Washing in the desert, North Africa, 1943 (b/w photo)

A member of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) washing in the desert, 1943. Photograph by Major Wilfred Herbert James Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), World War Two, North Africa, 1943. The water ration for a British soldier serving in the Western Desert was 4.5 litres (a gallon) a day. In the desert natural water supplies were almost non-existent. Water had to be transported in. Half of each man's water ration went for cooking and topping up the radiators of vehicles. Men had to ration what was left for drinking, washing and shaving. The British water containers were flimsy and leaked. The Germans used a metal container with a cap and strong handles known as the Jerry can. These were a prized item and were looted from the enemy whenever possible. From an album containing 216 photographs compiled by Major W H J Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).