Unit badge on Tiger tank

[m kenny]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

More likely a cross to denote it was knocked out/ not in working order.

Very unlikely. Never ever seen it used on enemy tanks. You may be thinking of the 'Z' or 'W' used to denote Allied total losses.

[Ed Storey]

What is the source of the image as that information might help in determining the symbol/badge?

[m kenny]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

What is the source of the image as that information might help in determining the symbol/badge?

The Regimental history “Up the Glens : the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, 1783-1994” by W. Boss and W.J. Patterson.

The War Diary

[Ed Storey]

Ah, that makes sense. Based on the diary entry, there is a good chance that the 'badge' could very well have been painted by the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (M.G.) as there is a cross of St. Andrew on their cap badge.

[klambie]

Sgt CJ Smithers, C Coy, 9 Pl

"During an attack in the Falaise Gap area our Pl and 8 Pl managed to get their directions confused and dug our guns in on the high side of a road overlooking an open field. Early the next morning, a German SS unit of about 2000 troops, plus three tanks, attacked the small village occupied by The Glengarrians. The enemy overran their position and the Glens retreated through our positions. Our Pl Sgt, Sgt Lorne Price, knocked out one of the tanks and bounced PIAT bombs off the other.

The third tank was headed directly at my gun position and I can still remember the sight of that 88 lowering to aim at us. We kept firing, and fortunately, the tank hulled itself on a high spot on the lane and was unable to lower its gun any further.

The 2000 German troops were not aware of us being in that position and our 8 machine guns made short work of their attack. The Falaise Pocket was closed that day so our action could have had an effect."

Lt-Col Richard M Ross, OBE, Regimental History, Operation Tallulah, p. 61

As the pincers closed on the Falaise gap near Trun, on the morning of Aug 21, Pls 10 and 11 were in position near Magny on the Trun Chambois Road. Infantry from the forward company of an infantry battalion filtered to the gun line, saying they had been run over by enemy infantry and tanks. A few minutes later, the German infantry appeared on the right flank of 10 Pl's gun line.

"Cpl AW Marshall stood off the attack with a Bren gun while the gun frontage was switched to the new direction and fire opened. At the same time, a Tiger tank appeared in front of 10 Pl's OP manned by Sgt LCC Price and Pte JC McGraw. They promptly engaged it with a PIAT, scoring two hits. The MGs fired for about five minutes and through the effort of Lieuts HB Jackson and VL Leatherdale, who rallied the disorganized infantry, the situation was restored. More than 100 prisoners were taken and the 75 killed were buried later in the day. It was considered that the breakout was a bold thrust to get German General Menny out of the trap as he was captured in the same area later in the day."


Both from "We Were There" vol. 2, Jean E Portugal

[Jakko Westerbeke]

I would be slightly skeptical that the tank mentioned in the report was actually a Tiger, though, since to a lot of Allied soldiers, any German tank was a Tiger.

[m kenny]

Originally Posted by Jakko Westerbeke

I would be slightly skeptical that the tank mentioned in the report was actually a Tiger, though, since to a lot of Allied soldiers, any German tank was a Tiger.

Though the loss of this Tiger (by either SS 101 or SS 102) is not mentioned in any German account we have 2 photos of it with War Diary and Regimental History accounts. Its confirmed for me.

[Ed Storey]

Originally Posted by Jakko Westerbeke

I would be slightly skeptical that the tank mentioned in the report was actually a Tiger, though, since to a lot of Allied soldiers, any German tank was a Tiger.

Exactly, just like every anti-tank gun was an 88.