Artwork credit: Edward Jeffrey Irving, 1943.
The 3rd Auckland will be portraying Durham Light Infantry for Sicily events. If interested contact... unit leader: Monty Shaw [email protected] |
Photo Credit: Imperial War Museum. Men of the 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry chat with an American paratrooper of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 82nd Airborne Division.
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Basic Uniform requirements British Brodie MK2 in Green or Sand Colour. KD Shirt KD trousers P-37 Webbing: Belt, pouches, 2x straps, L-straps, small pack, and Water bottle carrier. Web Anklets British Ammo Boot (without toe cap preferred) Rifle: Lee Enfield #1 MK3 |
Example of Kit being worn by a modern reenactor.
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“The Division” = British 50th Northumbrian Infantry Division
“The Brigade” = British 151st Infantry Brigade The Durham’s journey in Sicily began on 10th of July, 1943. Troops landed south of Noto, specifically the Brigade was to land south of Cap Murro Di Porco. Despite terrible weather conditions the bridge landed and advanced. Over the next three days the division would fight pockets of Italian defenders (Italian Coastal Troops and 54th Infantry Division Napoli). On the 13th of July the brigade reached the 51st Scottish Division at Palazzolo. Operation Fustian opened up, a different brigade of the 50th engaged the enemy troops in the area to allow the 151st brigade to redeploy for operations. Moving quickly the Durham’s with the 44th tank regiment traversed some 25 miles into enemy lines. The objective was to relieve British Paratroopers that had the night of July 13th. On the 15th of July, German Paratrooper reinforcements arrived and began to concentrate en mass on the cut off paratroopers when the 9th Battalion and British tanks arrived. The fighting drew the enemy from their prey as the 8th Battalion made contact with the British paratroopers. On the 16th of July, the 8th Battalion and several section of Paratroopers captures the Pimsole Bridge. After fighting in the vineyard ahead of the bridge, the 8th Battalion dug in. On the 17th of July, the rest of the Bridage and reinforcements made a general advance along the river. South of the bridges the brgidage rested. On the 5th of August the Division resumed it’s advance. The 6th and 9th Battalion marched into Catania. The bridage advanced northward, fighting through vineyards, hills, and stone structures until the 17th of August. The division was rested once again. |
Photo Credit: Imperial War Museum, British troops pass bomb damaged buildings in Syracuse. 1943.
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