2nd Armoured Battalion Grenadier Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945 Regiment: 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards Serial No.: A.8. Tank: Sherman Mark: V W.D. No.: 212286 Date: 10 Apr 1945 Photo No.: 1 Figure Nos.: 9 & 10 2nd Armoured Battalion Grenadier Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945 Range: 200 - 300 yds. Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm. Kw. K. 42) penetration Fire Damage: Burnt out Other tanks involved in same incident: A.7, A.8 & A.10 Circumstances: This tank was one of a troop of three tanks (A.7, A.8 and A.10) which were destroyed near Bippen by a Panther. Turret at 12 o’clock. Position of Hit: 100 mm. diameter penetration through left forward sponson quick fix armour leading to 82 mm. diameter penetration through the side wall of left sponson. Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot went into the left forward sponson ammunition bin, but its subsequent course could not be traced as the interior of the tank was disrupted. Remarks: Tank seen. Information from Squadron Leader who heard the story of this troop from its two unhurt survivors who were captured, but later freed again. All members of the troop were lost, so that no first hand evidence was available. Kw. K. 42 empty cases found at the scene confirmed the identified of the Panther. Fate of Crew: Commander: Died of Wounds. He was found outside the tank suffering from a) 2 degree burns of face, left arm and hand and legs; b ) compound fracture right femur; c) penetrating wounds of abdomen. Died in hospital. Operator: Killed. Found dead outside the tank, apparently not badly burnt. Gunner, Driver and Co-Driver. Never got out of the tank and their bodies were destroyed. The Commander and Operator were both probably hit by small arms fire after they had baled out, and are considered as having been killed outside.
