Cromwell Help

[alvin5182]

Gentlemen:
I have been asked to do a model for a rapidly deteriorating vet. I need help. The only info I have is that he was in the British Army in North Africa. The information is sketchy, but includes he was in the armoured division,he drove Cromwells, and was attached to the Kings Own-3rd Hussars.

Any help as to possible sources, websites, colours, markings etc etc.
would be of great assistance.

I have the Tamiya Cromwell Mk V in hand. Any modifications for the period?

Thanx in advance

Al Davis

[Frank Misztal]

Here's a link that might be helpful:

http://www.wwiivehicles.com/html/bri..._cromwell.html

Cheers,
Frank...

[John McGillivray]

I don't think that the Cromwell was ever used in North Africa since production only started in Jan. 1943. The 3rd Hussars - Kings Own also served in Italy until the end of the war. Maybe they used Cromwells there.
http://www.queenshussars.com/3krh.htm

[DaveCox]

None of my references mention the Cromwell being used in Italy - almost all allied tanks used in Italy were Shermans ( Sherman 111? ). I wonder if he means Crusader? in the desert.
The earliest overseas use of the Cromwell that I can trace was the Normandy invasion.

As names are sometimes mistaken, you could try showing the gentleman pictures of both vehicles and see if he recognises them?

[John McGillivray]

Another possibility is that he was in Syria or Palestine post WWII. When I was in collage I had a friend who's uncle served with the British Army in Palestine in the late 40's on Cromwells.

[John McGillivray]

I found another link on the 3rd Hussars. Which states:
"The remaining and reconstituted 3rd Hussars were re-equipped with Crusader, Sherman and Grant Tanks ready for the Battle ahead. In the first phase of El Alamein the regiment helped break through Rommel's Defences but in the second phase it was given the crucial task of forcing a gap through the remaining defences to enable the armoured reserves to break through. The "Moodkee Wallahs" succeeded and Alamein was won, at a cost of 21 Officer casualties and 98 other rank casualties whilst of their 51 Tanks, 47 were destroyed in the battle. So decimated was the Regiment that it was unable to join the pursuit. General Freyburgh granted the 3rd Hussars the Honour of wearing the "Fern Leaf" on their vehicles because of their participation with the New Zealand Division during the Battle."

http://www.qrh.org.uk/history1a.htm

There is no references to Cromwells anywhere.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by alvin5182
...he was in the British Army in North Africa. The information is sketchy...drove Cromwells

Al, if he drove Cruiser tanks in North Africa, he must have been on Crusaders instead of Cromwells.
http://www.wwiivehicles.com/html/bri..._crusader.html

[alvin5182]

Gentlemen:

i built the man in question a Cromwell with his divisional markings. In his weakened state he was not able to provide any further info.

the tank was presented to him within two weeks of my original post and he was thrilled. He keeps it by his bedside.

Thanks very much for your help in this matter. It was greatly appreciated by the vet and his son.

Al Davis

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by alvin5182
...the tank was presented to him within two weeks of my original post and he was thrilled. He keeps it by his bedside.

Al, thank you for making a veteran's day. Well done!

Hanno