Rea Leakey
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Rea Leakey, a cousin of anthropologist Louis Leakey, was a British tank commander, during World War II, of the 1st Royal Tank Regiment. During the battle for Fort Capuzzo, Leakey's reconnaissance tank was lacking its armament, 2 Vickers machine guns; however, Leakey engaged the enemy anyways, by firing through the gunport with his revolver. His gunner did the same, firing with a rifle.
Quotes
Leakey describes combat:
- The driver was killed by the first shot and the commander ... had one of his hands shattered. The driver's foot still rested on the accelerator ... the commander yelled "The tank's on fire" ... the hatches ... were stuck fast ... we heard ... the most terrible screams of agony, they were ... burned alive while their tomb of fire went on towards the enemy.