Collection of about 90 Original Photographs of Popski's Private Army

A collection of approximately 90 original photographs and photocards of Popski’s Private Army (No1 Demolition Squadron) accompanied by a Library Card and Invitation to a reunion of P.P.A.

Formerly the property of Capt. Derrett of P.P.A. whose 1948 No7 Command Library along with an invitation to a reunion on the 11th November 1945 in Austria (later used as a laundry card!) are included, the entire collection is in very good collection.

The photographs measure predominantly 95mm x 65mm with some larger and some smaller. Although most are without annotations, they appear to show the P.P.A. in North Africa, Italy and Austria which was I believe their final deployment before disbandment.

Popski's Private Army, officially No. 1 Demolition Squadron, PPA, was a unit of British Special Forces set up in Cairo in October 1942 by Major Vladimir Peniakoff. It was one of several raiding units formed in the Western Desert during the Second World War. The squadron also served in Italy and Austria and was disbanded in September 1945.

It was formed specifically to attack Field Marshal Rommel's fuel supplies, in support of General Montgomery’s offensive at El Alamein, at the suggestion of Lieutenant-Colonel John Hackett. The unit became operational on 10 December 1942 as an 8th Army Special Forces unit. After the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) and the Special Air Service (SAS), PPA was the last and smallest of the three main irregular raiding, reconnaissance, and intelligence units formed during the North African Campaign.

Please note. I am unable to accept returns as a result of past events where photographs have been copied and then returned.