Canadian Mk 11 Churchill Tank
 

Can anyone help?

Near where I live in Worthing, England we have a rusting Canadian Mk11 Churchill tank. http://www.findonvillage.com/0959_mo...r_downland.htm

Known as the "Dead Heads" this one was left to the Canadians to use as target practise. It has lots of bullet hole all down one side.
What I would like to know is what sort of gun would have been used to make these holes all the way clean through 70mm plate on the side of the tank.

I have been told Piat or Boy's but I don't, to the best of my limited knowledge think that they would have gone right through.

Have attached photo, I hope.

Chris

bullet holes
 

for me looks like machineguns bullet holes.
Radek

Churchill
 

After reading the story at the link, the smart alec answer is the holes would be from whatever the range was templated for.

The range was obviously opened post-Dieppe Raids, and closed after VE-Day. Were any bullets found in amongst the muck? How about measuring the diameter of the holes? The diameter of a pencil would be light machine guns. The diameter of a 1/2" dowel would mean heavy machineguns and anti-tank rifles. The diameter of your finger or fingers would mean 2- and 6-pounder guns.

They look like PIAT holes to me. No rifle or MG round would penetrate the side of Churchill.

Hi

Thanks for the replies.

The holes are the size of a large finger, so about 25mm wide. so looks like a 2 or 6 pounder ?

The reason I ask is that a friend and I are writing a book on the Canadians in the Worthing Area during WW2. Any any info would be welcomed.

Cheers

Chris

2 pdr is 40mm dia and 6 pdr is 57 so no! They look to me like hollow charge hits, hence most likely to be PIAT if wartime.

Yes I agree with Adrian , the melting around the impact is only done by hollow charges , armour piercing rounds give a nice round impact .
So like Adrian said Piat , or if post war a bazooka would have done the same dammage

Hi

Have just spoken to the man who got the TA to pull it out of the hole.
He said the hole was full of PIAT amo as well as the tank.

Thanks to you all.

Regards

Chris