WW1 Military Motors - 1916 set x 50 cards

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Ambulances ( RA Registration Codes ) and drivers of the VAD Ambulance Unit at Etaples lined up, photo again dated 27th June, 1917.

LF

IWMQ2441 This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Does anyone have any details on this photograph of a 13 pdr. Anti-Aircraft Gun mounted on a Thornycroft lorry, the photograph is full of details of the gun and the lorry, including the ammunition locker, the Lee Enfield rifles stowed on the tailboard, the crew manning the gun and other soldiers in the general area of the gun, and the destroyed building behind the gun.

Was it a staged photograph, or an actual AA Unit in action ? Also, when and where was the photo taken ?

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Rockdoc]

That is a wonderful photo of a British AA gun-lorry. You can see how the platform set-up is different to other Army lorries. The base of the high-angle mount is attached directly to the chassis members so the floor has to be at the same height to give a safe working area but slots are necessary to allow the back wheels to move on their springs. Some photos show a deep, metal mudguard for use when moving and a very shallow one for when the lorry is ready for action. This doesn't have the shallow mudguards and I'd guess that the box-like structure by the wheel is the mudguard for travelling.

This was taken in the later stages of the War because the buffer has a reservoir.

I'm certain that the gun is not in use against an enemy aircraft. There are too few men on the platform and one looks to be an officer, something that simply would not happen, the highest rank of a detachment being a serjeant. This and the large number of men standing around makes me think this is a training exercise and the men on the platform are being taught the use of the large handwheels for traverse and elevation. The detachment had to know that one rotation was a given movement so that the man could make adjustments immediately, without needing to look at the indicator.

I don't know whether I've mentioned this before in the thread but a detachment was made up of 11 men, 9 from the RA and two from the ASC - the driver and his mate. The No 1 - the serjeant - stood where he could see and hear the officers and passed the orders to the others, acknowledging receipt of each order by saluting. Nos 2 to 6 were on the platform, aiming, operating the handwheels and working the breech. No 7 was also on the platform and received the shells from Nos 8 to 10 who prepared them. No 11's job was to ensure the lorry was stable, keeping tabs on the jacks and scotches.

Keith

[Lancashire Fusilier]

slots are necessary to allow the back wheels to move on their springs. Some photos show a deep, metal mudguard for use when moving and a very shallow one for when the lorry is ready for action. This doesn't have the shallow mudguards and I'd guess that the box-like structure by the wheel is the mudguard for travelling.

I don't know whether I've mentioned this before in the thread but a detachment was made up of 11 men, 9 from the RA and two from the ASC - the driver and his mate. The No 1 - the serjeant - stood where he could see and hear the officers and passed the orders to the others, acknowledging receipt of each order by saluting. Nos 2 to 6 were on the platform, aiming, operating the handwheels and working the breech. No 7 was also on the platform and received the shells from Nos 8 to 10 who prepared them. No 11's job was to ensure the lorry was stable, keeping tabs on the jacks and scotches.

Keith

Keith,

Many thanks for the interesting details, particularly the slots allowing the wheels to move on their springs, yet giving the crew a good working area around the gun.

Also, thanks for the details on the composition of the gun's detachment.

Regards,

LF

[patrick Eggs]

Hello

You may like to see the Thornycroft AA gun in action ,if so go to

(Thorncroft J type &Qf -13 -pdr anti aircraft gun -You jube )

worth a look

Crimson Rambler

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Use of the 2 wheeled stretcher carriage - Battle of Bazentin Ridge 14th - 17th July, 1916. The photograph shows a Lieutenant in the Intelligence Corps, questioning a German prisoner being carried on a two wheeled stretcher carriage.

The Officer is wearing the ' INTELLIGENCE ' armband, and also shown is a ' S.B. ' Stretcher Bearer's armband being worn by the soldier on the right, who is also wearing the Stretcher Bearer's harness.

The photograph, was taken near Contalmaison.

LF

IWMQ805. This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A wounded crew member from the British Mark IV Male Tank ' Ernest ' being removed from the tank, and placed in a Military Ambulance, which looks to be a Model T Ford. The photograph, also shows excellent detail of the the tank's Sponson with the shortened barrel of the tank's main armament the 6 pounder 6 cwt QF Gun.

LF

IWMQ3548. This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Royal Engineer Despatch Riders awaiting orders, are assembled on the beach following the Gallipoli landings. Note the ' Douglas 348 cc ' motorcycles and also the array of uniform headgear being worn.

LF

IWMQ13401. This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Rockdoc]

I'll bet they needed a lot of maintenance with all that sand!

Keith

[patrick Eggs]

I like your post of despatch riders , a nice large group and as in the next post , in the hard conditions they would require a lot of attention .

I have had for many years a small motor cycle tool box about 9''X 6''X 4'' not very large ,but would have been clipped to a motor cycle carrier.

I think it must date from the 1920's but it is military and about 98% complete a good tool kit roll piston rings magneto parts etc . I have just taken these pictures, you may able to read the contents label on the inside of the lid.

Crimson Rambler

[Rockdoc]

Quite apart from your suspected date, this has to be kit for a side-valve bike. You can swap valves relatively easily on this type of engine and changing piston rings is not all that difficult, even at the side of the road, so the Army clung to this type long after it was obsolete just for for its ease of maintenance. After WW2,Triumph we're not allowed to supply their well-respected 5T ohv twin and we're forced to make the TRW side-valve twin instead. In WW2, far move sv bikes were bought than the more powerful ohv designs available.

Keith

[patrick Eggs]

Thanks Keith, that is an interesting point about the TRW model , never released to the normal sales market the odd one appears on the second hand maket, I saw one the other month 1964 registered, a WD release.

Yes I agree side vavles are much easier to fix. thanks for your comments.

Patrick

Edited 12 December , 2013 by crimson rambler

[Lancashire Fusilier]

I have had for many years a small motor cycle tool box about 9''X 6''X 4'' not very large ,but would have been clipped to a motor cycle carrier.

A very nice set, and unusual to see it so complete, as usually, many of the tools or bits are missing from the set.

In some of the Despatch Rider photos, a small box, such as your's, can been seen attached to the back of the motorcycle.

Thanks for posting it.

Regards,

LF

[Lancashire Fusilier]

In previous posts, we had seen the large French inland canal barges being used both as ambulance and hospital barges, with the excellent network provided by the inland canal system allowing wounded troops to be removed from close to the front line and evacuated relatively easily to the nearest hospital.

For those same logistical reasons, the inland canal system and the canal barges were also used as troop transports allowing large numbers of troops to be brought up to the front on a single barge, rather than having to use a convoy on vehicles along often damaged or dangerous roads. The barges, as with other military transports, were operated by the Army Service Corps.

Note the very large tiller used to steer the barge, operated by the ASC man standing aft.

LF

IWMQ3221. This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

An Army Fire Brigade Unit attracts the attention of the local arabs in Baghdad as they test the equipment on their ex London Fire Brigade fire engine, also note the soldiers wearing the old style Fireman's waterproof leggings and carrying Fireman's Axes.

LF

IWMQ24542. This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The Mobile Canteen, which was brought over from England, although not a ' Military Vehicle ' as such, it was nevertheless an important mobile component of a soldier's life at the Front.

This photo shows a Mobile Canteen in the town of Auchonvillers, and is dated in November 1916. Auchonvillers was an important staging point for the attack on Beaumont Hamel, and this Mobile Canteen gave troops access to much needed hot tea and other refreshments, including sardines and Bovril, as detailed on the wagon's canopy.

LF

IWMQ4545. This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[johnboy]

A wounded crew member from the British tank ' Ernest ' being removed from the tank, and placed in a Military Ambulance, which looks to be a Model T Ford, there is also good detail shown of the tank's Sponson.

LF

IWMQ3548. This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

I wonder if this was a posed photo? Everything seems so clean. Focus is sharp,and contrast almost perfect.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

I wonder if this was a posed photo? Everything seems so clean. Focus is sharp,and contrast almost perfect.

That particular photo was taken by an Official War Photographer, Lt. Ernest Brooks, and being a professional photographer before the war and also an official ' Royal Family ' photographer, Lt. Brooks knew exactly how to take an excellent photograph and he was well known for his clear sharp detailed images, and also for getting in amongst the action. He spent much of the war in and around the Front Line, often in the trenches with the men, and many of his photographs depicted daily life at the Front. Photographing a wounded tank crew member being placed in an ambulance, was just the sort of photo he seemed to like taking, plus being his name was Ernest, I am sure he took a particular interest in the Tank named ' Ernest ' and Ernest's crew. Based on the many examples of the action photos taken by Lt. Brooks, that would not have been a posed photograph.

For more about Official War Photographer, Lt. Ernest Brooks, including his photograph, see posts # 893 and 894.

As a comparison, attached is another excellent photo taken by Lt. Ernest Brooks of Queen Mary inspecting a Mark IV Male Tank, and again, his photo is extremely clear, sharp, expertly taken and packed with crisp detail, you can see every feature of the tank's design and every rivet in the tank's construction, it is as though the viewer is standing with the Royal party next to the tank.

In the photo, we can see clear details of the Mark IV's Sponson showing the barrel of a 6 pounder, 6 cwt Quick Firing Gun, one gun was mounted on each side of the tank, which was the tank's main armament, and for which the tank carried 332 rounds. Also shown is the barrel of a .303 Lewis Gun, which was the tank's secondary armament and was one of the three Lewis Gun's mounted on the tank.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

This photograph shows a Mark IV Male Tank ( as seen in the previous post ) with its crew, along with probably the crew from another tank not seen in the photograph.

The Mark IV had the highest production numbers for a WW1 British tank, with some 1220 being built, of which 420 were ' Male ' tanks, being those armed with both the 2 x 6 pounder 6 cwt QF guns with the shortened barrel ( one in each side Sponson ) and 3 x .303 Lewis machine guns ( one mounted at the front of the tank and one in each side Sponson ), and 595 ' Female ' tanks, being those armed with just 5 x .303 Lewis Guns ( two machine guns in each side Sponson with one machine gun mounted at the front of the tank ), with 205 unarmed Mark IV tanks being used as ' Supply ' tanks.

On later versions of the Mark V Tank, the Lewis machine guns was replaced by the Hotchkiss machine guns.

The Mark IV Tank first saw service in June 1917 at the Battle of Messines when 60 or so Mark IV tanks were used to support the infantry attack. That number of tanks being compared with the 460 Mark IV Tanks used against the Germans at the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917.

In April 1918, Mark IVs were used in a tank-to-tank battle against the German A7Vs in the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux.

The Mark IV Tank's design is attributed to Major W.G. Wilson, and had the following specifications :-

Weight - Male 29 tons - Female 27 tons. Length 26 feet. Width - Male 13.5 feet. Armour - 0.25 to 0.47 inches. Engine - Daimler-Foster 6 cylinder, 16 litre, 105 bhp. Transmission - 2 forward, 1 reverse. Fuel Capacity - 70 gallons. Range - 35 miles. Speed - 4 mph. Crew - 8.

The Mark IV Tanks were built by 6 main manufacturers - The Metropolitan Amalgamated Railway Carriage and Wagon Company Ltd.' Metropolitan ' of Birmingham - Fosters of Lincoln - Armstrong Whitworth of Newcastle - Coventry Ordnance Works - William Beardmore of Glasgow - Mirlees Watson at their Stockport, Cheshire factory, with the largest batch ( 400 tanks ) being built by Metropolitan.

LF

IWMQ3292. This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Scalyback]

I have now turned into a rivet counter

More great stuff for me to look at. Cheers.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

I have now turned into a rivet counter

I read somewhere, that there were estimated to be between 1300 to 1500 rivets in the Mark IV tank's body ???

LF

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The 4th hand-coloured photograph from the ' Dennis ' 1913 Motor Fire Engine Catalogue -

Great Eastern Railway - Loco Dept - Fire Engine No.1

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Battle of the Somme 1st July to 18th November, 1916. An ASC troop transport moving British troops to forward positions along the Amiens - Albert Road sometime in September, 1916.

LF

IWMQ1347. This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Scalyback]

Heard on the jungle drums. Airfix "oldbill" may be re released next year.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Heard on the jungle drums. Airfix "oldbill" may be re released next year.

One of many, many anniversary commemoratives I am sure.