XXX Corps group
 

I would be interested to know if anyone can shed light on the gents in this photo? Any ideas on who this group would be?

From the formation sign, they are evidently XXX Corps men. The officer wearing a peaked cap and the gent standing behind/to the left of him look like Intelligence Corps from their cap badges. The gent on the left hand side looks like Royal Tank Regiment, from beret and cap badge.

The gent in spectacles at the back, the gent with BD tunic open and the two gents kneeling are a bit more of a mystery - are they French Army, or something else? They have what look like stripes for rank on epaulettes; distinctive headgear; and one has small badge on BD pocket. At least one also clearly wearing XXX Corps patch.

Seems to be an unusual mix of gents and would interested to learn more.

The only information written on the back is "April 1945" written on the back.

Any insights appreciated!

XXX Corps
 

Very interesting. I agree with your second sentence - if you own the image would you consider loaning it to the Int Corps to feature in the Rose and Laurel. It may be possible to get an identification of the officer in the SD cap. I think that the non-British looking gents may be Belgian, Dutch or even Czech - either interpreters or members of a locally recruited transport unit attached to XXX Corps. I'm sure a Forum member from continental Europe will be able to identify their uniforms - the caps are very distinctive. Mike

Hi Mike

Are you involved with the Int Corps 'Rose & Laurel'? Would you have contact details you can PM me?

Any chance bottom right is US 29th Infantry Division?

Details of "The Rose and the Laurel" may be obtained from:
The Intelligence Corps Association, Membership Secretary
Headquarters Directorate Intelligence Corps
Chicksands
Shefford
Bedfordshire
SG17 5PR

Email:Dint-ICAMemberSec@mod.uk

I'm sure that the Membership Secretary will be able to steer you in the right direction.

Mike Jackson

Herewith close-ups, in case it helps...

in JPG

Could they be German interpreters? Their caps look German.

Rgds, Thomas

Thanks - very useful. Mike

I am quite sure that they are not German. Their field caps and badges would then be a bit different. At least one of the gents appears to have North Africa/Italy medal ribbon, like some of the British gents in the group. Also, the small badge on pocket looks similar to the French practice.

[Kneeling] The one on the right is American isnt he? The one on the left has an italian look to his FFScap?