Spitfire Mk. Vb of No. 453 Squadron RAAF undergoing maintenance, Autumn 1943.

Spitfire Maintenance

From the left. Flight Lieutenant Hall, Flt Mechanic Crombie and LAC Callaghan "Greasy Joe" standing on Spitfire Mk V "DLM Overdale".

Spitfire Mk V RAAF

Italian-made Carro Armato M11/39 tanks, captured by the Australians at Bardia and used by them in the subsequent capture of Tobruk (the Kangaroo emblem is a bit of a giveaway).  These tanks were pretty useless.  They were reasonably mobile; and their hull-mounted main armament of a (British Vickers pattern) 37mm L/40 gun was no worse than many for 1940/'41 (though that was not saying much).  On the other hand, the thin, rivetted armour was totally inadequate, making them something of a death-trap for their crews.  These vehicles were, in consequence, little use by anybody (Australian or Italian) after the early part of 1941.  Best regards, JR.