laststandonzombieisland

Some 85 years ago today.

How about these great shots of an Australian-manned Vickers Light Tank Mk VIB in Syria, 11 June 1941, dressed in British Caunter camo, a staple of the Desert Campaigns.

Photo by James Jarche, Australian 6th Division, Cavalry Regiment, IWM E 3154E

Photo by James Jarche, Australian 6th Division, Cavalry Regiment, IWM E 3149E

Created by Colonel John “Blood” Caunter of the 4th Armoured Brigade during its Desert Rats period, the pattern was essentially an arid/desert take on the “dazzle” camouflage created by British artist Norman Wilkinson in 1917 for ships. Caunter-flauge was typically used from July 1940 to October 1941

A13 Cruiser Mk IVA tank being checked over shortly after arrival in Egypt, 1 November 1940. Note ‘Caunter’ camouflage and pith (Foreign Service) helmet on the fender. No. 1 Army Film and Photo Section, Army Film and Photographic Unit IWM (E 1004)

As a sidenote, Somerset-born Caunter was a Sandhurst man who was captured by the Germans near Ypres in 1914, then released himself on his own recognizance, arriving back in England via the Netherlands still clad in his POW uniform before wrapping up his Great War service on the Salonika front.

Finishing his career in the CBI against the Japanese, he later became a noted shark angler in his retirement, which figures.

Brigadier John Alan Lyde Caunter, CBE, MC & Bar, passed away in 1981, aged 91.