular Service, in Battalion. The haul includes a
in fighting off the German Stuka second award Bar; 1939-45 Star; rescuing the crew of the French Distinguished Conduct Medal,
Aircraft attacking Harpoon Force War Medal 1939-45. Estimate at barque Adèle during a violent GVR; Military Medal, GVR, with
during the successful British £12,000-£15,000. typhoon off Formosa, in 1871. second award Bar; 1914-15 Star;
rescue of the Dutch Queen in Then there’s an Albert Medal Albert Medal, 1st Class, for British War and Victory Medals
May 1940. First Class awarded to J Dodd, Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, mounted for wear. Condition is
The lot includes the Queen’s British Merchant residing at Ke- gold and enamel, the reverse extremely fine with an estimate of
Police Medal for Gallantry, E.II.R. lung, Formosa, for his gallantry, engraved ‘Presented in the name £6,000-£8,000. ■ ❯

Auction preview
International arms at Czerny

Italian-based Czerny International estimate is €200-€300.
Auction House is having a If you’ve got deep pockets,
massive militaria sale on 8-9 take a look at this sword from
December, which you can bid Italy, dated around 1250. It has a
on via the-saleroom.com if you long, double-edged blade with
can’t make it there in person. central fuller, quillon with straight
There are over 700 items up for quillons, disk-pommel. Arm in
grabs covering antiques arms excellent conditions, rare for the
and armour as well as more era. Length is 102cm. Estimate is
modern militaria. There are €6,000-€9,000.
plenty of revolvers and pistols in To keep those sword blows
the sale, including a percussion out you need armour and there’s
blunderbuss pistol by Agostino. plenty of suits and individual
Dated to mid-19th century Italy elements in this auction. Here’s
it features a smooth-bore, two- a Brescian composite militia
stage, bronze barrel, with strongly, rarer? How about an attractive engraved with floral motifs. armour suit from the 16th
oval bell-mouthed nozzle; but very scarce flintlock pistol The wooden scabbard century. Features a pointed
iron, engraved tang; backward from Morocco. Dated to the is covered with black burgonet, in one piece,
spring lock signed ‘Agostino’ and first half of the 19th century it leather, stitched with a the peak with tip faced
engraved at the ends. Comes features a round, smooth-bore, silver thread. Estimate is backwards, sloping and
with a ramrod and an estimate of 15 mm cal. barrel, decorated €2,000-€3,000. sharpened brim and
€400-€600. with rings in the first section, Or, how about nape-guard, with a
Colt revolvers are always in brass fore-sight; tang with sight; a Jambiya from recessed band and
demand so here’s a Colt Model snaphaunce flintlock, the cock Oman, dating to twisted border,
1849 Pocket Revolver, estimate and pan decorated with golden around 1900. It brim with a
€600-€900. It features an arabesques, sliding pan cover. has a curved, mark, repaired
octagonal, rifled, 4in barrel, with Estimate is €2,000-€3,000. double-edged cheek-piece.
brass, cusp-shaped fore-sight, Let’s look at the sharp stuff blade with Gorget with
complete marking on the back, now, starting with a 19th century central raiser. a plate and
with ‘U.S. AMERICA’, preserves Ottoman Empire karabela. It has There is a horn back-and-front plate;
50% of antique finishing. It’s in a wide, curved, single-and false- grip, with silver plus an interesting,
a good working order and has edged blade, in damask, long mounts. However, ribbed breast-plate.
brass bands and trigger-guard, inscriptions with symbols and there are small Expect to pay
smooth, walnut grip. gold-inlaid cartouches on the parts missing between €5,000
You want something a little right side. The silver hilt is richly and defects so the and €7,000. ■
Guns galore at Marlows

The next Marlow’s The Badge section Edged Weapons will include
Arms and Armour will contain 180+ lots of a scarce 1751 Lancashire
Auction is on 7 multiple badges which Harvey Made Infantry Hanger;
February 2019 will include an excellent an unusual regimentally
and cataloguing collection of WWI marked, steel hilted, 1871
is now in progress Canadian cap badges German short sword; a 1796
for this sale. The Gun and titles; the first part of Indian Cavalry sword; an 1897
category will include a a comprehensive Royal Infantry Officer’s sword; a
good selection of current Navy and Royal Marine Rifles Officer’s sword; a small
deactivated weapons badge collection; British selection of American Society
including 1928 Thompson Cavalry, Yeomanry and swords; a WWI 1906 dated,
complete with drum Infantry; a good selection Springfield, long bayonet; a
magazine; a Bren of formation badges and WWII American Springfield
MKI LMG; an MG42; SMG; a silenced Sterling SMG; embroidery shoulder bayonet and a Belgian Cavalry
an MG34; an Italian an American grease gun; a titles; foreign and colonial badges. carbine long pattern bayonet.
Breda machine gun WWII Russian semi-automatic In the Curios category there All auctions are being held
complete with tripod; rifle; a WWII Japanese revolver will be a Marconi Undulator UG6 at Marlow’s venue at Ravon
a scarce Besa tank and a Luger. Antique guns will model which is a Morse code Court, Drummond Road,
machine gun; a Danish comprise several mid-19th printout tape system as used at Stafford, Staffordshire
Madsen LMG; a Royal century percussion revolvers and Bletchley Park and other secret ST16 3HJ. Full details at
Navy issue Lanchester pepperbox revolvers. intelligence establishments. www.marlowsauctions.co.uk. ■

ON
T LO LY
E N ND 3 H
E V ON OU
AT & N RS
R E EW FRO
T G CA M
X ST
N E
N AR LE
(Formerly Northern Military Expo)

SUNDAY 13TH JANUARY 2019
(Also 28th April & 3rd November
Newark County Showground NG24 2NY
Open to the public 9.00am to 3.00pm (Sunday)
£5 Admission per person
(Under 14’s free!)
“Sorry no Dogs! Except Mobility”
Indoor Cafe, Large free car park
AN INDOOR EVENT,
WITH UPTO 100 STALLS
★ Military Vehicles, Parts
★ Vehicle Parts, Weapons
★ Militaria and Uniforms
★ Guns, Books and Models
★ 40’s, 50’s and Retro Fashions
★ Medals, Patches and Insignia
★ Repro clothing, Radios
For more information visit our website or contact us on 07889 516401
Oice hours Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm. Closed 11th to 14th Jan 19
www.newarkmilitariafair.com
Museum visit
Royal Navy Submarine Museum

Kerry Culbert visits Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and prepares to relive life
under the waves with decommissioned sub HMS Alliance
T
here are 11 attractions at a traditional façade and atmosphere. are limited so need to be booked. Note
the Portsmouth Historic Watching personnel pass in and out of a also that HMS Alliance isn’t open all year
Dockyard and HMS Alliance, security gate within the Dockyard adds round so check on the website before
tethered alongside the Royal to the active feel of the museum and either booking or travelling.
Navy Submarine Museum, is just one naval base. During the boat journey to Gosport,
of them. My all-attractions ticket cost There is a bit of confusion when you which takes minutes, there’s a comical
£34 on the day which may seem a tad first enter the grounds. To the right is introduction to harbour life. The tourist
expensive, but it’s cheaper if you book the entrance to the Mary Rose but this information office in the bus depot
in advance or for a single attraction. is no longer part of the Dockyard and nearby provides daily lists of what naval
The ticket to the Submarine Museum tickets for it are an additional £17. vessels to look out for on patrol on the
includes a short boat trip from the The ticket office contains details waters of the Solent.
main Dockyard grounds across the of any special talks that are Unless you’re intent on joining the
harbour to Gosport where both taking place and maps are also Royal Navy, a tour by a former sub sailor
the museum and HMS Alliance are available there. However, be on HMS Alliance is the nearest you’ll get
based. Alliance forms the centrepiece aware that places on the boat to life on a submarine. Once on board
attraction, along with Holland I and to take you to the submarine you get to feel, touch and smell what it
X24. The museum also contains and museum at Gosport was like on a WWII submarine that was
thousands of photographs, documents,
ship plans and artefacts.
As well as specialised talks in
the Dockyard, there are event days
throughout the year. There’s a Warrior
Burns night on 25 January 2019
and Sea Shanties on 29 March. The
boathouses also host summer festivals.
There’s something for every age and
yet the Dockyard manages to maintain
Curator Alexandra Geary with a firin . Spy on

Inside the World Word II-era submarin
e
panel from the Polaris-era
g Silent and Secret exhibition
ld War
HMS Alliance at The Royal Navy Russians and relive the Co
Submarine Museum

EVENTS
decommissioned in 1973. Interestingly, space. The beds are so closely stacked bomb ignition panel, no longer in use,
each section of the sub is fitted out to it must of felt like being in a coffin. and you can walk through a mock-up
reflect an era in which it served, from It’s hard to believe five officers and 60 of a sub and examine artwork from
WWII to the Cold War. For 26 years crewmen lived down there. No water to iconic cartoons, which give a feel for
she monitored Russian subs all over shower though, just enough to brush the times.
the world. The guy who showed our your teeth before going to sleep next to You can become a Friend of the
small group around had served on a sub the torpedoes. Museum and you’ll get invited to
and was able relay interesting details. At the aft you’re treated to a detailed special lectures and receive a discount
Apparently it could be so cold, while description of how to escape from a on shop purchases. Funds are used to
in the Arctic, you’d need three layers damaged sub. The thought of being the purchase new exhibits such as pictures.
of clothing, even inside. I assumed it last man out, submerged under water, In 2020 the new Marines Museum
would always be warm. was a terrifying prospect. will be located yards from HMS
Moving through the sub you got Grasping the periscope in the control Alliance where the marines used to
some idea of how tall men would have room yields a feeling of power, and actually train. It’s part of a £13.85
stooped. The different mess areas were you’ll reflect what life and death million Heritage Lottery fund towards
clearly defined, even with such tight decisions had been made holding the SeaMore Project. It is hoped visitor
those bars. HMS Alliance was used for numbers will go up by 20 fold. There
intelligence gathering during the Cold will be an art museum included using
War years, and is used as a memorial to the latest in technology. ■
the 5,300 personnel who lost their lives
in service.
Sadly there’s nowhere to sit as
i EVENT INFORMATION
SUBMARINE MUSEUM
you queue for the boat back. There
Entrance: One attraction Adult - £18,
is a bench to one side with a plaque Concession - £17, Child - £13; Full Navy
that marks this as the site of HMS ticket Adult - £31, Concession - £27,
Dolphin, once home of the Royal Child - £18.50
Navy Submarine Service. HMS Alliance Location: Historic Dockyard, Admiralty
became a static training vessel before Road, Portsmouth PO1 3GW
being decommissioned and it’s the last Opening Times: 10am to 5pm
preserved sub that originally dates from November-March, 10am to 5.30 pm
April-October. Closed 24-26 December.
the WWII era.
Opens 11am New Year’s Day
Back on shore next, to the Royal Attractions: 11 including the sub
Navy Submarine Museum itself which Tel: 020 9283 9766
is interesting enough in itself. There’s Website: historicdockyard.co.uk
an old control panel from a nuclear
Royal Navy Trying out the periscope on board HM anticipated by

The memorial wall at the Alliance - each area is themed
S Familygrams were eagerly
rt trols. They only
Submarine Museum, Gospo crew members on long pa
RN)
got 40 words though (NM

The Michael Woodield Collection
of Zulu Artefacts Auction
Wednesday 9th January 2019
Please contact our Military Specialist Matthew Tredwen for more information
Tel: +44 (0) 1233510050 Email: matthew.tredwen@candtauctions.co.uk
www.candtauctions.co.uk
.candtauctions.co.uk
EVENTS
Under the hammer

Duncan Evans reports on the latest militaria
sold at auctions around the country
Heavy metal Hermann Historica

The latest Hermann Historica turquoises, pearls and rhinestones.
Antiques, Instruments and Arms The pommel was intricately carved
& Armour auction yielded some in the shape of a sculpted lion’s
spectacular results. A fabulous head with inset rubies for eyes.
Milanese etched suit of armour The iron scabbard was completely
for the field, dating from around covered with a floral, openwork
1570/80, had an opening bid silver casing, with gilt fittings at the
of €40,000 for went under the chape, middle and locket, with
hammer for €80,000. This featured precious stones set to the grip on
a visor plate with five breathing both sides. It sold for €16,000.
holes on the right-hand side, Then there was a Swiss two-
the pivoted bevor with a hook handed sword, c. 1550 that sold for
closure. It came with complete €14,000. This featured a double-
arm defences, the large pauldrons Next was a pair of Caucasian Also bringing home the bacon edged blade slightly ridged on both
sliding on six lames. It was an gold-inlaid percussion pistols was an Indian silver presentation sides with triple fullers at the base
attractive suit of armour assembled from the 19th century that saw an sabre from the reign of King and two sturdy guards. On one side
from old parts, lavishly etched with opening bid of €9,000 rocket to Edward VII. It featured a curved, was an orb mark inlaid in brass, on
trophy decoration. The etching on the hammer price of €21,000. The single-edged blade broadening the opposite side a hexagram. It
the helmet and the leg defences pistols featured wooden stocks towards the point, with etched had an iron hilt with two helically
probably replaced during the 19th covered in shagreen leather, with tendril décor on both sides. The cut guard rings and slightly
century. Mounted on a custom- beautifully engraved and silver quillons and grip were made thickened finials. A beautifully
built mannequin with a black fittings, the flattened spherical from heavy silver, embellished on preserved two-handed sword,
wooden base. pommels both in walrus ivory. both sides with numerous rubies, original in all parts. ■
Victorians at Bosleys
Bosleys’ final sale of 2018 got Borderers sold for £2,000.
off to a good start with a 93rd Moving to World War II was a
Sutherland Highlanders Victorian British Union of Fascists’ standard,
Officer’s foreign service helmet being one of a few surviving
plate pre-1891 selling for £950, examples, it sold £4,000.
but the highlight of badge section Amongst the German Third Reich
was a superb WWII period material was a rare SS dagger
blanket covered with British Army with full Rohm inscription
formation badges. Compiled by Eichorn, Solingen which
by Major John George Etteridge sold for £5,600 and a
RAOC little did he know it would Government Official’s dagger at
sell for a hammer price of £5,800. £3,200. This sale contained the
A large selection of military third part of an important
accoutrements saw a rare Scottish Batho Dashwood Strettell, KCIE, This section was Special Operations Executive
91st Argyllshire Highlanders CB of the Indian Army which followed by lots marking collection. £3,600 was paid
Victorian Officer’s dirk belt sold for £5,000. This was quickly the end of the Great for a dart firing pen and a rare
c. 1870 sell for £1,900 and a overshadowed by a unique and War. An original message Concealed Weapons Kit sold for
similar Queen’s Own Cameron important Royal Navy HMS Prince ordering Cease Hostilities £3,800. A 1st pattern Fairbairn-
Highlanders Victorian Officer’s Naval General Service Medal with at 11 o’clock sold for £600 Sykes Commando fighting knife
dirk belt sold £1,100. The first lot two clasps, ‘Trafalgar’ and ‘6 May and a full dress uniform sold for £1,700, a second pattern
in the medal selection caused a Boat Service 1814’, the second group to Lieutenant made £1,100 and an outstanding
stir with the fine group awarded clasp being the only one issued. It Walter John North Cheatle period miniature version of the
to Major General Sir Chauncy hammered at £25,000. of the King’s Own Scottish 1st pattern sold for £1,200. ■ ❯

Auction sales
Southams goes Cigar box at Bishop & Miller

big at Bedford
The latest militaria auction from action carbine, 18in part- Bishop & Miller, based in complete collection of 500
Southams was the largest sale octagonal full stocked barrel, Suffolk, recently held its items sold for a total of £8,400
to date, with nearly 90% of the open sights, steel cleaning rod, specialist Military, Coins, all told.
1,400 lots being sold. Highlights matt black receiver stamped Scientific and Maritime sale. On the naval theme, how
included a .303 Vickers heavy ‘SOC.IND.SUISSE SYST.VETTERLI’ Included in the 1,000 lots about a piece of oak from
machine gun, on tripod stand with Swiss cross, No. 326. This were some rare World War II HMS Victory, 30cm long,
with belt, belt box, green sold for £1,300. memorabilia, coins, medals carved into a letter opener.
wooden case with rope handles Next up, a .32-40 Marlin and scientific instruments. As It sold for just £40. For £90,
and webbing covers. It was Model 1893 lever action part of the sale, a rare German you could have had a bronze
deactivated and sold for over rifle, 25½in octagonal sighted Third Reich Cigar Box went cannonball, 14cm wide, or for
twice the estimate at £4,400. All barrel, the flats stamped under the hammer, which something more decorative,
prices quoted were subject to ‘MARLIN FIRE-ARMS CO. NEW had the engraved signature how about a ship’s binnacle,
an additional Buyer’s Premium. HAVEN.CT, U.S.A. PATENTED of Hermann Göring, Adolf the brass top enclosing the
Next up was a 16 bore OCT.11.1887. APRIL 2.1889. Hitler's second-in-command compass with Pat No. 921,
Percussion double sporting AUGUST 1 1893’ and ‘SPECIAL and in charge of the Luftwaffe. No. 135E, above the column
gun by Purdey c. 1850, the SMOKELESS STEEL’, the plain This piece gained a lot of base, 123cm high. It didn’t sell
29¾in brown Damascus barrels steel receiver retaining some attention prior to the sale and so should still be available.
with broad raised rib inscribed original blue and stamped sold for an impressive £3,240. A rather battered bugle,
‘I PURDEY No 315 OXFORD ‘MARLIN SAFETY’, straight stock Also included in this section dated to 1942 with a
STREET LONDON’, platinum line with steel crescent butt plate, were two Third Reich National Paratroopers badge fixed to
inlay and breech plugs, brass No. 391129. It sold for £1,400. Hunting Association miniature it, made by AF Matthews of
mounted ebony ramrod with Finally, how about two presentation daggers, one London went for £70 but
steel worm, scroll and border eastern Jambiya with wood of which also had Göring’s you’d have needed deeper
engraved bar action locks grips and decorated metal engraved signature. These sold pockets to bag a 19th century
with dog lock safety, engraved mounted leather sheath; for £2,160. miniature portrait of Admiral
hammers and tang. Estimated at decorated metal grips and A superb selection of Nelson, in a blue jacket,
£1,800-£2,200 it sold for £3,100. sheath. Estimated at a modest Joseph Fayers cap badges housed within a case, as it
Then there was a 10.44mm £60-£80, the hammer finally fell were part of the sale and the went for £320. ■
x 42R Swiss Vetterli turn-bolt at £2,700. ■
Scott of the Antarctic medal

Everyone knows the story of & Militaria Auction at Sheffield
Captain Scott and his ill-fated Auction Gallery. Following his
expedition to the South Pole in return aboard Terra Nova, Fred
1912. Leaving the British Isles in served throughout World War I,
1910 aboard the ship Terra Nova leaving the Royal Navy in 1919
with a total compliment of 65 to run a shoe repair business
men and crew on a scientific and became the last survivor of
expedition to the Antarctic with Such was the high esteem One recipient who received the famous expedition to die,
the intention to be the first men to this expedition was held in, his medal personally from the aged 91, in 1970.
reach the South Pole. Reaching the that a special medal and bar King was Chief Petty Officer The lot carried a pre-sale
pole second behind Norwegian was given to the 65 men that Frederick Parsons, Royal Navy estimate of £8,000-£12,000
Roald Amundsen, Scott’s party sailed on Terra Nova. The medal and his silver medal, along with but the hammer went down
perished on their return journey was the silver Polar Medal his World War I medals were at £19,000 (plus Buyer’s
on 29 March 1912. with ‘Antarctic 1910-1913’ bar. offered for sale at the Medals Commission of 22.2%). ■

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Inside the Special
Operations Executive
Gerald Prenderghast describes the role of the SOE during WWII
and how Churchill’s Secret Army set Europe ablaze
COVER
STORY
O
n the morning of 28 conglomerate organisation and he the Inter Services Research
February 1943, the little began his task by appointing Sir Frank Bureau or ISRB) as well
town of Rjukan was rocked Nelson as SOE’s first Director. Nelson as approximately 14 other smaller
by an explosion which was succeeded in February 1942 by Sir experimental stations, specialising in
destroyed the nearby Vemork heavy Charles Hambro, who was replaced the manufacture of everything from
water plant and blew to dust any hope in turn in September 1943 by Major- concealed wireless transmitters to
that Germany might have cherished General Colin Gubbins, a former deputy authentic European clothing. Additional
of producing an atom bomb before director of MI(R) with wide experience specialist equipment was obtained from
the end of WWII. The successful of covert warfare, who had also set up a covert weapons department known as
mission was the work of Norwegian many of SOE's early operations. MD1 or Churchill's Toyshop, which was
agents of the SOE, Churchill’s secret In October 1940, its Baker Street originally part of MI(R).
army, in just the latest of their exploits headquarters consisted of three Several foreign stations were also
intended, in Churchill’s words, to, “Set departments: SO1 (Propaganda), SO2 established, to control operations too
Europe ablaze.” (Operations) and SO3 (Research). distant for London's involvement to
Brought into existence on 22 SO2 and SO3 were quickly merged be effective. Covert activity in the
July 1940, the Special Operations however, and in August 1941, SO1 Balkans, Middle East and Africa was
Executive (SOE) was a covert warfare became independent from SOE, as controlled from Cairo, renowned for
group formed from three government the Political Warfare Executive (PWE). its poor security and conflicts with
departments already involved in Rapid expansion now began, with a other stations, while other groups
this field - Department EH of the single Operations department run by were established in India late in 1940
Foreign Office and MI6 Section D, a 15-man central Council controlling (later to become Force 136) and Algiers
whose propaganda roles overlapped SOE training and its numerous sections, during 1942. In addition to stations in
extensively and a department of each section being responsible for a enemy territories, SOE also had a US
the War Office designated MI(R), single occupied country. Other sections branch in the Rockefeller Center, which
concerned with guerrilla warfare organised finance, security, economic coordinated SOE, SIS and MI5 activity
and setting up British resistance research and administration, and with the FBI and OSS.
organisations to counter a possible there was also a director of scientific
Nazi invasion. research, Professor DM Newitt, whose
Hugh Dalton, Minister for teams acquired or developed SOE’s Recruitment and training
Economic Warfare, was given specialist equipment, also ran the main SOE’s eventual role was twofold -
political responsibility for the new production facility at Station IX (aka sabotage of the Axis war effort, and
SOE operations in WWII

Country & controlling section Significant operations Country & controlling section Significant operations
Albania Operations in support of partisans North Africa: Cairo station Falaise (1941): Destruction of Axis wireless station relaying
information about movements of Allied submarines.
Austria Bongo (1945): Intended to secure European art treasures
West Africa: Cairo station Postmaster ( January 1942): Theft of several merchant ships from
Belgium: Section T Operations in support of partisans and to encourage sabotage
Fernando Po, in the Gulf of Guinea
Crete: Cairo station Kidnap of Heinrich Kreipe
Norway; Norway Independent Archery (December 1941): Diversionary raid which caused
France: Section F, Section RF Savanna (March 1941): First operation by Free French Company 1 Hitler to move 30,000 troops to Norway
paratroopers on French soil Gunnerside (February 1943): Destruction of heavy water
Germany Foxley (1944): Assassination of Hitler installation
Periwig (1944-45): Simulation of large-scale German resistance
Poland: Home Army Wildhorn ( July 1943): Theft of V2 parts and plans
movement
Tempest ( January 1944): Anti-Nazi uprisings
Otherwise, black propaganda, and administrative sabotage in
Heads (1941-43): Assassination of leading Nazis
collaboration with PWE
Spain: Cairo station Operations in support of partisans and to encourage sabotage
Greece: Cairo station Harling (1942): Sabotage of the Gorgopotamos viaduct,
although fighting between the pro-Communist ELAS and the Yugoslavia: Cairo station Operations in support of Tito’s partisans, when Chetniks proved
republican EDES baulked later operations unreliable. Suggested that this may have influenced Tito to
Information on movements of military aircraft repaired near remain neutral after WWII
Athens Sweden Rubble (1941): Norwegian ships returned to UK from Sweden
Italy: Cairo station Operations after 1943 in support of northern partisans Bridford (1943-44): Blockade running
Netherlands Market Garden ( June 1944): Jedburgh teams liaised with Hong Kong and China: Remorse (1944-45): Smuggling and counterfeiting operation in
airborne and other invasion forces. Force 136 Hong Kong and China, resulting in profit of £77 million for SOE

COVER FEATURE
SOE field equipment

The Executive had
a team of highly
inventive engineers
developing specialist
equipment for use
in the field by its
PAGE agents. Here’s what
44 they used.
Edged weapons of
the SOE
Agents in the field needed to
The Sten SMG protect themselves and what
Shepherd and Turpin’s
better than a knife or dagger
so-called Woolworths
that could be hidden and be
gun was the preferred
difficult to find for a sudden
SMG of agents and
stop and search by the
Resistance members in
Gestapo. We look at the
the field thanks to PAGE
PAGE its simplicity and various edged weapons
64 ammo load.
that were issued. 76
the creation of secret armies in enemy underwent training in parachuting,
territories to assist forthcoming general intelligence techniques and
invasions. Consequently, agents were finally demolition or telegraphy,
recruited from occupied countries depending upon their future role.
as well as SOE Cairo also had a commando and
Britain, special parachute training school numbered
emphasis STS 102 at Ramat David near Haifa.
being
placed
on Into the field
Operations began in Europe and
North Africa during 1941 and
although high-profile propaganda
individuals fluent in the and military assignments were
language of the country where carried out occasionally, in general
they would be operating and with SOE used more subtle, indirect
enough knowledge of its customs and methods, with special attention
attitudes to pass as a native. After given to minimising reprisals.
selection by the central Council, Transport for agents involved
recruits first went through a rigorous in these operations was initially
training course in commando and problematic, but after September
unarmed combat techniques at 1940, the SOE was able to operate
one of the 50 SOE schools. a specialist RAF squadron, 138
Successful candidates then Squadron, joined later by 161
Above left: Handley Page Halifax, one of the types used by 138 squadron for parachuting
OAS agents and equipment into occupied territories. Above right: Armstrong Whitworth
Whitely, another type used by 138 Squadron ❯

Inside the Special Operations Executive
BRITISH COMMANDER FRENCH
COLONEL COLIN GUBBINS and friend Leo Marks as: ‘A real Highland ODETTE SANSOM HALLOWES
In September 1943 GHQ Middle East, the toughie, bloody brilliant... he was short Recruited by Maurice Buckman, Head of
Foreign Office, and the Joint Intelligence enough to make me feel average, with a the SOE’s French section. After training
Committee sought to place SOE’s field moustache which was as clipped as his Sansom was sent to France where she
operations under the direction of its delivery and eyes which didn’t mirror his worked as a courier in the SPINDLE
theatre commanders. Sir Charles Hambro, soul or any other such trivia. The General’s network before being arrested in 1943,
head of SOE, resigned in protest and eyes reflected the crossed swords on his along with her Commanding Officer, Peter
Colin Gubbins, who had organised many shoulders, warning all comers not to cross Churchill. Sent to Fresnes prison, south
of SOE’s previous activities (including them with him.’ of Paris, she was tortured mercilessly,
Heydrich’s killing), was appointed as his eventually having all her
replacement. As head of SOE, Gubbins toenails torn out, but refused to
co-ordinated the activities of resistance betray her comrades, insisting
movements worldwide, consulting in that Churchill was the nephew
the process with the Foreign Office, of the Prime Minister in order
Chiefs of Staff, resistance organizations, to protect him. After a period
governments-in-exile, and the OSS. at Ravensbruck concentration
SOE’s contribution to Allied success camp, where she was further
during WWII was later shown to have been mistreated, the arrival of the
very significant, Eisenhower estimating Allies frightened the camp
that the contribution of the French Major General commandant, Fritz Suhren, into
Resistance during the re-occupation of Colin Gubbins, driving her to a nearby American
Europe had been worth six divisions. After head of SOE base, where he surrendered in
Prime Minister Atlee’s post-war dissolution from 1943 and the hope that her presence might
organiser of
of SOE, Gubbins left the army, later enable him to avoid execution.
many of its
founding the Special Forces Club. most successful He was later executed as a result
Gubbins himself was a formidable missions prior of Sansom’s testimony at his trial.
personality, described by his biographer to that date After the war, Sansom was the
Prospective agents in a demolitions class at Douglas Dakota C-47A Skytrain, in RAF livery and with the parachute door open (Rror)
Milton Hall c. 1944
Squadron. 138 Squadron was Significant SOE

equipped successively with a variety
of aircraft used mainly to drop operations
stores and occasionally agents by Anthropoid (May 1942): Heydrich's
parachute throughout Europe, while assassination. Reinhard Heydrich was
161 Squadron operated Lysanders head of Nazi Germany's main security
and Lockheed Hudsons to deliver service and responsible for devising
agents into occupied France. Later much of Hitler’s Final Solution. He
in the war, American Douglas came to the Czech capital in September
C-47 Dakotas participated in SOE 1941 and immediately put in place a
operations in the Mediterranean and series of measures which earned him
Far East. Fishing boats and other the nickname the Butcher of Prague.
small sea going craft were also used, Planning for his assassination began
especially by the Cairo station, and in October 1941 and by 27 May 1942,
SOE even had a group in Shetland
staffed by British and Norwegian
Left: A Lysander in Italy being used
seaman known as the Shetland to evacuate an American OSS officer,
Bus, which made regular trips to wounded while leading a Greek guerrilla
northern Europe. group in a sabotage attack

COVER FEATURE
H AGENT BRITISH-FRENCH AGENT
VIOLETTE SZABÓ
Born Violette Reine Elizabeth Bushell
to an English father and French mother,
she joined the Women’s Land Army in
1940 and met French Legionnaire Officer
Étienne Szabó after a trip to France. The
two were married but after Étienne was
killed in the Second Battle of El Alamein in
October 1942, Violette joined the SOE.
After D-Day she, and three colleagues,
weres parachuted into the Limoges
area to assist with Resistance and SOE
groups harassing the SS-Das Reich Panzer
Division moving towards Normandy.
Despite escaping the clutches of the
Gestapo twice, she was cornered in a
house in southern France. She killed and
wounded numerous Gestapo officers
until collapsing with exhaustion. Violette
Violette joined the SOE to avenge her
was tortured but refused to give up any
husband’s death and participated in many
Odette Sansom, c. 1946, who worked in information and was sent to Ravensbrück sabotage activities before being caught
the French section and was captured and concentration camp in August 1944. After
brutally tortured, but eventually freed enduring great hardship at various camps, she George Cross, collected by her daughter,
arrived back at Ravensbrück where, between Tania, then aged just 4, from King George VI.
subject of several books about her life and 26 January and 5 February, 1945, she was She was also awarded the Croix de Guerre,
a feature film, Odette, in which she was executed, aged just 23. and the Médaille de la Résistance by the new
portrayed by Anna Neagle. Violette was awarded a posthumous French government.
Above left: Westland Lysander in flight, showing the permanently installed access ladder (Nigel Ish). Above centre: Paratroopers inside an
Armstrong Whitley at RAF Ringway c. August 1942. Above right: Internal arrangements of the Douglas Dakota c. 1950, showing passenger
seats and the cockpit
the two assassins, Jozef Gabčík and Jan refuge in the church of St Cyril and would subsequently attack the plant
Kubiš, were waiting for the Butcher Methodius in Prague. The Gestapo also itself. Unfortunately, this plan failed,
at a tram stop on a tight curve near massacred over 5,000 Czech citizens in but undeterred, the SOE dropped
Buovka Hospital in Prague. Heydrich’s reprisal for Heydrich's assassination. another six Norwegians into the region
Mercedes slowed for the curve and and, having contacted the Grouse
Gabčík stepped in front of the vehicle, Gunnerside (February 1943): team, this combined force attacked
immediately squeezing the trigger of Destruction of the Vemork heavy the Vermork plant on the 27 February
his Sten gun. The weapon jammed, water plant. Heavy water was used in 1943. Despite the high level of security
however, but before Heydrich or the production of early atomic bombs around the plant, the team managed to
his driver could act, Kubiš threw a and Gunnerside was the final phase enter its basement and having planted
modified anti-tank grenade at the in a series of operations intended to charges fused with time pencils around
vehicle. The resulting explosion drove prevent the Nazis developing such a the heavy water electrolysis chambers,
fragments of the casing and vehicle weapon, by destroying the heavy water they escaped, leaving behind a
upholstery into Heydrich's body, plant at Vemork in Telemark, Norway. Thompson sub-machine gun to show
causing injuries which killed him seven Initially, four SOE-trained Norwegian that this was the work of British
days later. commandos had been dropped into saboteurs, in an attempt to prevent
Gabčík, Kubiš and several resistance the area (Operation Grouse), their role reprisals against the local population.
colleagues were subsequently betrayed being to rendezvous with a team of The charges subsequently detonated,
and killed after they had taken glider-borne Royal Engineers who destroying the chambers together with ❯

Parachute drop of weapons and equipment for SOE agents Above: A group of SOE agent and
operating in northern France partisans pose for the camera
outside their mountain hideaway
on Crete, 1944
Right: Reinhard Heydrich, the
Butcher of Prague
Below: A captured resistance
fighter being questioned c. 1944
A bridge blown up by SOE agents, France c. 1944
all the heavy water in the plant. A and research facilities.

later operation also destroyed the
ferry SF Hydro, when Norwegian SOE Jedburgh (6 June 1944). Prior to
agents found it was transporting the the Allied invasion in June 1944,
last remaining stocks of heavy water three-man teams from SOE, OSS and
produced by the refurbished Vemork several other groups were parachuted
plant, after Allied air raids rendered into Europe to conduct sabotage
the facility unsafe. and guerrilla operations. Designated
Operation Jedburgh, this plan saw the
Wildhorn III (November 1943): first of these groups, known as Jeds,
Theft of V2 rocket parts dropped into central France on the
SOE had a large Polish contingent night of 5 June 1944. Teams consisted
and their operations, in conjunction of a Commander and Executive
with the Polish AK or Home Army, Officer, one of whom was British or
were some of the most significant of American while the other originated
the war. One of their most important from the country to which the team
successes was the location of the sites deployed, the third member being a
of the V1 tests at Peenemünde and non-commissioned radio operator.
the V2 tests near Blizna in central Aerial view of SOE supply drop by After a course of SOE training, a total
Poland. AK also managed to obtain parachute, this operation being unusual as of 100 Jeds were eventually dispatched,
it was performed in daylight, c. 1944
a considerable number of V2 parts the teams operating overtly and
which were subsequently transported wearing military uniform.
to London in July 1944, although The French Jedburgh operations
not before the Dakota carrying them were seen as particularly successful,
had been dug out of the mud of the General Eisenhower’s staff at the
landing field! Although analysis of Supreme Headquarters of the Allied
the components did not yield any Expeditionary Force stating that they
scientific means to combat the rocket had, “… succeeded in imposing more
menace, it did focus the minds of or less serious delays on all the division
Allied commanders on their dangers moved to Normandy,” and singling
and led to an organised bombing Heydrich’s Mercedes after the attack by out the attack by Major Tommy
campaign against both launching sites SOE agents Macpherson on 22 SS Panzer Division

COVER FEATURE
Window in the wall of the church of St

Cyril and Methodius in Prague, where the
Czech and Slovak SOE agents responsible
for killing Heydrich met their deaths
Polish Home Army intelligence drawings

and information on the V1 and V2
weapons (Piotrus)
Left: Sten sub-machine gun, similar to the

weapon used in Heydrich’s assassination.
This example is the early Mk II, production
cost about £2 (James D Julia)
as particularly important. They

also agreed that the operations
conducted by Gubbin's
teams had played, “… a very
considerable part in our
complete and final victory.”
Foxley (July-August 1944).

This was a plan to assassinate
Adolf Hitler at his Berghof
country retreat in the summer
Above left: Group of SOE agents involved in Operation Jedburgh, in front of their B-24
of 1944, the intention being bomber prior to take off. Attitudes seem a little tense. Above right: Hugh Dalton, Minister
that a sniper would infiltrate of Economic Warfare (right) and Colin Gubbins, chief of SOE, talking to a Czech officer
the perimeter defences and during a visit to Czech troops near Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
shoot the Fuhrer during his
morning walk. Eventually the
plan was scrapped, it being
considered counter productive
to assassinate a leader who
was such a poor strategist that
whoever replaced him might
do a better job of fighting the
Allied forces.
Periwig (November
1944-April 1945). This was a
propaganda operation based
in the heart of Germany and
Left: Pencil timer, similar to

the type used in the raid on the Group of Maquis known as The Poachers near Savournon, Hautes-Alpes, August 1944.
Vemork heavy water installation Standing third and fourth from left are Captains John Roper and Robert Purvis of SOE ❯

Vemork heavy water plant c. 1935 SF Hydro in its dock at Mæl, before WWII
intended to convince the Nazi leaders they learned that Müller had been
that there was thriving resistance replaced by Heinrich Kreipe. Rather
movement in the country, thus forcing than abandon their task, the head
the German Security Service to hunt of the SOE operation, Major Patrick
for these non-existent resistance Fermor, chose Kreipe as the new target.
groups, rather than concentrating on The team ambushed Kreipe’s car on 26
more important issues. After initial April 1944, and having secured their
interference from SIS, SOE organised victim in the back seat, Fermor and
the deception on a large scale, with another agent drove across the island,
airdrops of weapons, code books and passing a number of checkpoints by
even some real Germans, known as impersonating the general and his
Bonzos, to act as agents. Perwig was not driver. Abandoning the car at Heliana,
as successful as Churchill, and some in the team and their captives continued
SOE, hoped it would be, although this on foot, evading the troops sent after
was due more to a lack of expedition them and the whole group was finally
and lateness in implementing the plan transported to Egypt by a motorboat
rather than any basic conceptual flaw. operated by the SBS (then the Special
Boat Section).
SOE Cairo. The Cairo station was
responsible for all SOE operations
carried out in East Africa, West
Peter Kemp of the Special Operations
Executive in Albania, autumn 1943
Final dissolution
Africa, North Africa, the Middle East, Despite a number of senior intelligence
Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Turkey. figures advocating its continued
These included a major role in the existence, SOE was finally closed
invasion of Madagascar (Operation down completely by Clement Atlee
Ironclad), operations against diamond after the 1945 General Election. Atlee
smugglers in West Africa, liaison with explained his decision by stating,
the Jewish agency in Palestine and perhaps naively, that he had no wish
the development of a clandestine to encourage an organisation similar to
propaganda and communications the Communist Comintern, an agency
network in neutral Turkey to counter dedicated to spreading communism
any attempt by Germany to invade, as throughout the world.
well as numerous less well-publicised Most of SOE’s personnel returned
operations. OAS Cairo also operated a to their original jobs, although 280 of
covert radio network from Jerusalem the research and training staff were
under the control of the Director of inducted into MI6.
Special Propoganda, Cairo Station, Although SOE agents contributed
covering the Balkans, Germany, Italy, significantly to Allied successes in
Hungary and Bulgaria. WWII in a variety of operations, the
organisation itself was not without
Kidnap of Heinrich Kreipe (April flaws. Both French and Dutch sections
1944). SOE’s original plan had been to were badly compromised, with many
kidnap the military governor of Crete, brave agents captured and killed
Friedrich Müller, a man well hated Memorial to Polish Members of the Special because of poor security. Eventually
for his brutality, but when the SOE Operations Executive, 1942-1944, at these problems were resolved and new
agents landed in Crete late in 1943, Audley End House networks established. ■

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BATTLE FEATURE
The last stand of the

Shangani Patrol
Neil Thornton describes the defining action in the Matabele War
between British South Africa forces and an off-shoot of the Zulus
The last stand of the Shangani Patrol. The wounded loaded the weapons and passed them to their able-bodied comrades who continued to
fire until the bitter end
T
he little-known Matabele approximately 100 – despite the native allies, gave chase.
War between a force of Matabele having a large number On 3 December, by the banks of the
the British South Africa of rifles at their disposal, including Shangani River, the column received
Company (BSAC), led by quantities of the impressive and information that the King and his
Major Forbes, and King Lobengula’s extremely effective Martini-Henry. people were camped in close proximity
Matabele (Ndbele people) – an off-shoot The heavy toll inflicted on the on the opposite side of the water. This
of the Zulus – took place in Rhodesia Matabele was largely due to the use presented Forbes with a dilemma.
(modern day Zimbabwe). It occurred of Maxim guns which were used The men and horses of the column
due to a number of reasons, but it was freely on Lobengula’s warriors as they were completely exhausted and in no
primarily due to Imperial expansion launched their attacks. A number of physical condition to carry out the
and aggressively brutal Matabele raids brutal engagements took place before crossing. It was also getting dark and to
carried out against natives who were the Matabele were defeated. On the attempt a full scale move would leave
allies of the British colony. The British night of 25 October, at the Battle of them open to attack or ambush whilst
South Africa Company who went to the Shangani, the Matabele made an they were at their most vulnerable but,
war against the King Lobengula and the unsuccessful attack against a laagered if Forbes waited, he ran the risk of the
Matabele consisted of border, mounted formation that resulted in 1,500 King slipping from his grasp, thereby
police and troopers who had been casualties. Another attack one week prolonging the strenuous pursuit. The
formed to protect the settlers, gold- later at Bembesi met with the same opportunity was too good to miss.
miners, and friendly natives. result for the loss of 2,500 warriors. Therefore, he decided that a patrol
The war would last from October Following this defeat King Lobengula should cross the river and scout ahead
1893 until January 1894 – just three evacuated his capital, Bulwayo, and and, if possible, confront the King and
short months. The Matabele would fled from the approaching BSAC. The request his surrender.
suffer some 10,000 casualties, whilst British column of 700 troops and a The date was 3 December 1893, and
losses for the BSAC would number number of colonial volunteers and the man set to lead the patrol was ❯

The last stand of the Shangani Patrol
Major Allan Wilson, standing 3rd from left, with members of his patrol Burnham (centre), in Africa, c. 1893
they broke contact so Wilson tasked the location they discovered he had
an officer and two men to ride back fled during the night, together with his
to Forbes and inform him of the followers. Suddenly, a Matabele Induna
situation advising him that they (officer) leapt from behind a tree and
would remain in situ overnight to fired a shot at the patrol. This was the
keep in contact with Lobengula until signal for other warriors to act. Further
the man force arrived. shots erupted from the trees and
However, Forbes, when he bushes behind which were numerous
received the news, could not concealed warriors. Although no man
commit his force. By then it was was hit, a couple of their horses were. A
dark and to break camp and attempt quick-thinking trooper dismounted, ran
a crossing would end in disaster if to them, and cut off the saddle pockets
the Matabele, of whom there were containing ammunition. He then
thousands in the area, decided to returned to his own mount as Wilson
attack them. The river was also gave the order to fall back. Wilson
beginning to flood, which added ordered them to head for a large ant-
the Scottish-born, hardened veteran to the problem. Instead, at 1am on the hill, which he knew would offer a good
of both the Zulu War and Boer War, 4th, Forbes sent 20 men under Captain defensive position.
Major Allan Wilson. Henry Borrow to reinforce Wilson. For a while the men of the patrol
Various officers were eager to take The following morning, with the succeeded in holding the enemy in
part in the patrol. As such, with eight patrol bolstered by Borrow and the check, accounting for many warriors
officers and 12 troopers forming the additional men who had arrived during as they approached. Wilson led the
patrol, the ratio of officers and men the night, the patrol moved forward defence by standing on top of the hill,
was more uneven than what would be to seek out the King, but upon nearing in full view of the enemy, cheering his
deemed normal. men on with words of encouragement
The patrol successfully crossed the and directing their fire. The position
river and moved inland. After riding five was a good one and many warriors were
or six miles, and with darkness setting shot down in their attempts to close
in, they encountered a body of natives in on the patrol. Soon, many warriors
who they approached and requested were lying dead and dying in the open
an audience with the King. A warrior plain in front of the hill. None had
stepped forward and offered to escort succeeded in getting within 200yd of
them to him. When asked how many Wilson and his men.
men King Lobengula had with him To avoid further casualties the
the warrior replied that there was just Matabele abandoned their headlong
a few, but as the patrol advanced they charges. Instead they took to the cover
noticed the entire area was thick with of the scrub and began a heavy return
natives, consisting of perhaps 7,000- fire. They knew, however, that they
8,000 warriors as well as women and would never win the duel by this tactic
children. The patrol followed their guide alone. Apart from Wilson, who, at
but when a number of warriors began to times stood exposed, the rest of the
move as if to surround the patrol they men were secure behind the ant-hill
became wary and decided to quietly and with little chance of being hit. After the
quickly withdraw. A discussion took Frederick Burnham, pictured here in 1901 arrival of further reinforcements they
place on the best course of action. It was after receiving the Distinguished Service began to outflank the hill and pour fire
feared that the King would disappear if Order medal into the patrol from the flank where

BATTLE FEATURE
The main force under Major Forbes repulse a large-scale Matabele Map showing the route of the Shangani patrol (Gerry van Tonder,
attack whilst Wilson fought it out across the river www.rhodesiansolider.com)
Below: A contemporary illustration
depicting Wilson as the last surviving
member of the patrol, about to meet
his fate
Above left: Major Allan Wilson, commander of the ill-fated patrol. Above right: Crew members of the highly-effective Maxim gun. The
weapon accounted for thousands of Matabele during the conflict (Gerry van Tonder, www.rhodesiansolider.com)
the hill offered no protection. When any attempt at trying to escape. They were about 50 yards off I do not know
a number of horses stationed behind would stay and face it together. how they missed; but miss they did,
the hill were shot from this flank fire Wilson then pulled one of his men, and we had not gone far when I saw
Wilson had little choice but to call for the American scout and expert rider, Burnum [sic] again turn to the left, and
a withdrawal from the position. At this Frederick Burnham, to one side and we heard a most infernal howl, and got
stage, some of the men were also hit. asked if he thought he could break free another volley with the same result.’
Owing to wounded horses and men and take word to Forbes to explain their Burnham was an exceptional scout,
the withdrawal could not be hurried. predicament and to request urgent tracker, and rider and, although they
Furthermore, they were now moving help. Burnham said he would give it a were pursued for some distance, it was
through the bush which made matters shot, and after requesting the assistance owing to him that they were able to
difficult, and the fleet-footed Matabele of two other men – Ingram and successfully fight their way out.
were soon encircling the patrol. Gooding, he set off on what he called a The three men heard the distinct
Wilson summoned his officers forlorn hope. sound of Maxim guns as they
around him to discuss their best move. With Burnham leading, the trio approached the river and it became
With a grin, Captain Kirton said, moved off, straight towards a line of evident that Forbes and the main force
“There is no best move,” and Captain Matabele warriors who had got behind was in action. They could also hear
Fitzgerald added, “We are in a hell of a them and who were barring their way. heavy gunfire from their rear and it was
fix. There is only one thing to do, cut When they were within close proximity clear that Wilson and his men were
our way out.” Burnham yelled out, “Now for it boys!” now also in action and fighting hard.
Fitzgerald’s suggestion may well have Following Burnham’s lead, Ingham Matabele warriors were all around
been their only chance of survival, and Gooding turned a sharp left. the river, positioned between the
but some men were without horses Ingham later wrote: ‘I caught sight three men and Forbes who they were
and there was also the wounded to of a lot of Matabeles, and followed attacking. The three men made a wide
consider. To leave any man behind was Burnum [sic] at a gallop. The enemy and looping ride and managed to cross
unthinkable to Wilson, so he dismissed fired a regular volley at us, and as they the river which, having now risen, ❯

The last stand of the Shangani Patrol
Above left: Wilson stands shooting at the Matabele with his revolver whilst his men crouch and fire from behind the bodies of their dead
horses. Above right: A contemporary sketch showing Burnham gunning down a Matabele warrior whilst making his escape on horseback
was in flood. They were spotted as At one stage in the fight the
they crossed, but escaped harm and Matabele offered the patrol their
avoided any further confrontation lives and requested they drop their
by approaching their main body weapons and give up, but the offer
from the rear. was scornfully rejected by Wilson.
The Matabele attack was a failure There would be no surrender.
and they were repulsed with heavy The wounded men of the
losses. When Forbes asked about the patrol who could no longer fire
patrol, Burnham gave the stark reply, effectively gathered in the centre
“I think I may say we are the sole of the defence. When a man
survivors of that party.” fired a weapon he threw it back
After the departure of the scouts, to the wounded where, those
Wilson’s patrol had selected a who were able, reloaded it and
clearing among the trees for their last passed it back. This method vastly
stand. Ringing their horses together improved the firing rate of those
they shot those that were still alive who could still fight, but there
to form a barricade, and, some The Shangani Memorial, dedicated to the could only be one outcome.
standing, some kneeling, the patrol members of the patrol As casualties in the patrol continued
poured a hot fire in all directions. to mount the Matabele’s courage
One Matabele warrior by the name of rose once more and they prepared for
Kotchwana, who was severely wounded another charge. Seeing that the end
in the encounter, later stated, “When was near, the men of the patrol shook
the white warriors found they could hands and sang God save the Queen. The
not go on they shot the living horses patrol followed it up with three cheers.
and stood behind them waiting for us. The warriors, including Kotchawana,
We fired our guns at the white men, surged forward: ‘Again we rushed
but at first they did not do us much against the few who remained
harm, as we were well protected by the standing. When they saw us coming
trees and bushes. As the sun rose we they made a big singing noise, and
noticed several of the white warriors then shouted three times. They killed
lying dead. We issued from behind the more of us. I was struck near the
protective trees and tried to run up temple, and remember no more.’
to kill all I’Wilson and his party, but Many more warriors fell, but their
they killed many of us with the little numbers were large and they were
guns [revolvers] in their hands, and soon upon the patrol, stabbing and
wounded more.” thrusting with their spears. Accounts
An estimated 60 warriors, of whom from the Matabele describe a number
40 were killed outright, were hit in this of occurrences at this stage of the fight.
charge. The rest fell back but continued It was said that, after grabbing several
to fire on Wilson and his men, rifles and bandoliers, a man with a
gradually diminishing their number Major Allan Wilson, the commander of the grey beard, believed to be Robertson,
from behind the trees. Shangani Patrol broke away from the defensive circle

BATTLE FEATURE
King Lobengula. The patrol set out to capture him before being attacked by overwhelming numbers of the King’s warriors
to take up a position 20 yards away on examined the place noted two things.
a mound. From there he continued to One, that a large proportion of the
fire, gunning down warriors until, at Matabele dead who lay heaped round
length, he was shot through the hip the fatal ring carried their wounds
and fell to his knees. Nevertheless, he fairly in the head; the other, that the
continued to fire at the Matabele until trees all round (each tree had covered a
he died from his wounds. Matabele marksman) were nicked and
When resistance had seemingly peeled each side for just a few inches
collapsed, several of the severely above and below the height of a man's
wounded men began to fire from their head, and not otherwise. So well, so
prone position, scattering the Matabele coolly, as if at the quiet butts, those
once more. This time, however, they boys had fired to the end.’ ■
simply withdrew and waited for the
men to succumb to their wounds.
The men of the patrol were dead to a
i COLLECTING
man, but in killing them the Matabele In 1896 Queen Victoria sanctioned
the issue of the BSAC medal for those
had suffered frightening losses. An
who had taken part in the war. Prices
estimated 3,000 warriors were involved Trooper Dillon with the BSAC medal vary considerably depending upon the
in one way or another and they had authorised by Queen Victoria (Henk Loots) campaign and the clasp entitlement.
sustained casualties somewhere in Prices can start from as little as a
the region of 580 for the loss of 34 right out where they stood.’ couple of hundred pounds, but medals
patrol members. The Matabele were so Burnham too gave praise to the men to members of the Shangani Patrol
impressed with the bravery displayed of the patrol: ‘To the end, there was command serious premiums and one
by the patrol that they were not no thought of surrender, no request could expect to pay in the region of
£8,000 for a medal to a trooper of the
disembowelled, as tradition would for quarter. They resolved to show the
patrol whilst officer medals to members
usually dictate. This was the order Matabele that the white man can play a of the patrol – excessively rare to the
of the leading Induna who told his losing game as well as a winning game. market – would exceed £10,000.
warriors, “Neither the bodies nor the Taking cover behind the dead bodies of The Matabele weaponry consisted
possessions of these white warriors their horses, with iron calmness they of the usual assortment of hand-made
shall be touched. These were men fought on for two long hours, pouring weapons, chiefly assegais (spears) – the
of men; and their fathers were men a destructive fire into their encircling main one being the Iklwa (stabbing
before them. They fought and died foe, and coolly singling out the Indunas spear). Other weapons included axes
and knobkerries, with cowhide shields
together. Those who could have saved for their aim.
used for defence. In addition they had
themselves chose to stay and die with One by one, however, they sank an assortment of muskets and also a
their brothers. Do not forget this.’ under the heavy fire from the bush, but number (at least 1,000) of the highly-
Pearl ‘Pete’ Ingham, who had escaped many of the wounded continued, so effective Martini Henry rifles.
with Burnham and Gooding was full of the natives say, to re-load and pass their The British column was also armed
admiration for the men of the patrol and rifles to their uninjured comrades.’ with Martini Henry rifles but it was the
later related: ‘Some of the best mounts Another description portraying the Maxim gun – used for the first time by
might have got away, but… well, they last stand came from a newspaper British Colonial force – that inflicted
serious loss on the Matabele that
were not the sort of men to leave their correspondent who, after the war’s end,
numbered in the thousands.
chums behind. No, I guess they fought it wrote: ‘Those who went afterwards and

The fleet that never was
Graham Caldwell explains the Royal Navy’s employment of dummy
battleships to deceive the enemy over capital warship strength
O
n 25 April 1915, after Construction) and the Naval Secretary,
sinking 15 allied warships, Rear Admiral the Hon. Horace Hood,
the German 15,000t ocean which said: ‘It is necessary to construct
liner Kronprinz Wilhelm, now without delay a dummy fleet. Ten
equipped as an armed merchant cruiser, Merchant vessels should be selected at
sighted a Lion class battlecruiser off the once to be mocked-up to represent fast
American east coast and quickly diverted battleships of the First and Second Battle
into the neutral harbour of Newport Squadrons. The actual size need not
News Virginia. Kapitänleutnant Paul correspond with exactly. Practically the
Thierfelder knew he was only allowed 24 whole work should be executed in wood
hours grace, but the battlecruiser, with its or canvas. The ships would move under
eight 13.5in guns, was still patrolling just their own power and even when the
outside the three-mile limit waiting to do enemy knows that we have such a fleet,
battle and Kronprinz Wilhelm’s armament its presence will tend to mystify and
of two 4.7in and two 3.5in guns was no confuse his plans and submarines. He
Top: White Star Line steamer SS Cevic, match. Thierfelder had no choice but will always be in doubt as to which the
which when disguised as the battlecruiser
to allow his ship to be interned along real is and which the dummy fleet is.”
HMS Queen Mary, tricked the German
armed merchant cruiser Kronprinz with his with its 420 crew. However, From a security aspect the shipyard of
Wilhelm to be interned in neutral America. Thierfelder had been totally fooled, Harland and Wolff of Belfast was selected
Bottom: the real HMS Queen Mary because the British battlecruiser was for the conversions and the necessary
nothing more than a phantom. It was merchant vessels were requisitioned by
the unarmed merchantman SS Cevic, the Admiralty’s Trade Division.
disguised to look like the battlecruiser 14 small passenger liners were selected,
HMS Queen Mary. each remodelled individually to represent
a particular named battleship or
battlecruiser. Examples were the 8,690t
Churchill’s WWI directive German steamer Kronprinzessin Cecilie
On 21 October 1914, Winston Churchill commandeered by the Royal Navy in
in his capacity of First Lord, sent the Falmouth harbour in late 1914 and later
following instructions to the First Sea re-named HMS Princess, which became
Lord Admiral Sir John Fisher, Rear disguised as the super-dreadnought HMS
Admiral Frederick Tudor Ajax and the Orient Line steamer SS
(Third Sea Lord responsible Oruba, which after conversion became a
for warship building) Sir dead-ringer for the battleship HMS Orion.
E. Tennyson D’Eyncourt The ships were fitted with mock
(Director turrets, guns, boats, bridges, masts,
of Naval gun-director towers, false decks, wireless
aerials and other phony
Top: 8,700t steamer SS Kronprinzessin Cecilie

before her conversion. Bottom: The same
ship, but now realistically disguised as the
battleship HMS Ajax (colourisation
by Sam Loverso)
The super-dreadnought HMS Centurion

running trials in 1914 (Oskar Parkes)

NAVAL FEATURE
Harland and Wolff’s south shipyard in 1901 building the

three 24,000t White Star liners Celtic, Cedric and Baltic
Top right: Canadian Pacific steamer SS Montcalm
Centre: The real battleship HMS Audacious.
Bottom: SS Montcalm transformed as HMS Audacious
after the real Audacious sank on 24 October 1914
(White Lion Publishers)
Winston Churchill, First Lord of the

Admiralty from 1911-1915 (colourisation
by Sam Loverso)
superstructures made of wood, canvas

and thin metal sheeting, thus from a
distance they took on the outline of the sit lower in the water. This also had
major warship that each was to represent. the additional benefit of keeping a ship
To look convincing from the air and upright longer if torpedoed. Finally, close
from the periscope of a submarine they attention was paid to visual appearance
were fitting with a shaped sponson all using paint. Outlines of anchors and
around the sides, which swelled out hawse pipes were painted on the bow
amidships and tapered off at bow and plating, plus gun ports and torpedo net
stern. The single funnel of each ship booms were painted on the ships’ sides.
was overcome by it being enclosed in Because the ships would be unarmed
a larger false one of sheet iron and a the decision was made to limit each
second wooden dummy funnel fitted compliment to 40 officers and men
in the correct position, which emitted drawn from the Mercantile Marine, the
smoke from a hearth at its base burning officers given Royal Naval Reserve (RNR)
fireballs. Thin steel plate was shaped commissions. All were accommodated
and bracketed to the hull at each end away from the fore section in case
to provide the correct silhouette of a of hitting a mine. Unlike warship’s
warship’s stem bow and straight stern, practicing drills to action stations,
since merchant ships have a different these crews practiced drills to abandon
rounded appearance. To overcome the ship. A powerful electric alarm-bell
very high freeboard of a merchant ship system was piped to all quarters below
Top: The real battlecruiser HMS Tiger.
when compared to that of a warship, up Centre: SS Merion of the American Line decks. Consequently ratings were paid
to 8,000t of ballast was tipped into the before conversion. Bottom: SS Merion as the Merchant Navy rates, plus 15% danger
hold of each ship, which made them dummy battlecruiser Tiger (Mayflower Press) allowance. Conversions of several
ships at a time took only three months
Commodore
utilising 2,000 shipwrights on day and
Herbert James
Haddock, night shifts; the cost reaching £1 million.
Captain of the
White Star liner The Special Service
RMS Olympic.
Haddock Squadron
commanded
Originally designated the 10th Battle
the Special
Service Squadron, the name was later changed
Squadron to the Special Service Squadron to
of dummy avoid confusion with the North Sea
battleships Patrol of the 10th Cruiser Squadron.
from Nov 1914 Nicknamed ‘Churchill’s Follies’, the
HMS Audacious sank after hitting a mine on 27 October until their
1914. To disguise her loss to the enemy, the Canadian enterprise had a few successes. When
demise in June
Pacific steamer SS Montcalm was converted to act as the super-dreadnought HMS Audacious
1915
her double (William Lionel Wyillie) hit a mine on 27 October 1914, despite ❯

Top: The real battlecruiser HMS Top: SS Tyrolia of Canadian

Indomitable. Bottom: the Brocklebank Pacific Line was converted
Line SS Manipur disguised to look like to look like the battleship
HMS Indomitable from a distance and Centurion. Bottom: HMS
from above (forum.worldofwarships.eu) Centurion, which in turn
became the dummy HMS
Anson during WWII
Top left: SS Montezuma as the dummy Iron Duke. Top right:

the real HMS Iron Duke. Bottom: a painting of Admiral Jellico’s
flagship Iron Duke (Duncan Howarth)
Left: SS City of Oxford as the fake HMS St Vincent and SS Michigan

as the fake HMS Collingwood battleships; dwarfed alongside the
Titanic’s sister ship RMS Britannic (forum.worldofwarships.eu)
help on hand from her sister ship HMS Admiral Sackville Carden: ‘A number of
Centurion and the White Star ocean merchant vessels have been altered to
liner RMS Olympic in trying to save her, represent dreadnought battleships and
Audacious sank, but with no loss of life. are indistinguishable from them at three
Ironically, Centurion would become the to four miles distance. A squadron will
dummy battleship HMS Anson in WWII. be sent to you to be shown as if held in
The Admiralty determined that the loss reserve to mislead the Germans as to the
be kept a secret and Olympic and her margin of Britain’s strength in home
passengers and crew were kept isolated waters.’ The man chosen to lead this ill-
in Lough Swilly fjord, Ireland for several fated venture was Commander William
days whilst the fake HMS Audacious Belfour Forbes RN, born 1845, but who
(SS Montcalm) was paraded in case fleet had retired from the Navy 27 years earlier
movements were being observed. in 1888. Volunteering his services in
Haddock also ranked as a Captain 1914 at age 70, Forbes became the oldest
in the RNR. Later summoned to meet officer afloat on active service during the
Admiral Fisher and Churchill, he was Great War. The three fake battlecruisers,
given command of the fictitious battle Top: Federal SN Line steamer SS Perthshire SS Manipur (HMS Indomitable) SS Patrician
fleet and promoted Commodore RNR, mocked-up to look like HMS Vanguard. (HMS Invincible) and SS Merion (HMS
with orders to sail the squadron to Bottom: The real battleship HMS Vanguard Tiger) set off on a non-stop run to avoid
Scapa Flow and once there to report the entrances to the ports of Hamburg, ports of call which would expose their
for instructions from the C-in-C Grand Bremen and the Kiel Canal. disguise. Five weeks after the Gallipoli
Fleet, Admiral Sir John Jellico. Because When the decision was made in landings took place and a few days since
of their slow speeds of seven to 10 March 1915 to send a squadron of old another German submarine had already
knots, the squadron was prevented pre-dreadnought battleships to force sunk the pre-dreadnoughts HMS Triumph
from accompanying the Grand Fleet, the Dardanelles by ships alone, with the and HMS Majestic off the Dardanelles,
even in home waters. Eventually Jellico intention of linking with the Russian Kapitänleutnant Ernst von Voigt of
decided that the dummies could not Navy in the Black Sea and then lay- UB-8 could hardly believe his luck
remain inactive at Scapa and sending off Constantinople, thus persuading when, at 8pm on 30 May, he spied the
for Haddock, ordered him to take his the neutral states of Greece, Bulgaria unmistakable three-funnelled HMS Tiger
ships round to Loch Ewe on the west and Rumania to join the Allied cause, dead ahead. The torpedo penetrated the
coast of Scotland. Ironically, although Fisher took the opportunity to put hull of Merion/Tiger between the engine-
the German naval staff had by now three of the dummy battlecruisers to room and stokehold below the water
been informed that a number of dummy good use. Except for the new battleship line, which instantly killed four stokers
battleships existed, unlike their British HMS Queen Elizabeth, only six British and caused an explosion sending large
counterparts, they did not scoff at the and four French old battleships could pieces of the false superstructure into
unarmed fakes, but instead feared that be found, prompting Fisher to send the water, which Voigt was astonished
the enterprise was to use them to block the following secret signal to Vice to observe simply floated away! The

NAVAL FEATURE
Two of the
dummy
battleships
waiting to be
scrapped in
1922; note
the wooden
uprights used
to create false
superstructures
back in his earlier role as First Lord of as those in the earlier war; Waimana/
the Admiralty. Within days he renewed Revenge was given a raised-lip funnel
his pet subterfuge scheme of creating cap-cover to mimic the clinker-screen of
dummy capital ships, in which his faith the real Revenge. Converting Mamari into
had remained undimmed. Before the Hermes comprised a false flight deck of
month was out Captain Martin J.C. de wooded planking supported by hundreds
Top: Canadian steamer SS Montezuma Meric, Director of Naval Equipment, was of wooden uprights, plus an island
fabricated with fake turrets, funnels and
summoned into Churchill’s presence. superstructure and large tripod mast.
superstructure to look like HMS Iron Duke.
Bottom: The real super-dreadnought HMS “You are to go to Belfast”, Churchill Mamari’s own funnel was removed and
Iron Duke, flagship of the Grand Fleet began, “to supervise the work at Harland the boiler uptake curved to starboard to
and Wolff in the conversion of three fit inside the dummy smokestack. When
rest of the 117 crew, including Forbes, merchant ships into dummy warships finished, the fake Hermes was considered
abandoned ship into its boats, which to represent two ‘R’ class battleships the best of the three.
Forbes kept close together, being rescued and the aircraft carrier Hermes, to be In April 1940 Captain Harold Hickling
36 hours later. The dummy HMS Tiger known collectively as Force W. You will took over, who successfully obtained an
was the only unit of the 14 phantom take overall command in the rank of increase of two shillings a day danger
fleet vessels to have been lost during the Commodore, moving them from port to money for the crew, paid retrospectively.
war to enemy action. port as decoys to deceive the enemy as When Force W was ordered to sail
With no workable suggestion, the to the real whereabouts of our principal down to Rosyth in August 1940 under
decision was taken to re-convert the ships.” Churchill added that if attacked, Commander Edward Longsdon, it was
remaining 13 ships back into useful de Meric must ensure that the ships are ordered to join a convoy as if escorting
service: six became oiler’s, two water- immediately abandoned. it. To maintain a realistic appearance
carriers, two sunk as block ships, one Selected were three 8,000t single Longsdon ordered a Vice Admiral’s flag
a kite-balloon ship, another an armed funnel ships: the refrigeration ships SS to be hoisted, which is the only occasion
merchant cruiser/transport and the most Pakeha and SS Waimana, plus the ex in the history of the Royal Navy that an
up to date, SS Manipur (HMS Indomitable) liner Zealandic, now re-named SS Mamari. officer of only a Commander’s rank has
served from August 1916 and into WWII They were converted to a scale of five- flown an Admiral’s flag in command of a
as HMS Sandhurst, a depot and repair sixths the size of the warships they were squadron at sea! Nicknamed ‘Winston’s
ship, finally sold in 1946, the last of the to imitate, which were HMS Resolution, Wonders’, the end came when, on 2
Great War phantoms. HMS Revenge and the aircraft carrier June 1941, Mamari/Hermes struck the
HMS Hermes respectively, but because submerged wreck of SS Alamo off the
air reconnaissance had advanced since Norfolk coast when trying to avoid an air
Force W 1915, extra attention was made when attack on her way to Chatham. Mamari
When war was declared on 3 September viewed from above. Each fake battleship was finished off with torpedoes the
1939 Winston Churchill found himself was converted in much the same way following day by German E-boats.
Left: The real HMS Hermes. Centre: The liner SS Mamari (ex Zealandic) before being converted into a dummy aircraft carrier. Right: An
aerial view of SS Mamari remodelled as the fake HMS Hermes ❯

Top left: steamer SS Waimana. Bottom left: Waimana converted into WWI battleship HMS Centurion c. 1934 minus her big
the dummy battleship HMS Revenge. Top right: the cold storage ship SS guns, seen here as an unmanned Target Ship, which was
Pakeha reconstructed to resemble the battleship HMS Resolution. Bottom converted in 1941 to serve as the fake battleship HMS
right: SS Pakeha before her transformation (White Lion Publishers) Anson (militaryimages.net)
Below: Dummy aircraft carrier HMS Hermes

(ex White Star liner Zealandic/Mamari)
aground near Cromer off the Norfolk coast
after being torpedoed by German E-Boats on 5
June 1941. Note the timber uprights supporting
its fake flight deck (forum.worldofwarships.eu)
HMS Centurion (ex dummy battleship Top: the WWI super-dreadnought HMS
HMS Anson) stripped of her fake turrets Centurion in her guise as the dummy
and scuttled as part of the Gooseberry battleship HMS Anson in 1941. Bottom:
breakwater off Omaha Beach; an extension the real KGV class battleship HMS Anson
of the D-Day Mulberry Harbour (Pinterest) launched the same year
her ‘A’ turret to be washed overboard Above: The fake aircraft carrier HMS Hermes,
The last phantom and float away. The cover story used which fooled the Luftwaffe when it was
In 1915 the real super-dreadnought at Mombasa was that Anson had been attacked by aircraft on 4 June 1941 on the
HMS Centurion had been imitated by in a successful fight with a German way to be reconverted back into a merchant
vessel (forum.worldofwarships.eu)
the steamer SS Tyrolia, but by April raider. Later, with a fake turret installed,
1941 the 30-year-old battleship was Centurion/Anson sailed to Bombay, where
serving out her time as a maintenance she languished for eight months. Her i WANT TO KNOW MORE?
and depot ship at Devonport. Being next role was to join Convoy MW.11 as
Collect the only book written about
expendable, it was decided to sink part of Operation Vigorous, the attempt Britain’s dummy battleships. The long
Centurion to blockade the entrance of to get through to the besieged island out of print book The Phantom Fleet by
enemy held Tripoli harbour. This bold of Malta. Loaded with 2,500t of food A. Cecil Hampshire (ISBN 7274 0263
and daring operation required her to be and ammunition, the convoy was 3) can be purchased for between £5
disguised as HMS Anson, the 10 14in gun continuously attacked by the Luftwaffe and £130 on the second hand market
battleship nearing completion. Centurion with the Centurion/Anson received a direct dependant on condition. Go to the
was armed with several Oerlikon guns hit on the forecastle deck, the bomb global used-book broker http://used.
addall.com enter the book title and
and 2-pounder Pom-Poms and had her exiting through the ship’s side causing
author. From
magazines filled with additional fuel, tons of seawater to pour in, damaging the the listings
plus demolition charges were placed in foodstuffs. Commander Wilfred Woods presented
the bowels of her hull. Commanded by was ordered to sail back to Britain in select your
Captain Philip Walter, Centurion/Anson spring 944, without her fake turrets. This buying price,
and her crew of 283 sailed from Scotland was because Centurion was to end her hard or
on 12 May 1941, but on 15 July, when career as one of the ships scuttled as the paperback
quality and
she had reached Suez, Walter was told Gooseberry Breakwater off Omaha Beach,
chosen
the operation had been cancelled. Under an extension of the D-Day Mulberry
supplier to pay
new orders to sail to Mombasa, the ship Harbour. Woods ensured that the White online.
encountered a monsoon, which caused Ensign was still flying at her end. ■

NORTHERN ARMS FAIRS
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A GIANT EVENT ATTRACTING DEALERS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND ABROAD.
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A1 Holiday Inn, Darlington,
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ANTIQUES & OBSOLETE CALIBRE MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

COLLECTION OF BRITISH FLYING HELMETS & GOGGLES JUST IN
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COVER
STORY
SOE field equipment

The Executive had a team of highly inventive engineers developing specialist
equipment for use in the field by its agents, as Edward Hallett finds out
Extra supplies were dropped to SOE agents by parachute. These metal canisters could contain weapons, radio equipment or explosives
packed tightly into the metal tube
T
he Special Operations when parachuting into enemy territory. the UK. Early radios were large, heavy
Executive was nothing if This was worn over civilian clothing and difficult to hide. The engineers at
not innovative with the to protect it during the jump and was the SOE developed a number of small
equipment it prepared for camouflaged to help conceal the agent portable wireless sets that could be
use by agents in the field. Specialist after landing. The jumpsuit, commonly hidden inside a suitably worn attaché
equipment needed to be light in weight nicknamed a striptease suit, was made case. The Mark II Suitcase Transceiver
so it could be easily transported, robust of a heavy duty fabric with dark green weighed just 20lb and packed down
enough to survive being parachute camouflage printed on the outside. Twin into three leather suitcases. This was
dropped into enemy territory and, if metal zips ran the length allowing it usable but still far from ideal. In the
possible, capable of being carried in to be undone and discarded quickly. It end the most commonly used radio
the open without arousing suspicion. also had a number of large pockets and was the B2 radio. This radio was
The SOE established a development spaces to hold a pistol for protection, a developed in 1942 and fitted into a
establishment called Station IX at The knife to cut parachute lines and a shovel single suitcase and had a transmitter,
Frythe near Welwyn, north of London to bury the parachute with. It was felt receiver and power supply. In order to
and this developed items from specialist lined for warmth during the short boost the range of these small radios,
firearms to one-man submarines. parachute descent and had a buckle on messages were sent in Morse code,
the rear of the neck to which the jump the operator sending out a coded
helmet was attached. These suits rarely message at a designated time each
Clothing come up for sale so a recent examples day. The B2 had a major advantage
Agents did not have much specialist was offered in France for €4,000. over earlier models as it had a built
clothing as for the most part they in battery to supplement mains
wore civilian clothing in the cut and power. The Germans had discovered
style of the country in which they Radios that they could switch off power to
were operating. One special garment, Radios were essential for agents to individual city blocks whilst a message
however, was a jumpsuit to be worn communicate back to their handlers in was being transmitted, if the message

GEAR FEATURE
Setting plastic explosives to blow up a

length of railway track was a common
SOE tactic for disrupting German troop
movements and the local economy
The SOE’s development workshop at

Station XVB in the Natural History
Museum in London. Developments
here included explosives and
camouflage techniques
Left: The B2 radio was

the first SOE radio that
could be concealed in a
single suitcase making it
much easier to transport
without arousing
suspicion
A small two-part shovel was carried in
the ‘striptease suit’ to allow the suit and
parachute to be buried after landing
Below: The special heavy duty jumpsuit was
made of heavy duty canvas with zips to allow
it to be removed easily and helped protect
their civilian clothes during their landing
suddenly stopped then it was an was a ground based transponder which

indication that the wireless operator sent out a coded radio pulse. Rebecca
was within that particular section and was the receiver mounted in an aircraft
this allowed them to zero in on the and it could determine distance and
transmitter’s location. The built in direction from the Eureka beam at
battery prevented the message from distances up to 20 miles. This was
being disrupted and removed this an essential tool for the SOE as air
method of detection from the enemy. drops were vital for resupplying
These batteries needed to be charged agents and Resistance cells in
so the agents were supplied with small occupied Europe. These drops would
dynamos that could be powered either be at night and in remote locations,
by hand cranking, or by attaching the but it was essential that the planes
dynamo to a stationary bicycle. As the found the right drop point or valuable
rider turned the pedals, this turned the equipment could end up in the hands
dynamo and generated a current to of the Germans. The Eureka beacons
recharge the radio batteries. Original were well made and robust - one SOE
B2 radios are scarce and a recent agent buried a beacon in a biscuit
example sold for £4,000. tin and when it was dug up months
Another electronic device regularly later was still in working order and
used by SOE agents was the Eureka/ was used to guide an RAF aeroplane
Rebecca beacon. This was a short range for a resupply drop. Eureka Beacons
radio navigation system that could do appear for sale, as they were
be used to direct aircraft to a specific subsequently used by airborne troops,
point on the ground for delivering with prices averaging about £1,000 for
supplies or collecting agents. Eureka an example in good condition. ❯

SOE field equipment
An SOE handbook instructed agents how to turn a rat, some

plastic explosives and a time pencil into a concealed bomb
Fuel cans were a convenient way of hiding

ammunition or other supplies in plain sight A fake rat stuffed with
explosives that recently came
up for auction - they were left in
the engine cabs at railways
Concealment
To help disguise SOE equipment in
occupied Europe specialised objects
were produced to hide items inside.
These were made to look like typical and the manual explained:
household products and needed to have ‘Different types and sizes of metal
the same weight and sound as the item drums are designed to represent normal
they were purporting to be. A can that commodities in the countries concerned.
was supposed to be a real tin of food They are used for the concealment of
needed to have the same weight and arms, ammunition, explosives, and are The Welrod pistol was designed to be
label, and feel the same when shaken, painted and stencilled to appear as paint, an extremely quiet, single shot pistol
as a real can of food. A can of oil had tar, tallow, creosote, herring oil etc. These and was introduced in 1942. This pistol
to have some method of containing drums can be fitted with a bung-hole, was a long cylinder with a chamber
at least a small quantity of oil inside it and a section inside the drum is filled and simple non automatic design with
so that is sloshed in a realistic manner with the liquid which it is supposed to a large suppressor to reduce the noise
and if the cap were unscrewed a cursory be carrying so that it will stand scrutiny of a round firing. It had a magazine
glance showed it did appear to contain when examined.’ for either six rounds of 9mm or eight
oil. The SOE developed a wide range of rounds of .32 ACP and the bolt had to
these concealed storage items, suitably be cycled after each shot to chamber a
labelled up as common household Weapons new round. It had a maximum range of
products for the country in which an As well as extensive use of the Sten gun 25yd, but was often used a point blank
agent was operating. (see page 64), the SOE made use of a range or even with the muzzle touching
Larger objects could be concealed number of specialised weapons, better the victim. This reduced the sound even
inside a ‘shell’ over store. The SOE’s suited to assassination and concealed further and, when new, the sound of
handbook described the store as a way use. These weapons were produced in firing the gun was just 73dB. As this
of: ‘Camouflaging single units of bulk relatively small numbers and by the weapon was designed for SOE use there
stores such as arms, ammunition, food, secretive nature of their use, survivors were no markings on them to indicate
etc.’ These stores used larger objects are rare today. where they were made, just a simple

GEAR FEATURE
Above: The Welrod was a silenced bolt action pistol

that fired 9mm ammunition. It was easy to conceal
and did not make a loud noise when fired, making it
ideal for assassinations
Right: The barrel of the
Welrod had a series of
rubber wipes that acted as
valves containing the gases
from the fired round and
reducing the sound emitted
from the muzzle
the main charge. The length of time

between priming and detonation
could be altered by changing the
strength of the acid and time
pencils were developed that ranged
in duration from 10 minutes to a full 24
hours. Inert examples of the time pencil
are available for around £75 each.
The plastic explosives could be
easily moulded into many shapes and
the SOE instructed its agents in using
A selection of time pencils and
explosives disguised as dead rats or
their metal carrying tin. The
colour bands indicated the lumps of coal. These could be left in a
length of the fuse on each one locomotive tender and when thrown
into the firebox by the engine crew they
exploded, destroying the locomotive
and track and causing major disruption
to the rail network. The risk of this
was perceived as so great that many
locomotive crews refused to drive their
engines. The rats were never used in
A diagram of the interior of a time pencil, the ampule of acid at the end was broken and action as the Germans discovered the
that activated the time delay plans before they were implemented,
but the subsequent search by the Nazi
serial number. Just 2,800 were made and empty case was retained in the gun. authorities for exploding rats caused far
original deactivated examples can cost The SOE also made extensive use more disruption to Europe than their
up to £5,000 each. of explosives to blow up enemy actual use ever would have. One of these
An even more concealable weapon infrastructure. The most common type rats recently came up for auction.
used by the SOE was the sleeve gun was a plastic explosive known as Nobel The Special Operations Executive, by
which was produced by Station IX as a 808, which looked like green modelling its nature, was a secretive organisation
version of the Welrod without a hand clay and smelt of almonds. This explosive and so original and attributable items
grip. The SOE’s handbook described was very stable and so needed to be set of SOE equipment are rare. However,
it as: ‘A short length, silent, murder off with a special detonator. SOE agents the same equipment issued to SOE
weapon, firing .032 ammunition.’ In used explosive No. 10 time pencils which agents was used by other agencies and
form the sleeve gun was a short tube, were brass tubes with a glass vial of surplus unissued examples were sold
with a trigger button near the muzzle. acid inside. When the agent had set the off after the war. This means that there
The gun was carried up the sleeve explosive they pushed the pencil into the is a small pool of the correct pattern
until required, it was then slid into the charge and squashed the tube with a boot equipment out there for collectors to
hand and the muzzle pressed against or a pair of pliers. This broke the vial of find and whilst it is probably impossible
the victim, at the same time operating acid which slowly ate away at a release to say with certainty that an object was
the trigger with the thumb. After use, wire at a steady rate. Once this wire had definitely used by the SOE, these items
the gun returned to its position up been dissolved the spring plunger of are at least of identical specifications to
the sleeve and all evidence such as the the detonator was free to fall and set off the ones used in the field. ■

Fantasy Nazi awards
Jamie Cross looks at the Germany WWII awards that were never issued,
were thought up after the war or are incredibly rare
Luftwaffe Air Sea badge in the 1957 form A pair of Warsaw shields for destroying the Polish Insurrection in Warsaw - never awarded
G
ermany, in 1944, was ‘19’ on the left and ‘44’ on the right, corpse of a German soldier. This design
fighting a war on three Below this, the word, ‘Arnheim’ and was not approved. A second version
fronts with battles raging below this is the river and the wording featured a river replacing the corpse
throughout Europe. New ‘Niederheid’. It was given to the two and added the word ‘Wolga’. This
awards were needed and instituted main German SS Divisions, Frunsberg was placed on a shield with the dates
to reward those fighting and dying and Hohenstaufen, for their defence ‘1942-1943’ to either side. This shield
for the Reich. Some of these were against the British Operation Market is often found to be made from stained
instituted, manufactured and awarded, Garden (17-25 September 1944). This brass, sometimes it has a backing cloth,
others only awarded on paper and award first appeared in the 1970s so is other times it just has some pins to the
some only remained on the drawing not genuine. reverse. In both cases be aware that it
boards of the designer to be forgotten This shield was closely followed by was never approved or manufactured
for years. Others, however, were never the Budapest 1944/45 Arm shield. It and is a pure fantasy item.
even thought of until well after the features an eagle with a swastika to The Balkan shield, however, has a
last shot was fired. So what we have its chest above, along with aeroplanes faint hold on historical fact. Drawings
here is a range of awards that were and supplies dropping onto the city have been found of it and the design
genuinely designed, but never actually of Budapest, with the name and date. was dated to the end of the war. The
made during wartime, those which are Despite the nice design, it is a complete designer of this shield was Benno
complete fantasy works, made to dupe fantasy. Few, if any, would have been Von Arent, who was well known for
the unwitting collector, and lastly, needed, as only a handful of the his eagles. The shield has the word
awards that might well have been German forces involved managed to ‘Balkan’ and then an SS eagle with the
made, right at the death of the regime. break out and return to German lines. date ‘1944 & 1945’ to either side of
Or not, as you’ll discover by reading on. The Budapest shield links to one the swastika over a map of Greece and
The trickiest awards to distinguish that was officially designed, but never the Balkans. Another design shows the
from real ones are those which were awarded. The Stalingrad shield has Army style of eagle. Other than this,
created in the 1960s and ‘70s, but are been seen in two designs. The first was it stays the same. In the book Combat
now so old that they actually look like made by Ernst Eigener, a war artist with Medals of the Third Reich by Christopher
they came from the war. One of these Propaganda Company 637. The design Ailsby, on page 110, he states that an SS
is the Arnheim shield. These shields consists of a shield, with an eagle to Oberscharführer from the Prinz Eugen
are stamped from sheet metal and the top, above the wording ‘Stalingrad,’ Division, made some awards in late
follow the design of earlier, original with the main design being the big January of 1945. To date, though, all
shields. There is an open winged eagle grain silos in Stalingrad, where many those seen have been the same design
and between the arms is the date battles were fought. To the base was the made from a brass stamped sheet and

FAKE AWARDS
Original Stalingrad
The Arnheim shield that never existed Budapest 1944/45 shields are fake Stalingrad shield design epaulette
Above left: Luftwaffe Panzer badge for the Hermann Göring Regiment, made by Souval just after the war. Above centre: A picture of some
Balkans shields, showing front and back. Above right: A possible Memel shield
have big thick pins to the back. aid them. This shield, like the Balkan
Memel was another place that had shield, was again designed by Benno
a shield put forward, to encourage Von Arent. It has an eagle with a
the fighters in the besieged area. The swastika to its chest and a nameplate
design shows the wording ‘MEMEL’ to through the centre, with the wording
the top of the shield over a castle-type ‘WARSCHAU 1944’. Its talons hold a
tower, flanked by two watchtowers, coiled snake to signify the partisans
with a boat to the base and the wording being destroyed by the German
‘Njemenfront’. It is stated in the book eagle. The shield was instituted on
Orders, Decorations, Medals and Badges 10 December 1945, for service from 1
of the Third Reich Volume 2 by David August 1944 to 2nd October, and was
Littlejohn & Col C.M Dodkins, that probably made from stamped metal.
the shield was issued and even give The design was approved and shield
the measurements of 52mm x 85mm. production began but it has been
However, personally speaking, I think reported that the die, and tooling were
that due to the fact that the Kurland destroyed along with on-hand stocks
Above: Original
drawing of a Band was issued, this item never got of this and other awards. The firm is
Balkans shield past the design stage into production. often cited as CE Juncker, which was
Left: The Memel The Warsaw shield is another that bombed out of production for a while.
shield from the was designed, but never reached It is believed that the shields we see
book Orders, distribution. It was to be given to today are taken from the shield that
Decorations, the troops that put down the Polish was sent to the records office in Berlin
Medals and Insurrection, who fought to liberate for approval. A genuine example of this
Badges of the their capital from the Germans. Whilst shield may turn up one day, though
Third Reich
this went on, the Russians waited soon after the cessations of hostilities,
Volume 2 by
David Littlejohn outside to let the Germans wipe out the firm of Rodulf Souval was making
& Col CM their opposition even as the Polish this and a number of other approved
Dodkins hoped the Russians would come and badges that were never manufactured ❯

Fantasy Nazi awards
Navy Close Combat clasp. Top is the homemade shipboard Luftwaffe Close Combat clasps. Notice the Original Institution award for the
wartime type with the 1957 type below early Souval badge has the eagle in the Luftwaffe Close Combat clasp
correct form
Air Plane Destruction Strip, early example, Snipers badge which was The adopted design for Genuine Snipers patches
using war time cloth and late 1957 gold grade designed by Paul Casburg the Snipers patch look worse than the fakes
in wartime. Having said that, Souval made some that the firm of Souval made this
One of these made by Souval is the superb examples straight after the war. award straight after the war in a solid
Luftwaffe Close Combat clasp. Records These often turn up in both books and flat-backed metal. An affidavit from a
show the original institution order for collections, with the big giveaway being Canadian soldier states that he picked
this clasp, along with a picture of the the Souval post-war clip. up a solid Balloon badge in a battle in
award. The clasp was for the Luftwaffe A few days later on 27 November 1945. One thing is for certain and that
replacement army of Hermann Göring, 1944, another Luftwaffe badge was is that they were being sold in July
who were fighting as ground troops. instituted. The badge, which is nicely 1945 by the firm of Souval, as a Major
Like their Heer counterparts, these designed, shows an eagle and swastika Charlton, in charge of de-Nazification
troops were becoming more and more over a ship tilted at an angle. The badge of Vienna, purchased one then.
engaged in hand to hand combat and was supposed to be given to Luftwaffe The Kriegsmarine also had a clasp
Göring wanted a clasp to replace the air sea rescue crews and, like many issued for service and/or valour. The
Army one his troops were receiving. other of these Luftwaffe badges, this clasp design is of an anchor to the centre
The clasp was instituted on 3 November one was made in a 1957 form. Most of with an oak leaf spray either side. The
and it is reported that a few were given the ones encountered are these 1957 date of institution was 19 November,
out in December of 1944 and January badges modified by removing the 1944 and, though no official clasps were
1945. But, it has not been proven eagle and replacing it with a eagle and made or awarded, unofficial examples
whether it was the Army type or this swastika example. made on-board ship have been seen and
type. It is also interesting to note that a One of the last Army badges to be were awarded. The well-made machine
lot of these clasps have been made with introduced was the Army Balloon style, that we see today, are normally
the swastika to the base, rather than Observers badge. The award was re-worked 1957 examples.
being held by the eagle, as the main instituted in July of 1944 and was given Another badge that also turns up is
design for the copies. This type are of to members of the armed forces who the one for shooting down low flying
post-war manufacture. sat up in a balloon spotting for the aircraft. This award uses the same cloth
On the same day, the Luftwaffe artillery. This type of job was not for backing as a Tank Destruction strip
also instituted a panzer badge to the faint hearted. It has also been stated and has a metal aircraft diving to the
recognise the heroics of the Herman that the bronze and silver grade awards ground. It was instituted on 12 January
Göring Panzer Division who, until have been issued, but no gilt classes 1945 and notations in paybooks are
now, had also worn the German Army have been given. No photographs have known. But, as the badge was also
Panzer badge. On 10 November 1944, surfaced of any soldier ever wearing it. made in 1957 and these early ‘57 ones
numbered box types were added to What is believed, is that a few bronze use wartime cloth, it’s difficult to prove
the badge. These, though, have never awards were made and issued before whether a badge is from WWII or was
had their manufacture confirmed. the end of the war and it is also known made in 1957.

FAKE AWARDS
The 1939-1940 Campaign medal in

bronze was never issued
Army Balloon badge by Souval. Note

the post war pin clip
Left: German
copies of badges
including SS
Insignia and
fantasy badges
Early war awards the reverse, the date ‘13th March 1938’, which starred Sir Ralph Richardson, ,
It was not just late war awards that with a German eagle and swastika. confirmed this beyond any doubt.
were manufactured but not adopted. Apparently some were manufactured
The commemorative medal for the but the Führer rejected the design,
campaign of 1939-1940 is one that was going instead with Professor Klein’s The new breed
manufactured in a small way, but never second design, based on the Rally badge Over the last few years, a new breed of
made it further than the factory gates. for the Reichspartag of 1938. Apart badges have appeared. These badges
Made from iron, the award was bronzed from a drawing in David Littlejohns range from crude lead castings to well
or blackened and was to be given, like proof manuscript for the book Orders, made items, but most are screw back.
the Cross of Honour, for combatants Decorations and Medals of the Third They usually have patriotic slogans but
and non-combatants. However for Reich, I have never seen one. actually never existed. There is a small
some unknown reason, the award was selection of them here.
never instituted. A few have survived, Although rare, you will see more
but extreme care must be taken as, like The badge that never was copies and fake German Snipers badges
so many of these fringe awards, more Another badge surrounded in mystery than real ones. This cloth badge shows
are made today than ever were during for years was the RSA badge. Shown an eagle’s head raised out of two oak
the war years. Another trial pattern as a drawing in the book Insignia, leaves. The original drawing was done
of this is even based on the Cross of Decorations and Badges of the Third by Paul Casberg but was re-worked,
Honour and shows the same basic Reich and Occupied Countries, the badge removing the title ‘Scharfschutze’ from
shape, but has an eagle to the centre was stated to be a: ‘… badge of an the base. It doesn’t help that the fakes
and the dates ‘1939’ and ‘1940’ to the unknown English Nazi Organisation.’ look better than the original badges.
top of the cross. The oak leaf ties and It was highly prized by collectors for The vast majority of these have been
crossed swords are also the same as the years, until research found out that it made in Pakistan where a large amount
earlier Cross of Honour, tying it into was, in fact, a British wartime copy of of fake, fantasy and original style items
this award even further. the German Sports badge (Reichs Sport do now come from. Included in this, is
Another earlier award that was trailed Abzeichen) which shows a swastika the Reichsführer SS Eppeleps and the SS
but not adopted is the Hitler headed, to the top within an oakleaf wreath Mess Dress insignia. Another fake band
Ein Reich, Ein Volk, Ein Führer medal and the letters to the centre. This was that fools many people is the ‘Otto
that was proposed as the Aunchluss confirmed in 1994 when it was proven Skorzany’ cuff band. One was stuck to
medal for Austria. The design, made by that the badge was a film prop, made in Otto Skorzanys funeral pillow, giving it
Richard Klein, was that of the election about 1942 in the UK, to dress up 10 or a sense of authenticity, making it hard
day badge from 1933. It was stated that so Nazi SS uniforms. Amongst others, to convince collectors that the title
the award was to be bronze and had, to a subsequent film called Silver Fleet, never really existed. ■

Collecting Japanese
arms and armour
Robert Attard takes a look at a recent auction to showcase what is available
for the Japanese collector
A particularly fine inscribed helmet made of 76 overlapping plates known A breastplate of a tatehagi A cuirass of a tachi do, from the
as a ko hoshi kabuto (mid Edo period) The starting price of this helmet was do, second half of Edo second half of the Edo period
€3,800 but it sold for €40,000 period (sold for €300) (sold for €660)
T
he evolution of Japanese frequently recycled, passed down from a period listed with a starting price of
arms and armour was generation to the next, living a working €3,800 sold for a staggering €40,000.
extremely slow meaning life spanning hundreds of years. Thus, An elaborately crafted iron helmet
that the Japanese military determining the exact age of a Japanese known as a uchidashi kabuto from the
accoutrements remained virtually piece may be especially challenging. second half Edo period, with a starting
unchanged for hundreds of years. To the price of €4,500, sold for €42,000.
untrained eye a 19th century Japanese When it comes to Japanese arms
suit of armour looks very similar to The Rudolph Ott Sale and armour a basic rule must be borne
a 16th century suit of armour. Japan Hermann Historica’s auction of in mind - while in Europe full suits of
isolated itself from the rest of the world the Rudolph Ott Collection took armour began to fall into disuse in the
for centuries remaining stuck in its the bidding floor by storm, urging 17th century. In Japan, the full suit of
middle ages for hundreds of years. collectors to ask new questions. Most of armour was only outmoded in the 19th
All photos from the Rudolf Ott Collection, kindly supplied by Hermann Historica
Features on Japanese arms and armour the 300 items offered for sale sold for century, 200 years later. Japan was slow
that identify dates are very hard to spectacular prices, exceeding estimates. to adopt the firearm and its warfare
detect and determining value tends to A particularly fine inscribed helmet continued to be dominated by classical
be difficult, baffling the uninitiated. made of 76 overlapping plates known arms and armour, well into the modern
Furthermore, Japanese pieces were as a ko hoshi kabuto from the mid Edo industrial age.
A pair of jingasa, A pair of abumi, late Edo period (the

Japan c. 1830 starting price was €700 but they sold
(offered at €160) for €4,000)

CLASSIC ARMS FEATURE
Right and above: A Japanese suit

of armour from the Edo period
(sold for €780)
1: A yoroi doshi, dated 1839.

Starting price was €2,400 but it
sold for €9,000. 2: A wakizashi,
dated c. 1660 (sold for €1,800).
Far left: A yokohagi do gusoku,

1 2 second half of Edo period, sold
for €5,600
In Japan, the Industrial Revolution independent and self-standing artistic the form of the long katana and shorter
happened quite late in the day and medium. Swords and armour were wakisashi, takes pride of place. The
in the 19th century the production given as gifts to dignitaries because value of the sword is principally in the
of armament in Japan continued a lot of time and pride was invested blade and collectors’ value blades even
to be immersed in an aura of myth in the creation of pieces. Thus, detail when they are offered as loose items,
and spiritualism. Therefore, Japan’s and workmanship are two factors that without their original sword furniture.
approach to armour is entirely different greatly enhance the value of Japanese Signed blades are particularly sought
to that found in Western Europe. arms and armour. Even the care and after but only seasoned experts seem
The slow dynamics of Japanese maintenance of arms and armour to be able to identify the finest pieces
warfare led to the creation of an was governed by rituals and rules. because, to most European collectors,
abundance of styles and productive The preservation of swords is taken most Japanese swords look the same.
techniques governed by obsessive extremely seriously. Advanced collectors will look for
granular rules. Artistic quality swords attributed to famous master
was always high on the Japanese The basics of Japanese sword manufacturers because, in the
Armourer’s agenda. Japanese arms Japanese armoury, trade secrets were
and armour are created via complex arms and armour passed down from one generation
production procedures evolving into an In the Japanese armoury, the sword, in of sword makers to the next, with
A helmet known as a suji kabuto, Edo Japanese fireman’s helmet from the Meiji The type of helmet known as a zenshozan
period (offered at €700) period (sold for €350) kabuto, Edo period ❯

Collecting Japanese arms and armour
A somen, late Edo period, sold for €4,800
Left: An oiyebo mempo, second half of the

Edo period. Although estimated at €350 it
actually sold for €2,400
A pair of odakote, first half of Edo period
(sold for €560)
A tanjo tsutsu, late Edo period (the starting price was of €900 but it sold for €4,000)
families retaining their own distinctive spectacular kawari kabuto, fashioned in

styles. Even a modern blade created The kabuto flamboyant shapes.
using the secret arts of the past may be The grotesque appearance of Japanese Kabutos were not only worn by the
considered to be a precious collectible helmets has drawn interest from samurai but were worn by common
blade. Value is not only in age but sits outside the closed militaria collecting soldiers too. Plain undecorated
mainly in quality. Swords produced circle because curiously shaped examples, especially cheaper versions
in the late 1960s by famous craftsmen Japanese helmets have been projected of the tatami kabuto and the jingasa,
of the old school are being offered as items of home décor. Given that were issued to common man-at-arms.
for sale at $195,000. The number of the Japanese helmet was worn with Kawari kabuto were moulded into the
man hours needed to produce a good a face mask (known as mempo), shape of mythical beasts were meant to
blade by using the techniques of the Japanese helmets tend to display well, impress the enemy. Kawari kabuto were
past is impressive. According to a PBS enhancing their value as a collectable. also intended to make their wearers
documentary (https://www.pbs.org/ Many types of Japanese helmets highly visible on the battlefield and
wgbh/nova/samurai/swor-nf.html) exist and Japanese helmet-types may were the prerogative of samurai from
it took a team of 15 men nearly six be split into groups and sub-groups. the highest castes.
months to create a single katana sword. Popular Japanese helmet types include Japanese suits of armour display well
Intricately decorated sword guards the suji bachi kabuto (a helmet made but, at times, sell relatively cheaply
known as tsubas have a wide following of overlapping plates), the zunari because run-of-the mill suits intended
and are regularly sold individually. kabuto (a simple minimalistic helmet for the common infantry have survived
made of five plates), the tatami kabuto in significant numbers. Japan was
(a collapsible helmet), the jingasa (a at peace for a significant part of its
flat hat) and the history and for hundreds of years its
flamboyant suits of armour were worn
as ceremonial uniforms of sorts.
Arsenal pieces appear regularly
at internet auctions
giving European
collectors direct
access to Japanese
dealers. Loose arm
Helmet fitting known as a maedate, defences known
Meiji-Taisho period (sold for €500) as kote’ and loose

CLASSIC ARMS FEATURE
Four tsuba, mid Edo period (sold for €720)
Two single kote, mid Edo period (sold at

auction for €380)
A composite tatami gusoku,

Japan, Edo to Meiji period
(offered at €2,800) Two haidate, from the Edo period (sold at €160)
chest plates known as Do have sold for be attached to the front of the helmet.
as little as £150. Given that Japanese Artistic maedate are very popular with
armour is made from fragile textile, collectors and can be very precious.
condition tends to have an enormous Mempo facemasks are quite popular too,
bearing on the value of a suit. An drawing interest from ethnographical
unpretentious collector can get hold circles. Japanese firearms tend to be
of a decent suit of Japanese armour anachronistic but very well made. With
for around £1,500. Loose munition their curious appearance, Japanese
pieces can sell quite cheaply, offering hafted weapons such as the naginata (a
a learning experience. I once built a hafted sword) and the yari (a spear) are
respectable Japanese suit of armour, popular with collector too. Japanese
known as a tatami do, from loose parts bows and arrows are in great demand,
from the Edo Period, by spending less especially amongst discerning Japanese
than £700. armour collectors.
Of the suits worn by common
soldiery, the lightweight tatami do or
collapsible suit is especially fascinating. Further reading
The tatami do was designed for Beginners are referred to H. Russel
transportation and manoeuvrability. Robinson’s, Oriental Armour (USA 1967),
They were made from a cuirass of George Cameron Stone’s A Glossary
metal plates rendered rust proof via of the Construction, Decoration and Use
the application of several layers of of Arms and Armor: in All Countries
impermeable glossy paint. Arm and leg and in All Times (originally printed
defences were made of padded textile in 1934 but reprinted recently) and
reinforced with plate and mail. The Ian Bottomley’s Japanese Arms and
whole suit was kept in place through Armour (2017) all of which incorporate
intricate lacing. illustrated descriptions of Japanese
Helmets were worn with bizarre arms and armour covering the main
Tatami do, Edo period fittings known as maedate that could typologies of Japanese armour. ■

Who could resist donating to the Belgium Relief
Fund when asked for by this group of collectors?
Children and animals were favourite methods of
wringing change out of passers-by
Life at home in
the Great War
David Bilton explains how everyday life for civilians
changed between 1914 and 1918
T
he Home Front was not a in violence in some areas with shops
singular experience. Life being attacked, looted and wrecked,
during the war differed especially German bakers and butchers
according to where you lived because of their nationality.
and, although there was considerable In response, the government raised
commonality, such as deaths and the bank rate to 10% and extended the
rationing, there were also profound Bank Holiday to three days. Suddenly
differences. A crofter in the highlands ready cash became short and queues
had a very different war to someone formed outside the Bank of England to
living in the East End. Similarly, it was withdraw gold.
a very different war for the rich. At 11pm, on 4 August, Britain was
The first change was financial. Even at war. When recruiting offices opened
before war was declared the bank rate the next day, business was brisk. In
was 8% and the Stock Exchange closed. just four days 8,000 men enlisted. By
Massive food price rises in Germany 22 August, the number had risen to
caused a rush to buy food, paralleled 100,000. But even before the war had
in Britain - one London firm reported
eight days’ business in just a single Women took up many previously male
day. The increased cost of food resulted jobs, including selling newspapers

HOME FRONT FEATURE
started, reservists and Territorials had
been called-up and regulars began
their move to the ports. As a result,
excursion trains were cancelled and
passengers stranded. The mass call-up
and quantity of volunteers also reduced
the workers available for agriculture
and there was a similar reduction in
horses available for the harvest.
Gold coins were quickly replaced
with paper money and Postal Orders
became legal tender. The bank rate
was suddenly reduced to 6% and a
new, all-encompassing government act
introduced called The Defence of the
Realm Act. This granted far-reaching
powers and control over almost every
aspect of civilian life.
While the bank rate fell, taxation rose
in turn. In autumn 1914 income tax 1
was just 12.5% but the next year it had
climbed to 17.5% before hitting 25% in
1916 and a savage 30% in 1918.
People and propaganda

The mass movement of people
across Europe and Britain created
suspicion: was the refugee genuine
or a spy? Scotland Yard was quick to
react, rounding up those known to
be German agents. Spy-mania led to
violence against German and Austrian
shopkeepers. For safety they changed 2 3
their names, Schmitt became Smith,
Stohwasser Stowe and Rosenheim Rose.
Even dogs changed their identities:
German Shepherds became an Alsatians,
Dachshunds were sausage dogs.
Large homes and many public
buildings were turned into hospitals
with some towns becoming hospital
towns because of their transport links.
Most towns provided billets for the
4 5
thousands of troops in transit.
With the fear of a German invasion,
miles of trenches were dug along the January 1915 when two Zeppelins 1: In the first days of the war, territorials
coast and manned by Territorials. targeted Humberside but strong winds were sent to their war stations. These
Anyone caught taking photos or took them to East Anglia instead, where are men of the 5th Battalion Royal Scots
drawing near the coast was likely bombs killed four and injured 16. The Fusiliers leaving Kilmarnock for Stirling
2: People quickly got used to seeing
to be arrested as a spy. Boy Scouts expectation of further raids saw the
soldiers in training wherever there was
helped guard areas with some allotted sandbagging of public buildings and space for them to drill and exercise. This
coastguard cottages as coast watchers. many monuments. group are doing press-ups in Folkestone
On 16 December 1914 the war came This fuelled even more spy-phobia, 3: By the end of the war, there were few
to Britain with the German naval with stories about car headlights jobs not being carried out by women. This
attack on Scarborough, Whitby and directing raiders and a Zeppelin is a bus/tram conductor
Hartlepool, resulting in the deaths of operating from a concealed base in 4: With insufficient beds available, the
137 civilians. Throughout the war there the Lake District. It was excellent lightly wounded were cared for in a wide
range of buildings. With two exits clearly
were numerous hit and run attacks by propaganda for the British government:
marked this is probably a public hall
naval vessels and, from 1915 onwards, German barbarians killing helpless 5: On 25 April 1916, Lowestoft was shelled
Britain was bombed by Zeppelins women and children. In the first year of by German raiders. This is Blenheim
and, later in the war, by bombers. The the air war over Britain, 177 were killed. House, one of the biggest properties on the
first successful raid occurred on 19-20 In 1916, the raiders killed a further esplanade after it was hit by a shell ❯

Life at home in the Great War
6: On Armistice Day crowds spontaneously
appeared in towns and cities across the
country
7: Unusually for munitions workers, they
are not wearing an ‘On War Service’ badge.
Two are wearing sweetheart brooches, the
others, Red Cross flag-day pins
8: The population was urged to grow more
food. Here the vicar of St John’s, Seven
King’s, Ilford, is digging an allotment
9: King George V regularly visited cities
and towns across the country in an effort
to keep spirits up
272 civilians and 39 servicemen. 6

Censorship was, however, minimal.
Events were fully reported with details
of inquests, witness statements and
stories of sudden death. Blackout
regulations were strictly enforced and
infringement fined. Lighting matches
or having a bonfire at night were
fineable offences. Lamp posts were
blacked-out or screened, as were car
lights. Naturally, bonfire night itself
was banned.
The sinking of the Lusitania, another
7 8 9
propaganda victory for Britain, resulted
in riots, looting and damage to
property thought to be German. Public fell. Armaments production was munitions works and strictly enforced
opinion was hardened further by the hampered by the labour shortage, drinking laws.
execution of Edith Cavell and boosted forcing companies to employ women. Economy in food and dress became
by the shooting down of a Zeppelin A temporary release of 40,000 skilled important so shop hours were
over Cuffley on 3 September 1916. men was insufficient so, to increase shortened, people carried their own
By mid-1915 mass voluntary munitions output, the government purchases, luxury spending fell, fewer
enlistment had reduced the number of secured agreements with unions cars were bought and people travelled
men at work, their place being slowly to dilute skilled labour with semi- less. By 1917 with coal shortages and a
taken by women. As well as men, and-unskilled workers. A register of reduction in the number of locomotives,
money was needed to win the war with women for war service resulted in travel was reduced further. Even the
a constant demand for small change 124,000 enrolling to replace men in well-off fell in line, managing without
to finance causes such government offices. They also took chauffeurs, gardeners and gamekeepers.
as helping animals jobs as gardeners, laboratory assistants, Although the price of food rose sharply
at war to providing tram and bus conductors, bank due to army demand and shipping
ambulances for clerks, plumbers’ assistants and milk losses, there was no shortage until late in
Russia. Almost every deliverers. By the end of the war there 1916, after the poor harvest. Essentials
week there was a were few jobs women were not doing. like matches became difficult to buy and
collection or a flag One of the startling results of this the size of newspapers was reduced. Fish
day to raise funds. was that old inhibitions were shed. was scarce because most of the trawlers
They occurred so Women swore, took to smoking and had become mine-sweepers. For the rich
often that bylaws were drinking in public houses and using there was no shortage of game.
needed to control their cosmetics. Clothing styles changed as The National Registration Act of 1915
frequency and the well, long dresses and camisoles were required everyone between 15 and 65
conduct of sellers. replaced by short skirts and brassieres, to register and carry an identification
From the soon followed by trousers. This greater booklet. This was followed by
start of the war, freedom and increased wages were conscription. Voluntary Derby Scheme
employment blamed for increased sexual laxity and enlistment finished early in 1916 -
rose, as did for the rise in drunkenness. Bigamy and under this men would only be called
wages and prices, divorce rates rose and the illegitimate when needed. After it closed every man
whilst strikes birth rate was 30% higher but public of military service age was deemed to
and disputes over-indulgence decreased due to have been enlisted and would receive
the shortage of beer and government their call-up in due course, with single
Was Mrs Hart a
control over whisky distribution. To men going first.
genuine refugee or
a spy? The influx of reduce time lost by alcohol-induced Many wanted deferment. Tribunals
Belgians in 1914 gave absenteeism the government took over were set up to hear such cases, the
cause to many scares the breweries and public houses near most famous of which were the

HOME FRONT FEATURE
i COLLECTING
With a population of over 40 million and a

war that lasted over four years, there is no
shortage of material to collect. Probably
the most common collectable is the
postcard because millions were produced.
They cover every aspect of the war and
are priced from £1 upwards depending on
their condition, the topic covered and the
message on the reverse.
National Registration cards are also
relatively common and reasonably priced
at £2-£5, depending on condition.
Items relating to rationing are generally
reasonably priced, commanding the
same prices as registration cards - related
ephemera varies in cost depending on
what it is bought with.
conscientious objectors who refused led to people waiting in line for goods Christmas cards make a very decorative
any form of government directed work and a new word entered the English collecting theme. They come in a wide
that aided the war effort. Some needed language: queue. In some areas shops range of sizes and quality. Sometimes
time to put their affairs in order, some were stormed to force shopkeepers found in junk boxes they are generally
to find a replacement worker, others to release their goods. To help, the between £2 and £10.
Call-up papers and other military
because their work was of national government banned food hoarding,
documents such as notification of death
importance. With increasing numbers introduced voluntary rationing, urged
telegrams and death cards are more keenly
being conscripted, women took their families to grow their own vegetables, sought and can command high prices.
place even in work previously thought strengthened food control and, to
impossible for them, such as stoking reduce the agricultural labour shortage,
coking plants to produce gas. Many formed the Women’s Land Army. strike. Even firemen, prison warders
went into munitions work where they To help manpower in the army, the and police were affected.
faced the same dangers as the men. Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps was German air activity increased during
Many worked with TNT which turned formed in early 1917 followed by 1918 with the worst casualty totals
their skin yellow, earning them the the Women’s Royal Air Force and the of the war. Adding to the nation’s
nickname ‘canaries’. Death at work Women’s Royal Naval Service. problems was the flu pandemic.
in such factories was not uncommon In 1918 the government began Over 4,000 died during the last week
and in one instance an explosion rationing and, consequently, queues of October and by May 1919 up to
killed four women but work continued began to disappear and supplies were 230,000 people had died from influenza
in the bloodstained hut. Sometimes guaranteed. Sugar was first, followed and related illnesses.
factories blew up, like at Ashton-under- by meat, bacon, butter, lard and On 10 November 1918, the News
Lyme, Silvertown, and Faversham. margarine. Everybody had a ration card of the World told readers ‘The war is
The greatest single loss of life occurred which could be used only at the store won – Victory is ours.’ The next day
at Chilwell where there were 134 they had specified. Coal was rationed at 11am, to the surprise of many, the
deaths. In total, around 600 people and electricity and gas supplies were maroons (air raid signal) were fired in
were killed in accidental explosions reduced, making homes colder and London and Big Ben and local church
at explosives factories during the war. darker. A curfew order meant that bells sounded out after their enforced
Some died from other causes such as restaurants could not cook after 9.30pm silence. There were mass celebrations
the 44 munitionettes who died of toxic and at 10pm their lights had to be across the country.
jaundice in 1917. extinguished. All entertainment ceased The war brought many changes,
at 10.30pm. some short-lived, others still around
In the last months of the war, today, but for most, it was a time
Food shortages begin industrial unrest increased with of relief, a return to peace, quietly
During 1917 food became a serious Yorkshire miners, London bus and forgetting that Britain was fighting in
issue, which the introduction of tram workers, and Birmingham and Russia and troubles were still brewing
substitutes did little to help. Shortages Coventry munitions workers going on in the Middle East. ■

By Sword & Musket
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UNIT FEATURE
The original Arctic warriors

Cynthia J Notti highlights the forgotten men and
women of the Tundra Army of WWII
Above: In winter weather dog teams were

the preferred mode of transportation
Right: Marston in military cap and fur
parka, pants and mukluks
T
hree quarters of a century ago, importance. So, the US Army withdrew
in what was the Territorial all regular and reserve forces three
State of Alaska, a formidable months before the 1941 attack on Pearl
all-native Territorial Guard Harbor. What was then the Alaska
was formed to protect its 6,300 miles of National Guard had been ordered into coastal defenses and to develop a
shoreline against Japan. In response to Federal servic with all units sent from submarine base on Kiska. All Alaska
the attack on Pearl Harbor, and Japanese Alaska to Washington State. lived in a state of tension and fear,
occupation forces in Alaska’s Aleutian expecting Japan to advance its hold
islands, the US Army formed the Alaska and attack the western coastline.
Territorial Guard (ATG), what was to Enemy presence The 6,300 miles of Alaska’s coastline
later be known as the Tundra Army. The lack of belief in Alaska’s strategic was a distance greater than that of all
The prevailing attitude at the time, importance didn’t change until Japan the other states’ coastlines combined.
by US military decision makers, was started demonstrating a definite With this kind of exposure to the
that Alaska was too distant from the interest. In the first year of the war enemy one man recognised the need
US to protect and of little strategic Japanese patrols were repeatedly for immediate action. Defending it
sighted along the Alaskan coast would be US Army Major Marvin R
and in the early months of 1942 Marston’s greatest challenge.
a Japanese Navy reconnaissance The man who conceived and
unit was caught on film making organised these defense units in
detailed surveys of the Alaska western Alaska was born in Tyler,
coastline. At St. Lawrence Island Washington and came to Alaska
a Japanese vessel had recently during WWII as a Major in the U.S.
visited the island and its crew had Army Air Corps. Marston, who had
been ashore for days for unknown came to earn the trust of the Eskimos
purposes. Furthermore enemy was better known by his nickname,
submarines were often seen in the Muktuk Marston, that he acquired after
waters of the Bering Sea. a whale blubber-eating contest. Major
Japan further went on to Marston visited many army posts along
establish a task force on the the Aleutian Chain and it was during
Group photograph of the Barrow, Alaska remote Aleutian Islands of Kiska one of these visits that he received his
Territorial Guard in their armoury. and Attu (see December issue of The inspiration for the ATG.
Weapons are at stacked arms Armourer). They proceeded to build On 18 March 1942 comedian Joe E ❯

The original Arctic warriors
1: Major Marvin (Muktuk)
1 2 Marston holding a salmon
2: Photograph taken at noon
in Barrow, Alaska on the
shore of the Arctic Ocean. A
military officer swears four
Alaska Territorial Guardsmen
in for an assignment
3: A family in Unalakleet,
Alaska, poses with American
flag
4: Alaska Territorial Guard
and US military personnel
burying supplies in the frozen
arctic tundra in Barrow,
Alaska
5: Artist Joe Jones paints
Signing Eskimos into The
Alaska Territorial Guard
3 4 5
Brown was in Alaska entertaining the was based on their ability as hunters the necessary steps to organise and
Army troops. After his show, Marston and fishermen. established the Alaska Territorial Guard.
took him to visit St. Lawrence Island, These original Arctic warriors of Major Marston was assigned the
located west of mainland Alaska in the native men, women and occasionally responsibility for all of Alaska, an area
Bering Sea, just 40 miles from Siberia. It young boys were very different from of some 200,000 square miles. The
was on this trip that Marston conceived the rest of the enlisted military. They entire coastline and all the islands of
the idea of having the Eskimos of didn’t just survive but thrived in the the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean were
Alaska defend their homeland after extreme conditions of the Arctic. included in this area. The ATG became
observing them deal with a problem. According to Marston they were the the eyes and ears of the Army.
Water was needed to pour on the most self-reliant and resourceful In each village when Marston
plane’s tie downs, so it would freeze individuals. The deadly accuracy of explained his plan and called for
around the ropes, anchor the plane and these marksmen could hit a seal 100yd volunteers, 100% of the able men
secure it against strong winds. With no away, with only a pin-size target of its enrolled in the Territorial Guard.
drinking water, and not wanting to take head protruding out of the water. They replied they would be happy to
the time to start a fire and melt snow, However, Marston’s idea to build be Uncle Sam’s men. It was the first
the Eskimos zippered down and soaked a Tundra Army faced resistance and time in history that the natives were
the ropes with urine until frozen. didn’t gain support until after the regarded as legitimate citizens. More
Marston became convinced that only Japanese bombed the Alaska military than 6,389 men and 27 women served
the adaptable Eskimos who knew the base in Dutch Harbor on 3, June 1942. in the newly created Alaska Territorial
environment could make the successful Guard. Ages ranged from just 12 years
defense of the Alaska coastline. The old to 80. These men and women
plan was to use the natives as the first Call to arms voluntarily answered the service to
line of defense and the eyes and ears Marston determined that the best their homeland and received no pay.
for the Army in defending the isolated defense of the vast shoreline was to arm In addition to defending the isolated
shoreline of western Alaska. those who lived there. However, due to shoreline of Alaska, the ATG also
The men and women of the ATG extremely bad weather, Marston was not safeguarded terrain around the lend-
were drawn from various tribes and able to fly but the urgency to assemble lease air route, which the US used to
were perfectly suited to military duty a Territorial Guard Unit forced him to supply aircraft to its Russian alley.
in the Arctic. Having lived in the travel by dog team. They also secured Platinum, an Alaska
vast remote areas of the north they With the integration of the Alaska village, which was the only source of
were self-reliant and were adapted to National Guard into the Federal Armed the strategic metal with the same name
surviving in harsh conditions and the Forces, Governor Ernest Gruening held in the western hemisphere.
severe cold winters. Their very existence the same beliefs as Marston and took Perhaps the most famous ATG

UNIT FEATURE
i COLLECTABLES
Alaska Governor William Egan presents

the Eisenhower trophy for the state’s most
outstanding National Guard unit
Alaska Territorial Guard patch

In World War II, the Corps of Engineers
established the Army Art Unit,
employing both civilians and soldiers to
document Army life.
Henry Vernum Poor, a member
of the War Artists’ Unit, was a war
The Alaska Territorial Guard was disbanded
without ceremony or recognition by a correspondent with the rank of Major,
war-weary nation. Alaska’s Governor Egan and for several months in 1943 was
presented all former members of the ATG stationed in Alaska. An Artist Sees
Eskimo native dancers. Photo taken at the
with a certificate of service Alaska, drawing on Poor’s observations
native USO in Fairbanks, Alaska
and experiences, was published in 1945.
The book sells on ebay.com for $25.
woman of WWII was Laura Beltz The Alaska Territorial Guard
In 1942 Magnus ‘Rusty’ Heurlin
Wright of Haycock, Alaska, a native successfully met the Japanese bombing
became an officer in the Alaska
Alaskan woman who shot 49 out of attack and shot down Japanese balloons, Territorial Guard. Previous oil paintings
50 bull’s eyes during marksmanship which were recovered and reported to of Eskimo Territorial Guards have sold
training, giving her the best score in the regular Army. They also located on www.invaluable.co.uk.
her company. In addition to women a pilot who had parachuted from a Other collectables include posters
who trained with rifles, other women disabled plane. During its existence the on ebay.com, prices ranging from $31
and even children served as auxiliaries ATG broke hundreds of miles of trail in to $248; WWII M3 dagger, M6 sheath,
in the units, serving food, helping with the Arctic, repaired 60 shelter cabins, M1 bayonet, sold as a group for $680;
Aleutian Campaign Bond Posters for $15.
transportation, and operating radios. held weekly drills and competitive rifle
shoots, all without pay.
Left: Alaska Territorial
Getting the guns The Alaska Territorial Guard, its Guard Service
wartime mission over, was disbanded Medallion
to the village on 31, March 1947. It was the
A considerable number of guns had cheapest and most effective army the
been flown into Nome together with government ever put together. The
ammunition enough for 150 rounds native men and women of Alaska
per gun. Marston decided to cache proved their loyalty and patriotism in
them at two locations - Nome and at defending their shores. Through the
Moses Point, which was 100 miles west Tundra Army, Alaska natives began
of Nome. As each village was visited to be recognised as first-class citizens,
Major Marston planned to send natives and the US Army rates them as the best
by dog team to the cache to bring back Arctic soldiers it has ever known.
guns and ammunition enough to arm In 1966 the State of Alaska authorised
the newly organised company in the the award of a service medal to all
village. Within 24 hours of his arrival members of the Alaska Territorial
it would be possible for a village to be Guard. It took until the year 2000 for
completely alerted, armed and ready for the US government to recognise the
any emergency. ATG as veterans and several more years Above: Alaska
Territorial Guard
However, even after the authority for the bureaucracy to start registering
poster advocating
was given to organise the ATG, Marston them for benefits. the 4th war loan
continued to experience difficulties In 2010 the scouts were finally
with the military. When the Army recognised for their efforts and given Left: An Alaska
put obstacles in his way for supplying veteran status when President George W. Territorial Guard
the rifles and ammunition to remote Bush signed a bill into law which ordered poster painted by
outposts he hitched his dog team up the Defense Secretary to issue honourable Heurlin, (Rusty)
Magnus Colcord
and drove them there himself. discharges to the Alaskan natives. ■ ❯

Shepherd and Turpin’s
Woolworths gun
George Prescott explains why the Sten sub-machine gun
was the weapon of choice for SOE agents in WWII
COVER
STORY
MkII Sten from the left side, showing the
P
roduced after Dunkirk to Accepted into service with British
loading slot in the receiver, skeleton stock
replace the huge numbers and two original magazines (Morphy forces in 1941 as the 9mm STEN
of weapons lost during the Auctions) Machine Carbine, Mark 1, later
evacuation, the Sten sub- developments centered around
machine gun was the brainchild of in a slot at the left side of the receiver, simplifying the manufacturing process
Major RV Shepherd OBE and Harold drawing back the bolt until it was and reducing costs even further, rather
Turpin, its name composed of the initial retained by the sear and pulling the than improving performance. A later
letters of the inventors’ surnames and trigger. The standard 32-round magazine variant, the MkIII, could be produced
‘EN’ from Enfield. With Britain in such then emptied in approximately in five man-hours for just over £2. By
desperate need of weapons, cheapness three seconds on fully automatic, a the end of WWII, approximately four
and speed of manufacture were the selector button on the right of the million Stens had been manufactured
designer’s main concerns, and they frame giving a choice of automatic or by RSAF Enfield and its British and
came up with a sub-machine gun whose semi-automatic fire. Unfortunately Canadian subsidiaries.
assembly required only minor welding its austere design, together with the SOE arranged for thousands of these
of simple parts stamped from sheet 9mm pistol ammunition for which weapons to be dropped to European
metal, with minimal machining for the it was chambered, brought its own resistance groups who valued them
bolt and main and trigger springs. disadvantages. Most notable was for their devastating firepower and
Chambered for Luger’s ubiquitous severely restricted accuracy, the effective simple construction, which made a
9mm Parabellum cartridge, the Sten range being only 100m, although at Sten easy to both conceal and repair.
had a simple blow-back mechanism, anything below this distance it was The Cairo office of the SOE also found
operated by placing a full magazine frighteningly effective. them particularly useful because they
were fired without lubrication and thus
did not attract dirt and other debris
into the mechanism. Its 9x19mm
chambering also gave the Sten another
overwhelming advantage - it used
the same ammunition as the German
Army’s MP38 and MP40, which was
very convenient for Resistance groups,
who could replenish their cartridges
from the enemy’s pouches.
As well as receiving complete
weapons several resistance groups
Above left: Magazine port showing the makers name and serial number (Morphy Auctions) also arranged their own production
Above right: Model designation and inspector’s stamp on receiver of MkII Sten. Stamps are facilities. The Norwegian underground
often of poor quality (Morphy Auctions) army (or Milorg) manufactured some of

WEAPON FEATURE
Members of the
Norwegian Milorg,
the leading figure
armed with a Sten
Above: French resistance fighters being instructed in the

operation of the Sten
Above: MkII Sten from the right side, Right: Paratrooper training in Britain during
showing the ported barrel shroud, cocking October 1942, showing the accepted method
lever and shoulder strap (Morphy Auctions) for holding a Sten while firing
its own Sten guns and Danish resistance Wartime service with
fighters also produced nearly 1,000
copies of the weapon from clandestine the SOE
factories in and around Copenhagen. In Since it has become widely accepted
Poland, approximately 23 underground as fact that everyone loathed the
workshops turned out 11,000 copies Sten, it may come as a surprise to
of the Sten MkII for the Polish Home find that many preferred it to the
Army between 1942 and 1944, all these much heavier Thompson. This was
Polish weapons being stamped with especially true amongst SOE agents
English marks to disguise their origin. and their Resistance colleagues who
Despite its popularity, it is certainly found the simple Sten easy to conceal
true that the Sten had faults. It had and particularly favoured the MkIIS
to be kept clean or stoppages would suppressed version, which they used in
occur due to dirt in the chamber or semi-automatic mode to avoid damage
bolt mechanism. Magazines could to the silencer. Stens were used in
also be temperamental and had to many SOE operations, in particular:
be loaded and treated carefully after The Heydrich assassination, when the
fitting. Poorly tempered springs in weakness in magazine construction
early magazines were a particular may have been the reason Gabcík’s
problem, and experienced users loaded Left: Magnified view of a MkII Sten, Sten failed to operate; Operation
magazines with only 25 cartridges, showing the cocking lever, fire selection Ratweek, during which SOE agents
rather than standard 32 rounds, so as button, rear sight and the cartridge executed collaborators in Norway,
not to over-stress this component. In ejection port (Morphy Auctions) France, Denmark and the Netherlands
addition, holding the weapon by the Right: Webbing pouch containing three prior to June 1944; and Operation
Sten magazines (Morphy Auctions)
magazine when firing tended to bend Jedburgh, in which SOE agents
its lips, often resulting in a stoppage, coordinated continental resistance
and hands had to be kept well clear efforts in the run-up to D-day.
of the cocking lever slot or the result
might be a severed finger or thumb.
In earlier versions the simple, open Variations
bolt mechanism was prone to firing The magazine housing is often found
spontaneously if handled carelessly, stamped with the Model number, in the
since, if it was dropped on the butt, following form, although the stamp may
Magnified view of two Sten magazines,
the bolt could move back far enough showing the fragile nature of the lips and be indistinct: ‘STEN’, ‘Mk5’, ‘M/78’. The
to chamber and fire a cartridge without the generally poor quality of construction ‘Mk5’ indicates the model designation,
the need to fully cock the weapon. (Morphy Auctions) ‘M/78’ probably being an inspector’s ❯

Shepherd and Turpin’s Woolworths gun
MkV Sten, showing the improved

quality of construction of this
type and the wooden furniture
(Morphy Auctions)
Below: MkV Sten with two
magazines (Morphy Auctions)
Stamp on the magazine port of a MkV

Sten, showing Model designation and
serial number (Morphy Auctions)
Lee-Enfield No.
4 Bayonet, with
sheath, which
could be fitted to
a MkV Sten
A suppressed MkII Sten
sustained firing caused the barrel and - 7lb (3.2kg), MkV - 8.5lb (3.86kg)
An American officer and French partisan silencer to overheat. • Length/barrel length: 30in (760mm)/
taking cover behind a parked car s. The 7.7in (196mm)
Frenchman is holding a Sten MkII MKIII: Approximately one million • Mechanism: Air-cooled, simple blow-
weapons. The most simplified of the back, firing from an open bolt
stamp. The lower surface of the magazine war-time designs and the cheapest Sten, • Cartridge: 9x19mm Parabellum service
housing may also be stamped with the a MkIII could be produced in five man- pistol cartridge, 32-round cartidge
maker’s name and a serial number and hours for just over £2. • Max accurate range: Approx. 100m
guns used by British forces will also bear • Rate of fire: MkI-III - approximately
a War Office Broad Arrow. MKV: Approximately 1 million 500rpm, MkV – approximately 600rpm
weapons (including MkVI). Produced • Cost (1942): £2-£4 ■
MKI: Approximately 100,000 weapons, in 1944, these were a better quality
characterised by a wooden fore-grip, version of the MkII, with a wooden i COLLECTING
forward handle and stock. pistol grip, fore grip and stock. A No
Being a weapon capable of fully
4 Lee-Enfield foresight and a bayonet automatic fire and chambered for a
MKI*: A simplified version of the MkI, mount were also fitted. 9mm cartridge, a working Sten may
the wooden furniture being replaced not be held legally in Britain, except
with cheaper, steel components. MKVI under special circumstances, although
A suppressed (silenced) version of properly certificated, deactivated
MKII: Approximately two million the Mark V, the clumsy suppressor weapons are acceptable. In America,
weapons. The most common variation, increasing its weight from seven to original, pre-1968 working Stens may
be owned in some states, but legislation
it differed from the MkI in having nearly 10lb.
is inconsistent and any buyer needs
a removable barrel which projected to check with the local licensing
beyond the barrel sleeve. A suppressed authorities before purchase.
(silenced) version, the MkIIS, were Specification Original, deactivated guns of all types
also produced at the specific request • Manufacturers: British - RSAF Enfield, may be had for about £500. Magazines
of the SOE for covert operations. The BSA, ROF Fazakerley, ROF Maltby, ROF go for between £25-£35. Other spares,
barrel of this weapon was ported and Theale, Lines Brothers Ltd. Canadian - such as the skeleton butt, are also
surrounded by a jacket filled with Long Branch Canada. available, with butts starting at £50.
Working weapons are very rare and
baffles to dissipate the propellant gases, • Period of production: 1940-1950
much more expensive, a reasonable
the bolt being lightened and several • Production: Four million weapons
MkII fetching between $3,500 and
coils removed from the recoil spring during WWII $4,000 on US auction sites.
to improve cycling. Unfortunately, • Weight: MkI - 10lb (4.5kg), MkII/MKIII

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Springfield Trapdoor rifle in obsolete 50 calibre ................................................... £1,400
P Webley Rook rifle in obsolete .380 rook calibre ................................................ £1,200 PAINTED
Exquisite Maynard tape primed pistol 28 bore ..................................................... £2,250
Good Rogers and Spencer .44 calibre revolver circa 1865 ................................... £2,250
STEEL
Rare P1851 .702 3 band rifle predecessor to the P1853 ....................................... £1,750
Rare Octagonal bored Whitworth Rook rifle one of only 10 known...................... £5,250 To be
Good Mark 3 .577 Snider rifle ................................................................................... £800 Released
Good Peabody rifle in 43 Spanish calibre Franco Prussian War capture ............. £1,800
Scarce Bacon Pocket revolver similar to Colt Pocket .31 calibre......................... £1,500 December
Webley .577” Manstopper revolver, extremely rare ............................................ £10,400
Scarce Comblain falling block rifle Model 1870 Brazilian contract ..................... £1,600 2018!
Excellent Potts & Hunt Volunteer Cavalry Carbine ................................................... £995 Helmets of
Rare 54 calibre Merrills Carbine Federal Civil War issue ...................................... £2,750 the British and
Dreyse Reichs Revolver “Officers” pattern .............................................................. £800
Rare square backed trigger guard Colt Navy .36 calibre less than 1000 made ............. Commonwealth
................................................................................................................................. £3,900 forces in WWII
Dictator 32 rimfire revolver circa 1900 with Railway Robbery provenance ........... £600
Good Halls Percussion rifle, see recent articles in this magazine........................ £2,600
(Camouflage,
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PO Box 130, Hitchin, Herts. SG5. UK • info@militarymodepublishing.com
Seasons Greetings and best wishes for the New Year www.militarymodepublishing.com • www.militarymode.co.uk • 01462 850151
WATERLOO
MILITARIA
We buy & sell quality militaria
VICTORIAN EAST MIDDLESEX REGIMENT ANTI-GARROTTE BELLY GUN
SHAKO PLATE Anti-Garrotte Belly Gun Circa
1860 a very rare Ball’s patent
Victorian Shako Plate 77th
anti-garrotter belt pistol made
(East Middlesex) Regiment of
by Connell 55 Cheapside
Foot 1869-78, with two lug
London. A very unique
fittings to the reverse.
piece and considered to be
among the rarest of firearms
£110.00
curiosities.
£1450
WW1 SCOTTISH GERMAN DIPLOMATS COATEE

TAM-O-SHANTER
German Diplomats Coatee
WW1 Scottish Tam-o-
shanter to the Black watch £550.00
complete with red hackle
and the four holes tie ups at
the back.
£225.00
GEORGIAN GEORGIAN
MIDSHIPMAN’S DIRK SABRETACHE
A Georgian Midshipman’s HANGER
Dirk. A good example having Napoleonic British
straight 33cm blade, retaining Officer’s sword belt
fragments of etching. The grip buckle with a lion’s
is shark skin, and is mounted head and loss hanger.
brass gilded fittings. Circa 1800 This is most likely for the
sabretache strap.
£850.00 £65.00.
Gary Lawrence 07935 324562 /

01708 500994 Denise 07918 881432
www.waterloomilitaria.com
Holding the line
Susan Major looks at how women joined the railway in wartime Britain
O
n 9 March 1941, Ernest
Bevin, Minister of Labour,
worried about the need to
replace the men recruited
into the armed services, launched a plea
for 100,000 women to enrol for war work
in Britain, in farms, in factories and on
the railways. Under the Registration for
Employment Order that year, women in
certain age groups had to register for war
work. They could choose from a range of
jobs, for example the women’s military
services (no use of any lethal weapon
without her written consent), civilian
defence, or work in industry, often in
armaments factories, or transport.
From Victorian times there are rare
examples of female crossing-keepers,
clerks, porters and working at railway
works. Bu,t generally, this was regarded
as men’s work until World War I, when
70,000 women were recruited to fill
gaps left by men entering the military
services, leaving after the end of the war.
By 1939 men were, again, needed
for active service and women were
taken on to join the 26,000 women
already working for the railways in
traditional female roles, such as clerical
and secretarial tasks, catering, carriage
cleaners and crossing-keepers. It was a Kit Wheadon, wartime porter, on footplate of a 3F class 0-6-0 locomotive (Somerset &
small number in a total workforce of Dorset Railway Trust)
nearly 600,000.
Eventually newly recruited wartime certain skills, although many of the been quite comfortable with in the Army,
women worked in a varied range of women learned on the job, with support but was shocked to find a completely
railway jobs: passenger and goods from experienced men. By 1943, the different system on the railway. The
porters, guards, clerks, signallers, railway LMS driving school at Cleckheaton railway system combined the Morse
policewomen, driving motor vehicles in Yorkshire had trained around 100 Code with polarity reversal. The Morse
and cranes, van guards, cleaning women in a year. They were taught to system worked telegraphically, with the
carriages and engines. Some stations drive a variety of vehicles from three operator holding the transmission key
were entirely staffed by women. There ton lorries and mechanical horses to down briefly for a dot and slightly longer
were moves, however, to try to limit the platform tractors. Basic uniforms were for a dash, whereas in the railway system
weight of luggage and goods. Women provided in the form of greatcoats, deflecting the instrument needle to the
did engineering work, assisting signal slacks, leggings and a peaked cap. left represented a dash, and to the right a
and telegraph gangs, maintenance Clothing could be a problem, as dot. It also adopted two-tone sounders.
workers helping linesmen, welders, uniforms for women were sometimes Lady lampsman Betty Spiller started
blacksmiths. They were painting bridges, slow to develop. There were complaints off as a junior porter at Evercreech
working as platelayers and permanent from Great Western Railway point oilers Junction, working for the Somerset &
way labourers. Many worked under at West Ealing, taken up by the welfare Dorset Joint Railway, and later became
difficult and dangerous conditions, with officer, that they had to use their own a signal lampman. She had to clean
air raids at times focusing on railway overalls, with no mackintoshes. around 150 signal lights and dummy
stations. But there were two jobs which London & North Eastern Railway lights, and all of the tail lights and
remained closed to women, namely telegraph operator Betty Forrester sidelights on the brake wagons in the
engine drivers and firemen. recalled the unexpected difficulties she marshalling yard.
Training schemes were set up for had with Morse Code, which she had Violet Ridler started in 1940 at age 17 as

SERVICE FEATURE
Lady lampsman Betty

Spiller (Somerset & Dorset Heavy Parcels Cause Delay advert, Railway
Railway Trust) Magazine, November 1941
restrictions. This had to be checked at the

office at the start of duty, and you signed
to say you were aware of the notices - no
excuses! You also checked with the driver.
i
I always wore white cotton blouses, black
flat shoes. The latter was necessary for
climbing up to footplates, guard’s vans,
walking on ballast and platforms. A
great number of country platforms were
made of a slatted wood. I always felt very
smartly dressed.”
After the war, when the men came
back, most women had to leave,
Betty Forrester recreating her wartime role often with great regret. While there
at Troon in 2002 (Betty Forrester) were 95,000 women working for the
mainline railways in 1945, this had
a GWR passenger guard and recalled, “I fallen to 58,000 by 1946.
was given a uniform which consisted of Susan Major’s new book, Female
a round hat, with ‘Guard’ in gold braid Railway Workers in World War II (Pen &
across the front. We had the choice of Sword Books, 2018), features women’s
skirts or trousers, because of climbing up voices in recorded interviews carried
and down engines and guard’s vans, a out 15 years ago by the Friends of
brass button tunic top, and a very large the National Railway Museum for
pocket watch with Great Western on its the National Archive of Railway Oral
face. It was needed to log the times in the History (NAROH). ■ Betty Forrester in 1944 (Betty Forrester)
log book drivers and guards had to carry
while on duty. They gave me a whistle,
which had a very loud shrill, a guard’s
i COLLECTORS CORNER
Items relating to wartime female railway It may be possible to find special wartime
lamp which was lit by wick and paraffin. workers are rarely available but it is worth service badges on UK eBay, Home Front
They were smelly things, we had to clean keeping an eye on railway and auction Collection (www.homefrontcollection.
our own. You flicked the handle round to websites such as: com) or Sally Bosleys Badge Shop
change the lenses - it had three glasses, www.gwra.co.uk (www.sallysbadges.com). Photographs
green, red and clear. Two flags, one green www.solentrailwayana.com were mostly taken for publicity purposes
and one red. I was given a second-hand www.gcrauctions.com and these are now in commercial picture
leather bag. It had two straps stitched www.ukrailwayana.com libraries, such as Getty Images
www.talismanauctions.co.uk (www.gettyimages.co.uk) and the
on the outside to hold the flags, it also
http://gnrauctions.co.uk Science & Society Picture Library
held packets of detonators, road notices
www.railwayana.net (www.scienceandsociety.co.uk).
(works taking place on the track), speed

The French Army
in the Crimean War
Gabriele Esposito details the organisation and uniforms of the French military
forces taking part to the Crimean War against Russia, 1854-1856
T
he Crimean War was a enjoyed some form of self-governance as a base for further expansion in the
very significant conflict for a long time. At the time of the Balkans. The Ottoman Empire, once
from many points of view, Crimean War, the term Danubian glorious and well organised, was now
especially because it was the Principalities was used to indicate the a very poor and underdeveloped actor
first large European war to happen Balkan states of Moldavia and Wallachia on the international political scene.
after the end of the Napoleonic (which were later assembled together to Russia, with impressive human and
period and saw the participation of form modern Romania). For centuries, material resources, would have had no
three major military powers (Great these two principalities were vassals difficulties in accelerating the collapse
Britain, France and Russia). The of the Turks and had to pay a yearly of the Turks in order to obtain complete
main cause for the outbreak of the tribute to the Ottoman Empire. With supremacy over the Danubian region.
new conflict was the great military the progression of time, however, they This strategic situation was clear also to
weakness of the Ottoman Empire, an had developed strong links with Russia Russia’s main European rivals of Great
old and, by now collapsing, state that with the hope of winning back their Britain and France. Both feared that the
existed under the threat of Russian previous full independence, thanks to fall of the Ottomans would have given
expansionism for years. Formally, the help of the foreign power. During Russia full access to the Mediterranean
the Ottomans were still in control of the early decades of the 19th century Sea and supremacy over the Balkans.
large territories in the Balkans. Some the Russians fought twice against the As a result, when, in 1853, Russia again
of these, like Serbia or Montenegro, Ottomans and on both occasions they invaded the Danubian Principalities,
were, in that period, struggling to temporarily invaded Moldavia and both Britain and France decided to
have more autonomy. Others, like Wallachia. Clearly Russia wanted to organise a military alliance in order to
the Danubian Principalities, already occupy those territories and use them support the Ottoman Empire.

UNIFORM FEATURE
Above left: Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard (Vinkhuijzen Collection, New York Public Library)
Above centre: Foot artilleryman (left) and Voltigeur (right) of the Imperial Guard (Vinkhuijzen Collection, New York Public Library)
Above right: Chasseur officer (left) and soldier (right) of the Imperial Guard (Vinkhuijzen Collection, New York Public Library)
The French Army of the Crimean War can be considered units of this small private army were
as part of this geopolitical policy, created in a way that showed great
Napoleon III which had, as a main objective, the continuity with the traditions of the
Since 1848 France had not been aim of showing France’s new military original Imperial Guard (this was
ruled by a king, having transformed potential to the world. In the following particularly clear in the uniforms and
into a Republic during the famous years, the French took part in other denominations of the various elite
Year of the Revolutions. Very soon, wars in order to expand their country’s corps that were included in it). The new
however, an ambitious politician had international sphere of influence. Imperial Guard of Napoleon III was
been able to become the sole ruler of The most important of these were established on 1 May 1854 and initially
France by imposing a new imperial the Second Italian War of Unification comprised the following units:
regime, namely Napoleon III. After (1859) and the Intervention in Mexico • One grenadier brigade (formed by
being elected as Prime Minister of the (1862-1867). two regiments of grenadiers, heavy
new Republic, he was gradually able One of Napoleon III’s first moves to infantry)
to restore the imperial traditions of transform the French Army creating • One Voltigeur brigade (formed by two
Napoleon I and transformed France a new Imperial Guard, based on the regiments of voltigeurs, light infantry)
into an empire. The French people model of the famous one forged by • One independent battalion of
had always continued to admire the Napoleon I some decades before. The chasseurs (light infantry)
Napoleonic period, during which • One cavalry brigade (formed by a
France had been the most important heavy regiment of cuirassiers and a
military power of Europe. As a result, light regiment of mounted guides)
at least initially, the ambitious political • One independent regiment of
and military objectives pursued by Gendarmerie (acting as military police)
Napoleon III were supported by the • One independent regiment of
whole French population. In order mounted artillery
to present himself as the real heir of • One independent company of
Napoleon I’s glory, the new Emperor engineers
had to reorganise and expand the
French military forces with the On 17 February 1855 the French
objective of transforming them into the Imperial Guard was expanded with the
best of the world. In the end, Napoleon addition of another three units: one
III was able to achieve this and, for at regiment of Zouaves (colonial light
least 20 years (1850-1870), the French infantry from Algeria), one regiment of
Army was the best in Europe. With foot artillery and one squadron of the
such an impressive military apparatus, train. Clearly, Napoleon III was creating
having hundreds of perfectly equipped a miniature army comprising units
and well-drilled military units, the from all the branches of his military
Emperor could influence the political Carabinier of the Imperial Guard forces. Imperial Guardsmen had better
situation of Europe and the wider (Vinkhuijzen Collection, New York Public pay, training and equipment than the
world. The French participation to Library) ordinary soldiers with the result that ❯

The French Army in the Crimean War
Above left: Cuirassiers of the Imperial Guard (Vinkhuijzen Collection, New York Public Library). Above centre: Dragoons of the Imperial
Guard (Vinkhuijzen Collection, New York Public Library). Above right: Mounted Guides of the Imperial Guard
the Emperor was extremely proud • Regiment of Dragoons

of them and could always count • III Brigade
on their unconditional loyalty. In • Regiment of Cuirassiers
December 1855 the structure of the • Regiment of Carabiniers
Imperial Guard was expanded again, • Artillery
by including the following new • Two mounted batteries of field
units: guns
• One additional regiment of
grenadiers, which was added to the Reserve
Grenadier Brigade • Four mounted batteries of field
• Two additional regiments of guns
voltigeurs, which were added to the
Voltigeur Brigade The Army of the
• One regiment of cuirassiers
• One regiment of dragoons Orient in Crimea
• One regiment of lancers Mounted artilleryman of the Imperial Guard With the outbreak of the Crimean
• One regiment of mounted chasseurs War, in 1853, Napoleon III decided
• Two foot batteries of field guns, one to assemble some of his best
As clear from the above, the battery of machine guns and one military forces in order to form an
cavalry was greatly increased with the company of engineers expeditionary corps that would have
formation of four new regiments. Later, been sent against Russia. This soon
in 1865, a heavy cavalry regiment of 2nd Infantry Division became known as Army of the Orient
carabiniers was added to the Guard • I Brigade (or Army of the East) and came to
and the two units of cuirassiers were • 1st Regiment of Grenadiers include different units from every
melted together. After such a large • Regiment of Zouaves branch of service of the Imperial Army.
expansion, the original brigades had to • II Brigade This was the original order of battle of
be transformed into divisions. In 1870, • 2nd Regiment of Grenadiers the French troops sent to the Crimea:
in fact, this was the order of battle of • 3rd Regiment of Grenadiers
Napoleon III’s Imperial Guard: • Artillery 1st Infantry Division
• Two foot batteries of field guns, one • I Brigade
1st Infantry Division battery of machine guns and one • 7th Regiment of Line Infantry
• I Brigade company of engineers • 1st Battalion of Foot Chasseurs
• 1st Regiment of Voltigeurs • 1st Regiment of Zouaves
• 2nd Regiment of Voltigeurs Cavalry Division • II Brigade
• Battalion of Chasseurs • I Brigade • 20th Regiment of Line Infantry
• II Brigade • Regiment of Guides • 27th Regiment of Line Infantry
• 3rd Regiment of Voltigeurs • Regiment of Mounted Chasseurs • 9th Battalion of Foot Chasseurs
• 4th Regiment of Voltigeurs • II Brigade • Artillery
• Artillery • Regiment of Lancers • 3rd Squadron of the 8th Regiment of

UNIFORM FEATURE
Above left: Gendarmes of the Imperial Guard. Above centre: Line infantrymen in parade (left) and winter (right) dress (Vinkhuijzen
Collection, New York Public Library). Above right: Zouave in campaign dress (Vinkhuijzen Collection, New York Public Library)
Mounted Artillery • 4th Company from the 2nd Battalion 5th Infantry Division
• 1st Squadron of the 9th Regiment of of the 3rd Regiment of Engineers • I Brigade
Mounted Artillery • 21st Regiment of Line Infantry
• Engineers 4th Infantry Division • 42nd Regiment of Line Infantry
• 7th Company from the 1st Battalion • I Brigade • II Brigade
of the 2nd Regiment of Engineers • 19th Regiment of Line Infantry • 46th Regiment of Line Infantry
• 26th Regiment of Line Infantry • 5th Regiment of Light Infantry
2nd Infantry Division • 5th Battalion of Foot Chasseurs • Artillery
• I Brigade • II Brigade • 2nd Squadron of the 13th Regiment
• 50th Regiment of Line Infantry • 39th Regiment of Line Infantry of Mounted Artillery
• 3rd Regiment of Zouaves • 74th Regiment of Line Infantry • 3rd Squadron of the 13th Regiment of
• 1st Regiment of Algerian Tirailleurs • Artillery Mounted Artillery
• II Brigade • 4th Squadron of the 8th Regiment of • Engineers
• 6th Regiment of Line Infantry Mounted Artillery • 5th Company from the 1st Battalion
• 7th Regiment of Light Infantry • 15th Squadron of the 8th Regiment of of the 2nd Regiment of Sappers
• 3rd Battalion of Foot Chasseurs Mounted Artillery
• Artillery • Engineers 6th Infantry Division
• 2nd Squadron of the 12th Regiment • 4th Company from the 1st Battalion • I Brigade
of Mounted Artillery of the 3rd Regiment of Engineers • 23rd Line Infantry Regiment
• 4th Squadron of the 13th Regiment of • 28th Line Infantry Regiment
Mounted Artillery • 6th Battalion of Foot Chasseurs
• Engineers • II Brigade
• 7th Company from the 2nd Battalion • 1st Regiment of the Foreign Legion
of the 1st Regiment of Engineers • 2nd Regiment of the Foreign Legion
• Artillery
3rd Infantry Division • 7th Squadron of the 8th Regiment of
• I Brigade Mounted Artillery
• 19th Battalion of Foot Chasseurs • 8th Squadron of the 8th Regiment of
• 2nd Regiment of Zouaves Mounted Artillery
• 3rd Regiment of Naval Infantry • Engineers
• II Brigade • 6th Company from the 2nd Battalion
• 20th Regiment of Light Infantry of the 3rd Regiment of Sappers
• 22nd Regiment of Light Infantry
• Artillery Cavalry Division
• 6th Squadron of the 7th Regiment of • I Brigade
Mounted Artillery • 1st Regiment of Hussars
• 6th Squadron of the 13th Regiment of Zouaves in Crimea, with red fez or native • 4th Regiment of Hussars
Mounted Artillery turban as headgear (Vinkhuijzen Collection, • II Brigade
• Engineers New York Public Library) • 1st Regiment of Chasseurs d’Afrique ❯

The French Army in the Crimean War
Above left: Hussar in parade uniform (Vinkhuijzen Collection, New York Public Library). Above centre: Chasseur d’Afrique in campaign dress
(Vinkhuijzen Collection, New York Public Library). Above right: Spahi in campaign dress (Vinkhuijzen Collection, New York Public Library)
• 4th Regiment of Chasseurs d’Afrique thanks to their modern training and three battalions (like the Zouaves).
• III Brigade weapons, were much superior than In 1854, due to their participation to
• 6th Regiment of Dragoons the traditional regiments of light the Crimean War, the Tirailleurs were
• 7th Regiment of Dragoons infantry. As a result, during 1853, assembled into a single provisional
IV Brigade in view of the war against Russia, regiment. In 1854, similarly to what
• 6th Regiment of Cuirassiers Napoleon III decided to form another happened for the Zouaves in 1852,
• 7th Regiment of Cuirassiers 10 battalions of riflemen. This was the three battalions of Algerian light
• Artillery the first step towards a further infantrymen were expanded and
• 3rd Squadron of the 15th Regiment of reorganisation of the light troops. On became regiments.
Mounted Artillery 24 October 1854, in fact, the Emperor The conquest of Algeria, initiated
• 4th Squadron of the 17th Regiment of decided to absorb the regiments of in 1830, had a deep impact on the
Mounted Artillery light infantry into the line infantry organisation and general structure of
(thus augmenting the latter’s total the French Army. This was particularly
In addition to the above there were number of regiments from 75 to true for the infantry, but also the
several artillery batteries organised into 100). From that date, the French light cavalry saw some significant changes.
a General Artillery Reserve, Campaign infantry was to be composed only by The mounted troops started to include
Park and Siege Park. The order of battle the battalions of chasseurs. two new categories of light cavalrymen,
was completed by further independent In addition to the units described namely the Chasseurs d’Afrique
companies of sappers and train. At the above, the French Army comprised (equivalent to the foot Zouaves) and
time of the Crimean War, the French also two foreign types of light the Spahis (equivalent to the foot
Army comprised two different kinds of infantrymen: the Zouaves and Algerian Tirailleurs). The first were
national light infantry: the regiments the Algerian Tirailleurs. The main formed in 1831 and were made up of
of light infantry and the battalions difference between them was that the Frenchmen, the second were created in
of chasseurs. The first were not so first were soldiers of French origin who 1841 (by regularising already existing
different from the line units, while the served in the colonies of North Africa, corps) and were comprised of native
second had more specific training and while the second were native Algerian Algerian horsemen.
weaponry that made them proper corps soldiers who were in the service At the outbreak of the Crimean War
of riflemen. of France. Training, weapons and the regiments of Chasseurs d’Afrique
The regiments of light infantry were uniforms were quite similar. Initially were four in total but in 1856 these
25 in total, 21 of which had been the Zouaves, founded in 1830, had were reduced to three. The Spahis,
created with the army’s reorganisation included also Algerian natives in their instead, kept their organisation of three
of 1820 (the remaining four were ranks but this practice came to an end regiments for all the period taken into
added in 1840). The first battalion after a few years. Until 1 February 1852 account. On 24 June 1854, while in
of chasseurs, equipped with rifled the French Army had included just Crimea, the French decided to form a
carbines, was absorbed into the three battalions of Zouaves; on that provisional corps of Spahis with local
French Army during 1838 after an date the three units were expanded irregular cavalrymen. These became
experimental period of some months. and became regiments. These colonial known as Spahis of the Orient but had
Two years later, due to their excellent light infantrymen fought with very limited numbers and a very short
performances on the field of battle, enormous courage during the Crimean operational history. The Chasseurs
the chasseurs were expanded with the War, distinguishing themselves on d’Afrique were dressed in western style,
creation of another nine battalions. several occasions. while the Spahis had uniforms inspired
The experiences of war in Algeria The Algerian Tirailleurs were created by the native Algerian dress (like the
soon demonstrated that the chasseurs, in 1842 and initially comprised only Zouaves and Tirailleurs). ■

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Edged weapons COVER
STORY
of the SOE
Lee Sheldon takes a look at a variety of concealable knives and daggers
made for clandestine forces
A
gents of the Special
Operations Executive (SOE)
were provided with a variety
of special weapons and
devices. These ranged from deadly
innovations like the Welrod silenced
pistol to a wacky harassing agent that
smelled of human excrement. There
were also knives and daggers made
specially for the SOE but to what extent
they were actually used is a moot point
because some of the weapons seem to
be of little practical use. Speaking of
the thumb knife, SOE historian MRD
Foot observed: ‘This was something for
which a theoretical case could easily be
made out; but was anyone ever vicious
enough to use it?’
The thumb knife is one of the few
special weapons for which the original
war time description is available.
It appears as catalogue number JS
188 in the Descriptive Catalogue of
Special Devices and Supplies which
was compiled and issued in 1944 by have come from Aston House may and acts as a retention strap when the
MO1(SP) - the cover name for the SOE. be two of the 1941 prototypes. One dagger is sheathed.
In 1941, Colonel Leslie Wood - the is just over 3in long with a sabre The sleeve dagger in the IWM (WEA
commanding officer of Station XII ground blade and a swaged drop point. 746) comes with some informative
(Aston House) - received a request for The other is just 2¼in in length and provenance: ‘This unusual spike-
a supply of small knives that could has a triangular, needlepoint blade dagger was intended to be worn under
escape detection in an initial search if with a medial ridge. The handmade clothing, with its sheath strapped
an agent was captured. In collaboration sheaths are made to the same pattern, either to the arm or leg of the user. This
with Fairbairn and Sykes, creators of probably by the same artisan. They example was saved from a batch of
the eponymous fighting knife, Wood have two flaps at the back, each with weapons being sent for destruction at
produced a number of different designs. pre-punched stitch holes which would the end of the war by Squadron Leader
Sheffield cutlers made samples and permit the sheath to then be sewn onto RA Heppenstall, who later donated it to
sheaths were made by local cobbler clothing like trousers or jackets. the museum.’
Arthur Acres. Sleeve daggers are a little over 7in in Some collectors describe a frisk knife
The first specification for a knife and length and have a 3½in long, triangular which was intended to be taped flat
sheath was agreed in October 1941. The cross-section blade with fullers on each against the arm or leg in order to escape
knife was 3in long and had a triangular, face. The handle has an oval cross detection. However, the knife described
needlepoint blade with a medial ridge. section and an uneven mushroom is the same pattern as commercially
It was redesigned in 1943 and a final shaped pommel. Variations in the made throwing knives, so there is some
specification for a 3in knife with a shape of the pommel on these daggers doubt as to whether these knives were
swaged, drop point blade approved suggest that they were most likely hand actually used as suggested.
in January 1944. The Imperial War finished. The leather sheath is of simple There are two knives, however,
Museum has examples of each type. two-part construction. A buckled strap believed to have come from Aston
A pair of thumb knives believed to secures the dagger on the arm or leg House, which would certainly meet the

HAND WEAPONS
1 4
requirements of a frisk knife. One has manufacturers can also be found 1. Pencils in an instructor’s roll
a blade concealed in what is probably containing blades of various types, 2. Fountain pen with 2in spike made from
meant to look like a comb case. The though only a very few examples The ‘UNIQUE’ Pen
3. Demonstration pencils showing
other has a 6in blade with sharpened containing the type of fluted spike used
concealed spike
edges; it is very thin and flexes with for spike daggers have been noted. Such 4. Top: Demonstrator dip pen with type 1
ease. The handle is covered in bound pens could have been used to defend spike. Bottom: Dip pen with crude cut outs;
string, part of which forms a finger against capture or to puncture the tyres spike partially withdrawn
loop; the string is knotted through a on enemy vehicles.
hole in the pommel. The size, shape One example of these weapons is a fluted spike which could be used as a
and finish of the blades suggest that blue, marble effect fountain pen with a weapon or as an aid to field survival.
both were produced by the same maker. 2in pointed spike made from a 3/16in The pencils are about 7in long and are
diameter circular rod with three flutes. usually made of plain, buff coloured
Spikes concealed The barrel of the pen has the partially wood. The description of item WEA
erased model name - The ‘UNIQUE’ 4147, in the Imperial War Museum
in writing devices Pen - and remnants of the lettering catalogue, says of these pencils that:
The use of fountain pens to conceal ‘MADE IN ENGLAND’. The ink lever ‘This blade hidden within a pencil
a compass is documented in Per is still connected to the pressure bar is, perhaps, the most elaborate of a
Ardua Libertas, the 1942 catalogue of indicating that this was originally a number of concealed or concealable
escape aids produced for MI 9. They conventional, working fountain pen. edged weapons designed during the
were procured from the Mentmore As well as fountain pens, pencils Second World War in the workshops of
Manufacturing Company by Charles too were used to conceal escape aids, the SOE.’
Fraser-Smith, who supplied a range notably the green Cumberland Pencils Pencils made for demonstration
of Q gadgets to MI 9 and the special which contained a map and a compass. purposes seem to be more frequently
forces. Pens from Mentmore and other But some pencils contained a pointed, encountered than untampered-with ❯

Edged weapons of the SOE
pencils. They have four, five or six large
cut outs to reveal the blued steel spike
inside. There are at least three distinct
types of these spikes, each made from
a 1/8in diameter, circular steel rod with
three flutes.
The Type 1 (author’s notation) is
4½in in length with two holes ¾in
apart used to secure tightly coiled,
string-like binding.
The Type 2 is 4¾in in length. The
holes securing the tightly coiled
binding are 1½in apart; the rest of the
spike has less tightly looped coils all the
way down to the point. The binding
would prevent the spike rattling inside
the pencil and provide string for tying
it to a handle if required.
Type 3 is 5½in in length, with a
single hole at the pommel. The tight
binding on the two examples examined
by the author extends for just 2 or
2¼in, leaving the fluted section of the
spike uncovered.
Demonstrator pencils and the like
were carried in an instructor’s roll. One
type is a cotton twill pouch having two
compartments - one is 1in wide and the
other is 1½in wide. Both are 6¼in deep.
Dip pens were also used to conceal
a spike. Examples have been noted
containing type 1 and type 3 spikes.
Another variation is a 5in spike with a
bright finish, triangular cross section
blade (1/10in in width) and a single
hole for securing a finger loop.
In the event of an agent being
captured, concealed weapons like the
thumb knife and writing devices with
1 2 3
a concealed spike would have offered a
modicum of protection. But they would
also have provided proof positive that
the person carrying them was not
an innocent civilian. It is difficult to string and stuffed with felt, was to 1 & 3: Frisk knives were very thin so as to
imagine that many agents would have protect the agent from being gouged be easy to be concealed and difficult to
decided that the benefits of carrying by the point when the dagger was find for anyone searching the agent
one of these weapons outweighed the concealed in clothing or kit. 2: Throwing knife, sometimes described as
risk of being identified as a spy by the None of these spike daggers are a frisk knife
Gestapo or German military. particularly common but probably the
most commonly encountered blade is place. These daggers may be straight or
made from a circular cross section steel else have the blade angled downward
Spike daggers rod – either 3/16in or ¼in in diameter. from the plane of the handle by five
There are many types of dagger that Some of the larger daggers have an epee to ten degrees. The Combined Military
utilise a simple spike. They have style blade. There are also blades with Services Museum (CMSM) in Maldon
different kinds of pommel and blades a rectangular cross section, sometimes has an 18in long spike dagger with a
in a variety of shapes and sizes. with a narrow fuller. single hook and an angled, epee style
A characteristic feature of many spike The pommel on spike daggers made blade. It belonged to Captain Donald
daggers is the intricate string binding from a circular cross section steel rod Hamilton-Hill (second-in-command of
on the handle, part of which forms sometimes has a simple, square-cut the SOE training schools) and may be a
a finger loop. They may also have a pommel. Another type of pommel prototype for this type of dagger.
reinforced pocket, attached by string to has a single, semi-circular hook about Another type of pommel has a ram’s
the handle, which fits over the tip of ¾in in diameter which could be used head style pair of semi-circular hooks.
the blade. This pocket, made of coiled to pull the weapon from its hiding The Imperial War Museum has an

HAND WEAPONS
1 2 4
1: Rare spike daggers with rectangular

cross section blades
2: 9in spike dagger with ram’s head style
pommel
3: Spike daggers with ¼in diameter, circular
cross section blades
4: Spike daggers with a single hook
5: Unmarked push daggers by Robbins of
Dudley (l) and Lockwood brothers (r)
Collecting
There is a wide variety of knives and
5 daggers that may have been used by
special forces like the SOE - but they
appear for sale very infrequently and
unmarked version with a blackened it is therefore difficult to make precise
Circular X section with flutes handle and double edged blade was observations about pricing. In 2013,
Epee style probably made for clandestine forces, the Regimentals website was offering
as were WWI punch daggers – devoid a 7in spike dagger together with three
Rectangular X section
of maker’s markings – made by Robbins different types of pencil plus a dip pen,
Rectangular X section, narrow fuller of Dudley. each with a concealed spike, for a total
Some push daggers have a ¼in price of £4,500. That’s equivalent to
Spike dagger blade types diameter, blued steel, circular cross £750 for each writing instrument plus
section blade with three near full (say) £1,500 for the spike dagger.
example (WEA 4169) which is 11in in length fullers, like those used to make In 2017/18 there have been a few
length with a ¼in diameter, circular spike daggers. instances of SOE style weapons being
cross section spike having three fullers. An extremely rare type of push sold at auction at truly extraordinary
There are also pommels with an oval, dagger is the so-called hatpin dagger. and possibly unrepeatable prices.
button style pommel – either flat or This has a black painted, shaped However, in the recent auction of
with diamond patterned knurling. aluminium grip and a fluted spike the second consignment of a large
A variety of push daggers were made around 7in in length. Like other push SOE collection, the following sales
commercially during WWII. One such daggers utilising a spike, the hatpin (including buyers’ premium and VAT)
was made by Lockwood Brothers of daggers had a close fitting leather were recorded: Demonstrator dip pen -
Sheffield. It had a spear point blade sheath with fixing tabs that allowed it £990, sleeve dagger - £990, 11in spike
and bore their trademark ‘C + X’. An to be stitched to the battledress. dagger - £1,490. ■

Tank Regiment
Christmas cards
John A Smith looks at the WWII military cards sent home with festive greetings
C
ommunication with home
has always been an important
aspect of a soldier’s life
and Christmas is perhaps
the most poignant time for contact.
The British Army in WWII placed
great emphasis on such connections
and provided considerable resources
throughout the war to meet this need.
The logistical effort required to process
and ship thousands of letters and
cards is testimony to how essential the
government and the War Office viewed
contact between soldier and family.
Despite social changes that occurred
as a result of World War I, Britain was
still a class bound society prior to
1939 and social hierarchy governed
proceedings. A glimpse into the Prime Minister Churchill,
changes of attitude by officialdom can accompanied by Field
be appreciated through the unassuming Marshals Brooke and
military Christmas card. At the start Montgomery, inspects the
7th Armoured Division
of the war design of these cards was
during the Berlin Victory
primarily the preserve of the rigid Parade on 21 July 1945
regimental committee and the prospect
Left: A Christmas 1944
of a cartoon decorating the front of
example showing the
a regimental Christmas card would division’s journey through
have been unthinkable. By the end of the desert to the Dutch
the war comedic cartoons abounded winter countryside
and stylised anthropomorphic jerboa
adorned cards amongst the higher-
level formations. Soft tones and pastel from Home HQ the more relaxed the available by the PRI – President of the
shades of the 30s and 40s appear in approval process. Just how relaxed the Regimental Institute. The position of
many designs, perhaps epitomised in guidelines could be is recorded by one PRI was held by a senior officer from
the 7th Armoured Brigade card from regiment in their war diary, revealed HQ who answered to the Commanding
Christmas 1945. later in this article. Officer. It was the CO who was
Undoubtedly a factor of this While regimental Christmas cards ultimately responsible for the use
relaxation of the conventions was tacit might not be an obvious collecting of regimental funds. PRI funds were
acknowledgment of the service and subject, the increased popularity of non-public and intended to be used to
demands of military life throughout six collecting ephemera and the growing provide welfare projects, purchasing
years of constant conflict. There were interest in social history mean the and selling items to further enhance
no design guidelines that we would regimental Christmas card is becoming regimental funds and also to purchase
recognise today as a corporate style, ever more popular. From a social items that soldiers inevitably need or
other than restrictions for security history perspective these cards are want but which are not provided by
reasons. Such guides that were applied fascinating. They provide a view into the tax payer, ie. the War Office. As an
were limited to discrete branches of the style of messages of the period, example of how much money these
the armoured forces; the cavalry had the perhaps unexpected interest in a funds could accrue, 153rd Regt, RAC’s
its own format and the RTR had a regiment’s command to provide them, PRI fund had a balance of £613 12s 9d
similar one in the earlier part of the and of course, in the artwork that in August 1944.
war. Distance and the theatre of war adorns so many. Tank units were particularly prolific
also had their influence; the further Regimental cards would be made at producing Christmas cards. Printing

EPHEMERA FEATURE
1 2
3 4
1: A simple quarter folded paper card, supplanted by many regiments with aptitude. He served in 48th Bn, R Tks
these anthropomorphic jerboas clearly in a their own home designed and locally driving Churchills in North Africa and
nod to the future produced cards. This was especially true Italy. His drawing ability inevitably
2: A pre-war example with a regimental of the war-raised regiments and those meant that he drew more than one
crest and ribbon but also sporting the
with a Territorial heritage. airgraph and was also asked by fellow
sketch of a tank, here a Medium used by
the Royal Tank Corps in the 1930s As the Allied liberation forces tank crew to sketch designs for them.
3: Although not dated, the palm trees captured the large cities of Belgium, Regimental war diaries often
allude to Christmas 1943 when 48 RTR and especially once in occupied contained daily orders on the topic of
were stationed in Algeria Germany and Italy, the quantity of Christmas cards. This was to ensure
4: The training regiments at home cards increased substantially. The everyone knew the dates by which
produced a wide variety of more colourful
artistic pool of talent available within cards had to be sent. Depending
cards, the 57th with a powerful image, the
61st with a more homely design units was considerable and many
cards carry the signature of the artist
who was serving with that unit. Once
companies such as Gale & Polden of regiments, brigades, etc. were on
Aldershot had contracts to provide occupation duties there was more time
some of the formal cards, especially for those talented soldiers amongst
those with unit crests. The NAAFI their ranks to spend their time creating
also had contracts with regiments the artwork. A wonderful example of
to produce printed matter. A pre- this is the Christmas 1945 card sent
war advertisement in The Tank from by 7th Armoured Brigade stationed in
September 1937 announced their Austria. Combining the device of their
own printing facilities: ‘Service cards arm insignia, a stylised jerboa, and their
designed and produced in our own location in the snowy Austrian Alps,
Printing Works, illuminated with the the artist conjured up a skiing jerboa.
Service or Regimental Crest and tied With a conscript force the British
with the appropriate ribbon or with Army had a wealth of amateur talent
silk cord and tassel. The cards have which often came to the fore within
a four page insert inscribed with a a regiment. Peter ‘Bud’ Langstaffe was
Seasonable Greeting.’ These crested and such a talent. Trained in civilian life,
beribboned cards were the traditional just before the war, as a shop display Example of a hand drawn airgraph, here
pre-war variety and remained in artist for men’s clothing firm Austin by Peter ‘Bud’ Langstaffe of 48th Bn, Royal
use throughout the war but were Reed, Bud inherited his father’s artistic Tank Regiment ❯

Tank Regiment Christmas cards
7
5
5 & 6: The 15th/19th Hussars had just

Canada ..............................November 4 early December, one of which could be
arrived in Palestine before the end of
1945. Here they hark back to the victory in United States .....................November 1 marked ‘FREE’ and sent at no cost. It was
Germany and a brief spell in more peaceful Union of South Africa .......November 1 commented that squadrons were to keep
occupation duties near Flensburg Further information about records to ensure the free allowance was
7: The skiing jerboa conjured up by arrangements for Christmas mail will adhered to. Airgraphs had no limit on
an artist from 7th Armoured Brigade, be notified shortly.’ quantity, being microfilmed they took
stationed in Austria in 1945
The additional information came on 3 up considerably less shipping space.
November confirming: ‘The latest dates Christmas card envelopes were to be left
upon the theatre of operations last on which correspondence can be posted open - ‘Squadron censors will ensure that
post was normally during November. in C.M.F. [Central Mediterranean Forces] all envelopes are sealed before posting.’ A
The decision to organise cards for a for delivery by Christmas Day are shown further method provided from November
regiment has been seen in a war diary on the printed notice forwarded to 1943 was the Privilege Air Letter Card,
as early as May. squadrons to-day. This information will these were overprinted with a blue
The men would be made aware of the be exhibited on notice boards.’ triangle on the front and were exempt
availability of Christmas cards through The notice went into more detail from unit censorship but still subject to
the regimental office notice board or with dates and type of mail listed, eg. higher level censorship checks. In 1944
the reading out of daily orders. Whether airgraphs were split into Ordinary and the allowance of Air Letters was increased
at home in the UK or overseas, these Xmas - these had to be posted by 15 to three per man, with one still permitted
communication methods operated at November, regardless of destination. to be sent for free.
some level. In 1942, Unit Orders issued The officers and men were given 56th Recce’s war diary also reveals
in the UK by the 15th Bn, Recce Corps an allowance of two Air Mail Letter some of the process for approving
for the 27 October stated: ‘Xmas cards, Cards per week during November and regimental Christmas cards to
specially made for the Recce Corps, ensure operational security was not
are available ... Price 2d each. (Minus compromised. The following extract is
envelopes)’. Whilst on active service reproduced in full from the November
in Italy in October 1943, 56th Bn, 1944 diary:
Recce Corps had the following entry in ‘Field Censorship – Christmas Cards.
their war diary: ‘25/10/43 In the Field Regimental Christmas Cards will be
Regimental Orders, Christmas Mail. The permitted subject to the following:
following are the latest posting dates for (a) They will not disclose the location
surface mail:
Left: Based in Husum, Germany, Christmas
United Kingdom ...............November 6 1945 the 23rd Hussars spent their last
Australia & New Zealand ....October 26 Christmas in the Marine School Barracks
India & Ceylon..................November 4 before being disbanded in the New Year

EPHEMERA FEATURE
8 9 10
11 12
8: The 15th/19th Hussars had just arrived Left: The unmistakable Desert Rat insignia
in Palestine before the end of 1945. This of the 7th Armoured Division. A Christmas
card reflects the victory in Germany and 1944 example
peaceful occupation duties near Flensburg would write letters as well and often
9: Illustrating one of the alternatives to a
announce that their Christmas card was
card, the airmail letter, embellished inside
and annotated by the sender on its way.
10: The training regiments at home Determining that a card is from
produced a wide variety of more colourful WWII is not always easy. If you are
and decorated cards fortunate, the date is printed on or
11: A good example of the freedom of inside the card, or the sender has dated
design once on occupation duties, here an
it. If there is handwriting present that
11th Armoured Division card from 1945
illustrating their area of occupation can help, as a distinct change in hand
12: The 22nd Dragoons, Christmas 1944. writing occurred in the late 1950s, early
Depicting the tanks employed by a 1960s which helps distinguish otherwise
regiment was unusual plain cards. Another useful guide is
the typeface used. Cards produced in
of the Regiment either directly or in- before any order for printing is placed.’ Egypt often have a particular style to
directly, e.g. by illustration or legend. War diaries regularly feature entries the lettering, perhaps hinting at the
(b) They may show formation signs that repeat orders regarding the older Art Nouveau era. Those printed
down to and including HQ Divisions address of a unit for troops to use in in liberated Europe regularly have
and Districts, but where these are correspondence. The official address the slender sans serif style of lettering
shown Christmas Cards will not bear of a regiment would be something like favoured by European presses.
the designation of the formation or any this from 153rd Regt, RAC, soon after Online auction sites are the best
unit within the formation and senders they had landed in France in July 1944: sources for cards. Prices can be as low
will not include their official address. No., Rank, Name, Sqn., 153rd Regt., as just a few pounds but expect to pay
(c) Exploits of units or formations may R.A.C., B.L.A. £10-£20 for those with particularly
be portrayed provided these exploits Letters from a soldier would also engaging artwork or even slightly more
have been officially released. Christmas repeat this information, particularly for those from a highly collectable
Cards bearing formation signs will NOT when they moved from one area or formation such as the Recce Corps. ■
be sent to Prisoners of War, residents in camp to another. At Christmas time
Eire, foreign countries or Gibraltar, or some soldiers preferred to send just Acknowledgments: The National
merchant ship crews. a card or two home and they were Archives - WO166/623 (15R 1942); WO
Specimen designs of such Christmas unlikely to include the sender’s address. 169 8836 (56R 1943); WO 170/507 (56R
Cards will be submitted to this HQ Those who liked to write regularly 1944); WO171/881 (153RAC 1944).

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WEAPON FEATURE
Brendan Fraser, as Rick O’Connell in
The Mummy is seen armed with a
Chamelot-Delvigne revolver
The French
Chamelot-Delvigne
John Wallace describes one of the most significant steps forward in the
evolution of the military pistol with the commonest revolver in the world
P
ercussion ignition guns aside, technology was the pinfire, invented military calibres. The effects of case-
the early 19th century saw by Casimir Lefaucheux and his son head swelling or rim splitting escalated
little innovation in military Eugène. Many were privately purchased with size, especially in the days of
firearms. Until 1873 the issue for service use, and the French navy, copper cases. With the longtudinal bolt
pistol of the French Army was a single- with the flexibility of a smaller movement of the .44 rimfire Henry and
shot muzzle-loader, originating in a requirement, adopted its Model 1858, Winchester rifles, this was acceptable.
converted flintlock and rifled only since an open-frame 12mm Lefaucheux. The But impeded rotation in a revolver was
1860. The government, apart from pinfire, a cartridge with a hole in it, far more likely.
emergency imports in wartime, bypassed could not match the velocity of a cap In the 1860s it became inescapable
the cap and ball revolver altogether. and ball revolver but it vindicated the that the centrefire cartridge was the
In the United States the revolver was principle of cartridge loading, which shape of things to come. Napoleon III,
regarded as a prime combat weapon was invaluable in difficult or wet although lacking his illustrious uncle’s
of Civil War cavalry but in Europe the conditions. It also prevented Smith and strategic vision, was an accomplished
weapons of cavalry were sword and Wesson from monopolising the bored- artilleryman and enthusiastic pistol-
lance, and the pistol was an emergency through cylinder by European versions shot. His Permanent Commission
resource. Accuracy was considered less of the Rollin White patent, as they did of 1868 at Vincennes was set up to
important than reliability and short- in the US. evaluate revolvers for military service.
range stopping power. Rimfires, another French invention, The Navy, again, was quicker
The forefront of 1850s revolver never competed significantly in to make its decision, adopting an ❯

The French Chamelot-Delvigne
These are typical serial and

cartouches for a military 1873
This revolver is more likely than most to have been places, and seen things
Left: The internal parts are

securely held in place, until
mainspring tension is released by
turning the hidden lever
Right middle: The extremely
robust half-cock notch,
impossible to damage by
careless manipulation, should
be compared with the undercut
notch of the Colt 1873
Right bottom: The ejector, here
seen rotated for use, is far more
robust than those usually found
on British or Lefaucheux-type
revolvers
unsophisticated but durable solid-frame removable for cleaning, and yet solidly the point of aim at a 25-meter target,
1870 Lefaucheux for their own 12mm held in place by the axis pin; the latter without the foresight projecting too
cartridge. The army rejected it, due must be easily withdrawn, without risk much or being capable of catching on
principally to cartridge failures which of inadvertent displacement. other objects.
might have affected any revolver, and The loading gate must be simple, The flatness of trajectory must permit
favoured the Perrin, for a proprietary solid and easily used, but unable to firing to the same point of aim at 50
cartridge with a distinctive thick rim. open accidentally, and its position must meters, and to reach the target at 100
Débacle and occupation by Prussia be such that the shooter will always meters and beyond without noticeable
intervened, and Louis Perrin died notice if he has forgotten to close it. deviation.
before the Commission reconvened in The ejector rod must be strong, its The weapon must be centrefire. A
1872. It then issued a new specification, use easy, its movement free. At rest it strong half-cock notch is indispensable
ruling out his designs and most foreign must be held firmly in place by simple, It must be possible to change from rapid
competition. The translation is mine: solid parts which vibrate, echo and to intermittent fire, and vice versa.
‘The weapon must not be of break- click into place in a military manner. The lock must be simple, solid
open design. It must be a single unit, It must present no projections and not and military. It must be possible
durable and solid, of which no part, be subject to fracture or bending, and frequently, easily, anywhere and at
in use, may catch on other objects, go must be protected from rust. any time, to check, examine, lubricate
astray, detach or be lost. The barrel must be rifled in such a and dismantle it without tools, with
The revolving cylinder must be easily way that it gives accurate shooting to no possibility of any part becoming
The Chamelot- The original 1873

Delvigne lockwork cartridge, here
was alive and well the army version,
in America until shows how much
the 1970s. Iver powder space
Johnson’s Safety was taken up by
Lever evaded the the shotgun-style
hammer-blocking case-head and
problem in a way primer
overlooked by
Chamelot and
Delvigne, by
extending their
mentonnet to
form a transfer bar
between hammer
and firing-pin

WEAPON FEATURE
Glisenti in 1889 introduced

an inserted and pinned firing-pin and a
lengthened barrel. This suggests disbelief in
the French claim that barrel length brought
no worthwhile increase in velocity
Left: Troops in the field. At least two of the soldiers are

armed with Chamelot-Delvigne 1873 revolvers
detached or lost. There must be no the most advanced revolver before longer one, and an improved axis pin
possibility of any part being incorrectly the Commission. Although others catch resembled a bayonet stud. On
reassembled or accidentally displaced. were available in which a captive removing the left-hand grip there is no
To this end the main screws should and pivoted sideplate was released mere mainspring tension screw but a
be eliminated, and the springs should by a hand-turned key, a single large, tension lever, perhaps unseen for over
be large, strong, flexible and tough. The non-captive screw must be undone to a century. If unreleased, the exposed
mechanism must be uncomplicated and remove the sideplate and left-hand grip. internals stay put. Release tension and
understandable to the uninstructed.’ They fudged the no-tools requirement the mainspring is removable by hand,
This specification, which no modern with a screwdriver head on the axis followed by one part after another.
revolver entirely fulfils, was generally Every mechanical part is rugged and The NCOs’ 1873 gun was issued in
well-conceived and much emulated simple, and breakage and wear are rare the white, perhaps because polishing
in continental Europe. However, the although the small springs occasionally and oiling was thought morally
Commission’s achievement should break or deform. beneficial to other ranks. It seems
be compared with the German It should be noted that most unfair that restored bluing degrades
Commission which produced its 1879 continental revolver cartridges are the value of an antique, but that is the
revolver, a single-action revolver which known by various measurements, way things are. The claimed difficulty
solved the ejector question by having no including 12mm. The commonest of reliable bluing has not affected the
ejector whatsoever. nomenclature was 11mm 73 for the 1874 officers’ version. This had a fluted
Despite keen competition, involving Army and 11.1mm 70 for the slightly cylinder and was lightened, mostly by
some fine engineering, the victors were longer Navy round. Bullet and case narrowing the action. MAS supplied
the 75-year-old Captain Gustave-Henri body diameters are virtually identical 1873 revolvers to Serbia, Greece and
Delvigne and the French gunmaker (as for numerous other French and the Swedish Navy, while Pirlot Frères
Jean Chamelot, whom he had met Belgian cartridges), and no part of the made a 10.4mm version for Italy before
in Belgium. Delvigne’s hollow-based revolver or cartridge measured 11, 11.1 Glisenti began production in 1889.
bullet, that expanded by gas pressure or 12mm. The main deficiencies were the non-
and was improved by Captain Minié, The only manufacturer for the rebounding hammer and excessively
made a every infantryman’s rifle very French military was the government’s protruding firing-pin, said to cause
effective. Pre-1873 successes bearing his Manufacture d’Armes de St. Étienne, occasional binding and failure to
name were less dramatic ones, mostly which is not to be confused with the rotate. The revolver would be unsafe
involving ergonomic improvements. civilian Manufrance. The Commission with hammer down on a primer, Even
The Chamelot-Delvigne, as produced found that a 114cm barrel gave half-cock would be dubious in a pocket
by Pirlot Frères of Liège, was not marginally better velocity than a revolver, let alone stuffed down your
Brun-Latrige, of St. Etienne, a mail-order firm and

12mm was common in civilian nomenclature for the 11mm probably a brand-name of the giant Manufrance,
military cartridge. The 8mm cartridge with jacketed bullet (balle catalogued their 1874 with a rebounding hammer,
blindée) is for the 1873’s replacement of 1892 after 1909 but probably before 1914 ❯

The French Chamelot-Delvigne
Above left: The original 1873 cartridge is distinguished from the 1890 version by its more rounded bullet. Above centre: In this 1890
cartridge, misdescribed in the Musée de l’Armée’s display, the drawn-brass case and Berdan primer make more space available for powder.
Above right: In a rod-ejector revolver the only functional reason for the 11.1 70’s slightly wider rim was the existence of large stocks of
ammunition for their 1870 Lefaucheux
Right: The rim recesses
meet in adjacent
chambers, but the navy
cylinder they form a
narrow rim around the edge
of the cylinder
Left: The cylinder reinforcement where it is

weakened by the locking-bolt notches had
more point in the days when cartridges had
a thin brass folded head
trousers, but acceptable in the stocks of the 11mm 70 cartridge,. The Étienne (most illogically a crowned ‘E’
moulded-leather jambon (or leg Navy’s rim recess is wider, leaving only in the proofmark). Army serial numbers
of ham) military holster. a narrow lip around the case-heads. I have a letter prefix (‘F’ to ‘J’ at least,
Late civilian Chamelot- think only rim diameter would prevent probably omitting ‘I’), and numbering
Delvignes mostly copy the 1874, but Army revolvers from accepting the recommences for each. Most small parts
many added a hammer rebounding but Naval cartridge, the reverse always bear all or part of the serial.
not blocked against impact. To achieve being possible. Later, the Navy ran out An anomalous barrel date, especially
the latter, in their civilian designs, of 11mm 70 cartridges, turned to the after the end of production in 1886,
Chamelot and Delvigne themselves standard 1873, dropping the ‘M’ suffix, usually indicates rebarrelling. Two bona
adopted the Galand lockwork which is since it stood for modifiée, not marine. fide anomalies are the Série N serials on
commonplace today. The military revolvers are copiously all Army 1874s, and the Army’s Série
A greater liability was underloading peppered with markings. I know of X, assembled from rejected parts for
of the Army cartridge. The Army’s no definite attribution to military instructional purposes.
11mm 73 velocity, at 426ft/sec, seems units, except the Navy’s anchor on Two neatly stamped cartouches
needlessly puny, since the Navy the buttcap. A production year on on the left barrel flat are military
cartridge, with a case only slightly the barrel is prefixed with ‘S ‘for St. acceptance marks. The first was the
longer, compared well with the very Controller of MAS, most commonly
adequate .44 S&W Russian.
In 1890 the Army, since its revolver
i COLLECTING ‘M’ for Colonel Maignien. Authorities
disagree on whether the second was the
Both of my 1873 revolvers came from the
would not penetrate a cavalry breastplate head of production or the supplier of
USA. There is still no obstacle at either
at any range, introduced an 11mm/90 end to your doing this with a revolver of steel. They are not found on foreign-
version of its cartridge. This claimed pre-1898 manufacture (the US definition contract, civilian or Série X revolvers.
that a lightened bullet, with unchanged of antique), and for import as the weapon Although superseded by the 1892, a
charge, increased velocity enough to is on the Home Office list guns with splendidly engineered new design but
double the energy and penetration in antique or obsolete chambering. for its 8mm jacketed-bullet cartridge,
pinewood. This seems unlikely unless www.naturabuy.fr is a splendid source the 1873 was widely reissued in World
some deficiency in the powder (possibly of revolvers and parts, although it obeys War I. By that time it used mild
the rule that antique firearms sell for
grain size) was corrected at the same smokeless loads, and the German
more in their country of origin. In the UK
time. The 11mm 90 bullet was pointed, www.gunmart.net had an 11mm Model cavalry wore no breastplates. Although
probably reducing its effectiveness in 1873 Chamelot-Delvigne revolver for not intended for front-line troops, it
textile-clad war. sale, in perfect working order, for £895 undoubtedly reached the trenches and
The Navy used only its Lefaucheux at the time of writing. For film buffs, you outperformed the emergency-purchase
revolver and cartridge until 1877. It might also be interested to know that the .32 Spanish automatics.
then adopted its own version of the revolver Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser) It isn’t a bad record for the work of a
wields in the 1999 film, The Mummy, is
Chamelot-Delvigne, stamped M1873M man who must have encountered his
the Chamelot-Delvigne.
on top of the barrel, to use up their first percussion cap as a young adult. ■

DROP ZONE
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collectables and deactivated weapons
Trade and Film/TV work is our
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WW1 and WW2 Lane, Bosham,
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quantity of excess stock.
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LUGER & MAUSER JEMSWORDS

BROOMHANDLE PISTOLS
Fine Quality Antiques Swords For Sale
Website - www.jemswords.com
HOLSTERS, GUNS, CASES & email - jemswords@hotmail.co.uk
ACCCESSORIES
Phone - 07736 777266
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ANTIQIUES
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Q & C
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We Buy, Sell & Part Exchange
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Militaria, Deactivated Guns & Replica Weapons For Re-Enacment, Film
All items of Uniform, Helmets & Headwear, & Theatre Use. Vintage & Collectable Airguns Bought & Sold.
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Medals mounted for wearing
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Accoutrements Supplied
Send S.A.E. for free list www.grahamcurriemilitaria.co.uk
PHOTO FEATURE
The Photo Inspector

Ray Westlake takes a look at a Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant
of King Edward’s Horse
A
t first called the King’s Colonel) George Hamilton. Recruited But the word Colonials was not popular
Colonials, the regiment was from overseas volunteers then resident and it followed that shortly after the
raised as part of the Imperial in the UK, four squadrons were formed: death of Edward VII in 1910, the name
Yeomanry in November 1901 ‘A’ (British Asian), ‘B’ (Canadian), ‘C’ was changed to King Edward’s Horse (The
at the suggestion of Mr (later Lieutenant- (Australasian) and ‘D’ (South African). King’s Oversea Dominions Regiment). ■
Squadrons were identified The slouch hat is of a

by their collar badges. khaki/green colour with
Seen here in brass is a plume of cock feathers
that for the Canadian to the left side. The brass
Squadron, a beaver with cap badge features in its
a maple-leaf background centre a shield bearing
above a scroll inscribed the Royal Arms. Above
‘British American’. this is a three-part scroll
inscribed ‘King Edward’s
Horse’ surmounted by the
Steel shoulder chains Royal Crest. To the left of
bearing the brass shoulder the shield there is a wreath
titles, ‘KEH’, in a straight of laurel on which there
line, over a slightly curved are placed two scrolls,
‘KODR’. one inscribed ‘Canada’,
the other ‘N. Zealand’.
On the right side (an oak
wreath this time) there are
Khaki/green serge, the scrolls inscribed ‘Australia’
collar having two scarlet and ‘S. Africa’. There are
stripes. The cuffs too were three more scrolls: one
decorated with scarlet below the shield bearing
stripes, five vertical, the word ‘India’, another
each terminating with a below that with the letters
regimental button. ‘KODR’. The third at the
base of the whole badge is
inscribed with the motto
As a Regimental Regi adsumas coloni (As
Quartermaster-Sergeant, colonials we stand by the
the subject of the King).
photograph wears rank
badges on his right arm
comprising an eight- A star above crossed rifles
pointed star (top) and four indicating best shot in
inverted chevrons worked squadron.
in silver. Both are placed
on a scarlet cloth backing.
Between the two, and
worn by NCOs, is a smaller
version of the cap badge.
Below the chevrons, and
again on a scarlet ground,
are three five-pointed
stars. Members of the
Territorial Force were
awarded one star for each
group of four years that
they were returned as
efficient.
Sam Browne pattern sword

belt in brown leather.

Contact Dave at VINTAGE FIReWORK
dbgmilitaria@hotmail.co.uk
or 07805 399132 COLLECTOR
www.dbgmilitaria.co.uk DO NOT LIGHT THE BLUE
DBG Militaria would like to offer you original WW1 and TOUCH PAPER AND BURN
WW2 British and German Militaria of all types with some Polish BRITISH HERITAGE.
and Canadian equipment included.
I will also offer for sale military watches from WW1 and WW2 PRIVATE COLLECTOR WILL
and a good selection of military books on equipment and events from PAY CASH AND COLLECT
the Boer war to post war period. FROM ANYWHERE.
Please be aware items are posted daily from DBG Militaria so you can LICENSED EXPLOSIVE STORAGE.
buy today and have your item delivered the next day to a UK address
CALL TONY 07956 506 300
with items that have a postage charge. Always seeking items to buy!
Fortress Militaria
British WW1 Military
Welcome to Fortress Militaria
We offer a wide range of Collectable WW1 and WW2 Axis and Allied
Collectables militaria: Uniforms, Headgear, Field/Personal equipment,
Weapons and military collectables etc.
Check our website for the
In addition you may well find the odd item from an earlier or later period.
uniforms, and equipment of the
All our offerings are of the period described and we offer a money back
British Army & Royal Flying Corps. guarantee. We also operate a layaway plan, see terms for details.
www.tommysmilitaria.com All our items are offered as collectors pieces and the ideas or political
regimes involved are not supported in any way.
phil@tommysmilitaria.com
07913 921880 www.fortressmilitaria.co.uk
MARK AND DAVID HAWKINS
OF
THE LANES ARMOURY

26 MEETINGHOUSE LANE • THE LANES • BRIGHTON • EAST SUSSEX • BN1 1HB • UK
Original British & Commonwealth
TEL: 01273 321357 (INTERNATIONAL TEL: 00 44 1273 321357)
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INVITE YOU TO OUR AMAZING WEBSTORE New Stock Added Daily!
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Probably the best source for original Samurai Swords,
worldwide Antique Swords, Guns, Militaria & Armour in Europe Tel: +44 (0)7411 113584
Family dealers since the Reign of King George V. Also, military book specialists mike@qmsmilitaria.com
To GOOGLE us worldwide, just enter LANES ARMOURY www.qmsmilitaria.com
York Military
Books
Military, Naval,
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bought & sold.
Relevant part or whole
collections always sought
Tel: 01423 360828
Mob: 07717 155619
www.yorkmilitarybooks.co.uk
Limited Edition
Collector’s
Magazine JUST
A 132-page magazine celebrating
the 100th anniversary of the RAF
TH E HI ST
ORY OF
TH
£7.99
E RA F WO
RL D WA R II
and Hurrica
England hadne reinforcements
over Dun only eno lying from WA R II
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By 4 June Blitz
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soon tem
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when he wave of opt ill
deli
Commons vered a speech in imism,
the House
that, “We on 4 June, remind of
mu ing
to this deli st be very careful the British
verance the not to assi
Wars are
not won by attributes of a vict gn
On the 18 evacuation ory.
plainer, sayi June he made mat s.”
called the ng, “What ters even 1
Battle of Fra General Weygand
of Britain nce is ove has
is abo r. he Bat
Hitler had ut to begin.” tle
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he ordered lement with Britainarrive at a
of raids on the Lutwafe to beg and when re
rmarine Spiti
indicate that26 June 1940, his Dirin their cycle re of a Supe
1. Early pictu 2. RAF
settlement, it was done to secu ectives 602 Squadron
1 atached to phed in 1941,
the British rather than an occ re a peaceful MkII, photogra
upa Beauighter nightighter
3.
was initiallyIsles. Consequently, tion of it was the main RAF tanti al
when ing the subs
incapacitate one of attrition, intethe Battle e tower, show ult for the
Chain Hom
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begin pea attack and signi
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identiied the Battle 13 August, altho ugh
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involving tered, relatively ligh isance Number of squad avail RAF on the ks and begin Service ceiling Pilot
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NOW £2.99
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ting in the death
17 July –
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(Shipping) August: Dayligh 2 e Role
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t Kan targets. Betw ked losses showed g 160 aircrew and the RAF the extent of Command, modern sh senior oice
rs insisted schoolchildren
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manufacturion RAF stations and elds and
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DOWNLOAD FROM
Aircraft type
to to destroyck), the main assa erangrif 5 attacks on Coahigh stal Com
est num ber his inclu ce, aban doned attac egic 1. value
Mem mbe Hurricane MkIIighters were slightly more the more expe
rienced Lutw ations of this
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e ds 15 to Augu st. intelligen sing its huge
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of por begin 5) on
chain, not reali 24 August, concentra in Cented ighter pilot the two Briti One major disadvantage the RAF appr new pilots now seeing 19 Lancasters
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manoeuvrable sh ighters sufered from system but with time, it would have been Aircraft lost
on operation:
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7 Septem
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the nui ceable ight e was 1438 but the addi
tion as wellHeas111the but a bet more than range
to Richard Over
y:
tive-g, some German syste were introduced as well,
wealth pilots
afe aircraft France by the
RAF: 680 ight intensiied middle ofhad 300 san servi
ce raid h er bomb andasacco the
efects of nega the fuel-injected Bf 109. ly
Both tion:
with continu ober: he deployed durin Julyonly
the sactual igur available and Common highly experienc airc Czec
edraft load, this rding he Few, the tactical chan
ges proposed Aircraft on opera Mustangs
London and al day and night Blitz begins, g the Batl ers
e of France: and 392 bombers. ships and and producAugu
these raid
st, altho ugh s ed and ame
proved use one-
ful
third
man d were happ en to also poor the Big Wing concept emen ted 30 P51
raids on raids against 5,100 ight thei ed a steady twice those well-train of 1940
ly overc in the Com
ter raid s pilots were fewer.’
not Hurricane were particular -Mallory and
impl 20 Mosquitos,
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the Spitire and Browning .303 machine on operation:
r s. give their Britain on bers. rat. . Mislof
aircceab istic
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anBfight109er by Traford Leighr. Keith Parkes, who Aircraft lost
bombing – 31 October: Lar bomber crew 5 May, in order tes of Brit July
shortfall. he pilots the Germ armed, the eighting inefective against Four Mosquitos
and 2 P51
raid ge under batt to Lutwafe
intelligence in ish loss1940 gave orders this a land
ceme nting grass bor
der by Douglas Badethe battle and Dowding
daylight atta s, mostly on Lon scale night le conditi s the chance to trai space betw es by
ce, Goer ing attac ks obtaining repla strip . This is a ing
guns oten prov trials showing that over in lties
don best bom ons and disc n een Dunkirk believe that now ledligen
intel in Kent and fortunate and version of later, fast Aircraft led 11 Group his
c however, and have Aircrew casua
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COM/RAF100
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www.armourer.co.uk ICONIC
or by calling 01778 392027 AIRCRAFT
Amazing planes from
the
Sopwith Camel to the
Eurofig
SIGNALS
reviewsroundup
Duncan Evans reviews the latest releases in the world of
military history and collecting
On a Knife’s Edge PRIT BUTTAR A Guide to British Army’s

Expert on all things Eastern Front Numbered Infantry
related, Prit Buttar’s latest effort is
subtitled: The Ukraine, November
Regiments of 1751-1881
RAY WESTLAKE
1942 – March 1943. It basically
takes up the story of the war in the First book in a series of British Army
East after Germany’s catastrophic guides, written by regular Armourer
defeat at Stalingrad. It was the job contributor, Ray Westlake. It looks
of Erich von Manstein to thwart at the period from 1751 when
the Red Army – which itself had British infantry abandoned the
suffered huge losses – and rebuild system of using its Colonel’s name
the shattered German forces. in favour of numbered units, and
It all starts with analysing just 1881 when those very numbers
how prepared the German forces fighting. The story goes through all were then discarded in favour of
were for Operation Barbarossa. the operations on the massive front territorial names.
The rapid victories in Western as offensive and counter offensive This large format book goes
Europe papered over cracks in war ground down the troops on both through each numbered regiment collector the images of badges and
materiel production, the quality of sides. Although it’s only part of the in turn, explaining the history, what helmets will be the most useful.
the armour deployed and the lack story, it’s a richly detailed history uniforms were worn, including This is a very detailed and fact-
of reserves. worth reading for any student of coats, caps and badges, as well filled run through the regiments
Buttar is a good writer, so he the Eastern Front. ■ as what battle honours had been that’s worth the price. ■
explains the political manoeuvrings won. To accompany the text are
on both Russian and German • Osprey Publishing paintings/illustrations, some by • Naval Military Press
sides well, mixing in personal diary • ISBN 978-1-4728-2834-7 artists, others taken from John • ISBN 978-1-7833-3473-7
entries from those involved in the • 468 pages • Hardback • £25 Player cigarette cards. For the • 130 pages • Softback • £28
Conquerors Ardennes
of the 1944
Roman YVES BUFFETAUT
Empire: The The latest in the Casemate
Franks Illustrated series turns to the

last great German offensive of
SIMON MACDOWALL the war. Rather than being an
exhaustive account it instead
The latest in a series of books concentrates on key issues
from Simon MacDowall detailing and battles and intersperses
the end of the Roman Empire region. There are plenty of battles this with profiles of leaders stop the German advance. War
and the tribes that took over described but what does get and equipment. All of this is crimes get three mentions, with
moves on to the Franks. The laborious is the author pondering presented on high quality paper. Malmedy of course, as well as the
Franks were a Germanic tribe on the reliability of the sources The emphasis on looking for Belgian civilians and black GIs.
that moved southwest into Gaul used. So, not one for the casual the flaws and mistakes in the American retaliatory atrocities are
and established what became reader but for students of Rome an German side does reveal the given a cursory mention.
modern day France. The first part interesting look at how the Franks deficiencies in the forces they While little here is new it is an
of the book explains the complex filled the power vacuum that Rome deployed, whereas usually it’s entertaining and highly illustrated
situation between the various tribes left behind. ■ the terrain and road network look at the battle. ■
and Rome. that receives more attention. The
The Franks themselves were • Pen & Sword American response though is • Casemate Illustrated
formed by the amalgamation • ISBN 978-1-4738-3742-3 much trumpeted, as Eisenhower • ISBN 978-1-6120-0669-7
of several tribes in the same • 202 pages • Hardback • £19.99 deftly organised army units to • 130 pages • Softback • £19.99 ❯

Books and militaria reviews
German Legion versus Phalanx

MYKE COLE
Armor in On the face of it, this could be
Normandy a turgidly dry chin-stroking look
into ancient warfare tactics but,
YVES BUFFETAUT
thanks the brio of author Myke
Although it’s titled in Cole, it’s anything but. Myke takes
reference to German six battles from the period 280
armour, this is also the BC - 168 BC where the traditional
story of the battle for Phalanx formation faced up to
Normandy, after Overlord the Roman Legion. Each battle
had landed over 350,000 is examined for tactics, arms,
troops on the beaches. It equipment, organisation and
starts with looking at the deployment but what makes it
composition of German come alive is the vivid storytelling
armoured divisions, many and the depiction of the leaders With an excellent
of them from the Waffen-SS, quality paper it makes all on both sides. Then it becomes colour plate section full
hiow they evolved and who the period photos stand out stories about individuals, as well of photos of armour, illustrations,
was in charge. Interspersed and the whole production as how they led their armies and ancient graphics and diagrams
throughout the book are In standard is very good. It’s in this vein, it ceases to be that of troop dispositions you have a
Profile slots where individual a nice look at the German technical tactics study but instead a highly entertaining and yet worthy
armoured pieces are shown armour involved and a series of gripping stories. Also, the look into how and why the Roman
in detailed, coloured great introduction to the author points out elements that are Legion was so effective against
illustrations. Then, it’s on to Normandy campaign. ■ largely accepted as fact thanks to the Phalanx that had previously
the battles as Montgomery detailed reports, and others where dominated the battlefield. ■
pitched British and Canadian • Casemate Illustrated supposition comes into play, but
divisions against the might of • ISBN 978-1-6120-0643-7 he does this with a skill that makes • Osprey Publishing
the Panzers. With excellent • 130 pages • Softback • £19.99 it seem like a discussion between • ISBN 978-1-4728-2842-2
friends, not a lecture. • 292 pages • Hardback • £20
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Heroes of Wreck
Telemark Recovery in
DAVID GREENTREE
Britain Then
One of the Raid series from and Now
Osprey focuses on one of the PETER J MORAN
greatest and most successful
SOE operations of WWII – the This large format, glossy hardback
destruction of Germany’s heavy follows a similar vein as the
water production facilities in Luftwaffe over Ireland book we
Norway. However, it didn’t get reviewed last year, but is a little
off to a promising start, as two with Norwegian agents and more wide-ranging in that it covers recovered, which then includes
gliders of Commandos crashed, used local informers on the all the crash sites in WWII (and stories of what the plane and its
killing numerous occupants, ground to find their way to the between the wars from military crew were doing. Some of these are
injuring others and leading to plant. Of course, they also sank aircraft, whatever the nationality. As fascinating. There are lots of photos
the survivors being captured. The the passenger ferry carrying the it’s from the After the Battle people, of headstones which I don’t think
Gestapo executed one group remaining heavy water destined you get the crash sites as they really add anything to the story but
almost immediately and tried for Germany. were, along with photos of where there are lots of interesting details
to interrogate the second. Of There are maps showing they are now. Unlike most of the throughout about the people who
these, they then shot the injured routes, period photos, dramatic productions from AtB though, this were in those crashed aeroplanes.
and sent the ones left alive to a illustrations and while the copy is quite restrained on the before The design is, as usual, terribly
concentration camp. might seem a little terse in places and after photos, concentrating dated, but the production values
Once they had confirmed – this is only 80 odd pages after on ones where a downed plane are outstanding making the cover
the plan to destroy the plant all, it does convey the danger and hit houses or notable areas. The price, for such a niche subject, an
at Vemork the remaining bravery of those involved. ■ alternative, wreckage in a field absolute bargain. ■
Commandos were also executed. before and a flat field afterwards
Even though the Germans • Osprey Publishing are rightly ignored. • After the Battle
knew they were coming, SOE • ISBN 978-1-4728-2767-8 It’s organised chronologically, • ISBN 978-1-8700-6794-2
launched a second operation, • 82 pages • Softback • £12.99 in terms of when the wreck was • 236 pages • Hardback • £29.99
Operation S.P.Q.R. A History of

Typhoon Ancient Rome MARY BEARD
PHILIPPE NAUD
After the German forces swept

across Russia in Operation
Barbarossa attention turned to
the battle for Moscow. While,
taking the capital wouldn’t have
resulted in Soviet surrender,
it would have been a heavy Another of the Folio society’s – gambling, drinking, feasts and
psychological blow. So, the special edition printings and this festivals. It’s the human touch to the
Germans gathered around time’s it’s Mary Beard’s history grandiose Roman achievements
a million men, 1,700 tanks, of Rome. As well as coming in a that brings the narrative alive.
19,500 artillery pieces and 950 fabulous hardback with printed The history is also about how
aircraft for the offensive. This high quality, glossy paper and cloth cover, running to a whopping Rome grew and what made it
was 75% of the tanks and half packed with photographs, 512 pages, it features five maps and great, rather than what caused it’s
the total men that the Germans illustrations and features on the 46 colour illustrations, especially downfall and end. To this end the
had in Russia at the time, tanks and commanders involved. selected for this edition. The images interspersing of the colour imagers,
showing just how much effort A timeline provides a quick guide cover everything from fortified and the mono illustrations and
went into Operation Typhoon. to the action then text takes you camps to Etruscan jewellery. The photos add relevance to each
Against them were fewer than back to the Eastern Front and the written content covers the military section, rather than be huddled
500,000 Russians, 900 tanks and life and death struggle. Again, this side with the Punic Wars against together in the middle. It’s a
300 aircraft but the Germans is another excellent illustrated Carthage, the Spartacus uprising beautiful book and while it isn’t
had logistical support issues introduction, this time to the war and how the Roman Empire cheap it is worth every penny for
while the Soviets were getting in the east. ■ spread across Europe, arriving in the discerning bookshelf. ■
regular reinforcements and were Britain. However, it also describes
prepared to fight to the death. • Casemate Illustrated what it was like for the ordinary • Folio Society
As with the other Casemate • ISBN 978-1-6120-0671-0 Roman citizen and what they got • www.foliosociety.com
Illustrated titles, it’s printed on • 130 pages • Softback • £19.99 up to when enjoying themselves • 506 pages • Hardback • £65 ❯

Books and militaria reviews
Soviet T-54 With SOE in The Sterling Amiens

JAMES KINNEAR &
STEPHEN SEWELL
Greece Submachine 1918
The development of the T-54,
TOM EVANS
Gun GREGORY BLAXLAND
MATTHEW MOSS
which was as revolutionary as SOE’s work wasn’t just in western Just when you thought there
the T-34 was in WWII, was a Europe as this account of Pat Developed during WWII but couldn’t possibly be any more
joint effort by a number of talent Evans adventures in northern not adopted by the Army until WWI books (and our review shelf is
Soviet technicians, particularly Greece in 1943 makes clear. It’s 1954 as the Sterling Machine full of them) here’s another, dealing
Aleksandrovich Morozov, who written by his son, Tom, which Carbine L2A1, this SMG was with the BEF’s dogged defence at
designed the T-34's transmission. has the advantage of access to the standard weapon for Amiens in the face of the German
This polished book then looks private photos and letters of British forces from Malaya Spring Offensive, then telling the
at the various initial designs for correspondence. Pat reported to the Falkland Islands. The story of the final year as the Allies
the T-54 and some of its spin to the Cairo station of SOE and book covers the technical swept to victory. It concentrates on
offs, while regaling the reader many reports and documents are development and features an the British forces and if you thought
with colour photographs of now filed in the national archives. annotated cutaway display the typeface looked a little, well,
various elements. There’s a nice The problem for Pat was not before spending the rest of its photocopied, it’s because this book
Appendix as well, with lists of just avoiding the murderous pages with stories of how and was originally printed 50 years ago,
model variations, technical data, grasp of SS units roaming Greece, where it was used. There’s also exactly 50 years after the events it
build numbers and an annotated but treading cautiously around a brief bio on the man who writes about.
cutaway illustration. the factions in a civil war in designed it. With plenty of gun There’s a mono plate section in
With high production Greece and separatist forces in photos, period photography the middle of some fairly average
standards, copious photos and the Balkans. of it being used and colour quality photos. It’s well written and
inside details from Soviet sources, The story is interesting, the illustrations of action scenes this a straightforward narrative but it
it’s a great guide to one the Soviet danger was high but text is is a pint-sized, handy guide to has been covered everywhere else
Union’s best tanks. ■ perfunctory, rather than thrilling. ■ the post-WWII weapon. ■ and it’s relatively pricy. ■
• Osprey Publishing • Pen & Sword • Osprey Publishing • Pen & Sword
• ISBN 978-1-4728-3330-3 • ISBN 978-1-5267-2513-4 • ISBN 978-1-4728-2808-8 • ISBN 978-1-5267-3519-5
• 196 pages • Hardback • £25 • 170 pages • Hardback • £19.99 • 82 pages • Softcover • £12.99 • 278 pages • Hardback • £25
Voice of Female
the Code Railway
Breakers Workers
MICHAEL PATERSON SUSAN MAJOR
It starts with a discussion of This deals with the mass
codes in warfare then goes on to recruitment of women into
discuss Bletchley Park, the events traditional male industrial roles,
of 1940, the Battle of the Atlantic, in order to free up men for the
North Africa and Italy, the armed services. In this case it’s
Resistance, Victory in Europe and work on the railways, as porters,
the War in the Pacific. In each is that it makes for a fragmented guards, in the workshops. Susan of air raids and dealing with
chapter are extensive quotes from narrative. Still, a very worthy look introduces each area but let’s the American GIs. A worthy look at
the people who were breaking a code breaking activities. ■ women themselves describe what an under-reported area. ■
the German codes and messages. it was really like to suddenly work
In some regards this makes for a • Greenhill Books in industries where there were no • Pen & Sword
fascinating look into the world of • ISBN 978-1-7843-8313-8 toilets for women, the men there • ISBN 978-1-5267-0308-8
code breakers, but the downside • 290 pages • Paperback • £14.99 swore like troopers, the danger • 190 pages • Hardback • £19.99

MILITARIA & AVIATION FAIR The Hertfordshire
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2019
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at
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james@bromleymilitariafairs.
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■ Laidlaw Auctioneers & Valuers ■ Dix Noonan Webb
■ Gavin Gardiner
Carlisle, Tel: 01228 904905 London, Tel: 020 70161 700
Pulborough, Tel: 01798 875300
enquiries@laidlawauctioneers.co.uk medals@dnw.co.uk
info@gavingardiner.com Gavin Gardiner Limited
www.laidlawauctioneers.co.uk www.dnw.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Auctioneers of Fine Modern and Vintage Sporting Guns, Rifles and Accessories
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■ Baldwins of St James
DEVON London, Tel: +44(0)207 930 7888
■ Greenslade Taylor Hunt info@bsjauctions.com WILTSHIRE
Tiverton, Tel: 01823 332525 www.bsjauctions.com ■ Woolley & Wallis
www.gth.net Salisbury, 01722 341469
■ Morton & Eden
antiques.saleroom@gth.net NedCowell@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
London, Tel: 020 7493 5344
info@mortonandeden.com www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk
ESSEX www.mortonandeden.com
■ Reeman Dansie Auctions YORKSHIRE

Colchester, Tel : 01206 754754 NORTHUMBERLAND ■ Tennants Auctioneers
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www.reemandansie.com Newcastle Upon Tyne,
enquiry@tennants-ltd.co.uk
Tel: 0191 4303000
www.tennants.co.uk
■ Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers info@andersonandgarland.com
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auctions@sworder.co.uk ■ Sheffield Auction Gallery
www.sworder.co.uk SHROPSHIRE Sheffield, Tel: 0114 281 6161
■ Mullocks Specialist Auctioneers & Valuer www.sheffieldauctiongallery.com
GLOUCESTERSHIRE Church Stretton,
■ Dominic Winter Tel: 01694 771771 Mullock’s
Specialist Auctioneers & Valuers ■ David Duggleby Auctioneers
Cirencester, Tel: 01285 860006 auctions@mullocksauctions.co.uk
Scarborough, Tel: 01723 5071111
info@dominicwinter.co.uk www.mullocksauctions.co.uk
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www.dominicwinter.co.uk
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HEREFORDSHIRE ■ Greenslade Taylor Hunt
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■ Brightwells
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Post: Letters Page, The Armourer, Warners Group Publications, West Street, Bourne, Lincs. PE10 9PH
Email: armourer@warnersgroup.co.uk
THE LANCASTRIA happened to it. My father was for that. He said there was a single betrayed by the move.
I was disappointed to find that reluctant to talk about it, I don't soldier with a Bren gun firing Once a year, on the anniversary,
the sinking of the HMT Lancastria think he even told my mother magazine after magazine at the my father would go off to a
did not appear in the December what it was really like at the time. dive bombers, until the ship went reunion in London and come
Armourer, although trailered in the We managed to get little bits down. They could have done with home very quiet and slightly tipsy.
November issue. My father, then of information from him over a Spitfire in the sky then, but they I look forward to the publishing
Corporal Turmeau 7593923 RAOB the years, to put a picture of it were all long gone, leaving the of this story in full, there are a lot
was there at St Nazaire on the 17 together. RAF ground crew behind. In fact of stories to be told. Perhaps it
June 1940. Not many people now, He told me that the bomb went they were all housed in the ship would be more appropriate for
or then, realise that troops were down the funnel and blew the below decks and did not stand a the June edition?
still in France nearly one month middle out of the ship, contrary chance when it went down. They Bill Turmeau, by email
after Dunkirk, as, at the time, to some later reports. He was on say up to 6,000 people were lost
Churchill made the sinking of the deck and then found himself in because the Lancastria was packed Ed says: Thank you for sharing
Lancastria a state secret. the oily, soon to be burning, water so full, including French women your personal recollections.
I remember as a small child being repeatedly machine gunned and children. The article was scheduled for
finding a rusty old Service with tracer by German aircraft, My father was awarded the publication in December but
wristwatch at the bottom of a who were attempting to ignite the ribbon of the France Star, as it unfortunately we ran out of space
drawer, a pity I don't know what fuel oil. He hated the Germans was then, which he wore with in that issue. As The Armourer
pride, only to have the medal content is planned three months
downgraded to the 39-45 Star and in advance it will be another
given to any Tom, Dick or Rupert couple of months before the
who spent two weeks out of the article comes back round for
UK. They all felt angry and slightly publication again.
NAZI ATOMIC PROJECT

I have just collected my
September edition of The
Armourer from the local
newsagent. I read the article
about the Deutsche Reichspost
and the stamps it issued. What
may not be more broadly
known is the role of the
MORE SNOWFLAKES German Post Office in the Nazi
I live on the Isle of Wight and our steam railway was one of the first search for the atomic bomb.
to have a WWII themed weekend. In recent years there has been a Karl Ohnesorge utilised the
determined effort to cut out the German re-enactors. considerable financial resources
There is also a problem with Allo Allo re-enactors too. Apparently flowing through the Post Office
someone complained about the stockings and suspenders on the to fund work on the atomic
person representing the Yvette character. They reckoned it was sexist bomb with a unit set up within
and exploitative. What's wrong with people? the institution. This Post Office always looking for ways to gain
David Grant Cleghorn, by email effort was one of three separate Hitler's favour hence his interest
efforts in the Nazi regime to in the atomic bomb. The main
Ed says: What’s wrong is that for a good 30-40 years post WWII develop the bomb which postal employee/nuclear scientist
we had educators and commentators in the broadsheets criticising was in part why they never actually also became a central
Britain’s military and empirical past. Invariably that has sunk into the made any significant progress figure in the Soviet development
minds of the unthinking parrots in this country. towards developing an atomic of the atomic bomb.
bomb. Karl Ohnesorge was Rohan Goyne, by email

SIGNALS
TANK MATTERS pictured is clearly a Soviet KV-1
Firstly, let me congratulate you on
the new look combined Armourer/
Classic Arms & Militaria magazine.
and the model crew are wearing
Soviet style tank overalls and
associated headgear.
NEXT MONTH
From my perspective it gives a These are just small issues February 2019 issue
good balance of articles from both with an otherwise well produced
of the former separate publications. magazine, but just as you have On sale 2 January
One small comment, I note firearms and uniform specialists
that a number of errors around reading your magazine, we
the descriptions of tanks/AFV's armoured fighting vehicle readers
in recent editions have not been do keep our eyes open for errors.
commented on. For example, Finally, is there any possibility of
in the August 2018 Kursk issue, a future article, similar to the one
page 29 has a picture captioned ‘A on the Swiss Model 1889 rifle in
Panzer IV trapped in a Soviet-dug the November issue, on the French
trench outside Ponyri’ is in fact a Lebel rifle used up to and during
Panzer III. On page 30, a picture World War I?
captioned ‘A dead German soldier Roger Smith, by email
lays next to a destroyed Tiger 1’
when the destroyed vehicle is in Ed says: Thank you for spotting
fact a Panzer IV. those and I agree, the model
In the November 2018 issue, tank on page 33 is definitely a The Battle of Culloden has been mired in nationalistic dogma for years
page 33 of the Nazi War Toy KV-1. As for the Lebel, good news. I but the reality was rather different. It was the House of Stuart versus the
feature, a picture is captioned discussed this with John Walter and House of Hanover in a battle for the throne of Great Britain. Come with
‘Stylised Elastolin model of a a forthcoming Men Behind the Gun us, as we go back in time to April 1746 and the Jacobite uprising that
German tank’ when the vehicle article will be dedicated to this rifle. saw Bonnie Prince Charlie army of Scottish clansmen, supplemented
by French, Irish and English soldiers, face the Hanoverian government
forces on the moor at Culloden. Our cover feature will tell the story
OFFENSIVE WEAPONS BILL of the battle itself while supporting features look at collecting the
I do not know whether you or the laws we already have in place, weapons, uniforms and accoutrements of the forces involved.
your readers are aware of the get more police on the streets and We have two features from WWI for you – firstly the formation of
amendments proposed for the get the judges to actually pass the the Guards Division in 1915 and secondly, the 8th Hussars charge –
Offensive Weapons Bill but if not appropriate sentence. their last mounted charge of WWI that proved surprisingly successful.
please see the Government article Ian Boulter, by email Then it’s time to take a look at the service of women in the Navy
at https://bit.ly/2DqEWii with a feature on the Wrens, while also on a nautical theme Martin
I have read this and there are Ed says: Deactivated weapons Taylor examines the work of the miniature submariners using the
at least four items that will affect are already heavily regulated. X-craft subs. Then, there’s a story from an Allied held port in Italy that
every military collector/dealer. This is little more than political suffered a surprise bombing raid by the depleted Luftwaffe which
These are: Clause NC17, page 21. showboating, without any logical ignited chemical weapons stored aboard one ship. This was covered
The prohibition of bladed product evidence to support it. As this year up for years. Also on the same theme, the sinking of the Lancastria was
display. Clause NC26, page 26. has now seen 250 people killed such a disaster, with huge loss of life, that Churchill kept it a secret to
Offence of buying an antique through stabbings, how many avoid affecting morale at home.
weapon for cash. Clause NC27, of those were carried out with Next, Ed Hallett starts a new series on looking after, repairing and
page 26-27. Compulsory register historical, collectable daggers and refurbishing your militaria while Joshua Bilton brings the little-told story
of transaction in antique firearms. bayonets? Not one I’ll warrant. of the RAF Police to light. On the German side we have a feature on
Clause NC29, page 28. Controls on And who is really going to go to the Zeltbahn 31 and Jamie Cross checks out the Nazi Gau badges – the
deactivated weapons. Please could the effort of making ammunition awards handed out by Hitler to the party faithful. ■
you make all readers aware of this for an obsolete calibre weapon
as if passed it will have a massive that is more likely to blow up in
impact on our hobby/livelihood. your face, or try to re-engineer
I have written to my MP who a deactivated weapon, when it’s
FEBRUARY 2019 ISSUE
responded by saying that he agrees far easier to just buy an illegal ON SALE 2 JANUARY
with the proposals given the need weapon? There is a crime wave in Subscribe to receive the next
to control crime involving offensive the UK, the fault of that lies solely
weapons, but will ask how will this with the government for cutting
issue at www.armourer.co.uk
affect collectors. This amendment Police budgets. The solution to
would be like the authorities saying knife and gun crime is better
that they cannot control diamond resourced education and policing
CORRECTION
In the November issue, on page 76 of my article The Nazareth Raid,
thieves so are banning the sale and – not attacking the hobby of law-
I incorrectly credited the model maker of the 1/36th scale model of
collection of diamonds. abiding collectors. Your options
Trumpeter Stan Carter of the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars to Mark
My own response to the case are to write to your local MP to
Barton, which should have read Tony Barton.
of more knife attacks and gun complain and to think about who
Graham Caldwell, by email
related crimes would be to police you vote for.

Competition
Book competition ENTER

ONLINE
TODAY!
WIN three copies of…

With SOE in Greece
To compliment this month’s cover feature on the activities of the Special Operations Executive,
we have three copies of With SOE in Greece: The Wartime Experiences of Captain Pat Evans for
you to win. Pat was parachuted into German occupied northern Greece to help the resistance
movement but not only had to contend with the Germans but also the feuding parties within
the Greek opposition as well. Initially treated with suspicion Pat had to convince the local forces
that the British were only there to fight the Germans and had no political preferences or
favourites for who would take power when they left.
WORTH Now, thanks to our friends at Pen & Sword, we have three copies to give away. All
the correct answers to the question below will go into a hat. The nine names drawn
£60 out will each win one of the books in this competition, which includes three of With
SOE in Greece. To win one of these books answer the question below and get your
answer in online. ■
WIN three WIN three

copies copies of…
of… The Female
Franks Railways
This fierce Germanic tribe was Workers in
formed by combining smaller
tribes on the Rhine and
World War II
then spread out southwards, If you read the book review or
conquering Gaul and in turn, feature on female railway workers
lending their name to the on page 68 by Susan Major, the
creation of France. The Franks
WORTH
author of this book, then you’ll be
fought against the Romans, as excited to learn that you can also win a copy
their empire waned, filling the
power vacuum. In this book £60 in this month’s competition. The book looks at
how women took on the role of railway workers,
WORTH Simon MacDowall examines
how the Franks fought their battles, the size and
whether that was as porters, guides, in the
workshops and on maintenance duty. These were
£60 composition of their armies and what equipment and
tactics they used.
traditionally men-only roles so the women had to cope with frisky
GIs, swearing and troublesome colleagues, and the lack of facilities
You can win one of three copies of The Franks, thanks for women.
to the generosity of publisher, Pen & Sword. To win a copy Now, thanks to Pen & Sword, we have three copies up for grabs.
all you have to do is answer the question below and enter online. ■ Just answer the question below and enter the competition online. ■
RULES AND
HOW TO ENTER REGULATIONS
We have nine books in total up for grabs, one per winner. QUESTION Entries close at midnight
There are three copies of With SOE in Greece, three copies When was the Special Operations 4 January 2019. One entry
of The Franks and three copies of Female Railway Workers, all Executive created? per person. To enter you
thanks to specialist military book publisher, Pen & Sword. See must answer the question
the full range of military books at www.pen-and-sword.co.uk. ANSWER correctly and entries received
The nine winners will be drawn at random from those with (A) September 1939 after this date will not be
the correct answer and will be randomly allocated one of the (B) July 1940 accepted. Full terms and
prizes. All you have to do is answer the following question and (C) June 1941 conditions can be found at
go to www.armourer.co.uk to enter.

Military Auctioneers and Valuers
2019
Public Auction Dates
6th March 3rd July 6th November
www.bosleys.co.uk Telephone 01628 488188 sales@bosleys.co.uk

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PLUS ALASKA GUARDS • CHURCHILL’S SECRET NAVY • RAILWAY WOMEN

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January 2019 • £4.99 Incorporating Classic Arms & Militaria

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Buccaneer cockpit arrives at Newark

COMMEMORATION since the signing of the Armistice

Watch on ceasefire that effectively ended

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The Spring Sale

In the sale rooms

Rare items at Thomas Del Mar

Orders, decorations and medals at DNW

www.armourer.co.uk // January 2019 15

International arms at Czerny

Guns galore at Marlows

16 January 2019 // www.armourer.co.uk

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Royal Navy Submarine Museum

Curator Alexandra Geary with a firin . Spy on

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Under the hammer

Heavy metal Hermann Historica

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Scott of the Antarctic medal

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