A platoon commander (with binoculars) prepares to give the order to attack, Ortona, December 1943.
LIEUT. FREDERICK G. WHITCOMBE, LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA—PA136332
Advertisement
The Wavemaker
June 13, 2026
A platoon commander (with binoculars) prepares to give the order to attack, Ortona, December 1943.
LIEUT. FREDERICK G. WHITCOMBE, LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA—PA136332
Advertisement
Free e-book
An informative primer on Canada’s crucial role in the Normandy landing, June 6, 1944.
Does any one know who is on Bren Gun
Hi Allan. Thanks for your comment/question. The photo, which was taken by Frederick G. Whitcombe on Dec. 10, 1943, at San Leonardo di Ortona, Italy, is part of the Library and Archives Canada collection (PA 136332). The information that accompanied the photo lists the soldiers from left to right. The soldier with the Bren gun on the right is identified as Private S.L. Hart of the 48th Highlanders Battalion. Hope this helps. Best, Dan Black, Editor. Legion Magazine
Dan
Thanks for the reply I was just checking as my Dad (Pte Norman S. Poitras) was with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment in the battle of Ortona as a Bren Gunner being wounded on Dec 24. If you have any information or know where I can get more on my Dad it would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Allan
Hi Allan. Thanks for your comment. As noted earlier, the information on the back of the photo is all we have. If there are readers out there who can share additional factual information, that would be great.
Thanks