Sherman with double Bren mount

[Hanno Spoelstra]

An unidentified crew commander of the 8th Princess Louise’s (New Brunswick) Hussars in the hatch of his Sherman tank giving firing orders to his gunner during a predicted mass tank firing exercise, Italy, 2 March 1944

Two Bren machine guns are mounted directly behind the crew commander.

Credit: Lieut. Alex M. Stirton / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-213561

[Hanno Spoelstra]

An unidentified crew commander of the 8th Princess Louise’s (New Brunswick) Hussars looking into his Sherman tank’s access hatch during a predicted tank shoot, Italy, 2 March 1944

A Bren gun is installed next to the hatch.

Credit: Lieut. Alex M. Stirton / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-213559

[Gunner]

Hi Hanno:

I think the second picture is also a double mount... or it is an experimentall bren with a four legged bipod!

As you noted, the regiment was known in WWII as The 8th Princess Louise's New Brunswick Hussars. Nowadays the "Crazy Eights" are normally referred to as "8CH" as the Regiment's name is 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's). http://www.regiments.org/regiments/n...v/08Hussar.htm

It can all get a bit confusing as Princess Louise (1848-1939) was wife of the Marquis of Lorne who was the Governor General of Canada from 1878-1883, and she gave her name to several regiments:

Ottawa was home to the 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards (4th PLDG) (http://www.regiments.org/regiments/n...cav/05PLDG.htm)

There is an infantry regiment from Halifax named the Princess Louise Fusiliers (PLF) (http://www.regiments.org/regiments/n...nf/066PLF.htm.)

Cheers! Mike

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Gunner
I think the second picture is also a double mount... or it is an experimentall bren with a four legged bipod!

I think so too (the double mount, that is).

Thanks for the info re. the regiments.

H.

[Gunner]

Hi Hanno:

Looking at it more carefully (jeesh, we're an anal bunch aren't we!) , it looks like it is the same tank from a different angle. In the seconf photo you can see the unusual sight just below the chap's heel. It is the same sight welded on the vane in the first photo and is obvioulsy a lash up job of some sort.

Cheers! Mike

[Mark W. Tonner]

Here is a third shot of the same tank, see the indication on the photo.

Caption: Sherman tanks of "C" Squadron, 8th Princess Louise’s (New Brunswick) Hussars, taking part in an indirect shoot on a German-held crossroads, Tollo, Italy, 4 February 1944
Source: LAC - PA-193902
Credit: Lieut. Alex M. Stirton



Cheers