U.S. Paratroopers ride British tanks in drive to Muenster.

[Adrian]

Another photo addition, this time a British press photo. This one shows an American paratrooper getting a light from a British tank commander. Note the German belt worn by the para.
The press snip on the reverse is as follows:

BRITISH OFFICIAL PHOTO. BU.2738/RN

U.S. PARATROOPERS RIDE BRITISH TANKS IN DRIVE TO MUENSTER.

The Sixth Guards Armoured Brigade
linking up with paratroopers of
the U.S. 17th Airborne Division
on the River Lippe, broke through
German resistance in the Ruhr to
take the town of Dorsten on March
28 1945. This Anglo American
Paratrooper-armour force, in a
series of rapid victories reached
Muenster on April 2nd and the 6th
Guards Armoured Brigade, leading
the advance on the left of the
British section of the front, is
reported to have reached Nordhorn,
17 miles northeast from Enschede.
At one point in their drive the
American Paratrooper leaped from
the British tanks when they were
attacked by heavy fire from the
116 Panzer Division along the
Lippe Canal. Covered by fire from
60 tank guns they took 400 pri-
soners and swam and waded back
across the canal.

(Picture issued: March, 1945)

[ian]

i notice the US parra is wearing a german belt ??? cheers ian OK IM DUMN SHMUCK didnt read the descripstion properly
cheers again ian

[Adrian]

I've also just noticed the Paratrooper appears to be wearing the Stars and Stripes the wrong way round on his sleeve. Can anyone confirm?

[davejb]

Great looking photo but have you noticed that the Para looks like Robert De Niro, the tanker in the middle looks like Hugh Laurie and the Commander looks like Matt Lucas !!!!

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Adrian, it is a nice photo. The arm flag is correct.

Cheers, Ade.

[Adrian]

Hi Adrian, it is a nice photo. The arm flag is correct.

Cheers, Ade.

Thanks Ade, I always thought that on military uniforms the Union should be worn towards the front?

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Adrian, in WW2 this was correct. It has changed since I think?

Cheers, Ade.

[jimpy]

Great photo Adrian, thanks for posting it, but then again I am biased as my late grandfather was a A/CSM in HQ Troop 4th Grenadier Guards, 6th Guards Armoured, ie: this brigade.
The photo shows a tank commander and turret gunner of 4th Btn Coldstream Guards, on a Churchill tank, the other armoured battalion in the brigade at the time was 3rd Scots Guards and they were on Cromwells at the time.
I believe that this photo is one of, quite a large, series involving both 6th Guards and 17th AB, but can I find any more? Can I hell!!

The brigade had a relatively long standing "tie in"with 17th AB, having been involved in lots of actions with them from just after both units arrived on mainland europe in July 1944.

Adrian, do you have a link to the photos? Or can you post anymore of them please?

Regards etc

Ian D

AKA: Jimpy

[ehawk]

Great photo, thanks for posting!

Cheers, Edwin

[Adrian]

Great photo Adrian, thanks for posting it, but then again I am biased as my late grandfather was a A/CSM in HQ Troop 4th Grenadier Guards, 6th Guards Armoured, ie: this brigade.
The photo shows a tank commander and turret gunner of 4th Btn Coldstream Guards, on a Churchill tank, the other armoured battalion in the brigade at the time was 3rd Scots Guards and they were on Cromwells at the time.
I believe that this photo is one of, quite a large, series involving both 6th Guards and 17th AB, but can I find any more? Can I hell!!

The brigade had a relatively long standing "tie in"with 17th AB, having been involved in lots of actions with them from just after both units arrived on mainland europe in July 1944.

Adrian, do you have a link to the photos? Or can you post anymore of them please?

Regards etc

Ian D

AKA: Jimpy

Thanks for the comments Gents.

Ian, thank you for the further information, much appreciated. Unfortunately this was a one off purchase from a newspaper photo archives so I haven't got any others nor have I seen any more for sale, I will however keep my eyes open.