British exercise tests Canadian Command

9th March 1943: Exercise "Spartan' has tanks advancing through villages across a wide area of southern England

Canadian infantry riding on a Churchill III tank during Exercise 'Spartan', 9 March 1943

A Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft gun uses a hayrick for camouflage during Exercise 'Spartan', 9 March 1943

Troops of the Black Watch queue for their evening meal during Exercise 'Spartan', 9 March 1943. The censor has covered their badges with a white splodge.

Valentine bridge layer passing through a village during Exercise 'Spartan', 6 March 1943

Covenanter tanks and towed artillery passing through a village during Exercise 'Spartan', 6 March 1943.

Plans for the invasion of occupied Europe were now advancing in Britain. Although much remained to be decided, the long-term objective of the Allies was to strike, over land, at the heart of Germany itself.

In preparation for this, the largest offensive military exercise ever undertaken in Britain was mounted in the first half of March 1943. Large numbers of tanks were involved in making an 'armoured thrust' across the south of England. Bridges that had been 'destroyed by the enemy' were replaced with temporary military structures.