I am looking for combat photos of the small villages around Cassel.

Discussion in '1940' started by Augustin194024, Nov 18, 2022.

  1. I managed to find this photo of the entrance to Eecke via St sylvestre Cappel, a place of terrible fighting in 1940. It is totally this kind of thing that I am looking for to understand the situation of the place during the war.

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  2. ltdan

    ltdan Nietenzähler

  3. Kiwi REd One

    Kiwi REd One Junior Member

    Any idea as to which unit this Matilida 1 would belong to?

    Looking at photos of the 4th/7th RTR's counterattack at Arras on this site 1940 – 1941 the markings on the tank at Steenvoorde look remarkably similar:
    - Square white ID on front and side of the hull
    - Prewar UK registration plate (R(M?)Y 948) still attached
    - Looks like a nickname (?OMAS?) under the drivers periscope and above the .50" ammo belt

    Is this one of the last survivors of the 4th/7th RTR's composite force that fought at La Bassee canal? If they were withdrawing towards Dunkirk travelling through/near Cassel would certainly make sense.

    If not 4th/7th RTR does anyone know what British armoured units were present around Cassel during 20th - 28th May 1940?
     
  4. ltdan

    ltdan Nietenzähler

    According to Tank Names v7:
    GNAT
    7th Royal Tank Regiment, 1st Army Tank Brigade
    Infantry A11, Matilda Mk I
    T 5594
    RMY 948
     
  5. Kiwi REd One

    Kiwi REd One Junior Member

    Thanks Itdan, very helpful.

    If you look at the name hard it is indeed GNAT, so it is from the 4th/7th RTR composite force.
     

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