Sherman Firefly VC

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Tim Bell

Very fortunately, this still retains paint markings giving the Census number and Tank name:

Tank Name - "GAUCHO"
Census Number - "T-289477"

I've been advised that this vehicle served with the Canadian 21st Armoured Regt (Governor General's Foot Guards), Canadian 4th Armoured Div from July 44 to July 45.

Very fortunate these markings survived, but where did the information re. the Governor General's Foot Guards come from? Just asking because there is a lot of misinformation about.

Hanno

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Tim Bell

Very fortunately, this still retains paint markings giving the Census number and Tank name:

Tank Name - "GAUCHO"
Census Number - "T-289477"

Over on the G104 Sherman Register mailing list your Sherman with US 3056683 was identified as having serial number 4873. Could you please check the rear towing lugs?

Thanks,
Hanno

SHERMAN REGISTER
http://web.inter.nl.net/users/spoelstra/g104/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/G104

[Tim Bell]

4873 is the SN

Tim

[maple_leaf_eh]

I've been reading the War Diary of the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment (27th Armoured) in 3rd Canadian Armoured Brigade. The text gives periodic reports on numbers of Stuarts, Sherman IIIs and Fireflies. However the copy I have does not break down the registration numbers. It might have been in a one-copy only annex, but that sheet does not seem to have survived.

One unusual mention I've seen is to DERVE for diesel fuel for the Fireflies. I had to look that one up.

[Tim Bell]

Interesting... Fireflies were supposed to all be Petrol engined.

[tankbarrell]

Originally Posted by Tim Bell

Interesting... Fireflies were supposed to all be Petrol engined.

They were all petrol engined. Regiments with Sherman III had an interesting fuel supply issue!
DERV stands for diesel engines road vehicles.

[maple_leaf_eh]

War Diary 27th Canadian Armoured Regiment, 07 Jun 44.

"Major F.H. Baldwin is organizing B Echelon to supply the forward troops. Ammunition, petrol and Derve were sent forward during the day as they were badly needed, many of the tanks being immobile as they had run completely dry and were out of ammunition. Some had even been firing 75-mm HE at German infantry as they were our of Browning ammunition. The Sherman V(C) tanks which use petrol were in a worse state for fuel than the Sherman III tanks which use DERVE."

Two spellings for Diesel Engine Road Vehicle, and a real world comment on the need for a senior Major in the regiment to manage the rear area admin, behind the F and A Echelons. Interesting that the ammunition consumption rates were so high that some vehicles were empty - shades of Op MEDUSA in Afghanistan 2006.

[Tim Bell]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Very fortunate these markings survived, but where did the information re. the Governor General's Foot Guards come from? Just asking because there is a lot of misinformation about.

Hanno

Hanno

The assumption this vehicle was with GGFG is based on this document from the Canadian Archives:

VC-T-289477-ReceiptVoucher.jpg

VC-T-289477-ReceiptVoucher2.jpg

Am assuming that the bit (Ex-21-CAR) indicates the vehicle came from 21st Canadian Armoured.

Tim

[Tim Bell]

Firefly restoration to start this year around September... as now have a lot more parts!

I have opted for the GAA engine - this is currently in rebuild... if you have a spare multibank, please let me know.

More details available on facebook here...

https://www.facebook.com/pg/T289477

I am still missing the following key components:

• Breech Block and Firing Mechanism (not the same as 17pdr AT Gun)
• Breech Opening Lever
• Breech Deflector Guard
• Semi-Automation mount
• Breech Spring and case
• Loader's safety Switch
• Elevation Mechanism
• Mantlet
• 17pdr Gun Telescope Mount

If you have any of the above in any condition, please let me know.

Cheers

Tim