WW2 original Pocket Notes on Identification of German Units July 1940 - Stamped 51st Training Regiment ( Light Tanks ) R.A.C. Orderly 19th September 1940

A fascinating little booklet published at the time our of darkest hour and when invasion was feared as imminent. Stapled card cover, giving pertinent information on how to spot Jerry! 7 pages with great details especially on German vehicle markings and even the German Identity disk. Which as one would expect was far superior and practical than our own issue!

There were a number of training battalions of the Royal Armoured Corps training battalions located in rural / moorland areas of the North East of England during WW2. The 51st Regiment was based in the Barnard Castle Area. The BBC URL below contains the reminiscences of one such recruit:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/58/a1993458.shtml

… (we) were told to report to the 51st Training Regt. At Staindrop Camp, Barnard Castle, Yorkshire and we would be joining the Royal Armoured Corps, this was the one section of the Army I was hoping to get in...
‘Arriving at the 51st RAC Training Camp we were issued with new uniforms, badges etc., before being formed into our respective troops and barrack rooms and given instructions for the following day. Reveille would be at 6.30 a.m. and breakfast at 7.00 – 7.30 a.m. after which it was on parade for PT on the tank park which was just across the road from the main entrance. This would last for about three-quarters of an hour after which it was a shower and a chance into denim overalls for the day’s instructions which would consist of engine maintenance. The classrooms were superb with cut away engines from the little Austin Seven to a Rolls Royce and the instructors were first class. Every other day we would go out in either a Hillman or Austin pick up each with a crew of two, one driving whilst the other would be in touch with HQ at Staindrop, who would give us map instructions as to where our next point of call would be, thus we got driving, map reading and wireless communication all in one. At lunch time we would change over so that we all got the same chance on the subjects and in doing so went all over Yorkshire returning to camp late afternoon. We would then get a wash and scrub up before going to the mess for tea, after which it could be Guard Duty or evening off at the NAAFI.’

Of County Durham interest.

D22.1

Sold to Ray

Code: 58730