RAC Tank Specialist Course Abbassia....what was taught?

Discussion in 'REME/RAOC' started by LADC, Jun 29, 2012.

  1. LADC

    LADC Member

    Curious what a Royal Armored Corps 'Tank Specialist Course' for LAD tradesmen would cover, require this for context in my research.

    There is a reference in my uncle's records of a 2 month Tank Specialist Course in Abbassia. He was in the 2nd Polish Armored Brigade, from what I've been able to piece together from various sources he gained some hands on experience in mid 42 on Valentines, Light Tank Mk VIB & AA Mk I plus some captured Italian types. Though already a skilled mechanic in Poland, in early 43 spent 3 months at 5 Adv Base Wksp for trades training to meet British Army requirements. Mid 43 sent to Abbassia Tank Specialist Course (no dates) and sometime between Oct-Nov 43 conversion course on Sherman III at 2 Base Wksp Tel-El-Kiber.

    What would a Tank Specialist Course specifically cover? I know the REME had gone through some major changes and innovations due to their experiences in various desert campaigns. Would this course have covered the latest in repair and recovery along with further technical training

    Your considerable knowledge would be appreciated.
    Chris......
     
  2. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    LADC -
    Many mechanics in civvy life never had any thing heavier than a small car to repair
    but as you are aware - Tanks are bit different - so it took all Tank Driver/Mechanics - and Driver / Operators three months to learn to drive and Maintain any Tank a full three months to drive and maintain the things...

    Soooooo to be able to rear the big things - it took a while and was constant as they kept changing models etc - and an LAD was primarily mostly REME types which meant that they cud fix many Tanks overnight - but if they couldn't then it was back to Brigade workshops-
    also taught at Abbassia was how to avoid being eaten alive by bed bugs by sleeping in the centre of the square.....that way you were bitten last
    Cheers
     
  3. LADC

    LADC Member

    Thanks for that Tom the bedbugs are an amusing anecdote! Any sense of what was specifically taught to the LAD fitters etc on a specialist course? It's worth noting that at this point he and others had already gained considerable experience with their Valentines in Iraq & Palestine. I know training was on going just looking for a better idea what a tank specialist course covered considering the students already had experience?
     
  4. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    LADC
    hauling out an engine - or transmission from e.g. a Churchill was a massive task
    and would have taken a lot of training to perform perfectly in order to get that Tank back on the line - replacing a track and adjusting the clutch - brakes etc was done by the Tank Crew but we never were allowed to take out the big stuff - even the gun - that was for the experts and not one but most likely two or three mechanics - a Valentine was a small job
    in comparison with what came later
    Cheers
     
  5. LADC

    LADC Member

    Thanks for your perspective Tom, it helps.

    Would anyone else know what would be covered in a 2 month specialist course, especially a course where the LAD fitters & tradesmen already had field experience on type (Valentine). Would it involve new 1st & 2nd echelon recovery procedures , new recovery tooling/equipment, more detailed training on type, navigation & radio procedure etc, lessons learned from recent combats etc?
     
  6. Alanst500

    Alanst500 Senior Member

    Which do you think would be easier to fix.

    727263.jpg

    727285.jpg

    743415.jpg
     
  7. LADC

    LADC Member

    Thanks for the images Alanst500. Any chance of getting a higher resolution of these pictures? They are quite small & when I magnify the detail is lost.
    Chris....
     

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