Infantry division near Paderborn in July 1945?

Discussion in 'Postwar' started by Chris C, May 7, 2019.

  1. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Hi all,

    I was watching videos yesterday of the British testing of German armour at the Henschel testing grounds near Paderborn on July 4 1945, and I got quite excited when I realized that the Archer present had a name painted on it when I looked at it again. (??? SUR MER)

    Also, I had only watched the video showing the Valentine next to the hull of the E-100 prototype tank. I hadn't watch the Tiger tank being driven along with the Valentine and Archer! It got me wondering whether it would be possible to identify which unit supplied these vehicles - I can't make a divisional marking on either of them.

    Valentine next to E-100. Archer name visible at 1:10.


    Driving a Tiger, Valentine, and Archer, starting at 0:26. They drive in circles starting at 2:50


    Looking at the war diaries I have, I suspect these vehicles would have come from the 20th AT Reg't (3rd Division), 52nd AT Regiment (5th Division), or 54th AT Regiment (52nd Division). Were any of these nearby?

    I say that because I don't have those regiments' war diaries for July, and the other regiments either had turned in their vehicles or were at least an hour and a half away and I don't think I see mention of sending vehicles. I could be incorrect, though.
     
    stolpi likes this.
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I can see 3rd Inf Div triangles on the Archer just to left of towing eye by track on the first video.
     
    Last edited: May 7, 2019
    Chris C likes this.
  3. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Thank you Owen!! I will take another look :)
     
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Cropped image
     

    Attached Files:

  5. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Its also on the shoulders of some of the officers in the clip

    TD
     
  6. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Thanks guys, I had completely missed that. :)
     
  7. Historic Steve

    Historic Steve Researching 21 Army Group/BAOR post VE day

    Chris
    Can confirm from Kew documention for 20th Anti-Tank Regiment RA of 3rd Infantry Division
    29 May 45 to 16 Aug 45 – Büren south-west of Paderborn
    and as at 4 Jul 45
    52 were in Braunlage south-west of Goslar
    54 were in Aspelare south-east of Melle in Belgium
    https://britisharmyingermany.com
     
    Owen and Chris C like this.
  8. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Thank you, Steve, that's brilliant!
     

Share This Page