I hope I'm in the right forum, it always seems to me that the NCO's have all the answers
I hope to make a 1/35 scale tribute to Smokey Smith VC for a local museum, but I'm a bit stumped, and where I usually look for answers the fellows get annoyed that one isn't trying hard enough at his own research.
Many of you know the story, Seaforth Highlanders cross the Savio river, Canadian armour cannot follow, basically Smokey stood 30 feet in front of a panther tank, shot it with a PIAT, dispatched and discouraged about 10 tank riders with a "Tommy" gun all whilst protecting his wounded pal Pte. Tennant, and subsequently awarded the VC.
As near as I can surmise, and this is just from what I've read in the last few weeks, the Panther may have belonged to either the 26 Panzer Div. or 76 Panzer Corps.
I wonder what numbers that tank would have worn?
The tank riding infantry may have been the 1 Parachute Div. or the 4 Parachute Regt.?
I'm assuming that for October 21 the uniform of all involved would be for cold weather, like NWE in 1945?
Apparently the PIAT round that hit the Panther disabled the tank and subsequently lit it on fire, the fire illuminated the German infantry whilst blinding them from seeing the attacking Smokey.
I wonder where the PIAT round struck to do that sort of damage? Possibly bounced under the chin of the mantlet to penetrate the thinner armour, entering the crew area?
Possibly striking the Panther's ammo bin?
I've looked long for a photo of the stricken AFV, that would answer a lot, too bad that there is not a more detailed chronicle of this event.
Thanks for any help, I have a couple of dioramas featuring local (Sask.) vets built up to go in the museum now, with your help maybe I can help the local folks remember Smokey all this coming season (and longer).
Please feel free to correct anything in my previous note, I'm a real novice at the research game.
Thanks!
Bruce