Tank crew bivouac, 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), 1942 (b/w photo)

Arthur Cook and Peter Maxwell in a temporary shelter attached to the side of a tank, 1942. Photograph, World War Two, North Africa (1940-1945), 1942. Members of 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) shelter from the burning desert sun under a tarpaulin attached to their Crusader tank. The daytime temperatures in the North African desert range from 20-60 C and it is often 40 C (104F) in the shade. The highest temperatures are in the late afternoon. At night the temperature drops. The extreme heat of the day and intense cold of night made life uncomfortable for the troops. The shortage of water increased their discomfort. The heat was a particular problem for armoured units. The inside of tanks was almost unbearable and made worse by the heat of engines and guns. From an album containing 189 photographs compiled by Major W H J Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).