A nice and orginal press released early war time black and white photograph dispicting members of the 52nd Oxf and Bucks

This is a good example of a early war time so called press released black and white photograph released by the phograph division of the Ministry of Information. Dispicting members of the 52nd Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry during a training with Hotspur gliders. In the early years of the war, they formed part of the 31st Independant Infantry Brigade, undertaking Home and Coastal Defence roles in Wales, East Anglia, London and Kent. At this stage in the war, the British Airborne Forces consisted of just the 1st Parachute Brigade. In September 1941 however, the War Office decided that a Brigade of glider infantry should be raised to compliment them. The 31st Infantry Brigade was selected for this task and accordingly, on 10 October 1941, it was renamed the 1st Airlanding Brigade. In addition to the 2nd Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, this experimental formation consisted of a further three battalions; the 1st Battalion, Border Regiment, 1st Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles, and 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. The transformation to an Airborne Battalion saw the 2nd Ox and Bucks remain in England and start training for the planned invasion of North West Europe the following year as part of the redesignated 6th Airlanding Brigade of 6th Airborne Division. Elements of the Battalion (D Coy and parts of B Coy) formed a Coup de Main force, tasked with an attack on the bridges over the River Orne and adjacent Canal in Normandy (subsequently known as the attack on Pegasus Bridge). This photograph, printed on a semi gloss paper is measured 25.3cm by 20.0cm and still retains its original (machine-typed) press information page glued to back. Except from two small cracks and a few pin holes on its edges this photo is in a good condition.

Code: 51800