"CB" Fireflies

[Mark W. Tonner]

Find these paragraphs pertaining to the use of Canadian 17pdr Sherman Vc in the "CB" role on 6 Jun 44:

CMHQ Report No. 147 - Dated: 3 Dec 45 - prepared by Major J.R. Martin J.R.

122. The organization of 6 and 10 Cdn Armd Regts each into two
squadrons of D.D. tanks and one squadron of normal Shermans has been referred previously (para 73). This arrangement was designed to give close support to each assaulting battalion at the crucial moment of landing. Reserve battalions, making an unopposed landing, would be supported ashore, by "normal" squadrons. For a detailed description of the manner in which it was proposed to operate the amphibious tanks, reference should be made to the memorandum, Drill for Launching and Run in of DDs, issued by 2 Cdn Armd Bde, 13 Apr 44. (W.D., H.Q. 2 Cdn Armd Bde, 20 Apr - 31 May 44: Appx 44. (W.D., H.Q. 2 Cdn Armd Bde, 20 Apr - 31 May 44: Appx 11.) Launching was to take place at 5000 yards from the beach under cover of smoke laid by L.C.G. (L), touchdown being made at H minus 5 minutes. D.D. tanks were thus to form the first wave of the assault, going in five minutes before the landing flight of craft hit the beach. (See diagram at Appendix "H".) Although it was considered improbable that the operation would be mounted if seas were rough, it was nonetheless entertained as a possibility that the launching of D.D. tanks might have to be cancelled altogether. (Ibid.) 6 to 10 Cdn Armd Regts were each in addition to supply two Sherman tanks Vc to be employed as "concrete-busters" in the assault. These would be borne in L.C.T. (C.B.)(see ships and craft of Force "J", Appendix "B") and would disembark so as to deliver observed fire from their 17-pounder guns against emplacements. (R.C.A., 3 Cdn Inf Div O.O. No. 1.) Concretebusters would revert to regimental command on completion of their tasks. (2 Cdn Armd Bde O.O. No. 1.)

313. The diaries of the armoured regiment make no mention of the performance of L.C.T. (C.B.) One instance is recorded of a concretebuster engaging a casemate. (Lt.-Col Matheson, as above.) The commander of Force "J" further reported their fire to be very destructive when used against buildings. (C.B. 04385 B.)

AHQ Report No 54 - Dated: 30 Jun 52 - prepared by Lieutenant R.H. Roy.

103. The requirements of the assault phase necessitated complete reorganization of 6 and 10 Cdn Armd Regts (under the command, respectively, of 7 and 8 Cdn Inf Bdes). Two squadrons in each regiment were equipped with D.D. or swimming tanks (Sherman V Duplex Drive armphibious tanks), the third squadron retaining its normal Shermans, including five Sherman Vc (17-pounder). 27 Cdn Armd Regt, under command 9 Cdn Inf Bde, comprised three normally constituted squadrons, but with only four Sherman Vc per squadron.

157. The organization of 6 and 10 Cdn Armd Regts each into two squadrons of normal Shermans has bee referred to previously (para 103). This arrangement was designed to give close support to each assaulting battalion at the crucial moment of landing. Reserve battalions, jmaking an unopposed landing, would be supported ashore by “normal” squadrons. For a detailed description of the manner in which it was proposed to operate the amphibious tanks, reference should be made to the memorandum, Drill for Launching and Run-in of DDs, issued by 2 Cdn Armd Bde, 13 Apr 44 (W.D., H.Q. 2 Cdn Armd Bde, 20 Apr – 31 May 44: Appx 11). Launching was to take place at 5000 yards from the beach under cover of smoke laid by L.C.G. (L), touchdown being made at H minus 5 minutes. D.D. tanks were thus to form the first wave of the assault, going in five minutes before the leading flight of landing craft hit the beach (See diagram at Appendix “H”). Although it was considered improbable that the operation would be mounted if seas were rough, it was nonetheless entertained as a possibility that the launchng of D.D. tanks might have to be cancelled altogether (Ibid), 6 and 10 Cdn Armd Regts were each in addition to supply two Sherman tansk Vc to be employed as “concrete-busters” in the assault. These would be borne in L.C.T. (C.B.) (see Ships and Craft of Force “J”, Appendix “B”) and would disembark so as to deliver observed fire from their 17-pounder guns against emplacements (R.C.A., 3 Cdn Inf Div O.O. No. 1). Concrete-busters would revert to regimental command on completion of their tasks (2 Cdn Armd Bde O.O. No.1).

256. The diaries of the armoured regiments make no mention of the performance of L.C.T. (C.B.). One instance is recorded of a concrete-buster engaging a casemate ((HS) 145.2R11011(D4): Memorandum of Interview with Lt -Col F.M. Matheson). The commander of Force “J” further reported their fire to be very destructive when used against buildings (Report by Naval Commander, Force “J”).

Cheers

[Roddy de Normann]

Gentlemen -

Great, great analysis...but any Census numbers found amongst all the other details ?

Roddy

[Johnny gers]

Saw this tread. You mentioned Landing craft 212 in this thread. I have build all the vehicles now in 1/35 for the landing craft and soon will build the accuate armour LCT 4. Blog on military modellering.

Johnny

[Alex van de Wetering]

Saw this tread. You mentioned Landing craft 212 in this thread. I have build all the vehicles now in 1/35 for the landing craft and soon will build the accuate armour LCT 4. Blog on military modellering.

Johnny,

Love to see more. Do you have a direct link? As you can see in this thread I had a similar plan as you, but I stranded halfway building Carole, the ARV and Ford GPA in favor of other projects. I did finish "Balaclava".

Alex

[Johnny gers]

The name of the blog on military modelling is Overlord and Beyond Vol III. It's been such a long blog I have gone through two other threads. There are links on the first post to take you back to those threads.may be more easy just to google it. Not that good in putting links in here. I do have Bipola. so once more such

Overlord and beyond vol iii. Should find it easily

Johnnny

[Clif Weston]

My Dad Rodney (Vic) Weston (RN) served on this landing craft I'll add a photo of it when I get back from France next week. On the run in to Juno he was operating the Port mg his oppo was on the starboard which was hit by a shell. The Fireflies were he said propped up on wooden ramps which the rode over once beached. As they left the beach he thought they were hit amidships by a shell I see from another thread it was probably a teller mine. The ship capsized in the bay and the crew wounded and unwounded (my Dad had flash burns to his neck) were left sitting on the stern none of them could swim and no-one could rescue them. He said at the time that although they had no water everybody threw them cigarettes. After a bit he said they tasted like cardboard. He vowed never to smoke again. At full tide they floated ashore he reckoned on Omaha but I'm not sure. He and his shipmates hitched as lift on a jeep he thought driven by a yank who drove them to Caen still in German hands. On arrival the bedraggled sailors in battledress but sailor hats were arrested by a US MP and locked up in a cellar for a few days during which he was posted MIA probably dead. I suspect the Jeep driver and MPs were Canadians not US. Eventually released he returned to his ship which was repaired and acted as part of the stores transport for the next month or so and then served in the attack on the Antwerp estuary. Sadly he did return to smoking continuing until his sixties until he gave up but still died of smoking related heart disease on his 72nd birthday