Thanks to the scholarship and sharp eye of BRC restorer Massimo Cuschini of Bologna, Italy we have another very interesting new "piece of the puzzle" to consider. And where it put it.
Go to you tube at
https://youtu.be/3ql0-7MCfuM
This is a film put together by Mussolini's people to show how well things were going in Libya...in the opening shot we see a dog's breakfast of Brit vehicles which have been captured and are being worked on (undoubtedly by Ferrari and Maserati mechanics who were unlucky to get drafted!) right in the middle you will see a BRC!..a few frames later a really good close up which makes identification certain.
Now the question is...WHEN and where was this? The earliest published/pictoral confirmation of BRCs in actual battle is in November of 1941 where, Wavell's offensive has made excellent progress. But this picture could easily be earlier. Here the black feathers of the Bersaglieri seem well intact, and morale seems high, not a defeated Army on the run. And, of course, they have had a victory safe enough for film makers.
In Addition we see an MA2 mounted on the Bantam...perhaps the only such combat picture. And, the directional tires have been schnaged out for sand, and this car has seen combat! Look at that bumper and missing headlight!
Somewhere at LUCE there is undoubtedly a film canister lying around with a date on it. Here are some screen shots for those with slow computers (or reflexes)! ( Well, you'll have to go make your own screen shot, I caN't figure out how to make a screenshot small enough on an iPad to post ...sorry) i'll try to post later on a real computer. You need to see the movie anyway.
Italian BRCs
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- G-First Lieutenant
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- Joined: Mon Dec 16, 2002 11:25 am
- Location: Juneau, Alaska/Carmel Valley California
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- G-First Lieutenant
- Posts: 640
- Joined: Mon Dec 16, 2002 11:25 am
- Location: Juneau, Alaska/Carmel Valley California
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Re: Italian BRCs
Picture two
I give up
I give up
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