'Night leaguer. Artificial moonlight', 1944

Photograph by Major Wilfred Herbert James Sale, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), World War Two, North West Europe, 1944.

A Sherman tank is silhouetted by searchlights during the regiment's advance through northern France.

The term 'leaguer' derives from the Afrikaans word, 'laager'. The Boers in South Africa used it to describe the temporary defensive positions set up using their large ox wagons during trekking. The term was common amongst British armoured units which used a similar tactic to protect themselves during temporary stops.

From an album containing 210 photographs compiled by Major Wilfred Herbert James Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), 1944.