IrishGunner

Domestic politics. Operations "code names" are intended to influence public opinion. The US has an election on 2 Nov. The White House is tip-toeing around something that they are reluctant to "own" - you name it, you own it. Of course, the Pentagon denies this is the reason; Google will result in many recent press articles on the topic.

Politics. That's all I'll say about that...

That's a great miniature bar! What are the other two medals?

Welcome, Kevin. I believe you are referring to the British 11th Armoured Division, whose sign was a "charging bull" - "Taurus Pursuant" tactical sign on the right as you are looking at the Sherman tank: From the UK MoD website: The 11th Armoured Division, whose sign was a "Taurus Pursuant" or "Charging Bull", was raised in March 1941 by Major General Percy Hobart and consisted of 29th Armoured and 159th Infantry Brigade. Under command of Major General 'Pip' Roberts, the division landed in Normandy on 13th June 1944 and saw action throughout the campaign, including Operation EPSOM, spearheading Operation GOODWOOD and the fighting around the Falaise Pocket. It liberated Antwerp on 4th September 1944 and was involved in Operation MARKET GARDEN and the fighting to contain the German Ardennes offensive. It crossed the Rhine on 28th March 1945 and was involved in fighting until the end of the war, liberating Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in mid-April 1945 en route. The division was dissolved at the end of January 1946 and briefly reformed from 1950 to 1956. During the 1944-1945 campaign it suffered 1,820 killed, more than 8,000 wounded and a 300% turnover of its tanks. My guess is that you will find a lot of info if you Google "11th Armoured Division"

You are correct; looks like ribbon. Thanks for the scan.

The lower one looks like "crossed cannons" - any chance for a larger image? I would think he would be an 1870/71 vet...

I stand very corrected. Glad I was wrong in this case... Great answer GHB!

Glad you picked up the tunic; it's very nice.

Bottom row, second from right: Are those veteran organization badges?

What is the badge in Post #3? Perhaps that is a clue.

Great that you found it! I should've thought beret badge, but I was looking for something older.

It has an Italian look to me... The flames of the torch look very much like the flaming bomb on some Italian badges. I haven't found the badge, but it is similar to these Italian badges and wings: "Badge, Strategic Reconnaissance, Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica)" Italian Pilot Wings 1923-35 Italian Pilot Wings 1935-43

See this thread: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/63898-haka-time-come-and-gone/?hl=haka

Dave, your comments regarding fires "preplanned in great detail" and the lack of adequate communication with the advancing infantry to adjust the plan as necessary are very interesting. I need to think about this and do some more reading, but the thought that in WWI that there were different arms...operating independently but in parallel, vice truly combined arms operations (which many of us late 20th Century "warriors" almost take for granted) is worthy of further discussion. While technology, particularly in communications, was not advanced, I still think it innovative thinking could have overcome the technical inadequacies. The fact that Monty fell into old habits of "unimaginative tactical plans" perhaps answers my original question .Monty certainly was a product of his previous experience. Perhaps this is why he and Patton seemed such opposites. Innovations in warfare are not only technological, they are also how commanders utilize the assets at hand. You can have the greatest weapon at hand, but if the commander doesn't understand how to employ it... It's useless.

You say that like "farming in Ireland" is a bad thing...

Even that is rather common in many circles...

Maybe I'm missing something, but I see nothing "dubious" here... A great story about a soldier who served with honor in a difficult theater. This really could be the greatest period of "untold stories" for the British Army.

Peter, thanks for jumping in... I'm out of my league here, but it is a question that has been coming back to me over the last few days. I offer two words: Cambrai and tanks. How about this: "One respected commentator, a former junior officer, said that "Cambrai was a highly speculative gamble which I find inexplicable, so out of character is it with the rest of Haig's career, not because it was inventive but because it was haphazard, not thought through" and that it was a "harum-scarum affair, ill-planned and feebly directed, yet in military history it stands as the most significant battle of the First World War". [Charles Carrington, Soldier from the wars returning (London: Hutchinson & Co, 1965), pp.205-6]" So, if it was haphazard, yet significant... Would Montgomery's more deliberate approach made Cambrai even more significant?

That's why I said, "Take from it what you will..." since it did seem to confuse the issue. I doubt you'll find an authoritative answer.

I offer this link, but I think it will instead confuse the issue... Since if you follow it's logic, your HLP item was produced in Nov 1944, which we know can't be true. So... Take from it what you will. http://www.ebay.com/gds/Intrepreting-Dates-of-DA-DSA-DLA-SPO-Contract-Numbers-/10000000010153791/g.html

Any Monty experts here? The thread over in Military Art with Monty's bust made me have a fleeting thought... What would the British effort on the Western Front had been like if Monty had been in command instead of Haig? Any thoughts anyone?

Here is a Distinctive Unit Insignia that has me a bit confused... It has the look of a Field Artillery unit, but the motto "On The Minute" goes to the 37th Field Artillery and it's crest is.... So, maybe Engineer unit? Anyone recognize the clock tower crest?

As Mervyn wrote, if there are any markings that could be a big help. French 75mm, German 7.7cm, or something else... Difficult to say without finding the exact same shell in a photo somewhere... Here's the best info I can provide. Doesn't give any conclusive identification, but does provide some information. http://www.passioncompassion1418.com/decouvertes/english_fusees_munitions.html

What a fantastic idea for the poppies!

Yes; that photo certainly lends credibility to the uniform. Like I said, I am not a British uniform expert. More research yields evidence that points to your original conclusion. A Battery Quartermaster Sergeant rank insignia: This matches your photo; the man in the photo is a BQMS. But your uniform also has the rosette on each sleeve; so, this must be part of the rank also. So... Here is the rank for a Regimental or Brigade Quartermaster Sergeant: I am now reversing all the nonsense I posted earlier. I think your uniform is of a T-RFA Brigade Quartermaster Sergeant. There were only a few T-RFA London brigades; so, your uniform should be scarce. Here is the link for the above rank insignia. A good lesson in British Army quartermaster ranks! One of our best topics in awhile.