Canadian Mk 11 Churchill Tank

[chris vowles]

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

[Radek]

for me looks like machineguns bullet holes.
Radek

[maple_leaf_eh]

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.

[tankbarrell]

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

[chris vowles]

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

[tankbarrell]

Originally Posted by chris vowles

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 ?

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.