Sherman Crab T147955 “Avalon” Overloon. Regiment? Damage?

[MicS]

Great photos of Lt Hall's 4 Tp in Tilburg Alex!

All 5 Crabs are visible, led by Lt Hall's. He is the one with the moustache, leaning on the gun on this photo:

012238 - Crabs 4Tp A Sqn WD, Bredaseweg Tilburg, 27 Oct 44 - RA Tilburg - Ls WS Hall leaning on .jpg

Just ahead of his tank is another Sherman which must be Capt Squirrell's command tank. The stowed jerrycans on the left rear of the tank might mean it is the same tank as on IWM B10819, although of course the other command tanks in A Sqn might have used the same stowage method:

012236 - Crabs 4Tp A Sqn WD, Bredaseweg Tilburg, 27 Oct 44 - RA Tilburg - Notes.jpg

Finally, the second Crab in the line might have a name on its side, but the graffiti and low quality of the photo make it completely illegible:

012237 - Crab 4Tp A Sqn WD, Bredaseweg Tilburg, 27 Oct 44 - RA Tilburg.jpg

Michel

[Maurice Donckers]

here is another one , maybe been on here before .

[Maurice Donckers]

The above M4A4 must have been made before Feb . 1943 , because the lifting hooks still have the plate under them , Deleted from feb 1943 , SpitfireIV also has the late gun shield , no splash protection for final drive bolts , and the plates under the lifting hooks . Also spare track holders are in this position , Spitfire IV is produced in jan 1943

[MicS]

It must be a remanufactured tank, originally built before November 1942 (direct vision hoods). Features typical of remanufactured tanks include the add-on hatch guard armour plates and the gun travel lock.


Michel

[Jakko Westerbeke]

The additional armour plates before the drivers’ hatches were also to be added to tanks without direct vision flaps, because their purpose was to strengthen the armour in general there, not just prevent shots going in through those.

It’s very hard to tell in the photo above whether this particular tank has direct vision or not, though.

[Maurice Donckers]

Yes Yakko , you are right if the driver , and co driver would lift up their arms , we could see it , direct vision didn`t have the periscopes in front of the hatch.

[MicS]

Agreed, but to me the relatively high position of the plates means they can only be welded to Direct Vision hoods.


Michel

[Alex van de Wetering]

Originally Posted by Maurice Donckers

here is another one , maybe been on here before .

Terrific picture Maurice! Any idea when and where it was taken?

I am betting on a direct vision hull as well. Attached is a picture of another "mysterious" Sherman, Argyll Roger (or Argyle as it says on the side today!) from a similar angle for comparison

[MicS]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

Terrific picture Maurice! Any idea when and where it was taken?

Supposed to be Kampen NL in 1945 according to this:
https://beeldbankwo2.nl/nl/beelden/d...717b464/media/

Michel

[MicS]

in a sorry state:
FO005208 Sherman V 232362 transmission exploded.jpg


It looks like a Direct Vision one, with the peculiar feature that the top of the add-on armour plates appear to have been cut just a little to fit with the rounded shape of the hoods.


Michel

[Alex van de Wetering]

Originally Posted by MicS

led by Lt Hall's. He is the one with the moustache, leaning on the gun on this photo:

Thanks for the confirmation Michel!....I was presuming Hall was in the picture, I just wasn't sure which one he was.

Originally Posted by MicS

The stowed jerrycans on the left rear of the tank might mean it is the same tank as on IWM B10819, although of course the other command tanks in A Sqn might have used the same stowage method:

Good eye....I hadn't noticed that. Who knows...it might indeed be the same tank. Sadly the picture isn't any larger.....or better quality for that matter..

https://www.regionaalarchieftilburg....&rows=1&page=5