Rea Leakey

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 reconnaisance 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."