1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

Discussion in 'The Brigade of Guards' started by dbf, Apr 10, 2013.

  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    TNA Catalogue Reference: WO 205/1165

    Extract from -
    Tank Casualties Survey, NWE 1945 | WW2Talk

    N.B. Although the original document states throughout that the unit is 1st Bn Grenadier Guards, this is unlikely as the bn was motorised, not armoured.
    I'm setting the thread title as Coldstream .



    See other threads for further Guards Armoured Division data, 1945:
    2nd Armoured Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS
    2nd Armoured Battalion IRISH GUARDS
    2nd Recce Battalion WELSH GUARDS


    Other Units in same survey:
    7th Armoured Division
    11th Armoured Division
    4th Armoured Brigade
    8th Armoured Brigade
     
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    FIGURES

    8 - P2940850_zpsde13a72f.jpg
    10 - P2940852_zps35ae3252.jpg

    12 - P2940854_zps58638ce5.jpg
    18 - P2940860_zps1b4d1060.jpg

    35 - P2940877_zps60ede2b7.jpg
    37 - P2940879_zpsf04624eb.jpg
    38 - P2940880_zps6839a40b.jpg


    KEY
    P2940842_zps376deb58.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2017
  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
    [nb the original document is incorrect, should read 1st Armoured Battalion Coldstream Guards]

    Serial No.: F.5.

    Tank:

    Mark: VI

    W.D. No.: 224119

    Date: 31 Mar 1945

    Photo No.: -

    Figure Nos.: 35, 37
    1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: Not Known

    Cause of Damage: H.C. penetration.

    Fire Damage: None.

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: At NEEDE.

    Position of Hit: Penetration through right side hull behind right front track support roller.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: No fire. Minor internal damage.

    Remarks: Tank seen after repair. Information from Troop Leader.

    Fate of Crew:
    Turret crew: Unhurt.
    Driver: a) abrasions left hand. b ) multiple tiny wounds in right thigh. X-rays shows multiple small F.B’s. RTD 3/52. Category A.1.
    Co-Driver: Killed.
     
  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    P2940889_2_zpsd875187f.jpg
    P2940889_5_zpscc29ee0a.jpg

    Regiment: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
    [nb the original document is incorrect, should read 1st Armoured Battalion Coldstream Guards]

    Serial No.: A.14

    Tank: Sherman

    Mark: N.K.

    W.D. No.: N.K.

    Date: 1 Apr 1945

    Photo No.: 5

    Figure Nos.: 8, 10
    1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: 500 yds.

    Cause of Damage: A.P. (105 mm.) (Flak. 38) penetration.

    Fire Damage: Burnt out

    Other tanks involved in same incident: -

    Circumstances: Knocked out by one of a battery of 105 mm. Flak. guns at the approach to a bridge over the canal at ENSCHEDE. Turret at 10 o’clock.

    Position of Hit: 110 mm. diameter penetration through side wall of left petrol tank.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot went across the engine and out through the rear end of the right petrol tank knocking a piece 12” x 18” out of the side plate of the right sponson. Tank caught fire at once.

    Remarks: Tank seen. This is a case in which an uninjured member of the crew of a tank was burnt to death as he was unable to get out quickly enough.

    Fate of Crew:
    Commander: Severe burns of face and hands requiring skin grafting. Still in hospital 21 Jul 1945. Medical Board Category D for 3/12.
    Gunner and Operator: Killed. Got out of tank and were found dead outside with clothes burnt off - presumably burnt to death.
    Driver: Burnt. Severe burns of face and hands requiring skin grafting. Still in hospital 20 Sep 1945. Final Category not known.
    Co-Driver: Killed. Never got out of tank. Body destroyed.
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2017
  5. secondworldwar-nl

    secondworldwar-nl Junior Member

    Hello Diane,

    This has to be the tank of Lt. Boscawen, 1st Armd. Btn. Coldstream Guards. His tank got knocked out by a 105MM gun and he got wounded in the incident.

    The following men of his crew where killed in the incident and are buried in Enschede.
    Guardsman Wright - gunner
    Guardsman Hanson - radio operator
    Guardsman Brandbury - 2e chauffeur

    3 other sherman tanks of the same battalion where knocked out in the same battle for the Lonneker bridge together with two scoutcars of the 2nd Household Cavalry Regiment.
    .
     
    dbf likes this.
  6. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    P2940903_2_zps4e8fcee6.jpg

    Regiment: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
    [nb the original document is incorrect, should read 1st Armoured Battalion Coldstream Guards]

    Serial No.: B.9.

    Tank:

    Mark: V c

    W.D. No.: 228560

    Date: 8 Apr 1945

    Photo No.: 17

    Figure No.: -

    Range: N.K.

    Cause of Damage: H.C. damage.

    Fire Damage: Minor, confined.

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: N.K.

    Position of Hit: H.C. hit the Commander in the head.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Apparently minor internal damage. One round on floor of turret and some external stowage had burned.

    Remarks: Tank seen. Information from Padre.

    Fate of Crew:
    Gunner and Driver: Unhurt.
    Commander: Killed. Hit in head by H.C. projectile.
    Operator: Wounded. a) Multiple wounds thigh. X-ray shows 25, 1-50 mgm F.B’s and many smaller F.B’s. b ) Compound comminuted fracture right tibia and fibula with multiple small leg wounds and extensive damage to calf muscles, but no nerve injury, X-ray shows 25, 0-50 mgm F.B’s and many smaller F.B’s. c) Compound fracture of 2 metatarsal. X-ray shows 6, 1-50 mgm F.B’s and many smaller F.B’s. Still in hospital 22 September 1945. Final category Not Known.
     
  7. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    P2940928_zpsede6e3fc.jpg

    Regiment: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
    [nb the original document is incorrect, should read 1st Armoured Battalion Coldstream Guards]

    Serial No.: F.3.

    Tank:

    Mark: VI

    W.D. No.: 224103

    Date: 8 Apr 1945

    Photo No.: 42

    Figure Nos.: 35, 38
    1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: 20 yds.

    Cause of Damage: H.C. (Panzerfaust) penetration.

    Fire Damage: Minor, confined fire.

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Turret at 12.30 o’clock

    Position of Hit: Penetration 55 mm. diameter, hole through upper edge of front of hull and edge of Driver’s hatch, which was closed when the tank was hit.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Apparently minor internal damage. Fire confined to Driver’s seat and cover of wireless.

    Remarks: Tank seen.

    Fate of Crew:
    Commander and Co-Driver: Unhurt.
    Operator: Wounded. a) penetrating abdominal wound in left loin and superficial wounds in epigastric region. X-ray shows 10, 0-50 mgm. F.B’s and 1, 50-250 mgm. F.B. b ) multiple superficial wounds left thigh, knee and leg. Developed tuberculous peritonitis. Still in hospital 27 September 1945. Final category not known.
    Driver: Killed. Burnt, but with no obvious wound.
     
  8. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    P2940929_3_zps023f61ac.jpg

    Regiment: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
    [nb the original document is incorrect, should read 1st Armoured Battalion Coldstream Guards]

    Serial No.: G.3.

    Tank:

    Mark: ARV

    W.D. No.: 148333

    Date: 8 Apr 1945

    Photo No.: 43

    Figure No.: -

    Range: N.K.

    Cause of Damage: H.C. penetration.

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Not Known

    Position of Hit: Penetration through the side wall of the left sponson at its junction with the front of the hull.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: No fire and apparently minor internal damage.

    Remarks: Tank seen. Information from B.T.A.

    Fate of Crew:
    Crew consisting of Operator, (next to the Driver) and passenger, in centre compartment: Unhurt except for the
    Driver: Wounded - ruptured eardrum. RTD 1/52. Category A.
     
  9. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
    [nb the original document is incorrect, should read 1st Armoured Battalion Coldstream Guards]

    Serial No.: AB.5.

    Tank:

    Mark: N.K.

    W.D. No.: N.K.

    Date: 26 Apr 1945

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: N.K.

    Cause of Damage: A.P. scoop.

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Not Known

    Position of Hit: Not Known

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: A.P. scoop made main armament fire, and the recoiling gun hit the Operator

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Leader.

    Fate of Crew:
    Operator: Wounded. Bruise right elbow and superficial wound right forearm. RTD 3/52. Category A.1.
     
  10. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    P2940891_2_zps2d93cde6.jpg

    Regiment: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
    [nb the original document is incorrect, should read 1st Armoured Battalion Coldstream Guards]

    Serial No.: A.15.

    Tank:

    Mark: N.K.

    W.D. No.: N.K.

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: 6

    Figure Nos.: 8, 10, 12
    1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: Not Known

    Cause of Damage: A.P. penetrations and scoops. H.E. hit.

    Fire Damage: Burnt out

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Knocked out near Lingen. Turret found at 7 o’clock.

    Position of Hit: a) hole 89 x 135 mm. in bulldozer blade and penetration into right final drive; b ) scoop side wall left petrol tank; c) scoop roof left petrol tank just behind turret; d) H.E. hit front of turret a few inches to right of the right edge of gun mantlet.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot a) did not go through into crew compartment. Either a) or c) might have started the fire.

    Remarks: Tank seen. Squadron Leader refused to allow information about circumstances and fate of crew to be obtained.

    Fate of Crew: Not Known.
     
  11. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
    [nb the original document is incorrect, should read 1st Armoured Battalion Coldstream Guards]

    Serial No.: B.8.

    Tank:

    Mark: I c

    W.D. No.: 263616

    Date: N.K.

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: 18
    1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: N.K.

    Cause of Damage: H.C. scoop.

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: N.K.

    Position of Hit: Hole about 40 mm. diameter into gun trunnions behind 17-pounder mantlet.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: No apparent internal damage.

    Remarks: Tank seen.

    Fate of Crew: N.K.
     
  12. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
    [nb the original document is incorrect, should read 1st Armoured Battalion Coldstream Guards]

    Serial No.: F.4.

    Tank:

    Mark: VII

    W.D. No.: 271120

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure Nos.: 35, 38
    1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: Not Known

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

    Fire Damage: None.

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Near Lingen. Turret found at 12 o’clock, but traversable.

    Position of Hit: Scoop about 75 mm. diameter at junction of front of hull and floor, by Driver’s right foot.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: No fire. Small hole in floor by left side of gear box.

    Remarks: Tank seen.

    Fate of Crew: Not Known.
     
  13. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

Share This Page