One for Roddy: Sherman names and numbers

[cletrac (RIP)]

Ebay photo of this Sherman in Amsterdam named Courage. I seem to recall a thread about named tanks but can't remember much else about it.

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by cletrac

From the same person there's also this Sherman in Amsterdam named Courage. I seem to recall a thread about named tanks but can't remember much else about it.

Some notes regarding this photo:

- the Arm of Service Serial of '174' identifies this tank as belonging to the 12th Canadian Armoured Regiment (Three Rivers Regiment), C.A.C./1st Canadian Armoured Brigade.

- the circle on the turret side identifies the tank as belonging to "C" Squadron of the 12th Canadian Armoured Regiment (Three Rivers Regiment).

- within the three armoured regiments of the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, tank names began with the letter of the squadron, so in this case COURAGE.

- this photo also proves that 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade retained the AoS serial block 173 to 175 and did not change over to the AoS serial block 51 to 53 upon rejoining First Canadian Army in North West Europe from Italy, in 1945. This topic had been brought up before on the forum, but I cannot remember in which thread.

[cletrac (RIP)]

Here's the info off the back of the photo. These pix should have been in the armour forum so they could be found for future reference.

[tankbarrell]

For the tank itself, it's an early M4A4, rebuilt with full applique armour before issue to the UK and converted to Sherman Vc Firefly.

[Roddy de Normann]

Hi to all...

Ref the E Bay pic, I hold the following:

T. 232429 - Sherman V & VC

Contract S/M.1046

12th (Canadian) Armoured Regiment (Three Rivers Regiment), B Sqn, 25th (Canadian) Armoured Delivery Regiment & 264th Special Delivery Squadron RAC

19 Jun 45 - Veh SOS 12 CAR to B Sqn, 25 CADR then on to 264 Spec Del Sqn - Can NA Microfilm, T-12742

I can now update it !

Roddy de Normann

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Pic from NARA, courtesy of Steve Zaloga who unearthed it:

Sherman T146527 "CORVETTE" near Cassino, Italy, 20 September 1945.

HTH,
Hanno

[kevinT]

Anyone add anymore?

Cheers
Kevin

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by kevinT

Anyone add anymore?

Yes, ‘CORVETTE’ belonged to ‘C’ Squadron of the Ontario Regiment: -

T146527 was issued to the 11th Army Tank Regiment (The Ontario Regiment (Tank)), C.A.C. on their change over from the Ram to the Sherman in May 1943.

T146527 appears on strength of the Ontario Regiment as/at 10 June 1943 in an accounting of vehicles held on their War Establishment prior to embarking for the Mediterranean theatre that they submitted to Headquarters, 1st Canadian Army Tank Brigade. In another submission to Bde HQ in September 1943, T146527 again is shown as held on strength of the Ontario Regiment.

I believe that T146527 was lost sometime during the period of 11 to 19 May 1944, while the Ontario Regiment was supporting the 8th Indian Infantry Division (11-15 May) and 78th British Infantry Division (16-19 May) involved in the breeching of the GUSTAV LINE (Sant’ Angelo on the GARI River) and the drive west towards the HILTER LINE (Aquino), during the opening phase of the Liri Valley battle (Operation DIADEM).

For this photo to have been taken in the battle area in September 1945, T146527 must have been one of the 10 tank casualties that were complete write offs suffered by the Ontario Regiment during the period from July 1943 to September 1944, according to the reports of No. 1 Canadian Section Armoured Fighting Vehicle Technical Staff (Eighth British Army Headquarters).

Cheers

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Mark,

Excellent information, again, thanks!

There has been some discussion ove the type of Sherman but as I understand it the 11th Armoured (Ontario) Regiment used Sherman M4A4 tanks. Is that correct?

- Hanno

P.S.: pic was for you too, Kevin!

[kevinT]

Thanks Hanno,

She is a new addition to my name / WD database.

Cheers
Kevin

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Mark,

Excellent information, again, thanks!

There has been some discussion ove the type of Sherman but as I understand it the 11th Armoured (Ontario) Regiment used Sherman M4A4 tanks. Is that correct?

Yes, all three units of the brigade were equipped with the M4A4. In October 1944 the brigade started to receive 17-pdr and 105mm equipped Shermans.

Cheers

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Thanks!

H.

[tankbarrell]

Definately an M4A4 with an M3A3 Stuart at front left.

[Roddy de Normann]

Hanno et al...

Apologies for delay in replying, stuck in London last w/e. Agree with all. Veh initially with 11 CAR but would likely to have been transfered to another regiment as it did not move to NW Europe under Op GOLDFLAKE. I have only what others have...

T. 146527

Sherman V

Contract S/M.1012

11th (Canadian) Tank Regiment (Ontario Regiment)

Jun 43 - Veh issued to regt for Op 'HUSKY' via 1st Cdn Tk Bde -
Sep 43 - Veh noted on Regt Veh List as still with regt - Via Steve Guthrie Archive


Ref GOLDFLAKE, I have only come across bit and bobs in the War Diaries. Has anyone seen a complete listing for all the LCT loads. The details are v good and include every vehicle transported by number - soft skin & armour. Bet there is one somewhere...

Roddy de Normann

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Roddy,

Here's another one for you: Sherman VC T212008

Can you tell us something more about this Firefly?

Thanks,
Hanno

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Here's another one for you: Sherman VC T212008

Can you tell us something more about this Firefly?

The picture was made on "de Markt" (the marketplace) at Oldenzaal (Twente, Overijssel) Netherlands, during the liberation of this town in early April 1945.

H.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

This Sherman appears to have the name "VANGUARD" and census number "T146612" - does that make any sense to you Roddy?

Picture was taken on 6 April 1945.



Captioned:"Elden, Arnhem. When Sherman Tank Mark 4A2 from left to right: Corporal G. A. Scott (tank commander), the driver Earl Geandle (?) And Andy Anderson, the wireless operator. The tank and the men belonging to the 14th Canadian Armoured Regiment (Calgary Regiment), part of the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade. The regiment supported the British 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division, the Polar Bears, who liberated Arnhem"

Source: http://www.geldersarchief.nl

[Roddy de Normann]

Hanno

I hold the following:

T. 146612

Sherman V Contract S/M.1012

144 RAC Regiment (8th Bn, East Lancashire Regiment)

1 May 43 - UK. Veh with 144 RAC as an operational veh due to being fitted with single water pump engine, strengthened clutch throwout yoke, sealed & lubricated clutch throw-out bearings, ventilated clutch & dust deflectors - War Diary, 1 (Can) Armd Bde War Diary, Can NA Microfilm T-10630

I did not know it was with 14 CAR at the end of the war...I do now ! What are the details of the info ?

Roddy

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Sherman V Crab T212645 "RHODERICK DHU" Turret no.20 of A-Squadron 1st Lothians and Border Yeomanry of the 79th Armoured Division. It was brought ashore with LCT 1005, with Landing Table Index Number (LTIN) "4 APPLE".

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

picture of Sherman Crab T-212645 RHODERICK DHU after it met its demise at Westkapelle, The Netherlands, during Operation Infatuate II in November 1944.


Source: http://proxy.handle.net/10648/ac053d...8-003048976d84

[Hanno Spoelstra]

T-148656 was one of many A-Squadron 1st Lothians and Border Yeomanry Sherman V Crabs which met their demise at Westkapelle. After gradually shedding its flail equipment, this Crab survives till this day as a memorial on the dyke of Westkapelle.

[MicS]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Sherman V Crab T212645 "RHODERICK DHU" Turret no.20 of B-Squadron Lothian and Border Horse Yeomanry of the 79th Armoured Division. It was brought ashore with LCT 1005, with Landing Table Index Number (LTIN) "4 APPLE".

Actually, initially 2 Tp A Sqn 1 Lothians, 30 Armd Bde. See:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/47208/thread/1327105563

For Op INFATUATE II it was in 1 Tp A Sqn (all 1 Lothians tanks at Westkapelle were A Sqn).

Michel

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by MicS

Actually, initially 2 Tp A Sqn 1 Lothians, 30 Armd Bde. See:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/47208/thread/1327105563

For Op INFATUATE II it was in 1 Tp A Sqn (all 1 Lothians tanks at Westkapelle were A Sqn).

Thanks Michel,

I found your thread in the meantime. Will get back on this subject soonest.

Regards,
Hanno