Churchill Tank at Carrickfergus

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by ww2ni, Aug 22, 2014.

  1. ww2ni

    ww2ni Senior Member

    This is the Churchill Tank on display in Carrickfergus.

    Super example which looks really well.

    I think the number on the front is G 52 5 022 but not sure.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    ws2ni

    The main reason that this Churchill looks so good is that it saw little fighting - as it is a Mk Vii which was delivered to the 21st Tank bde in Northern Italy just prior

    to the break up of both 142 RAC in 25th Bde and 145 RAC of 21st Tank bde probably - according to the number 173 belonged to 12RTR- but the name probably

    came from the NIH which took the place of 145 RAC in 21st Tank bde- note the 75mm gun

    Cheers
     
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  4. ww2ni

    ww2ni Senior Member

    I guess the G 52 5 022 number, which you can see just below the main gun is perhaps a Production Number.
    Does that look correct??
     
  5. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    ww2ni
    The number is actually G5216022K and is a production number - the 173 - 174 - 175 was added to our Brigade two days before we started the Battle of th

    Gothic line in order to confuse Kesselring that we were the 1st Cdn Ab - who were still at Florence conning the enemy that the main push for Florence would be by

    the 1st Cdn Div - instead we did a U turn and went over to the Adriatic to start the battle over the Metauro River on 25th August -scaring the hell out of the enemy

    who didn't expect us there

    OWEN - knew the NIH would have hand in it as they took over from145 RAC when we were disbanded in the December '44

    Cheers
     
  6. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Owen
    now having read your link about the NIH and Brig Stickland - would agree that after taking over as Brigadier of 21st Tank bde just before the Col' of NIH went sick

    and so Stick went back to lead NIH through the Hitler line then came back to 21st Tb at the same time the new insignia of the spirit behind the Tank Tombola was

    issued….

    Cheers
     
  7. gtblackwell

    gtblackwell Junior Member

    Thank you for posting these, good views. I have a soft spot for Churchills and have only seen one in my life back in 1980 ! I figured it would bring Tom out for a say . Tom , wre you in a Churchill 111? I am guessing that you had a 6 pounder? A 75 would have given more comfort to your crew I am guessing.. did you have any discarding sabot anti-tank rounds ?

    Gaines
     
  8. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Gaines

    yes I was a wireless operator in the sergeants Tank of A' Squadron 145th RAC in 21st Tank bde - in both North Africa and Italy until being knocked out during the

    battle of San Martino in the Gothic Line - we lost the troop leader and my Sergeant that same day - the gunner was badly wounded and I spent nearly six months in

    various hospitals being patched up - our bde was main Tank support for the Canadian 1st Inf Div - with our Churchills Mk Vi's and 6 pounder guns - the 75mm and

    fancy ammo came near the end in Italy as there were more needed in France and Germany - we were told often-it was good Tank even with the 6 pounder

    and took a lot of punishment

    Cheers
    That should read - Sergeants Tank of 5th Troop- "A" Squadron etc
     

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