Michel Sabarly

B15147 Close Up

Identification of unit, Kevelaer 4 Mar 45 [Sjt Hutchinson]

B15147 Close Up
Michel Sabarly, Apr 2, 2018
    • Michel Sabarly
      Go to IWM B15147 and zoom in to see the Arm of Service number '51' more clearly.

      By the date the photos were taken, the AoS numbers for 8 Armd Bde had changed to the 'Type A' Armoured Brigade standard as follows:

      50 - Headquarters 8th Armoured Brigade
      51 - 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards
      52 - 1st Nottinghamshire (Sherwood Rangers) Yeomanry
      53 - 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary's Own)
      54 - 12th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • KevinT
      Some 4th / 7th Dragoon Guard names and numbers

      Sherman III, unless otherwise stated

      A Sqn

      Lancashire, Lancashire Ii, Winchester ( 2 Trp ), Newport ( 4 Trp Vc )

      B Sqn

      Shaggy Dog II, Dingaan

      C Sqn

      Shaggy Dog T152104

      Unmatched to Sqn / name

      Sherman Ic

      T263414, T263438

      Sherman III

      T151124, T151168, T151255, T 152212 Toronto Pam, T152662, T152950, T229850

      Sherman V

      T150263, T232405

      Sherman Vc

      T228496, T232296

      Shaggy Dog III

      Stuart VI

      T271322, T287750


      If anyone can see any errors or can match names to numbers or squadrons please post corrections.


      Cheers

      Kevin
    • Auke
      Hello,
      I'm new to this forum.
      We are restoring a Firefly Vc.
      We would like to re-create : " Newport" 4/7 RDG.
      Are there any pictures of this particular Firefly?
      Thanks, Auke
    • Michel Sabarly
      Hello Auke,

      Welcome to the forum! I did not know the name 'NEWPORT' was used for a Firefly in 4/7 DG. Do you have a particular source for this? Do you have any additional info on this tank, such as its troop/squadron, War Department Registration Number, crew member(s) or anything else which might help possibly identify it on photos where the name is not visible?

      Michel
    • Auke
      Michel Sabarly
      Hello Michael,

      Thanks!
      Kevin (in the above post) mentions:

      4 / 7 Dragoon Guard names and numbers

      A sqn Lancashire, Lancashire Li, Winchester (2 trp), Newport (Vc).

      B sqn etc, etc

      I assume Newport is a Firefly Vc?
      Newport is also listed the big file with WW2 British tank names and numbers.

      Auke
    • Totalise
      Auke I have just found this thread and if you are still looking for the markings of the 17-Pdr of 4 Troop, A Squadron 4/7 Royal Dragoon Guards around the time of D-Day, I believe it is shown leaving L.C.T. 1031 during Exercise Fabius II about 2min 20sec in in part 5 of the Fabius films on the IWM website ( THE 50TH (NORTHUMBRIAN) DIVISION REHEARSES ITS D-DAY INVASION ROLE DURING OPERATION "FABIUS II" (PART 5) [Allocated Title] ).

      The close up that follows is definitely a Sherman V with 4/7 RDG unit markings plus an A Squadron triangle with a 4 in it. As all A Squadron 75mm tanks were Sherman III's I'm pretty confident this is the same 17-Pdr as that seen manoeuvring to get out off the landing craft. Whether or not this is the tank named "Newport", I cannot say, however it is a Sherman Vc.

      According to 4 Troop Leader Alistair Morrison, Fireflies were issued to the Troop Sergeants in A Squadron which would make this the tank of Sergeant W. Harris with turret number 34. The tank before appears to be Sherman III turret number 35 (25 was also a 17-Pdr), which would make it the tank of Corporal C Johnson of 4 Troop.

      Hope this helps.

      Philip
    • Auke
      Thank you very much Philip. It is a Firefly Vc indeed and could be " Newport". Never saw this film.
      Totalise likes this.
    • Michael Nikov
      Here is a picture of "NEWPORT", courtesy of Richard "Dick" Eagles, the Loader/Wireless Operator aboard Sgt. Wilfred Harris' Sherman Vc. Notice the 6 kill markings below the name. Question for Totalize - how confident are you that the turret number was "34" for Harris' Firefly?
    There are no comments to display.
  • Album:
    8 Armd Bde tanks - please add your own photos
    Uploaded By:
    Michel Sabarly
    Date:
    Apr 2, 2018
    View Count:
    3,296
    Comment Count:
    8

    EXIF Data

    File Size:
    236 KB
    Mime Type:
    image/jpeg
    Width:
    799px
    Height:
    800px
     

    Note: EXIF data is stored on valid file types when a photo is uploaded. The photo may have been manipulated since upload (rotated, flipped, cropped etc).