Source: Unknown. Photographer:Unknown. This a Wessex Division M5 half-track command vehicle. We do not currently have a half-track, so if you have one and would like to help us fill this important gap, please Contact-Us
43RD (WESSEX) DIVISION GOES INTO ACTION ON THE ROAD TO AUNAY-SUR-ODON
Imperial War Museum (IWM) film attributed to 2 Aug 1944.
43rd Recce were not in action until 5th Aug, but are included in this 2 minute film. Copyright IWM, so opens in a new window on the IWM website.
Between 1:10 and 1:33 we see 3 x Universal Carriers and a Halftrack of 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment. The Halftrack is named ‘BELFREY’ indicating B Squadron.
We know this is one of the 43 Recce Command Vehicles (CV). They are the M5 variant of the US manufactured half-tracks, and were used at Squadron, Regimental HQ and Division levels of command.
A detailed period account of how CVs controlled and supported 43rd Wessex front-line recce movements and the fighting armour, is given in this article – ‘How the Regiment worked – Wireless’
43rd Recce are included in this Imperial War Museum film, from early August 1944, which also shows several other Wessex units. While it’s claimed all footage is from Aug 2 1944, 43rd recce were not in action until Aug 5th, so it’s more likely cut together from several dates around that time.
Photos of command vehicles are relatively rare, so here are some other references that we have.
This is another picture known to be of 43rd recce, with a command half-track in the background. We believe the men in the picture are Unknown(left), Tpr Andy Phillips (center) and Tpr George Barber (right).