8th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by dbf, Mar 12, 2013.

  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Sherwood Rangers

    Serial No.: A.58.

    Mark: III

    W.D. No.: 151785

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: 10 yards

    Cause of Damage: H.C. penetration

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Going through a village. The Commander got out to capture the man who fired at them. Position of turret Not Known.

    Position of Hit: Penetration through the centre of front glacis plate from in front.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Gear box was destroyed. No fire.

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Officers.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt.
     
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Sherwood Rangers

    Serial No.: A.148.

    Mark: V

    W.D. No.: 150666

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: 10 yards

    Cause of Damage: H.C. penetration

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Static when hit.

    Position of Hit: Penetration through the left hand side of the hull opposite the Operator.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Jet probably went into the sponson ammunition and set it off.

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Officers.

    Fate of Crew:
    Commander, Gunner & Co-Driver: Unhurt. Killed outside after escaping by a mortar while getting on to another tank.
    Operator: Killed
    Driver: 2 degree burns face. Wounded by mortar shell outside while getting on to another tank. RTD in 6/52. Category A.1.
     
  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Sherwood Rangers

    Serial No.: A.149.

    Mark: Not Known

    W.D. No.: Not Known

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: 30 yards

    Cause of Damage: H.C. non-penetration

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Leading tank going into CLOPPENBURG

    Position of Hit: Oblique hit on the front glacis plate removed a welded track plate and partially penetrated the armour.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: No internal damage

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Officers.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt.
     
  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Sherwood Rangers

    Serial No.: A.150.

    Mark: Not Known

    W.D. No.: Not Known

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: 75 yards

    Cause of Damage: H.C. scoop

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Going down the main street at HENGELO when fired at simultaneously from both sides.

    Position of Hit: a) scoop on the front of the Co-Driver's periscope holder; B) scoop on the left hand front suspension unit; c) and d) scoops on the front right hand suspension units.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: None of the hits penetrated or did any major damage.

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Officers.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt.
     
  5. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Sherwood Rangers

    Serial No.: A.151.

    Mark: Not Known

    W.D. No.: Not Known

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: 10 yards

    Cause of Damage: H.C. scoop

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Not Known

    Position of Hit: Hit on the front of the right track from in front.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Slight damage to hull and front suspension unit. No internal damage, but tank was unable to move, and crew baled out.

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Officers.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt. Whole crew were killed by M.G. fire after escaping.
     
  6. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    P2940906_zps72261e8d.jpg

    Regiment: Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Sherwood Rangers

    Serial No.: B.33.

    Mark: 1 c

    W.D. No.: 263621

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: 20

    Figure Nos.: 13 - 15
    8th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: Not Known

    Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm.) penetration.

    Fire Damage: Confined

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: 4th tank in column going through CLOPPENBURG, shot at from the right flank, but the gun position was never located. Turret at 12 o'clock.

    Position of Hit: Penetration approximately 75 mm. diameter through rear bottom corner of the front applique of the right hand side of the hull.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot passed back across the turret floor having gone through the sponson behind the Co-Driver. Its detailed path in the turret could not be traced as the latter was sealed. Fire was confined to the turret and the damage appeared to have been minor. The ammunition had not exploded.

    Remarks: Tank seen.

    Fate of Crew:
    Commander & Operator: Unhurt in tank. Killed outside after escaping.
    Gunner: Unhurt. P.O.W.
    Driver: Unhurt in tank. Wounded outside after escaping.
     
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  7. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: Staffordshire Yeomanry

    Serial No.: A.65.

    Mark: V DD

    W.D. No.: 211893

    Date: 24 March 1945

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: 100 yards

    Cause of Damage: A.P. scoop

    Fire Damage: Burnt out

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Immobilised by engine failure in Speldrop during the night, when hit by an S.P. which came round the corner and fired from short range. The vehicle was not penetrated but fire started in the D.D. screens and involved the whole vehicle. Strikes thought to have been oblique.

    Position of Hit: a) through the front screens to scoop tank; b ) hit a track support roller and scooped the side armour.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Started a fire which involved the whole tank. It may have hit an oil drum on the front. Crew baled out after first hit.

    Remarks: Tank seen. No signs of hits found. Information from Squadron Officers.

    Fate of Crew:
    Crew: Unhurt
     
  8. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    P2940893_zps32a83b9c.jpg

    Regiment: Staffordshire Yeomanry

    Serial No.: A.66.

    Mark: V DD

    W.D. No.: 148559

    Date: 24 March 1945

    Photo No.: 8

    Figure Nos.: 8, 11
    8th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: 400 yards

    Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm.) penetration

    Fire Damage: Burnt out

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: On top of a dyke outside Speldrop during the night of the Rhine crossing. Turret at 12 o'clock.

    Position of Hit: Penetration through right side of the turret about two feet from the back of the wireless bulge and just above the turret ring. Hole approximately 75 mm. diameter.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot went inwards and upwards to hit the turret roof just in front of the Commander's cupola. It then went downwards to hit the turret ring on the far side of the turret roughly opposite its point of entry. Tank was burnt out completely. Commander could have been hit by the shot, which his unlikely to have itself injured either the Gunner or the Operator.

    Remarks: Tank seen.

    Fate of Crew:
    Commander: a) T and T wound right thigh with fractured right femur; b ) deep flesh wound buttock and genitals; c) amputation thumb and first two fingers left hand. Large F.B. (size Not Known) removed from buttock. Still in hospital, end of September 1945.
    Gunner: Killed.
    Operator: a) scalp wound (right occipital parietal); b ) superficial wound left forearm; c) 1 and 2 degree burns face, arms and hands. RTD in 7/52. Category A.1.
    Driver and Co-Driver: Unhurt.
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2017
  9. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    P2940898_3_zpsbdfb3359.jpg

    P2940898_zps80ddbe88.jpg

    Regiment: Staffordshire Yeomanry

    Serial No.: A.72.

    Mark: V DD

    W.D. No.: 233547

    Date: 24 March 1945

    Photo No.: 12

    Figure Nos.: 8, 11, 12
    8th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: Point blank

    Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm.) penetrations and scoops

    Fire Damage: Confined fire.

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Not Known

    Position of Hit: a) penetration through front glacis plate between Driver and Co-Driver, nearer the latter and just above the hull gun. Oval hole 200 x 75 mm.; b ) scoop on the top of the turret between the mantlet and the fan cowl; c) partial penetration of the right hand side of the top of the turret going into the Gunner's periscope; d) penetrate 75 mm. in diameter between the right hand side of the mantlet and the applique armour on the side of the turret; e) scoop right hand side of hull at the front of the rear applique armour.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: a) crew got out after the first hit had damaged the top of the gear box, but does not appear to have gone back into the turret. No fire in the front compartment; b ) and c) flaking of the armour on the inside of the turret; d) hit the elevating gear and then the floor under the gun which was dented; e) no internal damage. Fire, which was not severe and did not involve all the ammunition, was confined to the turret. The order in which the shots hit is Not Known in detail, except that the first shot did not penetrate.

    Remarks: Tank seen.

    Fate of Crew:
    Commander, Operator, Driver and Co-Driver: Unhurt
    Gunner: Severe burns hands and face and neck. Discharged in 22/52. Category E.
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2017
  10. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: Staffordshire Yeomanry

    Serial No.: A.73.

    Mark: V DD

    W.D. No.: 228571

    Date: 24 March 1945

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: 2000 yards

    Cause of Damage: A.P. non-penetration

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: On top of a dyke. Position of turret Not Known.

    Position of Hit: Non-penetrating hit on the top of the engine compartment.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: No internal damage

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Officers. Repaired by L.A.D.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt.
     
  11. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    P2940896_zps72189276.jpg

    Regiment: Staffordshire Yeomanry

    Serial No.: A.75.

    Mark: V DD

    W.D. No.: 232512

    Date: 24 March 1945

    Photo No.: 11

    Figure Nos.: 8, 10
    8th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: 2000 yards (?)

    Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm.) penetration

    Fire Damage: Burnt out

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Moving backwards into cover when hit. Turret 12 o'clock.

    Position of Hit: Through centre of left side of the hull two feet behind the front applique armour. Hole 74 mm. diameter.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: The projectile passed through the engine bulkhead in which there was a large hole, 12 x 8 inches, and finished up in the right hand petrol tank. Tank completely burnt out.

    Remarks: Tank seen.

    Fate of Crew:
    Commander, Gunner, Driver and Co-Driver: Unhurt
    Operator: Superficial wound right buttock and left ankle. RTD in 7½ / 52. Category A.1.
     
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2017
  12. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    P2940894_4_zps7d00e7e5.jpg

    Regiment: Staffordshire Yeomanry

    Serial No.: A.74.

    Mark: V DD

    W.D. No.: 147969

    Date: 25 March 1945

    Photo No.: 9

    Figure Nos.: 8, 12
    8th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: Not Known

    Cause of Damage: A.P. 75 mm. penetration

    Fire Damage: Burnt out

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Not Known. Turret at 4 o'clock

    Position of Hit: Penetration through the front of the hull at the left hand side of the M.G. mounting. Large jagged hole whose minimum diameter was 86 mm.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: The tank was burnt out. Co-Driver could have been hit by the shot.

    Remarks: Tank seen.

    Fate of Crew:
    Driver: Unhurt
    Commander: Deep flesh wound left knee, 1 and 2 degree burns hands and face. RTD in 5/52. Category A.
    Gunner: Partial amputation left foot. T and T wounds left thigh, 1 and 2 degree burns, face and hands. Still in hospital 1 November 1945.
    Operator: Burns face, hands, arms and left shoulder, all 2 degree. RTD in 6/52. Category A.1.
    Co-Driver: Killed.
     
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2017
  13. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    P2940896_4_zpsa0325004.jpg

    P2940896_3_zpsd379ef3e.jpg

    Regiment: Staffordshire Yeomanry

    Serial No.: A.71.

    Mark: V DD

    W.D. No.: 232115

    Date: 25 March 1945

    Photo No.: 11

    Figure Nos.: 8, 11
    8th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: 1500 yards

    Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm.) penetration

    Fire Damage: Burnt out

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: In Speldrop, at first light, static on the road. Turret 12 o'clock.

    Position of Hit: Penetration through the rear applique armour on the right hand side of the hull, hole 75 mm. diameter.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot passed across the tank and out the other side opposite the point of entry, leaving a large jagged hole with flaking of the armour (see photo). Tank caught fire immediately and was burnt out. No member of the crew would have been injured by the shot itself.

    Remarks: Tank seen.

    Fate of Crew:
    Commander: Died of Wounds. Died as soon as he got out of the tank. Although bot his feet were amputated, he got out without assistance.
    Gunner: Wound left side of abdomen with injury to viscera. F.B. removed from the abdominal cavity. Mild burns hands and face. RTD in 9/52. Category A.1.
    Operator: Scalp wound right temple region, perforated ear drums. RTD 7/52. Category A.1.
    Driver: Unhurt
    Co-Driver: 1 degree burns forehead. RTD in 7/52. Category A.1.
     
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2017
  14. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: Staffordshire Yeomanry

    Serial No.: A.69.

    Mark: V DD

    W.D. No.: 232284

    Date: 23 April 1945 [Edit: prob March 1945, see other casualties at Speldrop]

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: 400 yards

    Cause of Damage: A.P. penetrations and scoops and mined.

    Fire Damage: Burnt out

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: On top of a dyke outside Speldrop during the night of the Rhine Crossing, the tank was hit several times and abandoned but remained a runner. The crew later re-entered the tank and were driving it out of the line when it was mined and caught fire. Tank subsequently exploded and when seen it was upside down with the turret blown offend the gun buried.

    Position of Hit: a) hit on centre suspension unit on the right hand side, non-penetrating; b ) through open flaps of Commander's hatch; c) hit on barrel of 75 mm. gun which was split; d) T and T hull. Entry on Co-Driver's side and exit on Driver's side. Exact position of hits not known.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Crew baled out after shot a) which caused no casualties. Details of internal damage caused by A.P. Not Known, except that tank remained a runner. One man who was exposed through the turret was injured by a flying fragment when the tank was mined.

    Remarks: Tank seen, but owing to its position a detailed examination could not be made.

    Fate of Crew:
    Unhurt by the A.P. shots.
    One member injured in the head by mine fragments.
     
  15. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    P2940895_zpsfba18ff9.jpg

    P2940895_4_zps434bd49c.jpg

    Regiment: Staffordshire Yeomanry

    Serial No.: A.68.

    Mark: V DD

    W.D. No.: 232263

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: 10

    Figure Nos.: 8, 10, 12
    8th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: 1000 yards

    Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm.) penetrations and scoops

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Not Known. Turret found at 12.30 o'clock.

    Position of Hit: a) penetration through the rim of the Driver's hatch to the left of its centre, into the turret below the turret ring. Hole 75 mm. diameter; b ) penetration into the extreme right hand side of the final drive. Hole 90 mm. diameter; c) penetration into the front of the gearbox. Oval hole 76 mm. wide; d) hit on the front left hand suspension unit into which the round was jammed, chipped the driving sprocket before hitting the suspension unit; e) scoop on the side wall of the left hand petrol tank towards its rear end.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: a) went into the turret after hitting the roof of the Driver's compartment and damaged one of the supports of the turret basket. There was no fire.

    Remarks: The order in which the shots hit the tank could not be found, but it was thought that b ) was the first shot and that the crew escaped immediately after it.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt.
     
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2017
  16. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    P2940896_2_zps8b3f76b3.jpg

    Regiment: Staffordshire Yeomanry *

    Serial No.: A.76.

    Mark: V DD

    W.D. No.: 232286

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: 11

    Figure Nos.: 8, 11
    8th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: 700 yards

    Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm. Kw. K. 40) penetration

    Fire Damage: Burnt out

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Not Known. *This tank was said to belong to Staffordshire Yeomanry but they could give no information about it. 44 R.T.R. the other regiment with D.D. equipment similarly disowned it. Turret 2.30 o'clock.

    Position of Hit: Penetration through the side wall of right sponson below the centre of the turret. Hole 76 mm. diameter.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot hit the engine bulkhead in front of which its tip was found. The tank was burnt out.

    Remarks: Tank seen. 20 empty Kw. K. 40 shell cases were found 700 yards away from the tank in a cottage garden at which the tanks own gun was pointing and an abandoned German S.P. carrying a Kw. K. 40 gun was found 100 yards further away.

    Fate of Crew: Unknown
     
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  17. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: Staffordshire Yeomanry

    Serial No.: A.141.

    Mark: Not Known

    W.D. No.: 149942

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: Not Known

    Cause of Damage: A.P. non-penetration

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Not Known

    Position of Hit: Scoop on the final drive.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: No internal damage

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Officers. Repaired by L.A.D.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt.
     
  18. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: Staffordshire Yeomanry

    Serial No.: A.67

    Mark: Not Known

    W.D. No.: ---911

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: Not Known

    Cause of Damage: H.E. hit.

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Soon after the Elbe crossing, static at the time.

    Position of Hit: H.E. hit open flap of Co-Driver's hatch.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Inside of the turret said to have been badly damaged, but the tank remained a runner. No fire. Turret crew injured by fragments.

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Officers.

    Fate of Crew:
    Commander & Operator: Killed
    Gunner: Deep wound with bone injury to the back of left wrist. Numerous small F.B's (0 - 50 mgms) in the soft tissues. Still in hospital 28 September 1945.
    Driver & Co-Driver: Unhurt.
     
  19. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Dbf - The Staff Yeo tank casualty in post #34, though dated 23 April 1945, is also a loss of the Rees bridgehead battle. Below the picture of the decapitated tank lying by the road-side near the Cream Factory at Klein Esserden.

    Molkerei.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2018
  20. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Post 36 is

    Is this the one you meant?

    It'd be handier to use the Serial No. for reference, rather than the post no.

    Cheers
     

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