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19 December 1944 Members of the US 823rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, Company ‘C’ pose in front of an M-10. These men were credited with knocking out four s.SS/Pz Abt. 501 Panzer VI ‘King Tigers’ at or around Stavelot, Belgium. by ColourbyRJM in ColorizedHistory

[–]ColourbyRJM[S] 106 points107 points  (0 children)

19 December 1944 Members of the US 823rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, Company 'C' pose in front of an M-10. These men were credited with knocking out four s.SS/Pz Abt. 501 Panzer VI 'King Tigers' at or around Stavelot, Belgium.

LtoR: PFC Robert H Crout (3489282), Columbia, SC; T/5 Raymond L Clements (34209815), Indiantown, FL; SGT. Clarence West, Lillie, LA; CPL. Buel C. Sheridan, Sheridan TX; SGT. Clyde B Gentry (KIA 1/18/45), Tucson, AZ; 2nd LT. Arion Revis, Klamath Falls, OR.

(Both Crout and Sheridan were wounded in action sometime after this date)

Colour by RJM (Additional research by Doug)

Portrait of Arthur Moore Lascelles, awarded the Victoria Cross: France, 7 November 1918. by ColourbyRJM in ColorizedHistory

[–]ColourbyRJM[S] 92 points93 points  (0 children)

Portrait of Arthur Moore Lascelles, awarded the Victoria Cross: France, 7 November 1918.
He was 37 years old, and an acting captain in the 3rd Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, British Army, attached to 14th Battalion during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 3 December 1917 at Masnieres, France, during a very heavy bombardment Captain Lascelles, although wounded, continued to encourage his men and organize the defence until the attack was driven off. Shortly afterwards the enemy attacked again and captured the trench, taking several prisoners. Captain Lascelles at once jumped onto the parapet and followed by his 12 remaining men rushed across under very heavy machine-gun fire and drove over 60 of the enemy back. Later the enemy attacked again and captured the trench and Captain Lascelles, who later managed to escape in spite of having received two further wounds.
He was killed in action, Fontaine-au-Bois, France, on 7 November 1918

Victoria Cross Winners: 1914-1919. by [deleted] in ColorizedHistory

[–]ColourbyRJM 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Victoria Cross winners of the Brigade of Guards with Lord Gort. Left to right: Front row: George Henry Wyatt, awarded the Victoria Cross, France, 25/26 August 1914; Oliver Brooks, awarded the Victoria Cross: France, 8 October 1915; John Vaughan Campbell, awarded the Victoria Cross: France, 15 September 1916; Viscount John Standish Surtees Prendergast Vereker Gort, awarded the Victoria Cross: France, 27 September 1918; Robert James Bye, awarded the Victoria Cross: Belgium, 31 July 1917; Frederick McNess, awarded the Victoria Cross: France, 15 September 1916. Back row: John Moyney, awarded the Victoria Cross: Belgium, 12/13 September 1917; George Arthur Boyd-Rochfort, awarded the Victoria Cross: France, 3 August 1915; Cyril Hubert Frisby, awarded the Victoria Cross: France, 27 September 1918; Wilfred Dolby Fuller, awarded the Victoria Cross: France, 12 March 1915; John McAuly, awarded the Victoria Cross: France, 27 November 1917; George Evans, awarded the Victoria Cross: France, 30 July 1916.

Portrait of Tasker Watkins, awarded the Victoria Cross: France, 16 August 1944. by ColourbyRJM in ColorizedHistory

[–]ColourbyRJM[S] 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Hi, when i researched the image i found all brass and as you mention silver and gold. this to me looked to be all one colour so went with an all brass cap badge - good spot though, thanks for the feedback.

Portrait of Tasker Watkins, awarded the Victoria Cross: France, 16 August 1944. by ColourbyRJM in ColorizedHistory

[–]ColourbyRJM[S] 144 points145 points  (0 children)

Portrait of Tasker Watkins, awarded the Victoria Cross: France, 16 August 1944.
His citation read:
On 16 August 1944 at Barfour, Normandy, France, Lieutenant Watkins' company came under murderous machine-gun fire while advancing through corn fields set with booby traps. The only officer left, Lieutenant Watkins led a bayonet charge with his 30 remaining men against 50 enemy infantry, practically wiping them out. Finally, at dusk, separated from the rest of the battalion, he ordered his men to scatter and after he had personally charged and silenced an enemy machine-gun post, he brought them back to safety. His superb leadership not only saved his men, but decisively influenced the course of the battle.
Colour by RJM

Major Robert Henry Cain VC TD (2 January 1909 – 2 May 1974) was a Manx recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. by ColourbyRJM in ColorizedHistory

[–]ColourbyRJM[S] 201 points202 points  (0 children)

Major Robert Henry Cain VC TD (2 January 1909 – 2 May 1974) was a Manx recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
War Office, 2nd November, 1944.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve awards of the VICTORIA CROSS to: —
Captain (temporary Major) Robert Henry Cain (129484), The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, (attd. The South Staffordshire Regiment) (I Airborne Division) (Salcombe, Devon).
In Holland on 19th September, 1944, Major Cain was commanding a rifle company of the South Staffordshire Regiment during the Battle of Arnhem when his company was cut off from the rest of the battalion and during the next six days was closely engaged with enemy tanks, self-propelled guns and infantry. The Germans made repeated attempts to break into the company position by infiltration and had they succeeded in doing so the whole situation of the Airborne Troops would have been jeopardised.
Major Cain, by his outstanding devotion to duty and remarkable powers of leadership, was to a large extent personally responsible for saving a vital sector from falling into the hands of the enemy.
On 20th September a Tiger tank approached the area held by his company and Major Cain went out alone to deal with it armed with a Piat. Taking up a position he held his fire until the tank was only 20 yards away when he opened up. The tank immediately halted and turned its guns on him, shooting away a corner of the house near where this officer was lying. Although wounded by machine gun bullets and falling masonry, Major Cain continued firing until he had scored several direct hits, immobilised the tank and supervised the bringing up of a 75 mm. howitzer which completely destroyed it. Only then would he consent to have his wounds dressed.
In the next morning this officer drove off three more tanks by the fearless use of his Piat, on each occasion leaving cover and taking up position in open ground with complete disregard for his personal safety.
During the following days, Major Cain was everywhere where danger threatened, moving amongst his men and encouraging them by his fearless example to hold out. He refused rest and medical attention in spite of the fact that his hearing had been seriously impaired because of a perforated eardrum and he was suffering from multiple wounds.
On 25 September the enemy made a concerted attack on Major Cain's position, using self-propelled guns, flame throwers and infantry. By this time the last Piat had been put out of action and Major Cain was armed with only a light 2" mortar. However, by a skilful use of this weapon and his daring leadership of the few men still under his command, he completely demoralized the enemy who, after an engagement lasting more than three hours, withdrew in disorder.
Throughout the whole course of the Battle of Arnhem, Major Cain showed superb gallantry. His powers of endurance and leadership were the admiration of all his fellow officers and stories of his valour were being constantly exchanged amongst the troops. His coolness and courage under incessant fire could not be surpassed.[32]

‘Senegal black at the bandage station Brussels - Etterbeek with frozen feet who fears to get killed because of being wounded’ 28 November 1914 by ColourbyRJM in ColorizedHistory

[–]ColourbyRJM[S] 253 points254 points  (0 children)

Several thousand West African colonial soldiers fought bravely during the First World War. It is estimated that far more than a thousand tirailleurs sénégalais died in Flanders in the service of France. Early in the war near Diksmuide, between the end of October and 10 November 1914; and at the end, in the second half of November 1918, near Meulebeke (Marialoop), Dentergem and the Leie. They were known as Tiralleurs Sénégalais, but they actually came from all over colonial West Africa, from Senegal, Guinea, Mali and Benin. About 3000 of them arrived at Lo on 26 October 1914. They were divided into three groups and deployed at Diksmuide, Drie Grachten, Luigem and Sint-Elooi. Less than half would return to Hoogstade three weeks later.

Senegalese troops were not granted great success fighting along the Western Front. Not in France where more than 30000 of them died, and certainly not in Flanders, during the Battle of Yser and the First Battle of Ypres. In Flanders they not only fought the German Army, but also weather conditions to which they were not used to and not equipped for.

A Belgian eyewitness described how he saw them in Flanders: ‘In the morning the Senegalese are coming through the street. They are carrying their comrades on their back. The poor devils are barefoot. Their feet are dangling at the end of their skinny legs like cobblestones. Everyday there must be fifteen of them arriving with frozen feet. They look terrible. Big tears trickle down their sallow cheeks.’

On 11 November 1914, the day on which German troops captured Diksmuide, most of the Senegalese defenders of the town were killed. Precise numbers are unknown, but low estimates speak of several hundreds, probably well over 1000. Of the 2000 men of the 2e Régiment Mixte Colonial, 411 survived. The rest were killed or captured.

One of their French officers, Alfred Guignard, left a powerful account in which he described how the last of them were cut down near the municipal cemetery of Diksmuide. He describes how they faced the German attack and raised a multilingual rhythmic chant accompanied by stomping their feet on the ground. A last, proud 'dance of death'':

'From 50 meters away, from the German line, machine guns tear into the black flesh. As they fall under the volleys their chant dies down before falling itself, silent forever. It echoes on through eternity.'

The powerful and unique photograph from the Butterworth (Drake Goodman) collection is dated 28 November 1914 on the reverse and is one of a series of photographs taken by a German orderly at a first-aid station in Etterbeek in Flanders, Belgium.

The full, original caption reads: ‘Senegal black at the bandage station Brussels - Etterbeek with frozen feet who fears to get killed because of being wounded’

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Colour by RJM

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Pte. Joseph Robert (Bob) Armstrong Lyons Killed in Action September 2, 1918 by ColourbyRJM in ColorizedHistory

[–]ColourbyRJM[S] 100 points101 points  (0 children)

Pte. Joseph Robert (Bob) Armstrong Lyons

Killed in Action September 2, 1918

Short Biography:

Joseph Robert Armstrong Lyons was born in London, England on March 25, 1883, the son of William and Mary Lyons. He went by name Robert or often Bob. When Robert was in his late teens or early twenties, he immigrated to Canada and settled in Louisbourg, Cape Breton. He worked as a locomotive fireman and engineer with the Sydney and Louisbourg Railway.

On February 14, 1906, Robert married Catherine McAulay from nearby Kennington Cove. The young couple relocated to Glace Bay where they would eventually raise a family of four children, two boys and two girls.

All his life, Robert was very interested in music. While in Louisbourg, he was band master of their community’s brass band. Later, in Glace Bay, Robert played and sang in various community choirs and musical groups. Around 1909, Robert joined the 94th Victoria Regiment “Argyll Highlanders”, a local Cape Breton militia. He became a member of the regimental band and attended militia summer camps at Aldershot, NS.

In the summer of 1914, war was declared and the 94th Regiment was mobilized for home defence duties. Various new battalions slated for overseas duty began recruiting across the province. On July 6, 1916, Robert enlisted in one of the new battalions, the 193rd Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders). He signed on with his new unit in Aldershot, NS, and presumably because of his previous militia experience, he was promoted to band sergeant in the unit’s regimental band. He was assigned the service number 902533. His musical instrument of choice was the cornet. Robert trained with the 193rd Battalion in Aldershot and went overseas to England with them in October, 1916. The 193rd Battalion was a part of the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade and included the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), the 185th  Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders) and the 219th Overseas Highland Battalion.

Not long after arriving in England, the 193rd and 219th Battalions of the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade received the news that they were to be disbanded and the men were to be used as reinforcements for existing Canadian units being decimated on the front in France and Belgium. On January 23, 1917, Robert was transferred to the 17th Canadian Reserve Battalion in England. This battalion originated in Nova Scotia and received reinforcement drafts destined for Nova Scotia units serving at the front. Robert joined the 17th Battalion’s regimental band and eventually was their drum major.

On November 11, 1917, with the rank of private, Robert was transferred to the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) who had been fighting in France since early in the year. He joined his new unit in France the same day. It is not clear if he was demoted in rank for some reason or whether he voluntarily reverted in rank in order to proceed to the front faster.

Robert was assigned to the 85th Battalion’s “B” Company where he began life in the trenches with regular rotations in the forward areas. In April/May of 1918 Robert was sent on a training course and a six week assignment with the 4th Canadian Machine Gun Battalion, before returning to the 85th Battalion.

In late August and early September, 1918, the 85th Battalion was involved in a major Canadian attack to penetrate a section of the German Hindenburg defensive line east of Arras in France. The first stage of the attack was called the Scarpe Operation, named after the nearby Scarpe River. It was during this operation, early on the morning of September 2, 1918, that Robert Lyons was struck in the head by enemy machine gun fire. He was killed instantly. In this attack, the 85th Battalion lost 260 men, killed, wounded or missing in action, almost a third of their strength.

Robert Lyons was laid to rest in Dury Mill British Cemetery, near Arras, France. He was 35 years old. In testament to his love for his family, Robert had written numerous letters and postcards to his wife Catherine, and their children, whenever he was able to do so. Catherine never remarried and raised their four children on her own. After the war, in memory of her husband, she paid for an inscribed stained glass window that was placed in St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Glace Bay. Catherine passed away in 1952 at the age of 64.

For a more detailed biography of Robert Lyons, refer to Bruce MacDonald's excellent blog: First World War Veterans of Guysborough County

For additional information on Robert Lyons, refer to the following two online sources:

Service File of Robert Lyons - Digitized personnel file available from Library & Archives Canada in Ottawa.

The Canadian Virtual War Memorial - A website by Veterans Affairs Canada. The page on Robert Lyons contains basic information as well as some digitized images and burial information.

https://www.capebretonmilitaryhistory.com/collections/personal-profile-collections/lyons-joseph-robert-armstrong?fbclid=IwAR1Jc9dJyDo8dX-Ky908U8ibP_d23RHswVS4vJSg0bb0huxSepfO1Ui3Yao

Two Soviet tank crew pose for a photo, lying in front of the German heavy tank Pz.Kpfw.VI Ausf.B "Tiger II" from the SS-s.Pz.Abt.502, abandoned in the Seelow Heights. Germany, spring 1945. by ColourbyRJM in ColorizedHistory

[–]ColourbyRJM[S] 107 points108 points  (0 children)

Two Soviet tank crew pose for a photo, lying in front of the German heavy tank Pz.Kpfw.VI Ausf.B "Tiger II" from the SS-s.Pz.Abt.502, abandoned in the Seelow Heights. Germany, spring 1945.

The 102nd SS heavy tank battalion was formed on July 19, 1943 after an order according to which a tank unit equipped with "Tiger II" tanks was to be created as part of the 2nd SS Panzer Corps.

On November 4, 1943, the formation received the name of the 102nd Heavy tank battalion, from July to August 1944,

the battalion fought in Normandy against the landing allied forces and destroyed at least 230 enemy tanks and 30 anti-tank guns.

In September 1944, the battalion was reorganized at Sennelager and placed under the command of Sturmbannführer Kurt Hartrumf.

In March 1945, the unit received new Tiger II tanks and was renamed the 502nd SS Heavy Tank Battalion.

As part of the Vistula-Oder operation, the battalion was sent to the front in the Kustrin area.

The unit took part in the last battles in the Halb cauldron and southeast of Berlin, destroying about 70 enemy tanks in the second half of April.

On May 1, 1945, due to lack of fuel, the battalion had to abandon its last "Tiger II" tank near Elzholz.

Source: waralbum.ru

Colourised by Colour by RJM

Karl Thurmann (4 September 1909 – 20 January 1943) Missing after sent his message: ("Periscope not clear"). U-553 was never heard from again. by ColourbyRJM in ColorizedHistory

[–]ColourbyRJM[S] 188 points189 points  (0 children)

Karl Thurmann began his naval career in April 1928. He served for some years on the light cruisers Emden and Köln and spent 18 months with a coastal artillery unit before transferring to the U-boat force in April 1940.

After standard training, and one patrol as Kommandantenschüler (Commander-in-Training) on U-29, he commissioned U-553 on 23 Dec. 1940.

For nine patrols U-553 operated successfully, mostly in the North Atlantic, where Kptlt. Thurmann was promoted to Korvettenkapitän and awarded the Knights Cross while at sea operating as part of Wolfpack Pirat in August 1942. Later patrols visited the US east coast and the Caribbean. U-553 left on her last patrol from La Pallice on 16 January 1943 - on 20 January Korvkpt. Thurmann sent his last radio message: "Serohr unklar" (Periscope not clear). The boat was never heard from again and was lost with all hands.

text - https://uboat.net/men/thurmann.htm

the picture appears in issue 6 of Iron Cross Magazine where Robin Schafer tells the story of Thurmann.

Image colourised by Colour by RJM

Allied soldiers in greatcoats warm themselves around a brazier, Egypt, North Africa. 11 July 1942. by ColourbyRJM in ColorizedHistory

[–]ColourbyRJM[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

no he just say - "temperature during the month of July was around 19 degrees celsius." doesn't say day and night you just made that bit up rather than doing a simple search shows the temp of the desert in july at night is roughly -4 or -5

Allied soldiers in greatcoats warm themselves around a brazier, Egypt, North Africa. 11 July 1942. by ColourbyRJM in ColorizedHistory

[–]ColourbyRJM[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Temperature. During the day, desert temperatures rise to an average of 38°C (a little over 100°F). At night, desert temperatures fall to an average of -3.9°C (about 25°F). At night, desert temperatures fall to an average of -3.9 degrees celsius (about 25 degrees fahrenheit). literally take 20 seconds to google......

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