Afternoon folks I'm trying to find out some info on the guy named in the title! He was a crewman on a DD Sherman and on or around about the 24/25 Mar 45 his tank was knocked out and everyone except him was killed, however he did lose a leg in the engagement. Apparently people have said they've seen footage of the incident or the aftermath on something like Pathe News. Can anyone on here shed any light on this or at least point me in the right direction in trying to find footage of 44th RTR during that period at least!
Hi, I've tried the Pathé site, and couldn't find anything, but maybe what people saw was this, the famous Panther v Pershing incident in Cologne, where you can clearly see how the poor US Sherman tank commander bailed out with half a leg missing...
Had a look at civil records & online trees on ancestry to see if I could find him in England & Wales. This was the only candidate, which confirms if it is him, that he survived the war: Michael John Richard WAPLINGTON born 8 May 1924 Chapel-en-le Frith Reg Dist Derbyshire married 1946 Wandsworth London to Dorothy CHANDLER 1961 working as a Publicity Manager 1970's lived in Harmondsworth died age 48 on 17th Nov 1972 In the search also saw the name misspelt at WHAPPLINGTON etc.
Came across this, but as I'm not signed up on the site, couldn't see any details, but they have something on him: Record Details for M J R Waplington (Royal Tank Regiment) Maybe worth your while...
When things get open again RAC Movement cards for individual soldiers are at the Tank Museum, Bovington (fee of aprox £ 10 ?): https://tankmuseum.org/home
This article may confirm he is Trooper Waplington if it mentions his war record: ........ East Stour in which a woman pillion passenger received serious injuries was recalled during proceedings against Michael John Richard Waplington. Genoa-avenue. Putney °JL on - Wl, driving a motor-car without due care and attention He pleaded not guiitv and ......... Published: Friday 22 July 1949 Newspaper: Western Gazette County: Somerset, England https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/search/results?basicsearch=michael waplington&retrievecountrycounts=false&page=0 Sorry I don't have a BNA account to read the whole article.
Digging through the 4th Armoured Brigade Tank Casualties list, I dug this up. Not sure if it's correct, or if it helps, as there are only two tanks reported in the list to be knocked out on the date(s) you specified. Although there is no mention of a leg lost, rather a compound fracture below the knee. Regiment: 44 Royal Tank Regiment Serial No.: A.97 Mark: III DD W.D. No.: 152943 Date: 25 March 1945 Photo No.: - Figure No.: - Range: 1200 yards Cause of Damage: A.P. 75 mm. penetration Fire Damage: None Other tanks involved in same incident: Circumstances: Moving slowly forwards 2 - 3 m.p.h. when fired at by a gun, the flash of which was seen by witnesses. The first shot missed, the second hit. Turret at 12 o'clock. Position of Hit: Penetration through left side turret from half left rear. Course & Effect of Projectiles: Passed through the Operator and hit the breech of the 75 mm. gun. Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Leader. Fate of Crew: Driver and Co-Driver: Unhurt Commander: Wounded - compound fracture upper ⅓ right tibia. X-Ray shows no fragments. Discharged hospital to sick leave 9/52. Category D. Final Category Not Known. Gunner: Died of Wounds - multiple fragment wounds upper and lower limbs. Operator: Killed. A.P. shot passed through chest. I did dig up the names documented of those K.I.A on the dates you specified. It is possible some may have been in the same tank as Trooper Waplington, and others mentioned in the information above. They are as follows; Corporal Martin Leslie Amson 24/03/1945 L/Sergeant Geroge Thom 24/03/1945 Lieutenant Lionel Burse Chapman 25/03/1945 Corporal Maurice Colley 25/03/1945 L/Corporal William George Joy 25/03/1945 Trooper Denis Kent 25/03/1945 Trooper Hugh Williams White 25/03/1945
Hello Andy! (Feels weird not calling you sir!) B Sqn 44 RTR were detached from the other Sqn’s and sent in support of 6 Air Landing Brigade up at Hamminkeln. This was so they could have decent Armour support as the 6 Airborne Div moved off over the River Issel after consolidating after the initial assault ( Op Varsity) this is from 44 RTR war diary... 0950 - B Sqn arrived at 189497, one tk having gone up on a mine during the move. Here they were ordered to come in support of 6 AIR LANDING BDE who were at 198486 and whose Bns were holding brs at 215505, 216500 and 212485, these were being counter attacked and stonked at regular intervals, but had some SP's in support. I have the correct map for the grid references. Message me on FB and I’ll send you what even you need for more info. Alex.
I was going to ask about the grid references. I am currently going through them myself, reading up on the fighting in Belgium to be specific, and wondered how to regard the grid references. I too would be interested in any maps, etc, if that is ok?
Hi. the map I have is for the area of Hamminkeln / Wesel and is the correct one for this action on 25th March 45. Are you trying to find maps for Belgium?
Hi, Yes, anything that you might have would be great. My own relative served with them throughout the war and I have been trying to dig deeper. I have the Regiment's History which is great, and just last night received their Regimental Diaries which I am flicking through. The more info I can gather, the better.
Your relative was 44 RTR? Send me your email on a direct message on this site and I’ll see what I can help you with. Alex
