possibly and later re-equipping with M4 Sherman DD tanks.[2] 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards - Wikipedia WW2 Colourised Photos The Regiment then pursued the enemy south via CAUMONT and JURQUES and then the ‘Great Swan’ commenced via AMIENS and ARRAS driving the enemy BBC - WW2 People's War - XVI. Short History of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards
Or, The SRY, also equipped with DD tanks, is reported to have captured Jurques with the 7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment mounted on their tanks. That was on August 2nd, 1944. If there were casualties involved in the loss the DD tank, the St. Charles de Percy War Cemetery, located just south of Jurques, may offer some clues. Some, like Lt Alan Martin Birkett of the SRY, were lost on August 2nd near Jurques but commemorated at the Bayeux Memorial.
Great close-up Michael! As I am sure you noted, we can even see what Mark it is. From the reflection of the light on the hull we can see that it is a cast hull, thus a Sherman II DD, confirmed by the engine deck and what is visible of the engine. See for comparison these US M4 wrecks: If for no other reason, it must belong to either 1 NOTTS YEO or to 4/7 DG (I doubt that a US unit would have ventured there...). Apparently both regiments lost tanks in the vicinity, perhaps not only during the capture of Jurques but in the following few days too. The War Diary around 1-5 August should provide the answer. Pity that the marking on the turret is not quite clear Michel
The SRY wardiary between 1st-5th August 1944 has: 2nd August 1944: Sqns moved throughout the night, 1st (Troop perhaps?) C Sqn led the way towards JURQUES which was reached without opposition. Between line and LA BIGNE (7650) they were halted by mines and suffered casualties from mortars and small arms fire 2 tanks were destroyed by enemy SP guns and tanks. LA BIGNE was occupied after some hours delay but the advance again halted 200 yds South of the village. 3rd August 1944: Another attempt to advance by C and 7 HANTS in the early hours was halted by M.G. fire and mines. Various plans were made throughout the day but heavy and accurate mortar, shell and M.G. fire rendered these ineffective and finally a report probably unfounded, of enemy tanks and Infantry advancing to attack from the S.E. resulted in posns of a semi-defensive nature being adopted. 4th August 1944: "A" moved to near MONPIED (7651) to protect the left flank of "C" + 5 Dorsets again advancing from LA BIGNE towards ONDEFONTAINE. This time enemy resistance was weak, although the single available road through BOIS DU HOMME favoured defence. In ONDEFONTAINE there were some MK IV's and S.P. Guns but after a heavy Arty "STONK" the Inf finally got into the village in the early hours of the morning. During this advance of approximately 9 miles from CHAUMONT we have lost 6 tanks of which three will fight again, and have had 24 causalities. In view of the thickly enclosed nature of the country and the exposed nature of some of the roads and forward slopes which had to be used in the JURQUES area, our losses are less than one would have anticipated. Cooperation with Infantry has been excellent throughout. 5th August 1944: Mortar fire continues to be one of the Crew Comds greatest dangers and in recent weeks has accounted for a fair proportion of our causalities. C Sqn remained just NORTH of ONDEFONTAINE and their activity was confined to sending recce patrols East. A Sqn with 5 DORSETS advanced to X Rds one mile S.E. of the town.
Incidentally, there are a number of ref's in Padre Skinner's diary to various of the SRY's knocked out tanks and there is some detail quoted here: A Padre's tale: How an Army chaplain's diary throws new light on the anniversary of D-Day On August 4, two months after the landings, he wrote: “On foot located brewed up tanks. Only ash and burnt metal in Birkett’s tank. Searched ash and found pelvic bones. At other tanks three bodies still inside. Unable to remove bodies after long struggle – nasty business – sick.” And you may be able to google preview some refs. to the fighting around Jurques in Monty’s Marauders: The 4th and 8th Armoured Brigades in the Second World War By Patrick Delaforce e.g. Monty’s Marauders
