Identifying location of exploded BEF Arty tractor

Discussion in '1940' started by Dirk, Dec 2, 2017.

  1. Dirk

    Dirk Member

    Hello,
    Does anyone know the village (town or city) where this horrid war photo was taken. ... Belgium? Northern France?.... A charred corpse (most likely of a gunner) is lying in front of the exploded artillery tractor.
    Did it hit a mine? Any help identifying this photo would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Dirk
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2017
  2. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    No photo.
     
  3. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    This is the photo that Dirk is referring to. exploded arty tractor.jpg
     
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  4. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    No clues with the photo, Dirk ? Something about it says 'Belgium' to me but I can't really place the building style to a specific location.

    There looks to be bomb damage to the upper elevation of the building. Odd though that windows are missing there but the (former ?) shopfront appears undamaged at street level.
     
  5. jonheyworth

    jonheyworth Senior Member

    Nasty . Poor bugger . Wonder if they ever identified him
     
  6. Dirk

    Dirk Member

    Thanks Rich,

    I to do think that judging by the archtectural features the photograph was most likely taken in Belgium. Perhaps a town situated West of the river Dender or West of the river Schelde, or even near the Belgian coast.

    Regards,
    Dirk
     
  7. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    Any other details on this photo?

    It appears to be a CMP vs a Morris but that isn't possible if this confirmed as a BEF picture.
     
  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    It looks like a mine strike or did these vehicles carry ammunition? I'm wondering if there was a shell inside that has exploded as a result of a fire?

    I'm no expert but looks more like Belgium than France.

    Dirk, I can share it on my Facebook page if you like? There's some clever folk on there that may be able to shed more light on this image.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  9. JCB

    JCB Senior Member

    Looking at the exit damage of the explosion it has come from inside the vehicle so my guess also is ammunition exploding inside. I believe they did carry some shells . If it was a mine would there not be a crater underneath ?
     
  10. Dirk

    Dirk Member

    I noticed the following photo posted by Keith (morrisc8) on "Dunkirk 1940. Inland France & Belgium. Photos, some never seen before." post 313
    In the left of his photo that same destroyed house (with shopfront) and exploded artillery tractor are seen.

    Regards,
    Dirk

    ww2 1940 bef limber gun on fire kb.JPG
     
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  11. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Good spot, Dirk,

    The roof style of the single-storey house in the middle is typical from Poperinge, south into French Flanders. The grassed area doesn't remind me of anywhere though...but it's clearly an area that wasn't flattened during the Great War.
     
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  12. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Re #9 above
    "Each troop consisted of three or four officers and 60 ‘other ranks’, who were equipped with four guns and six Quads, two of which were used to haul the ammunition". ( 67th Field Regt 1939 - Roger Day Ramsbury at War).

    I am sure that some of the forum vehicle enthusiasts will lay hands on documents specifying how many rounds could be carried in the Quad, plus of course whatever might actually be carried under wartime battle conditions.

    A deeply discomforting photo, let the victim be. May he Rest in Peace.
     
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2022
  13. chrisgrove

    chrisgrove Senior Member

    Rounded rear mudguards suggest Morris rather than CMP (ignoring date factors)
    Cheris
     
  14. LondonNik

    LondonNik Senior Member

    The second photo is very useful in that it shows two destroyed tractors both with 18/25 pdrs on tow which could help identify the unit as no AOS are visible. There is considerable damage to the street of houses but it seems neither limber nor guns were hit and the houses are not ablaze so the scenario is not clear. The unfortunate casualty may not necessarily be a member of the crew as the exact circumstances are unclear.
     

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