Holy Roller track type

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by Jack Geratic

Hello Ed, . . . thank you for posting that great photo, but I don't think either of these vehicles is showing the rubber chevron track (T48).

The Priest appears to have T54E1 track, a type seen often in the early NWE campaign.

regards,
Jack

this may help your 105mm SP Priest (M7) track identification.


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6C6FF7EA-CE9B-48BD-B1D9-7303D1684413.jpeg

[Jack Geratic]

Hello Michael, thanks for the closeup of Carrie, it confirms what I had posted.

Colin, that is perfect timing with the war diary links, so thank you kindly for those. I will check further on these for any more clues later today.

In the meantime, have looked at my copy of the The Gallant Hussars by Michael R. McNorgan. The first three months of 1944 saw continued training on Valentines. The mention of Shermans is a mid April announcement that the unit would be re-equipped with the Sherman DD. The Vc Firefly is also introduced at this time. Only exercises that is eluded to is range work? New tanks had to be 'run in' for 100 miles, water proofed, followed by placement into storage at Fort Gomer.

On the 25th of April, they were inspected by the King. Only on the 26th were officers briefed on the invasion plans. Would it be correct to assume this is when load tables are revealed (and numbers), so that puts into question the Holy Roller photo time stamp?

regards,
Jack

[Colin Alford]

Jack,

Late last night I started into the 2 Cdn Armd Bde War Diary. It provides copies of some of the orders issued to 6 CAR during May which are not included in the 6 CAR War Diary. The briefing schedule for Overlord is included.

The HQ 2CAB diary for the period 20 Apr - 31 May was written as a narrative because “no daily records were made”. On approx 15 May, HQ 2 Cdn Armd Bde replaced all rubber track on Shermans and replaced them with steel track! This was done during their period of waterproofing and modifying their AFVs. https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/o...51/937?r=1&s=4

While I haven’t noticed a written order to subordinate units to change all track to steel, 6 CAR was engaged with waterproofing and modifying their tanks the week after their higher headquarters. This modifying might have included changing any rubber track to steel.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Michael R.

this may help your 105mm SP Priest (M7) track identification.

Look at the shape of the chevron cleat and notice a small tab maybe 2" long in the gap between the track pads. That is a characteristic identification element of the T54E1.