Porpoises

[Ed Storey]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Could this be one of 86 Field Regt RA (Hertfordshire Yeomanry), "the only regiment to land Sexton SP Guns on D-Day (Juno Beach)"?

As per the link above: 86 Field Regt RA found that their Porpoises caused less trouble than expected. The C Troop diary records: "The Porpoises - those misbegotten children of the "War House" proved to be quite amenable to a wet landing and all were landed without any trouble. Perhaps this was as a result of the language used on them previously....".

LCI(L) 295 in the background may be a clue as to where this photograph was taken. LCI(L) 295 was assigned to the RCN's 264th LCI(L) flotilla which sailed out of Weymouth with Force "G" for Gold Beach. For Op NEPTUNE, 295 was commanded by Lt (N) Peter G.R. Campbell (RCNVR).

[Alex van de Wetering]

Two more Porpoises have surfaced in Ver-sur-Mer and are now for sale at Military Classic Vehicles in Normandy.
Geoff; could these be from the same location where yours came from?

In time to be restored for D-day 2024 and to be dragged behind a Sherman, Sexton or Centaur on the beach?! What a sight it would be

more info: https://www.facebook.com/MilitaryCla.../?__tn__=-UC*F

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Via Anthony Sewards:

“Juno Beach, photo noted as M7 Priest Royal Canadian Artillery arriving on shore D Day”

IMG_4468.jpeg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Some photos of the restored example at Ver sur Mer (nmp, found on FB).

I like the plaques with drawings explaining how they were used.

IMG_4473.jpg IMG_4475.jpg

IMG_4474.jpg IMG_4472.jpg IMG_4471.jpg