MLU FORUM - Firefly named "Blondie": British or Canadian?

MLU FORUM (http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/index.php)

- The Armour Forum (http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=7)

- - Firefly named "Blondie": British or Canadian? (http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=21000)

Jack Geratic

24-09-13 21:41

Firefly named "Blondie": British or Canadian?

2 Attachment(s)

I've seen a picture of this tank on another forum (as well as here), stating it to be of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers during June 7th 1944:

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/4748/5w49.jpg

There are also some saying this tank was actually from the British unit 4th CLY, and being one of Wittmann's victims at Villers-Bocage. The explanation is based on a photo taken from the still of a German film. The backgrounds are similar in both photos, and the writing on the fender is similar to a Cromwell from 4th CLY, :
http://www.network54.com/Realm/wittmann54/00jpg.jpg

What is making me question this conclusion is the second photo has the Firefly with A squadron tactical mark, while Blondie should have been with B squadron due to the first letter of the nickname.

Any thoughts on this?

regards,
Jack

maple_leaf_eh

25-09-13 02:30

SFR Firefly

The second image didn't come up. Can you repost?

Roddy de Normann

25-09-13 20:32

Blondie

Hi there -

The pic above has always been confusing...the T# appears to be T.212752. This falls within the block (Contract S/M 1014) for Stuart Vs (T.212747-T.215746)...however, the block before (Contract S/M 1046) - T.211747-T.212746 - is for Sherman Vs. Thus the real question is 'What is the census # of BLONDIE ?'...

All of the above said, I am pretty sure the veh is from A Sqn, 4 CLY and was KO'ed at Villers Bocage on 14 Jun 44...

Roddy

Jack Geratic

26-09-13 02:57

second pic...

2 Attachment(s)

Not sure why the link did not work, but here it is again, plus another. A further explanation given to me was that CLY did not limit their use of nicknames to squadron letters.

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/945/8opc.jpg

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/608/kx49.png

This 'work in progress' file lists Blondie as T212732 : http://mmpbooks.biz/mmp/tables/Vehicle_Names_V2.pdf
regards,
Jack

Roddy de Normann

26-09-13 20:24

Blondie

T.212732 would make it a Sherman Vc thus most likely A Sqn, 4 CLY...

Thanks - will amend my own files...

Roddy

strat1

29-09-13 04:24

A Sqn, 4 CLY at Villers Bocage knocked out on 13 Jun 44 during the rampage of Michael Wittman . Later taken to Kummerdorf training area for tests if I remember from another forum.

Hanno Spoelstra

29-09-13 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Geratic (Post 186063)

Not sure why the link did not work, but here it is again, plus another.

Jack,

It doesn't work because you linked it from another forum. It's best to attach pictures to your postings here.

HTH,
Hanno

All times are GMT +2. The time now is 00:20.