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.
- 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."