7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

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  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 1 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: C.70.

    Mark: VI

    W.D. No.: 120544

    Date: 18 April 1945

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: Not Known

    Cause of Damage: H.C. scoop

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Not Known

    Position of Hit: Scoop on the front of the turret which did no damage.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: No internal damage. Commander and Operator were wounded because their heads were out.

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Officers. Tank remained on road.

    Fate of Crew:
    Commander: Killed. Head injury. Head exposed.
    Operator: Wounded, exposed. Flesh wounds - peppering left arm, chest wall, face and eye. Compound fracture left index finger. F.B. removed from arm. No X-ray seen. RTD 7½/52. Category A.1.
     
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 1 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: B.24.

    Mark: 1 c

    W.D. No.: 269874

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure Nos.: 17, 19, 20
    7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: 500 - 600 yards

    Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm. S.P.) non-penetrations

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Outside AHAUS going down a narrow track. An S.P. and this tank fired at each other simultaneously. Turret about 12 o'clock.

    Position of Hit: a) Scoop on front glacis plate below Driver's hatch; b ) scoop on the side of the hull above the front right hand suspension unit. Oval dent in the armour with tri-radiate crack in its centre.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot a) went through a drum of oil on the front of the tank and set it on fire. No internal damage, the fire was confine to the oil on the outside.

    Remarks: Tank seen.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt.
     
  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 1 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: B.26.

    Mark: 1 c

    W.D. No.: 263205

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: 16
    7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: Not Known

    Cause of Damage: H.C. scoop

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Not Known

    Position of Hit: Scoop on the Driver's hatch. Deep splash marks damaged the 17-pounder mounting which had to be replaced.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: No internal damage.

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Officers.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt.
     
  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 1 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: C.42.

    Mark: IV

    W.D. No.: 188466

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: 600 yards

    Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm. S.P.) penetrations and scoops.

    Fire Damage: Burnt out.

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Stationary when hit. Turret at 12 o'clock.

    Position of Hit: a) scoop from right flank on spare wheel slung on the right hand side of the turret; b ) scoop from right flank on the turret ring; c) and d) penetration through right hand side of the hull into the engine.

    Course & Effect of Projectile: a) injured no one, but caused the crew to bale out; c) and d) set the tank on fire immediately and it was burnt out completely.

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from B.T.A. and Squadron Officers. Crew abandoned the tank after the first hit.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt
     
  5. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 1 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: C.39.

    Mark: IV

    W.D. No.: 188550

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: Not Known

    Cause of Damage: H.C. and internal explosive charge.

    Fire Damage: Burnt out.

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: The tank was doing a turret down shoot when the Commander was hit in the head and killed by an A.P. shot. The crew abandoned the tank because the engine failed. It was found next morning still burning. Likely to have been destroyed by the Germans who overran the area during the night.

    Position of Hit: H.C. penetration into the right hand side of the gun barrel 20 inches from the mantlet, barrel split. The roof and floor of the front compartment had been blow out and the whole vehicle burnt out. It was suggested that an explosive charge was put in to the front compartment by the enemy.

    Remarks: Tank seen.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt. Not in tank.
     
  6. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 1 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: C.45.

    Mark: IV

    W.D. No.: 188063

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: 25 yards

    Cause of Damage: H.C. penetration

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Clearing a village when the engine stalled in front of a road block and the tank was fired at from the right flank. The first two shots missed.

    Position of Hit: Through right hand side of hull into engine compartment.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Caught fire immediately.

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Officers.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt.
     
  7. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 1 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: C.46.

    Mark: IV

    W.D. No.: 189846

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: 27
    7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: Not Known

    Cause of Damage: H.C. scoop

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Not Known.

    Position of Hit: Hit on the side of the gun barrel which was split down its length.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: No internal damage.

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Officers.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt.
     
  8. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 1 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: C.47.

    Mark: IV

    W.D. No.: 188498

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: Not Known

    Cause of Damage:

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Not Known

    Position of Hit: Non-penetrating hit on rear turret stowage bin which was destroyed. No penetration of the turret.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: No internal damage. Commander wounded because his head was exposed through his open hatch.

    Remarks: Tank not seen.

    Fate of Crew:
    Gunner, Driver & Co-Driver: Unhurt.
    Commander: Medical notes not traced. Known to have severe head injury.
    Operator: Unhurt in tank. Hit by sniper through upper part of left arm before baling out.
     
  9. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 1 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: C.50.

    Mark: V

    W.D. No.: 121752

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: 27
    7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: Not Known

    Cause of Damage: H.C. multiple penetrations and scoops

    Fire Damage: Confined fire.

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Obscure, no details available. It was suggested that the tank had been abandoned for an unknown reason and was hit and brewed up some time later.

    Position of Hit: Multiple small H.C. penetrations and scoops all over the front and sides of the turret with a large number of deep splash marks. A deep dent in the barrel of the gun 25" from the mantlet may have been the reason for the tank being abandoned. The cause of the dent is Not Known.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Turret was burnt out. Front and engine compartments were intact.

    Remarks: Tank seen. Assumed to have been damaged after it had been abandoned.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt. Not in tank.
     
  10. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 1 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: C.41.

    Mark: IV

    W.D. No.: 188496

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: Not Known

    Cause of Damage: Disabled by mine damage and then partially penetrated by H.E.

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Details Not Known. The B.T.A. stated that he thought that the vehicle had been disabled by a mine and then had been hit when it was empty by a large calibre H.E. The crew corroborated this.

    Position of Hit: Deep dent in the turret roof running laterally from the fan to the edge of the roof on the left hand side. There was a 6" crack in the armour. Fan blown out.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: No major internal damage.

    Remarks: Tank seen, empty when hit.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt - not in tank.
     
  11. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 1 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: F.18.

    Mark: -

    W.D. No.: 271248

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: 35
    7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: 20 yards

    Cause of Damage: H.C. penetration and scoop

    Fire Damage: Confined

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Going down narrow street in RAMSDORF. Fired at by German Infantry from all sides. Exact details Not Known. Turret 12 o'clock. Operating on forward recce.

    Position of Hit: Penetration through the rear of the turret in the region of the inspection plate which was missing when the tank was seen, so that exact position and size of hole is Not Known. Many deep splash marks all over the turret.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Projectile had gone into the wireless and destroyed it. Fire was confined to the turret. The right hand side of the turret was more severely damaged by splash and fire then the left.

    Remarks: Tank seen.

    Fate of Crew:
    Driver & Co-Driver: Unhurt. P.O.W.
    Commander: Wounded in the tank. Killed by own shelling while he was going back to the R.A.P.
    Operator: Killed.
     
  12. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 5 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: C.59.

    Mark: IV

    W.D. No.: 188650

    Date: 28 March 1945

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: 29
    7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: 15 yards

    Cause of Damage: H.C. penetration

    Fire Damage: Burnt out

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Near BOCHOLT. Details Not Known. Position of turret Not Known.

    Position of Hit: Penetration through the visor plate opposite Co-Driver.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Tank burnt slowly. Co-Driver was probably hit by the jet and was killed instantly.

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Tank Commander. Said that the Operator abandoned the tank, ran 10 yards, and dropped down dead, though it was said that there was no obvious wound. He had been considered as Killed.

    Fate of Crew:
    Commander & Driver: Unhurt
    Gunner: Multiple wounds both thighs. Left worse than right. Numerous small F.B's in soft tissues left thigh. Still in Convalescent Depot end of September 1945. Category B.7.
    Operator: Killed.
    Co-Driver: Killed.
     
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  13. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    P2940917_zps5a3e4ae3.jpg

    P2940917_2_zps2a4e3fcb.jpg

    Regiment: 5 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: C.61.

    Mark: IV

    W.D. No.: 187966

    Date: 8 April 1945

    Photo No.: 31

    Figure Nos.: 26, 28
    7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: 10 yards

    Cause of Damage: H.C. penetrations

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Moving slowly up a road when fired at from the ditch on the right. Turret at 12 o'clock.

    Position of Hit: a) penetration 45 mm. diameter through right hand side of turret, roughly in centre; b ) small finger size penetration going into turret ring a foot from the rear of the turret on the right hand side.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: a) jagged hole in inner layer of turret armour about 15 cm diameter. No other damage to inside of turret. b ) goes obliquely into the turret ring.

    Remarks: Tank seen. It as driven out of the line by its crew, all of whom were either killed or wounded by snipers while evacuating it. Squadron Officers thought but did not know definitely that the Operator was injured inside the tank, and as this fits in with the vehicle damage and the type of injury that he received, he has been considered as being in this category.

    Fate of Crew:
    Commander, Gunner, Driver & Co-Driver: Unhurt in tank. Commander killed and Gunner, Driver and Co-Driver wounded outside by snipers after evacuating the tank.
    Operator: Died of Wounds. Gross shattering of left arm with destruction of elbow joint.
     
  14. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 5 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: B.16.

    Mark: 1 c

    W.D. No.: 269111

    Date: 19 April 1945

    Photo No.: -

    Figure Nos.: 17 - 20
    7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: Not Known

    Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm.) penetrations and scoop

    Fire Damage: Burnt out

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Static on road outside Bispingen when hit by a ground mound A.T. gun. Turret found at 12 o'clock.

    Position of Hit: a) Oblique penetration into extreme left hand side of front of final drive hole 20 x 7.5 cms. b ) similar but slightly larger penetration at top of front of hull immediately below hinge of Driver's hatch. c) scoop on the roof of the turret just inside the smoke thrower.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot a) went into the final drive and gear box which was disintegrated. b ) was not traced.

    Detailed internal examination could not be made as the vehicle was still burning. Crew abandoned tank after shot a).

    Remarks: Tank seen.

    Fate of Crew:
    Commander: Not in tank.
    Gunner: 2 degree burns face and left hand. RTD in 3/52 Category A.
    Operator: 2 degree burns face and right hand. RTD in 1/52. Category A.
    Driver: 2 degree burns face and both hands. RTD in 7/52. Category A.2.
     
  15. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 5 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: B.18.

    Mark: 1 c

    W.D. No.: 263649

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: Not Known

    Cause of Damage: A.P. penetration and scoop

    Fire Damage: Some. Extent Not Known.

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Not Known

    Position of Hit: a) Non-penetrating hit on one of the front driving sprockets; b ) penetration through centre of side of turret on the same side as a).

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Caught fire immediately after second hit. Details of internal damage Not Known. Crew baled out immediately after shot a).

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Officers.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt.
     
  16. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    P2940908_2_zps893dcb62.jpg

    Regiment:
    5 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: B.17.

    Mark: V c

    W.D. No.: 212700

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: 22

    Figure Nos.: 21 - 23
    7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: 30 yards

    Cause of Damage: H.C. scoop

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Going slowly through a village.

    Position of Hit: Non-penetrating hit into fan cowl on the top of the hull just behind the Co-Driver's hatch.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: No internal damage. Driver, who had his head out, was wounded by fragments. Tank remained a runner. Turret crew baled out.

    Remarks: Tank seen. The tank was driven out of action by the Driver, the turret crew being killed outside by S.A. fire. The Driver's clinical notes could be traced, the information about him given below was obtained when he was interviewed.

    Fate of Crew:
    Commander, Gunner & Operator: Unhurt in tank, killed outside after escaping.
    Driver: Superficial wound right side of face. RTD in about 3/52. Category A.1.
     
  17. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 5 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: C.60.

    Mark: IV

    W.D. No.: 188742

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: 29
    7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: 20 yards

    Cause of Damage: H.C. scoop

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Static in village of WESTON, on the WESER, when fired at from in front. Position of turret Not Known.

    Position of Hit: H.C. hit the road under the centre of the front of the tank. Floor plate was bent but not penetrated.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Hydraulic pipes were burst. No other damage.

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Officers. H. Gunner subsequently shot the man who fired at them with his Besa.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt.
     
  18. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 5 Royal Tank Regiment

    Serial No.: C.62.

    Mark: V

    W.D. No.: 121768

    Date: Not Known

    Photo No.: -

    Figure No.: -

    Range: 30 - 40 yards

    Cause of Damage: H.C. Probably non-penetration.

    Fire Damage: Minor confined fire.

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Not Known

    Position of Hit: Hit was on the road wheels, which side Not Known. It was though that the hull was not penetrated, but that the hit was over the fuze box which started a small fire.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Small fire but no major damage. Tank was repaired by L.A.D.

    Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from B.T.A. The smoke caused all the crew to abandon the tank, except the Gunner who stayed in firing his gun until all the available ammunition was exhausted and was then taken P.O.W. He was thought to have had mild burns.

    Fate of Crew: Three members of crew unhurt.
    Gunner: P.O.W. ? [sic] mild burns hands.
    One member of crew (position Not Known) burns hands. Killed by sniper after escaping (head injury).
     
  19. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Regiment: 5 Inniskilling Dragoon Guards

    Serial No.: B.20

    Mark: 1 c

    W.D. No.: 263802

    Date: 30 March 1945

    Photo No.: -

    Figure Nos.: 14, 15
    7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: 1200 - 1500 yards

    Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm.) scoop

    Fire Damage: None

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: On the outskirts of WESEKE, fired at by an S.P. which was not located at the time.

    Position of Hit: a) hit on the right hand front suspension unit. b ) shot went obliquely under the tank to hit the inside of the rear left suspension unit. c) scoop on the back of the turret at the lower left hand corner of the wireless bulge.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: No internal damage, tank remained a runner. Shot a) lodge in the suspension unit.

    Remarks: Tank seen.

    Fate of Crew: Unhurt
     
  20. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    P2940904_3_zps6d2268f0.jpg

    P2940904_2_zps753fcd85.jpg

    Regiment: 5 Inniskilling Dragoon Guards

    Serial No.: B.21.

    Mark: 1 c

    W.D. No.: 263606

    Date: 30 March 1945

    Photo No.: 18

    Figure Nos.: 13 - 15
    7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

    Range: 600 yards

    Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm. Kw. K. 40)

    Fire Damage: Burnt

    Other tanks involved in same incident:

    Circumstances: Leading tank trying to outflank village of WESEKE (near AHAUS). First shot from a German S.P. hit the ground behind the tank, second hit it. Turret at 11 o'clock.

    Position of Hit: Penetration approximately 75 mm. diameter through rear applique armour on the right hand side of the tank.

    Course & Effect of Projectiles: Projectile went straight across the tank. The side armour on the left hand side was bulged outwards opposite the site of penetrations, and there was a crack in it about 8 inches long below which the projectile was found.

    Remarks: Tank seen. The Driver was unable to use his hatch as the gun was over it; he got out unhurt through the Co-Driver's hatch in spite of the ammunition stowage in his way.

    Fate of Crew:
    Driver: Unhurt
    Commander: Flesh wounds left calf; one behind knee and two lower down. X-ray show F.B. (1 - 5 grms) behind knee and smaller one (0 - 50 mgs) in calf muscles. RTD in 7/52. Category A.1.
    Gunner: Died of Wounds immediately after getting out of the tank.
    Operator: T and T wound left calf with Fr. of Fibula. RTD in 8/52. Category B.2.
     

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