2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

TNA Catalogue Reference: WO 205/1165

Extract from -

Tank Casualties Survey, NWE 1945 | WW2Talk

See other threads for further Guards Armoured Division data, 1945:
2nd Armoured Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS
1st Armoured Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS
2nd Recce Battalion WELSH GUARDS

Other Units in same survey:
7th Armoured Division
11th Armoured Division
4th Armoured Brigade
8th Armoured Brigade

 

A.20., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, 2 Apr 1945
A.31., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, 2 Apr 1945
B.5., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, 1 Apr 1945
A.35., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, 2 Apr 1945
F.8., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, 2 Apr 1945
F.9., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, 2 Apr 1945
F.10., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, 2 Apr 1945


A.27., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, 4 Apr 1945

B.4., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, 4 - 8 Apr 1945

A.21., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, 8 Apr 1945

A.29., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, 21 Apr 1945
AB.3., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, 21 Apr 1945
AB.4., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, 21 Apr 1945

A.32., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, 22 Apr 1945
B.3., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, 22 Apr 1945

A.28., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, 27 Apr 1945
A.146., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, 27 Apr 1945

F.6., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, Date Unknown
F.11., 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, Date Unknown

 

FIGURES

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KEY

 

Regiment: 2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Serial No.: A.20.

Tank:

Mark: N.K.

W.D. No.: N.K.

Date: 2 Apr 1945

Photo No.: 6

Figure Nos.: 8, 10
2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 100 yds.

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

Fire Damage: Burnt out

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Knocked out by Kw. K. 40 on a Czech. chassis in the outskirts of Entschede in the same incident as B.5 and A.3. Turret found at 9.30 o’clock.

Position of Hit: About 75 x 130 mm. penetration through side wall of left petrol tank.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot went into engine but could not be traced as the engine cover was jammed down.

Remarks: Tank seen.

Fate of Crew: Crew: Unhurt.



War Diary, 2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards
2 April 1945

 

Regiment: 2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Serial No.: A.31.

Tank:

Mark: V

W.D. No.: 150264

Date: 2 Apr 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure Nos.: 8, 10
2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 100 yds.

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

Fire Damage: Burnt out

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Stationary, when hit by a Kw. K. 40 on a Czech. chassis, in the outskirts of Enschede, same incident as A.20 and B.5. Turret found at 10 o’clock.

Position of Hit: Penetration through left side wall of engine below petrol tank.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot went across through the radiator. Tank completely burnt out.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from S.S.M.

Fate of Crew:
Commander: Burnt, 2 degrees face, 3 degrees burns backs of both hands. RTD in 9/52. Category A.1.
Gunner: Baled out apparently unhurt and was hit in the head and killed by small arms fire.
Operator: Burnt. 2 degree burns face. RTD 8/52. Category A.1.
Driver: Balled out unhurt, and was severely wounded by S.A. fire.
Co-Driver: Burnt, 2 degree burns face, neck and ear. RTD 6/52. Category A.1.


War Diary, 2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards
2 April 1945

 

Regiment: 2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Serial No.: B.5.

Tank:

Mark: V c

W.D. No.: 289489

Date: 1 Apr 1945

Photo No.: 17

Figure Nos.: 21, 22
2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 100 yds.

Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 MM. Kw. K. 40) penetration and scoop.

Fire Damage: Burnt out

Other tanks involved in same incident: A.3 & A.20.

Circumstances: Knocked out in the outskirts of Entschede, by Kw. K. 40, on a Czech chassis. Same incident as A.3 and A.20. Turret at 10 o’clock.

Position of Hit: a) Hole 77 mm. diameter in part of the centre left bogie suspension, and scoop on side of hull below sponson. b ) Penetration 88 mm. diameter into left side of hull below sponson, jus tin front of engine bulkhead.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot a) injured no one. b ) wounded the Operator and went diagonally through engine bulkhead and across engine, through radiator into the right petrol tank, causing the tank to catch fire immediately. It bulged out the armour at the junction of roof and side of right sponson.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from Gunner of another tank in the same troop.

Fate of Crew:
Commander, Gunner and Driver: Unhurt.
Operator: wounded - legs. Still in hospital 3 Dec 1945. Final Category not known.



War Diary, 2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards
1 April 1945

 

Regiment: 2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Serial No.: A.35

Tank:

Mark: V

W.D. No.: 289505

Date: 2 Apr 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure Nos.: 8, 10, 12
2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 300 yds.

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

Fire Damage: Burnt out

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: At Gildenhaus. Stationary when hit by an S.P. gun which hit with its second shot. Turret at about 12 o’clock.

Position of Hit: a) 88 mm. diameter penetration through front of gearbox; b ) 77 mm. diameter penetration low down on junction between left final drive housing and gearbox housing; c) 74 mm. diameter penetration through front of hull at upper edge of left final drive assembly; d) non-penetrating hit on left middle bogie assembly.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shots a) and b ) went into gears; c) went into crew compartment and broke up. A fragment of the base of the shot identified as Kw. K. 40 or Pak. 40 A.P.C.B.C. was found in the driving compartment. The crew were in when the first shot a) or b ) hit, but then they got out. The order of the other shots is not known. The crew compartment was completely burnt out, but the engine was intact.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from crew Commander.

Fate of Crew: Crew: Unhurt. Baled out before the tank was penetrated. No Co-Driver present.


War Diary, 2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards
2 April 1945

 

Regiment: 2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Serial No.: F.8.

Tank:

Mark: -

W.D. No.: 224202

Date: 2 Apr 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: 38
2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: Not Known

Cause of Damage: H.C.

Fire Damage: None.

Other tanks involved in same incident: F.9 & F.10

Circumstances: Recce. Troop tank which was ambushed by infantry armed with Panzerfausts near Gildenhaus. It was a member of the same troop as F.9 and F.10. Turret found at 12 o’clock, but traverseable.

Position of Hit: Stated to have been hit on front of hull in front of Driver. Examination showed hit on left sprocket with penetrations through side of hull to the left of the Driver.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: The Driver was killed in the tank, but the rest of the crew baled out unhurt. Examination of tank showed pitting of left sprocket and side of hull and floor of left sponson which was bent upwards. There was a hole into the Driver’s compartment at the junction of the floor of the sponson and side wall of the hull which might have been caused by the weld splitting, and not by H.C. penetration.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from R.M.O. and recce Troop Leader. No first hand information available since all the crew were lost - three Killed and one Wounded.

Fate of Crew:
Commander and Operator: Unhurt. Killed by S.A. fire after baling out.
Co-Driver: Unhurt. Wounded by S.A. fire.
Driver: Killed in tank.


War Diary, 2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards
2 April 1945

2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards: Pre-embarkation List, May 1944

 

Regiment: 2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Serial No.: F.9.

Tank:

Mark: VI

W.D. No.: 224177

Date: 2 Apr 1945

Photo No.: 42

Figure Nos.: 35, 37
2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: Not Known

Cause of Damage: H.C. penetration.

Fire Damage: Burnt out

Other tanks involved in same incident: F.8. & F.10.

Circumstances: Near Gildenhaus. Turret found at 12 o’clock. Same incident as Tanks F.8. and F.10.

Position of Hit: Penetration 40 mm. diameter through plate holding 0.30” Browning mounting on right hand side turret.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: The jet went to penetrate side wall of turret, hole 30 mm. diameter, and took a chip out of the front edge of the Commander’s hatch. It wounded the Commander and Gunner. Crew compartment burnt out, engine not burnt.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from R.M.O. and by post from tank Commander.

Fate of Crew:
Driver and Co-Driver: Unhurt.
Commander: Wounded. Wound of preauricular region with fracture of ascending ramus of left mandible and zygomatic arch. VIIth nerve palsy. X-rays show no F.B’s. Still in hospital 24 September 1945. Final Category Not Known.
Operator: Wounded. Head, fractured skull and wound of forehead requiring skin graft. Discharged hospital to ... [illegible due to type written on bottom edge of page.]



War Diary, 2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards
2 April 1945

 

Regiment: 2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Serial No.: F.10.

Tank:

Mark: VI

W.D. No.: 224197

Date: 2 Apr 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: -

Range: Not Known

Cause of Damage: A.P. scoop. H.E. and H.C. hits. Set on fire by enemy.

Fire Damage: Burnt out

Other tanks involved in same incident: F.8 & F.9.

Circumstances: Near Gildenhaus. Same incident as tanks F.8 and F.9.

Position of Hit: a) A.P. scoop on left idler. b ) H.C. scoops on outside of turret. c) H.E. hit between bogie suspensions on the right hand side.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: a) was the first hit. It did not hurt the crew who baled out. b ) hit the Driver as he was getting out and did minor damage to the front of the turret. c) did external damage only. The crew compartment of the tank was burnt out the engine was not burnt. The cause of the fire could not be found and the Troop Leader thought that the enemy had set the tank of hit b ) to the other hits is not known.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from Troop Leader.

Fate of Crew:
Commander, Operator and Co-Driver: Unhurt.
Driver: Killed. Hit by Panzerfaust as he was baling out.



War Diary, 2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards
2 April 1945

2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards: Pre-embarkation List, May 1944

 

Regiment: 2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Serial No.: A.27

Tank:

Mark: V c

W.D. No.: 150260

Date: 4 Apr 1945

Photo No.: 6

Figure Nos.: 9, 12
2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 300 - 600 yds.

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

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Stationary near FREREN when fired at by an S.P. gun which was seen by the Commander. Turret 12 o’clock. Turret and hull from zero degrees at normal.

Position of Hit: a) through front of gearbox. b ) 82 x 91 mm. diameter penetration through right side of 75 mm. mantlet. c) hit on 0.5” Browning mounting on roof of turret.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot a) went first through a bogie which was being carried on the front of the hull, and then into the
gearbox. It did not harm the crew who started to bale out; b ) hit the tank after the Commander had got out, while the Gunner and Operator were still in the turret, the latter under the 75 mm. gun climbing across to the Commander’s hatch. It hurt no one and appeared to have done minor internal damage. Its course could not be traced; c) hit the Gunner in the head, killing him as he was getting out. It also threw off fragments which wounded the Commander who was standing beside the tank.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from Troop Leader and Operator.

Fate of Crew:
Operator, Driver and Co-Driver: Unhurt.
Commander: Wounded by c) outside the tank.
Gunner: Killed by c). Hit in the head by shot as he was getting out.



War Diary, 2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards
4 April 1945

 

Regiment: 2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Serial No.: B.4.

Tank:

Mark: V c

W.D. No.: 212605

Date: 4 - 8 Apr 1945

Photo No.: 18

Figure No.: 21, 22
2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 900 yds.

Cause of Damage: A.P. (88 mm. Kw. K. 43) penetration and scoop.

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Tank stationary. Turret found at 12 o’clock.

Position of Hit: a) hit open flap on one of turret hatches, b ) penetration 93 x 120 mm. through left side wall turret just in front of the revolver port.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot b ) exploded, killing the Operator and Gunner. The fragments scattered round the back of the turret and into the wireless which was wrecked. Bolts holding on roof of wireless bulge sheared. No fire. Projectile hit Operator probably and fragments of it or armour hit Gunner. A portion of the base of the round found in the wireless was identified as Kw. K. 43 A.P.C.B.C.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from Tank Commander.

Fate of Crew:
Commander: Dismounted.
Driver: Unhurt.
Operator: Killed - body practically destroyed.
Gunner: Killed - no very obvious wound.



War Diary, 2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards
4 April 1945

5 April 1945

6 April 1945

7 April 1945

8 April 1945

 

Regiment: 2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Serial No.: A.21.

Tank:

Mark: V

W.D. No.: 288612

Date: 8 Apr 1945

Photo No.: 6

Figure Nos.: 9, 10, 11
2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: Not Known

Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm. and 88 mm. Kw. K. 43.) penetrations and scoop.

Fire Damage: Burnt out

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Near Furstenau. Turret found at 7.30 o’clock.

Position of Hit: a) 81 mm. diameter penetration through side wall of left petrol tank. Shot went across into right petrol tank bulging out its roof; b ) 92 x 250 mm. penetration through side wall of right petrol tank, through the petrol tank into the engine, to dent the rear wall of the engine compartment. Fragments of it identified as Kw. K. 43 A.P.C.B.C., shot found under rear end of engine; c) 75 mm. barrel cut off by an A.P. shot two feet from mantlet. Shot came from side of turret. Both engine and crew compartment completely burnt out.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: See Position of hit

Remarks: Tank seen.

Fate of Crew: Not known



War Diary, 2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards
8 April 1945

 

Regiment: 2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Serial No.: A.29.

Tank:

Mark: V

W.D. No.: 150054

Date: 21 Apr 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: -

Range: H.C. 50 yds, A.P. 300 yds.

Cause of Damage: H.C. (Panzerfaust) non-penetration. A.P. penetration.

Fire Damage: Burnt out

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Near Zeven. Fired at from front by infantry with Panzerfausts who hit the right track, and broke it and immobilized the tank; then hit by A.P. from an S.P. gun. Turret at 12 o’clock. Hit from front approximately.

Position of Hit: a) H.C. hit on front of right track; b ) A.P. penetration through front of hull in front of Co-Driver.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: a) broke track and immobilized tank, but hurt no one; b ) set the tank on fire, wounded some of the crew, and caused them to bail out. The tank burned slowly but completely.

Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from crew Commander.

Fate of Crew:
Commander: Unhurt.
Co-Driver: not in tank.
Gunner: Wounded. Flesh wound left thigh. X-ray shows “F.B. present”. RTD 4/52. Category A.1.
Operator: Wounded. Flesh wound back of right hand. X-ray shows “superficial small F.B.” RTD 5/52. Category A.1.
Driver: Wounded. Minor flesh wound buttock, X-ray shows “F.B. present”. RTD 17/52. Category A.1. Hospitalization prolonged by dermatitis commenced within 2/52 of admission.



War Diary, 2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards
21 April 1945

 

Regiment: 2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Serial No.: AB.3.

Tank:

Mark: N.K.

W.D. No.: N.K.

Date: N.K.

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: -

Range: 35 yds.

Cause of Damage: H.C. scoop.

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Tank fired at from front by infantry in a ditch.

Position of Hit: Scoop left track and sprocket.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Damaged sprocket and track, but did not penetrate tank, nor hurt crew.

Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Operator.

Fate of Crew:
Crew: Unhurt

 

Regiment: 2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Serial No.: AB.4.

Tank:

Mark: N.K.

W.D. No.: N.K.

Date: 21 APR 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: -

Range: N.K.

Cause of Damage: A.P. Scoop

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Not Known

Position of Hit: A.P. hit Commander's cupola.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Commander killed. Minor damage to tank.

Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Leader.

Fate of Crew:
Commander: Killed. Hit in head.
Rest of Crew: Unhurt.

 

Regiment: 2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Serial No.: A.32.

Tank:

Mark: V

W.D. No.: 288475

Date: 22 Apr 1945

Photo No.: 7

Figure Nos.: 9, 12
2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 400 yds.

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

Fire Damage: Confined

Other tanks involved in same incident: B.3

Circumstances: At Elsdorf in the morning, moving slowly forwards in a field, when fired at by an S.P. gun. Same incident as B.3. Turret at 11.30 o’clock.

Position of Hit: a) penetration into left final drive; b ) penetration through lower edge of extra armour welded in front of Driver; c) penetration through centre of front of hull just above gear box; d) penetration through lower edge of 75 mm. gun mantlet to left of gun; e), f) and g) penetrations into left final drive; h) hit on front of left sprocket.

Course & Effect of Projectiles:

Remarks: Shot a) went into left final drive. This shot and/or e) knocked loose the plate separating the final drive and Driver’s compartment; b ) damaged exterior of forward left sponson ammunition bin, but did not explode any of the contained ammunition. Paths of individual shots were not traced, but an unexploded Kw. K. 40 APCBC. round was found on the floor of the turret. The engine of this tank was not burnt. Some 75 mm. rounds on the floor of the turret had burnt; but rounds in all three sponson ammunition bins had not burnt. Tank burned quietly for half an hour and then went out. Shot a) or e) was the first to hit, and injured the Driver and caused the crew to bale out. This shot did not penetrate into crew compartment, and the Driver must have been injured by secondary fragments.

Fate of Crew: Tank seen. Information from Troop Leader.



War Diary, 2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards
22 April 1945

 

Regiment: 2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards

Serial No.: B.3.

Tank: Sherman 17-pounder

Mark: 1 c.

W.D. No.: 263686

Date: 22 April 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure Nos.: 13, 14
2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards, GAD, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: Not Known

Cause of Damage: A.P. 88 mm. penetration and scoop.

Fire Damage: Burnt out.

Other tanks involved in same incident: A.32.

Circumstances: At ELSDORF, knocked out in same incident as A.32. Turret found at 12 o'clock.

Position of Hit: a) penetration 90 mm. diameter through left wall of engine immediately behind rear bogie suspension; b ) scoop at lower left corner of rear wall of wireless bin.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: a) went into engine and was not traced.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from Troop Leader.

Fate of Crew: Unhurt. Not known whether crew were in tank when it was penetrated.

 

Regiment: 2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Serial No.: A.28.

Tank:

Mark: V

W.D. No.: 288513

Date: 27 Apr 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: -

Range: 27 Apr 1945

Cause of Damage: A.P. Penetration and scoop.

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Near Ostereistedt, moving at 10 - 15 m.p.h. Turret at 12 o’clock.

Position of Hit: a) penetration low down through left hand seam between final drive gearbox housing on front of hull from right front; b ) scoop on right side of hull on wall of sponson.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot a) wounded the Driver.

Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Troop Leader.

Fate of Crew:
Turret crew and Co-Driver: Unhurt.
Driver: wounded; a) minor wounds both thighs; F.B. removed from right thigh; b ) minor wounds both calves; c) wound of medial aspect right foot with fracture of 1st metatarsal, which failed to heal, leaving a sinus into one metacarpophalangeal joint X-ary 1- 4, 0-50 mgm F.B’s and many smaller F.B’s - 1, 50 - 250 mgm. F.B. Still in hospital 26 Sep 1934. Final category Not Known.



War Diary, 2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards
27 April 1945

 

Regiment: 2nd Battalion Irish Guards

Serial No.: A.146.

Tank:

Mark: N.K.

W.D. No.: N.K.

Date: 27 Apr 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: -

Range: N.K.

Cause of Damage: H.E. hit (mortar)

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Not Known

Position of Hit: Mortar shell hit rim of Commander’s hatch.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Minor internal damage. Turret crew injured by shell.

Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from R.M.O.

Fate of Crew:
Driver and Co-Driver: Unhurt.
Commander: Killed. Massive wounds head and back.
Gunner: Wounded. Perforation left ear drum and mild exhaustion. RTD 6/52. Category B.1.
Operator: Wounded. T and T wound right foot with gross comminution of tarsus and metatarsus. Still in hospital 18 Sep 1945. Final Category not known.



War Diary, 2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards
27 April 1945