does anyone know whether any tanks were sent to Shetland during WW2, only heard rumours. As far as I know it was too boggy for tanks
I could not find anything with an online search except this map shows tank traps (probably concrete blocks to stop German tanks). If the army constructed defences against possible tank landing then it seems like there must have been some land on which tanks could maneuver. https://www.shetland.gov.uk/downloads/file/1472/ww2-in-shetland-for-s1-3 What we need now is someone who has studied or has a book about the garrison.
The ‘Present Garrison’ in the attached schedule seems to reflect the peak garrison in June 1943, before the drawdown, and makes no mention of armoured troops. Shetland gets several mentions in the Chiefs of Staff minutes and memoranda (all available to download, contrary to indications) which may be worth reviewing: Search results: Shetland | The National Archives.
Not "tanks", but vehicles with tracks at least. Courtesy of IWM Collections: AN EXERCISE IN THE SHETLAND ISLES I'm still looking for tanks Kind regards, always, Jim. EDIT: Carriers again here: AN EXERCISE IN THE SHETLAND ISLES AN EXERCISE IN THE SHETLAND ISLES AN EXERCISE IN THE SHETLAND ISLES AN EXERCISE IN THE SHETLAND ISLES AN EXERCISE IN THE SHETLAND ISLES Maybe a chance to determine where it is "Near Lerwick". Line of buildings in the background in the photo here (link below): AN EXERCISE IN THE SHETLAND ISLES And nissen type huts here: AN EXERCISE IN THE SHETLAND ISLES But no tanks :-(
I visited the Shetlands in the summer of 2022 and had a good tour of the islands. One aspect stood out as regards precautions against a German invasion and that was the remains of anti tank Dragons Teeth in the West Mainland. These were intended to protect RAF Sullum Voe from enemy access from the Atlantic across a narrow strip of land which a main road of the area passed. Any surprise landing here would give the enemy quick access to Sullom Voe. However the Shetland countryside is to a large extent difficult to navigate, being composed of a large number of peat deposits and certainly not tank country. Sumburgh airfield was a priority in defence arrangements. The 7th Battalion Black Watch activated from its TA status was dispatched to the Shetlands in December 1939 to guard the airfield, Lewick's perimeter was heavily defended by the setting up of the Robertson Line, named after Lieutenant Colonel Robertson, the Battalion's C.O. The operational structure was named LerForce. The photograph may have been taken at Dales Voe during an exercise recorded in April 1941.Dales Voe is on the northern outskirts of Lerwick. It is a deep Voe within the Lerwick perimeter, was well protected and the location of frequent exercises. A visit to Dales Voe now reveals the place where the "mighty" fall. It's the decommissioning location for North Sea oil and gas rigs where the massive structures are cut up and recycled. Interesting place to visit from an engineering aspect to see the technique used to dismantle and recycle the rigs. The museum at Scalloway is a most interesting place to visit covering the history of the Shetlands with comprehensive coverage of the wartime years which of course includes the account of the Shetland Bus which is prominent.
