A troop of Sherman tanks of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), bogged down during the attack on Santa Maria, Italy, 1943

Photograph by Major Wilfred Herbert James Sale, MC, 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), World War Two, Italy, 1943.

The unit war diary for 1943 records the advance on the village of Santa Maria in Abruzzo on 29 November, 'The most awkward part of the attack was crossing a boggy field where 5 out of 12 attacking tanks were stuck'. As well as the difficult terrain the Sharpshooters had to contend with mines, snipers, mortars and anti-tank guns. The unit lost one officer killed in action and eight men wounded in action on that day.

From an album containing 242 photographs compiled by Major W H J Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).