3 Commando Troop Photos, Italy 1943

The actual location of the series of Troop photos of 3 Commando, taken in November 1943 and shown in the Gallery on this website, can be identified as the piazza in front of the Norman Castle on the seafront of Aci Castello, near Catania, Sicily.

The following link to Google Maps shows an image of this square.

https://www.google.com/maps/@37.5540659,15.1486803,3a,75y,304.82h,93.79t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipOY2iMGyAkP93nz_wVSE-sNga2X24Inm8T0mjZd!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipOY2iMGyAkP93nz_wVSE-sNga2X24Inm8T0mjZd%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi-0-ya217.1069-ro0-fo100!7i8704!8i4352

The buildings in the background of the original photos are largely unchanged and the conifer tree is still there, but much larger!

Thanks Ian. That set of photos has now been updated.

Thank you, Pete.
There is some further information which I've had for ages and meant to add to the 6 Troop photo as confirmation.
The main evidence is an extract from the war diary ( attached) which shows the date of the photographs ( 8th November 1943)
This also mentions that Lt J C Erskine was posted to 6 Troop a few days before. John Erskine has been identified in the photo, in the front row seated 7th from the left.
Next to him, front row 8th from the left, is the very recognisable figure of Lt John Alderson, sadly KIA in April 1945 in Germany. He was in 6 Troop before and after the date of this photo.
This, together with the other evidence, probably confirms this as 6 Troop.

Oops. Major correction to my last post! For "Left" read " Right" for the positions on the photo. Sorry about that.

Hi Ian

Yes after reviewing all you sent I believe it is 6 Troop. I have updated it.

Thanks

Thanks Pete