I came across a couple of photos that show Sherman DD's which were to be used in the Rhine Crossing so presumably they were taken in march 1945 . Has anyone any idea of the unit featured in the photos ? Regards Paul
Paul … to me the scenery doesn't look like Germany … more Mediterranean (Southern France "Op Dragoon" or Italy??). The Staffordshire Yeomanry operated in DD-tanks near Rees under 8th Armoured Brigade, see: RHINE CROSSING 1945: The Rees bridgehead (30 Corps in operation 'Turnscrew') Then there were the 44th Royal Tanks near Xanten. For more general details about the DD's, see: Duplex drive Sherman tanks
There is a spot on the Trent very near Burton upon Stather where trials were held with the DD tanks, preparing for the Rhine crossing. Apparently very similar banks and river bed conditions.
Hi, I believe this is a DD Tank of the 7th Queen,s Own Hussars taken in Venice in April 1945. There is a photo here from a different angle showing the building in the background. File:The British Army in Italy 1945 NA24683.jpg - Wikimedia Commons The book “Swimming Tanks” by David Fletcher has a colour illustration of the tank in the IWM photo, NA 24683. Regards Danny
Some interesting replies Gents thank you very much , your right Danny the buildings are definately the same etc , so its Sherman tanks and other vehicles in the Piazzale Roma in Venice, 30 April 1945. I'll do some more digging on DD's in Italy, Regards Paul
Agree with above...veh is seen in Italy...I hold the veh with 51 RTR: T. 146954 - Sherman III - Contract S/M.1012 51st Royal Tank Regiment & 309th Forward Delivery Squadron - 14 Jul 45 - Veh had complete set of quick-fix armd ammo bins fitted - 51 RTR LAD War Diary, NA File WO170/6509
I am working on a WW2 history of the Staffordshire Yeomanry. Unlikely that those DDs are ours, as the tacsign was 52 - these are 53. If you know better... please let me know.
I was doing a little looking around - I didn't find anything definite but I did find one thing that seems to muddy things a little. This scale modelling blog could of course be in error, but has a photo which is labelled: "M4 Sherman DD of the 7th Queen's Own Hussards[sp] giving a ride of 8th Indian Division. Notice the track extenders, locally made and essential for that terrain. Near Venice, Italy - 1945." Not a lot of the tanks can be seen under all the men, but there is a Serial Number(?) of 50 visible.... not 53!? But I agree that the buildings in the above photos do identify the photos in the original post as being in Italy.