ill (b/w,col) p.49.non-fictionA descriptive and pictorial history of British tanksarmoured warfare - britain - history, tanks - britain, matilda, crusader

Part of the William (Bill) Thomason collection. Cat No. 4136P.Black and white landscape artist sketch of a British Tank smashing German Defences in WW1. No message on back.Labelled "British Tank in Action - smashing German Defences.collection of william (bill) thomason, artist sketch, ww1, british tank

British Mk1 tank (female)model, ww1, army

Matilda Mk.III - IV British Infantry Tankmodel, ww2, army

British Mk1 tank (male) - made mby the late Dennis Moffattmodel, ww1, army

DVD in caseImperial War Museum the Official Collection - British Tanks at War Five Wartime Films 1941 - 1942ww2

Object is unmarked and no definite purpose has been established. Suggestion is that it is part of the British tank CES and is intended to enable crew to relieve themselves while closed down possible when operating in area subject to nuclear radiation.Stainless steel funnel with lid and rubber bag attached to one end. tank, nuclear

Postcard, WW1, B&W image of a British supply tank near Villers Bretonneux. The word 'SUPPLY' written on side of tank. Several rolls of barbed wire heaped up in left foreground. Copy A39postcard, postcard, ww1, france, tank, villers bretonneux, barbed wire.

Comet was a WW11 British tank. Publication possibly issued to CMF Units in anticipation of receiving Comet tanks in early post war period. Instead Centurion tanks were received, Technical manuals and User Handbooks were essential equipment for Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) tradesmen permanently attached to Armoured Corps regiments as Light Aid Detachments (LAD) or Tech Support Troop (TST) and were responsible for repairs and maintenance of a nature beyond the expertise of AFV crewmen and just short of major rebuilds undertaken by Base Workshop detachments.Part of a collection of workshop manuals and user handbooks relating to equipment on issue to 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles during the latter half of the twentieth century.Cream coloured soft covered manual being Inspection Instructions ( Provisional ) Overhaul Comet Tanks. 88 pages and 6 fold out sheets. Stapled on short edge. Published by British Army September 1948Dyna tape on front cover " 629.28.Bri

This album shows a collection of photographs some of which are labelled as Munster Services Club. Some show the Bookshop at the TOC H building. There are photos of soldiers in parade drills and in training exercises as well as social events. One is labelled D Craven & Rab, Munster 1954. Another is labelled London bus 2 RTR Munster. The 2 RTR was a tank regiment in the British Army and was stationed at the Swinton Barracks in Munster from 1952-1959. There are also a number of loose photos showing local scenes such as London Bridge and Needle Rock at Childers Cove. Others depict floats in a parade showing Peace Woollen Mill. Others are small postcards of MaryBorough and Brisbane Queensland. There is also a photograph of the Nestanglo basketball team, Victorian champions circa 1940’s. This collection of photographs has limited local relevance as there is limited provenance. However it depicts quite well the activities of the RTR and their activities in Munster in the post WW era.Brown and fawn snake skin patterned card cover with fawn cord binding. Photographs written in gold on front cover. Pages are brown card. Photographs are black and white.Munster Services Club.warrnambool, swinton barracks munster, munster services club 1952-1959, 2rtr munster

The Ordnance QF 6-pounder (57mm) 7 cwt was a British anti-tank gun used by both British and Commonwealth forces during World War II. Different versions of the gun were used on tanks, armoured cars and naval vessels. One version - the Molins Gun - was even used on an aircraft. Designed to replace the QF 2-pounder (40mm) it was first used by Australian troops during the El Alamein battles in 1942. The guns were also made in Australia by General Motors Holden who produced 615 of them, delivering the first gun in July 1942. The United States Army also adopted it and called it the 57mm Gun M1. Ammunition was primarily armour-piercing but in March 1944 a high-explosive round was introduced. The shell case shown here would have contained a 2.86kg (6lb 5oz) armour-piercing projectile. Brass Shell CaseOn Base of Cartridge: 6PR 7CWT LOT E.C.C. 236 On central firing disc: No. 15 II 11C 41 115 TH 1- -42 7 1942 F. T

The vessels boiling electrical was used by soldiers of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles when it was equipped with Centurion tanks 1966-71. A boiling vessel fitted to British armoured fighting vehicles that permit the crew to heat water and cook food by drawing power from the vehicle electrical supply. It is often referred to by crewmembers (not entirely in jest) as the most important piece of equipment in a British armoured vehicle. The "Vessel Boiling Electric" or "BV" was an innovation at the very end of World War II, when the Centurion tank was introduced with the device fitted inside the turret. Previously, British tank crews had disembarked when they wanted to "brew-up" (make tea), using a petrol cooker improvised from empty fuel cans[4] called a "Tommy cooker". Use of the BV enabled the crew to stay safely inside the tank and reduced the time taken for breaks. The first version, known as VBE No 1, began to be replaced in the early 1950s by the stainless steel No 2 version. A VBE No 3 had improved electrical sockets and was less prone to leakage. The principal use of the BV is to heat ration pouches or tins; the hot water is then used for making drinks or washing. The BV is cuboid and accommodates four tins; typically matching the crew numbers of an armoured fighting vehicle. Ration tins are supplied without adhesive labels so the surrounding water is not contaminated. A vehicle with a defective BV is declared unfit for purpose. It is common practice for a junior member of a vehicle crew to be unofficially appointed "BV Commander", responsible for making hot drinks for the other soldiers. Example of article which improved efficiency and well-being of tank soldiers.Cilinderical metal vessel with close fitting lid, folding handle and electrical socket on side.military, tank, centurion, meals, boiling

Items relating to the collection re Alexander Norman Cummin No 18, 38th Batt AIF, his brother Harold Nesbit Cummin No 1239 Camel Corp. Refer 2535P (Alexander) 2530.3P (Harold) for their service details. .6) Graves photo. On the left, Sydney Graham Issell. He had 4 years pre war service in Senior cadets and Citizens Forces reaching the rank of Sgt. Enlisted on 8.2.1916 No 912 with the rank of Cpl, C Coy 38th Batt age 21 years 11 months. Embark for England 20.6.1916, promoted L/Sgt, embark for France 22.11.1916, hospital 13.5.1917 (NYD) rejoin unit 19.5.1917, WIA 29.5.1917 GSW chest then restated GSW Back, severe, rejoin unit 12.3.1918, KIA 1.8.1918. On the right, Harold James Fraser. He had 5 years pre war service in the Cadets and Citizens Forces. Enlisted on 27.10.1916 No 2802 6th reinforcements 38th Batt age 22 years. Embark for England 16.12.1916, moves through 10th, 14th Training Batt’s then 66th Batt on 28.4.1917, promoted Sgt and alloted No 2802A, embark for France 25.8.1917 as reinforcement 38th Batt, awarded the Military medal (MM)) 12.10.1917 East of Eypres, KIA 1.8.1918. Both were buried at Vaire Wood near Corbie. .1) 2 Australian soldiers in fatigues with what looks like a cooking apparatus, with letters below DROW EC (stylised). .2) 1/2 length portrait of an Australian soldier. .3) Casual portrait of a soldier sitting in fatigues, probably Sandy. Boots look muddy, scrub in background. .4) Portrait of 2 soldiers (allied) fully armed & wearing helmets. .5) Portrait of a soldier (allied) fully armed & dangerous. .6) Black & white photo of 2 graves with white crosses. Soldiers left cross: No 912 SGT SG ISSELL 38 BN AIF, Soldier right cross: No 2802 SGT HJ FRASER 38 BN AIF. .7) Black & white photo showing 2 Australian soldiers casually dressed in the ruins of an old factory. .8) Black & white mini photo showing building ruins & what appears to be derelict boilers. .9) Black & white mini photo showing what appears to be a WWI German soldier kamerading (surrendering). This is probably posing in captured enemy clothing. 10.) Black & white mini photo showing camels at rest. .11) Black & white mini photo showing a blown up British pattern tank MK1 on sandy terrain. A track has detached & curled up over the front of the tank. .1) verso: “Me & Sandy Port De Nieppe May 1917” .2) verso: “Taken in Liverpool, England while on <> leave Jan 1918. To Mother Father & all at home with love from Sandy”photography-photographs, military history - army, 38th

This photograph depicts the third battle of Ypres (Battle of Passchendaele). Depicted is a trench battlefield that has been turned to mud. Two army tank vehicles have been buried in the mud of the trenches. A single soldier stands in the background surveying the battlefield.After mid-1917, and following mutinies in the over-strained French Army, the British Forces had to assume an even greater role in the war on the Western Front. For Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, the British commander-in-chief, this provided an opportunity to launch an offensive that he had long wanted. Attacking from Ypres in Belgium, he planned to drive the Germans from the surrounding dominant ridges and even hoped to reach the Belgian coast. Following on the success at Messines in June, he unleashed his great attack on 31 July 1917. Fighting went on, often in appalling weather and despite crippling losses, until November. Finally, with the army stuck in muddy fields churned up by the artillery fire, the bloody offensive came to an untidy close. Many would afterwards call this offensive, actually a series of battles, after the name of the village that had become the last objective – 'Passchendaele'. In the Battle off Passchendaele, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Australian Divisions captured Broodseinde Ridge on 4 October 1917. It was a vital victory. But, then it began to rain. Five days later the 2nd Australian Division suffered heavily in a further attack in the mud. Finally, on 12 October, another attack, involving the 3rd Division assisted by the 4th, was made against the village of Passchendaele atop the main ridge. In the face of heavy fire, the men fought in the mire while struggling to keep up with their artillery barrages. Ground was taken but it could not be held. In wretched conditions, with casualties mounting at an appalling rate, the Australians had to fall back. The troops were finally exhausted and could do no more; by 15 November they handed over to the Canadians.Black and white rectangular reproduced photograph printed on mate photographic paperReverse: 6523/ (A copyright and reproduction notice from the Australian War Museum, printed upside-down in blue ink)/military album, burke museum, beechworth, military vehicle, trenches, trench warfare, wwi, world war one, world war 1, ypres, belgium

Taken some time between 1914-18, the photograph depicts an aerial view of Villers-Bretonneux in France, a region which was part of the Western Front during World War I. The image mostly shows rural landscape. The Western Front was the main theatre of war during World War I. Following the outbreak of war in August 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The German advance was halted with the Battle of the Marne. Following the Race to the Sea, both the French-British and German armies dug in along a meandering line of fortified trenches, stretching from the North Sea to the Swiss frontier with France. The First Battle of Villers-Bretonneux occurred between 30 March - 5 April 1918. It took place during Operation Michael, part of the German Spring Offensive on the Western Front. The offensive began against the British Fifth Army and the Third Army on the Somme, and pushed back the British and French reinforcements on the north side of the Somme. The capture of Villers-Bretonneux, close to Amiens, a strategically important road and rail-junction, would have brought the Germans within artillery-range. In late March, troops from the Australian Imperial Force were brought south from Belgium as reinforcements to help shore up the line. In early April, the Germans launched an attack to capture Villers-Bretonneux. After a determined defence by British and Australian troops, the attackers were close to success until a counter-attack by the 9th Australian Infantry Brigade and British troops late in the afternoon of 4 April restored the situation and halted the German advance on Amiens. The Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux occurred between 24 - 27 April 1918, during the German Spring Offensive to the east of Amiens. It is notable for being the first occasion on which tanks fought against each other. A counter-attack by two Australian brigades and a British brigade during the night of 24 April partly surrounded Villers-Bretonneux, and on 25 April, the town was recaptured. On 26 April, the role of the Moroccan division of the French army was crucial in pushing back German units. Australian, British and French troops nearly restored the original front line by 27 April.The record is historically significant due to its connection to World War I. This conflict is integral to Australian culture as it was the single greatest loss of life and the greatest repatriation of casualties in the country's history. Australia’s involvement in the First World War began when the Australian government established the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in August 1914. Immediately, men were recruited to serve the British Empire in the Middle East and on the Western Front. Additionally, the record's significance is enhanced by its depiction of Villers-Bretonneux. The battles that occurred in this town during World War I are especially historically significant to Australia as this is where the Australian Imperial Force had one their greatest World War I victories. An Australian flag still flies over Villers-Bretonneux in the present. Furthermore, a plaque outside the Villers-Bretonneux Town Hall recounts the battles fought to save the town in 1918. Kangaroos feature over the entrance to the Town Hall, and the main street is named Rue de Melbourne. More officially, recognition of the significance of the battle in Villers-Bretonneux is found at the Australian National Memorial, which was built just outside the town. It commemorates all Australians who fought in France and Belgium and includes the names of 10,772 who died in France and have no known grave. Each year, a small ceremony is held at the memorial to mark the sacrifice made by the soldiers. Lastly, the record has strong research potential. This is due to the ongoing public and scholarly interest in war, history, and especially the ANZAC legend, which is commemorated annually on 25 April, known as ANZAC Day.Sepia rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper.Obverse: yAE.2.35. / 125 / 62d.2834.35.36.VA.5. / 12.G.18-11 / F.-(?)" /military album, wwi, world war i, villers-bretonneux, australian imperial force, aif, france, war, army, conflict, germany, 1918, battle

German Luftwaffe (Land Forces) minefield warning flag from WWII.originally intended to be gas markers, rather than mines, but as it turned out, the use changed .they were mounted on a red metal pole & there were 12 to a set in a leather pack. This Flag was presented to the Treasurer of Waverley RSL. It is a souvenir from Bardia in Libya The Battle of Bardia was fought over three days between 3 and 5 January 1941, as part of Operation Compass, the first military operation of the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. It was the first battle of the war in which an Australian Army formation took part, the first to be commanded by an Australian general and the first to be planned by an Australian staff. Major General Iven Mackay's 6th Division assaulted the strongly held Italian fortress of Bardia, Libya, assisted by air support and naval gunfire, and under the cover of an artillery barrage. The 16th Infantry Brigade attacked at dawn from the west, where the defences were known to be weak. Sappers blew gaps in the barbed wire with Bangalore torpedoes and filled in and broke down the sides of the anti-tank ditch with picks and shovels. This allowed the infantry and 23 Matilda II tanks of the 7th Royal Tank Regiment to enter the fortress and capture all their objectives, along with 8,000 prisoners. In the second phase of the operation, the 17th Infantry Brigade exploited the breach made in the perimeter, and pressed south as far as a secondary line of defences known as the Switch Line. On the second day, the 16th Infantry Brigade captured the township of Bardia, cutting the fortress in two. Thousands of prisoners were taken, and the Italian garrison now held out only in the northern and southernmost parts of the fortress. On the third day, the 19th Infantry Brigade advanced south from Bardia, supported by artillery and the Matilda tanks, now reduced in number to just six. Its advance allowed the 17th Infantry Brigade to make progress as well, and the two brigades reduced the southern sector of the fortress. Meanwhile, the Italian garrisons in the north surrendered to the 16th Infantry Brigade and the Support Group of the British 7th Armoured Division outside the fortress. In all, some 36,000 Italian prisoners were taken. The victory at Bardia enabled the Allied forces to continue the advance into Libya and ultimately capture almost all of Cyrenaica. In turn this would lead to German intervention in the fighting in North Africa, changing the nature of the war in that theatre. Bardia boosted the competence and reputation of the Australian Army. Perhaps most important of all, it raised confidence in the possibility of an ultimate Allied victory around the world, which would lead to the Lend-Lease Act being passed in the United States http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_BardiaCloth Flag bearing a skull and cross Bones on a metal spike mounted on a square varnished wooden basebardia, land mine, marker flag, minefield, mustard gas

This is a single sheet of newsprint, when folded makes four pages. It is marked pages 5,6, 11 & 12, It has photos in B & W. The front page (5) is in colour, it is of British Gallantry medals. At the bottom of front page are 3 enhanced B & W photos - aeroplanes, tanks & ships. The last page has a coloured map of the British Isles, with a bit of the North Sea and a bit of France.ww2, british empire

.1) Possibly a ships boarding pass on return from Japan at wars end..2) 3 Pagodas was a place on the Burma Railway. Items belonged to Alfred Robert Maskell VX25221, 4th Anti Tank Regt 2nd AIF. Refer 2485 for medals and service history also 1076, 1100.2, 2489P. .1) Card, printed in black with hand written details on one side, rear is lined. The card details name, rank, sex, civilian, physical condition, name of ship embarked on, billet No. .2) Pamphlet, "The Bridge on the River Kwai, history of the Death Railway". Front has a drawing of the bridge, rear has depiction of the "3 Pagodas", 12 pages."Maskell Alfred R, Gunner AIF VX25221 British-M-Australia"identification, burma railway, ww2

T & C Clark & Company Limited, based at Shakespeare Foundry, was founded in 1795 by Thomas and Charles Clark and grew to be one of the largest iron foundries in Wolverhampton. The firm was the pioneers of Enamelled Cast ironware and the founder Charles Clerk went on to became mayor of Wolverhampton in 1860 after also serving as a Councilor, Alderman, and later Chief Magistrate. The company exhibited many products at the International Exhibition of 1862 at South Kensington, alongside the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society. The company was also awarded the silver medal for its products at the International Paris Exhibition in 1878. The company's product range included thousands of items, both domestic and industrial. T & C Clark pioneered the use of enamelled cast ironware, after taking out a patent in 1839 guaranteed to be free of lead or arsenic. In the late 1940s and 1950s the company produced acid-resisting enamelled cast iron boiling pans; steam-jacketed pans; stills; square and rectangular tanks; open and closed mixing vessels; flanged pipes; bends and tees; laboratory equipment; small scale plant; evaporating bowls; beakers; sulphonates; and glass-lined mild steel tanks for beer, mineral water, and food. The company is listed as enamelled chemical plant manufacturers in Kelly's 1962 Wolverhampton Directory, but within a few years, the company had ceased trading. The cooking pot is significant because it demonstrates one of the social norms founded by early settlers to this region. That close ties to "Mother England" and the "establishment" was still very strong. The social and family values from the British way of life was ingrained in colonial society until well past Australian Federation in July of 1900. It was not until the friendly "American soldier" invasion during World War II that the Empire mindset was slowly being eroded away. This change was the slowest in semi remote rural areas such as the Warrnambool district. Cast iron open fire cooking pot with lidCLARK & Co. PATENT", Below this a six star triangle with the letter "C" in the middleflagstaff hill museum, cooking appliance, camp fire pot, cast iron, t & c clark & co, drovers cooking pot

Model ship was presented to the Melbourne Maritime Museum by the British Phosphate Commissioners. Built as Tri-Ellis (1958-74), Tryphena (1974-78), Man Tat (1978-80), 1980 broken up. DWT 13,756 SPEED 14 KNOTS.AT 112RPM. BOILERS LARKSON TRIMBLETUBE. FUEL CONSUMPTION 7 TPD. GENERATORS W.H.ALLEN - 4CYL.2SA290/470. 480B.H.P.320L.W.-220V 333RPM DAILY CONS - 1.5 TONS. EMERGENCY GEN R & H. 40 K.N. -220V. REFRIGERATING MACH: J & G HALL LTD. SUPERSTRUCTURE: FORECASTLE 62'..2 DECKS RIVETED AND WELDED. CARGO BATTONS NOT FITTED. 9 BULKHEADS. RISE OF FLOOR 6".WATER BALLAST 3,296 TONS INCLUDING TUNNEL TANKS 1,341 TONS. 'TWEEN- DECKS FORWARD 274 TONS. REFRIGERATED CARGO INSTALLATION - 6 HOLDS - 55.2',52',54',59.5',43' ,53'. GRAIN CAPACITY :621,640 CU. FT. BALE CAPACITY : 573,810 CU. FT. INSULATED CAPACITY : 5,050 CU.FT. 6 STEEL HATCHWAYS (27',30',30'* 30') (30'* 27.75') (27', 24' * 28' ). 12 WINCHES...DERRICKS 1 (25), 2 (10), 10 (5). MACHINERY: OIL 2SA 7CY.C20 * 1400MM EXHAUST 470MM. 6500 BHP. FUEL BUNKERS: 2135 TONS HIGH VISCOCITY FUEL. The main engine was an opposed piston type Harland & Wolff 6-620/ 1870 6 for the number of cylinders.. 620 for the cylinder bore and 1870 for the combined strokes of the main exhaust pistons in each cylinder. This engine was based no a Burmeister and Wain design but H & W gave these engines their own type designation. Sailed on board its maiden voyage to Australia via Casablanca Morocco where she collected her first load of phosphate. We sailed to Geelong via the Suez canal and the Port of Aden (Yemen) and Freemantle. The first load of phosphate was unloaded at Corio Bay (geelong) Formerly part of the collection of Melbourne shipping company, Howard Smith Ltd. Ship builder's model of the cargo ship Tri-Ellis IMO 5368196 - Body of moulded polyurethane painted in red, black and grey, the deck painted in red, with detailed fittings, machinery, rigging and superstructure, raised on a wooden base. Original ship built Clyde 1958, 11,761 gross tonnes, 531.5' x 68' x 31' (162.0 x 20.73 x 9.45m)plaque at foot of model "MV TRI ELLIS/ LENGTH B.P. 486'-3"- BREADTH MLD 68'0" - DEPTH MLD 40'6"/ TONNAGE GROSS 11,760/ Built by HARLAND & WOLFF LTD/ For BRITISH PHOSPHATE COMMISSIONERS" On model "TRI-ELLIS" painted black

Tank Battles El Alamein to the Volga, D-Day, Battle of Britain, The Great War, Dunkirk, Great Sea Battles of WW2, History of WW2, Battleships at War10 DVDs in cases - contained in a cardboard box/sleeve10 DVD BOX SET - THE WARE FILES FEARURING - OVER 10 HOURS OF WAR DOCUMENTARIESww2, ww1

T. & C. Clark & Company Limited, based at Shakespeare Foundry, was founded in 1795 by Thomas and Charles Clark and grew to be one of the largest iron foundries in Wolverhampton. The firm was the pioneers of Enameled Cast ironware and the founder Charles Clerk went on to became mayor of Wolverhampton in 1860 after also serving as a Councillor, Alderman, and later Chief Magistrate. The company exhibited many products at the International Exhibition of 1862 at South Kensington, alongside the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society. The company was also awarded the silver medal for its products at the International Paris Exhibition in 1878. The company's product range included thousands of items, both domestic and industrial. T & C Clark pioneered the use of enameled cast ironware, after taking out a patent in 1839 guaranteed to be free of lead or arsenic. In the late 1940s and 1950s the company produced acid-resisting enameled cast iron boiling pans; steam-jacketed pans; stills; square and rectangular tanks; open and closed mixing vessels; flanged pipes; bends and tees; laboratory equipment; small scale plant; evaporating bowls; beakers; sulphonates; and glass-lined mild steel tanks for beer, mineral water, and food. The company is listed as enameled chemical plant manufacturers in Kelly's 1962 Wolverhampton Directory, but within a few years, the company had ceased trading.An item that was made by a British foundry that was a pioneer and innervated many new processes in the manufacture of enamel ware, producing many items for every day use.Glue pot with inner pot, metal, corroded, both pots have handles."T & C CLARK & Co Ltd, ENGLAND, 55279 RD" and "FIRST QUALITY No. 4/0"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, t& c clarke, cast iron, foundry, sanitary ware, ironware

non-fictionThe comprehensive history of the 6th Australian Division Cavalry Commandos – a (now out of print) reprint of one of the rarer Armoured unit history books. This is the story of one of Australia’s most famous fighting regiments during World War II. As an armoured cavalry unit it fought the Italians and Germans in the sands of the African desert and the Vichy French in the mountains of Syria. Later as a dismounted commando unit it fought the Japanese in the terrifying jungles of New Guinea. The heroism of the men in its ranks and the actions in which they engaged are portrayed in a way which makes battle deeds leap realistically from the pages. “To The Green Fields Beyond” is a documented and detailed book which is of value to everyone who is interested in Australia’s story. Seldom before has such a contribution been made to record of our national history. The book has been approved and sponsored by the Australian War Memorial. The 6th Division Cavalry Regiment was formed in November 1939 and, just two months later, was sent overseas to the Middle East in January 1940. Arriving in Egypt, the regiment immediately went to Palestine, where it joined the rest of the 6th Division and trained using machine-gun carriers and, from October, six old Vickers light tanks. At the end of the year the regiment moved into the Western Desert, where it joined British forces ready for the major offensive to commence on 9 December. Two days later the regiment became the first unit of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force (AIF) to go into action when one of its squadron fought a sharp action against the Italians holding Garn el Grein and Fort Maddalina on 11 and 12 December. By 21 December British forces had captured Sidi Barrrani and the desert was now open for the 6th Division’s advance along the Libyan coast. On 3 January 1941 the division attacked and captured the Italian fort of Bardia. The regiment’s A Squadron, under the command of Major Denzil Macarthur-Onslow, who went on to command the 4th Armoured Brigade, supported the attack. Tobruk was the next Italian fort to be captured, with the regiment again in support and covering the 19th Brigade’s advance. The regiment, though, was under-equipped and without its full compliment of vehicles, using only machine gun carriers. To compensate for this, A Squadron was parity re-equipped with captured Italian light tanks, which had large kangaroos painted on the hulls and turrets to distinguish them from enemy vehicles. After Tobruk, the regiment was used as part of the advance guard in the capture of Derna and then Benghazi. In April the unit moved to Helwan, where it was equipped with Vickers light tanks and machine-gun carriers, and operated with British troops in capturing Sollum. Towards the end of May the regiment moved to Palestine, where it came under the command of the 7th Division for the imminent invasion of Syria. The regiment experienced its heaviest fighting during the Syrian campaign, which began on 7 June. A Squadron was attached to the 21st Brigade and advanced along the coast, where the rugged hills made it difficult to manoeuvre the tanks and carriers. The squadron was relieved by one of the 9th Division Cavalry Regiment’s squadrons on 13 and 14 June. C Squadron, meanwhile, was with the 25th Brigade, and advanced along the Rosh Pinna road, engaging strong enemy defences at Fort Khirbe. C Squadron was relieved by B Squadron, which was later attacked by Vichy French tanks that were supported by heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, which forced the Australians to withdrawal. Always willing or needing to improvise during the campaign, A and B Squadrons both operated three captured French R35 Renault light tanks, while C Squadron provided personnel for a horse troop, quickly nicknamed the “Kelly Gang”, to patrol the high, rugged hills near the Mardjayoun–Banis Road. The regiment remained in Syria as part of the occupation force and returned to Australia in March 1942. It was sent to the Adelaide River, in the Northern Territory, and then later to Murgon, in Queensland. In 1943 and 1944 divisional cavalry regiments were reorganised into cavalry (commando) regiments. In January 1944 the 6th Division Cavalry Regiment became the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment. The regiment lost its vehicles and became the administrative headquarters for the 2/7th, 2/9th, and 2/10th Commando Squadrons. The regiment remained with the 6th Division and participated in the Aitpae–Wewak campaign, in New Guinea, during 1945. Includes Nominal Rollww2, australian commandos, australian special forces, world war 2

A greyish coloured cover with a blue stripe down the left hand side. Also on the left hand side you can see two screws holding the manual togheher. There is black writing on the front of the cover with the title and other information.british armed forces - service manuals, tanks - centurion

A cream coloured handbook. On the bottom left hand side is slightly damaged. The writing on the manual is in black inlbritish armed forces - service manuals, tanks - centurion