On This Day…December 3rd.
This is a British Matilda that was captured by the German forces (note the Balkencreuz) and subsequently recaptured by New Zealand troops (3 December 1941) during the battle to open the corridor to Tobruk in Operation ‘Crusader’.
Staying in Africa, this Spitfire Mk IVc of 242 squardron RAF was shot down in Tunisia, near Tebourba, Dec 3rd, 1942.
An American Military Police officer holds two Nazi pilots as prisoners. These pilots were shot down by ground forces during a straffing mission over Eschweiler, Germany on 3rd Dec. ‘44.
US. Marines rest on the road during their continued attempts to withdraw from the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Nov. Dec. 3, 1950.
Following yesterday’s photo of Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown landing his de Havilland ‘Sea’ Vampire, trials continued on landing jet aircraft on carriers. This is a stunning photo of Winkle’s Vampire flying over the HMS Ocean, Dec 3, ‘45.
US Marine Corps M26 Pershing approaches a North Korean SU-76 self-propelled gun, Korea, 3 Dec 1950.
December 3rd, 1941 was also the date that Decima Flottiglia MAS, an Italian commando frogmen unit, carried out the raid on Alexandria using the SLC's, 'Maiale' manned torpedoes (or 'Pig', in reference to its handling).
Released from the sub Scire, 3 SLC's were able to slip into the harbor unnoticed and successfully set limpet mines under two British battleships (HMS Valiant, HMS Queen Elizabeth) and a Norwegian tanker (Sagona). The tanker was written off and the battleships were out of service for some months. The destroyer, HMS Jervis, was also damaged.
After the armistice, in May 1945, the six frogmen were awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor by Rear Admiral Charles Morgan, captain of the Valiant during the raid (!)
3 attached images. Click to enlarge.
Thanks for this, Mon Falcone - I had hoped that when I started this series of posts that some members might add to the thread. I really appreciate this fascinating post, a great addition my friend.
No problem. It's the least I could do seeing that I read your post everyday. Thanks to you.