South Staffords at Oosterbeek

**ALLAN PRICE** · 05-29-2010, 07:44 PM

Hi Guys,
does anyone know if the Staffords were issued with Mk5 stens or the T stock(mk2?) sten at Oosterbeek?
cheers guys,
Al

**jimpy** · 05-29-2010, 07:49 PM

Hi Allan

I was of the understanding that the majority of troops, who had the sten at Market-Garden had the Mk5, but as usual, I will quite happily stand corrected by others more knowledgeable than me.
Regards etc

Ian D
Reg

**Adrian Stevenson** · 05-29-2010, 07:49 PM

Hi Allan, they had the MkV.

Cheers, Ade.

**ALLAN PRICE** · 05-29-2010, 07:57 PM

hi guys,thats exactly what i thought.
seems like someone is bending the truth a little to make up for the fact he didnt have a MK 5 & only a MK 2 in some photo's taken.when questioned he claimed that the Staffords(Handcarts Coy????) were issued MK2's not MK5's.
looking though all my Market-Garden books i couldnt see any Staffords with them there.

**Adrian Stevenson** · 05-30-2010, 10:31 AM

They certainly had MKII's in earlier days, but by Arnhem I am sure that they had been replaced by MKV's.

Have a look at the book "By Air, Land and Sea" which is a history of the 2nd Battl. I can highly recommend it. All Stens in pics at Arnhem/Oosterbeek are MKV's.

Cheers, Ade.

**ALLAN PRICE** · 05-30-2010, 04:46 PM

Hi Ade,
yes,i have the book!a very good read for all things Staffords.i know they were issued mk2's for North Africa,& was certain they didnt have them at Arnhem,but just wanted to double check!

**Adrian Stevenson** · 05-30-2010, 04:52 PM

Hi Allan, glad you have the book

It is possible the odd man might have retained a MKII, we can never say never in this game. But I find it very hard to believe one platoon retained them.

Cheers, Ade.