Churchill turret used by Germans

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by Owen, Apr 29, 2020.

  1. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Just seen this on pinterest.
    Supposedly a German position using a Churchill turret.
    Not sure on what mark of Churchill it's from . Not looking it up now.
    Could it be from one left behind at Dieppe ?
    Maybe one we sold to the Soviets ?
    1e35a65ebfab643461d386967a616197--bunker-scale-models.jpg
     
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  2. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

    IMG_0724.jpg

    Here you go. From page 46 of Tank Turret Fortifications by Neil Short
     
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  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Cheers - so part of the La Havre defences.
    I'll have a look at my copy of ATB No. 139 .


    Edit.
    Strongpoint 2 gets mentioned on page 16.
     

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    Last edited: Apr 30, 2020
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  4. Robert-w

    Robert-w Banned

    Ammunition for the 6 pounder must have been a problem.
     
  5. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

    Definitely. On page 45 discussing this emplacement, Short mentions that this is the only Churchill turret used this way "probably because of the lack of ammunition". He notes that there were few tanks landed in the the first place and the Calgary Regiment expended much of its ammunition in the raid, leaving little to equip the panzerstellung.

    He also mentions that 'Cougar", one of the Calgary's Churchills engaged a dug-in French tank during the raid, being the first Allied tank to engage and destroy a German panzerstellung. The Calgary Regiment later faced Panther turret emplacements in Italy.
     
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  6. Juha

    Juha Junior Member

    One must remeber that Soviet Union got circa 250 Churchill IIIs and IVs plus circa 650 T48 Gun Carriers, named by them as SU-57. So Germans might well have captured some 6 pdr ammo from them.
     
  7. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Some limited context stuff from Regenberg on early captured Churchills :unsure: :
    Examples of each type sent to the WaA, obviously, but usable 6pdr. examples Given to Beute Pz,Ko. 81, whch became Pz.Rgt. 100 late 1942. Two Churchill III operated before turning over to Beute Pz.Ko 205 in '43. This unit used them as hard targets as Ammunition & spares had already run out by then.

    I suppose... If you've got a decent turret & the ammunition from maybe 30 captured machines, it makes more sense to bung it on a quiet emplacement somewhere than try and field vehicles without spares support.
     
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