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-   -   Tank-Infantry telephones fitted to Sherman and Churchill tanks (http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=33470)

Colin Alford 13-06-22 03:38

Tank-Infantry telephones fitted to Sherman and Churchill tanks
 
3 Attachment(s)
While I was aware that during 1944, the British started fitting Infantry telephones to some tanks, I did not know the details of the installations.

I stumbled across this information while researching a different piece of equipment.

The March 1944 instructions for the Churchill II through VII installation can be found here: https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/o...eel_c5818/3312

The April 1944 instructions for Sherman V (missing some of the drawings) can be found here: https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/o...eel_c5818/3308

In August 1944, an instruction was issued to extend the modifications to Sherman I, II, and III: https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/o...eel_c5818/3306

A few years ago I saw a “Microphone and receivers headgear assembly” which had been modified into a rather crude looking handset. I now realize that this was the approved modification to provide a tank-infantry telephone.

There is currently an example for sale on eBay.uk which seems to conform exactly to the instructions:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175307176...=&toolid=10050

Attached are an image from the modification instruction, and a couple images from the eBay listing.

maple_leaf_eh 13-06-22 13:51

The latest regimental history of 27th Canadian Armoured Regiment mentions the difficulty of liaising with the supported infantry. Either the crew commander had to expose his torso out of the hatch and risk getting shot, or dismount and experience the same hazards as the grunts. Considering the casualty rates of junior officers and senior NCOs neither was a healthy option. Tank "Bomb" in B Sqn averaged one new crew commander a month from January 1945 to the end of the war.

The attempted solution was the cooperation telephone. But the periodic recounting of Lessons Learned in the same pages recounts how the infantry didn't always know to use the phone.

Chris Suslowicz 17-06-22 01:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin Alford (Post 287076)
While I was aware that during 1944, the British started fitting Infantry telephones to some tanks, I did not know the details of the installations.

I stumbled across this information while researching a different piece of equipment.

The March 1944 instructions for the Churchill II through VII installation can be found here: https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/o...eel_c5818/3312

The April 1944 instructions for Sherman V (missing some of the drawings) can be found here: https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/o...eel_c5818/3308

In August 1944, an instruction was issued to extend the modifications to Sherman I, II, and III: https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/o...eel_c5818/3306

A few years ago I saw a “Microphone and receivers headgear assembly” which had been modified into a rather crude looking handset. I now realize that this was the approved modification to provide a tank-infantry telephone.

There is currently an example for sale on eBay.uk which seems to conform exactly to the instructions:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175307176...=&toolid=10050

Attached are an image from the modification instruction, and a couple images from the eBay listing.

I've got the remains of one of those modified headsets - someone cut through the wires to render it unusable and I don't want to scrap another headset to restore it.

I've also got (somewhere) the power microphone version, for earlier tanks with insufficient slip-rings in the rotary base junction.

Neither of them are easy to use - the earpiece is too close to the microphone so you're continually juggling the handset between speaking and listening.

A later Tank Telephone had a spring loaded extension reel and a proper handset, plus a call buzzer to attract attention from the crew. This stayed in service well into the 1960s, the only changes being a transistorised buzzer to replace the electromagnetic one, and later plastic (green or black) handsets with the later sealed inserts.

Best regards,
Chris.

Hanno Spoelstra 17-06-22 12:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin Alford (Post 287076)
While I was aware that during 1944, the British started fitting Infantry telephones to some tanks, I did not know the details of the installations.

I stumbled across this information while researching a different piece of equipment.

Thanks for sharing it here, Colin. Great info!

benamucke 02-09-22 00:06

Telephones for rear of tanks
 
I have one similar to the one pictured need to find a scan of it

Ben in Toronto

benamucke 02-09-22 18:39

pictures of phone/mic
 
5 Attachment(s)
Some of the scans of my phone for tanks/infantry

Mike Cecil 03-09-22 15:23

Aust Matilda
 
Some Australian Matilda tanks were fitted with a tank telephone in an armoured box on the left rear track guard, late in the war.

Mike


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