A Russian colleague had received these two photographs from a friend of his who was aware he had an English correspondent who may be able to provide information about the people/vehicles/whereabouts shown on the photographs, which he says (almost certainly correctly) are from the RNAS Armoured Car Division fighting in Russia in WWI under the command of Locker Lampson.
The photo with four men shows an armoured Rolls Royce car - could be anywhere. It's a long shot, but can anyone put a name to any of the men?
The second photo shows a Model T Ford armoured car which the Division received later in the campaign (early 1917) with its higher ground clearance - more practical in the rough terrain the cars often had to operate in. The Rolls Royce's and Lancasters were much lower to the ground. He says these are Russian soldiers - but where?
Photos too large for the Forum - will try and attach later. Be patient!
It is unlikely the Model T Ford cars arrived in Russia before 1917 - they probably came with a reinforcement party which arrived in Kursk during 1917 when the main force were engaged on the Galician Front. It was later this year that the Central Powers pushed north forcing the Armoured cars to set up an overwintering base at Kursk, well into Russia. It was from here in January 1918 that the remaining 'care and maintenance' men left for England, leaving what vehicles they had behind. This photo MAY show Russians with one of these 'captured' cars, as Russia had by then agreed the terms of the Treaty of Brest-Litvosk to cease any military action against Germany and her allies. Although possibly it was earlier when the cars were still fighting on the Galician Front, but I have no record of Russian soldiers actively manning the armoured cars, but maybe this photograph was posed?
Any observations welcomed
Tony
Sorry to keep you all in suspense - here are the two photos[attach id=6492]Sozont ACD photos to identify_3.jpg[/attach]