3 RTR B Squadron

Looking again at the pic of the Comets at Süderstapel, the nearest has a 7 in the B squadron sign, the same as in the photo of Cherub. Going back again to tanks rotating within squadrons, is it Cherub? I notice that the rear cowl cover looks different; in the pic with Sid Evans it looks like a single-piece one used by Cromwells, and in the Süderstapel, the tank has a split one. Also, the front side mud guard is different, or replaced!

 

This is rather a side note but I really hope these photos get published some day. They are truly a great collection and I am very grateful you are sharing them with us, Frank.

 

I'll take a leaf out of Bloodnok's book! (Double pun!) Actually, it would be great between all of us to do something like that, opinions, anyone?

 

Comets were fitted with both types of Exhaust Cowl - single piece and the double version. Don't ask me why because I don't know but probably due to manufacturing parts available or the actual manufacturer. My dad's Comet had the two part version in 1945 and had the same layout in photos of it taken in 1959 when it was scrapped in Hong Kong. If the orientation changed then there could be various reasons - too many options to consider.
My approach is that only photos showing the T or post-1949 ZR number and/or the name count as 'definites' with others classified as 'possibles'.

 

Frank I've just mentioned something about this quandary over on a group (11th Armd Div) in 'Facebook'. It could have been down to a re-org where the regt had been moved over to 159 Inf Bde, a boundary change, a replen before they resumed the advance etc etc!

 

Perfectly possible especially as, according to Langdons account, Brunen was where they stopped for the night - meaning they didn't simply 'pass through'.

 

Changing topic for a moment..what can anyone tell me about CESTUS? Does anyone know the names of the crew? Alex was another of my Grandfather's mates, but that's about all I know (there's also the pic of Alex and his Sherman, circa Ardennes). The reason I'm asking is that I came across some pics of a Comet painted up as CESTUS ( Stock Photo - Comet tank at Bovington Tank Museum, Dorset. Credit: Finnbarr Webster/Alamy Live News ) and wondered if there were any relatives of the crew looking in, maybe as a source of new photos, info, etc.

 

Yes Frank. The running Comet - used in most of their displays - is marked up as Cestus. I suggest you phone their Museum Library and Archive - ask for Jonathan Holt - and ask for details. They will have done some research before applying the markings and hence why I suggest you contact their Library rather than workshops etc. I understand the Library is currently closed for obvious reasons but they are still likely to be answering emails. Purely speculative, but their source is likely to be a photo rather than family contact but - holy grail stuff - you never know so definitely worth asking.

Incidentally, when BAIV marked up their restoration as dad's tank Celerity,it was because they had found photos on the internet. Personal contact came later - there's a message in their somewhere.

 

I can send Jonathan's email to Frank by PM.

I feel like at some point I ran across someone whose father was in Cestus but I cannot for the life of me think where. It was probably just the mention of it here.

 

Good idea. I wasn't sure if it was a privately-owned Comet or one from the museum. The one on display was painted up as ADAMANT the last time I saw it. I shall let you know what they say!
Cheers!

 

The Comet on display inside the Museum is marked as Adamant...and has been for as long as I can remember (which is quite a time!?
The Comet runner - used in displays - is currently marked up as Cestus. It was previously marked up as, I think, Caesar. The name 'Spud' on the track guard toolbox is, I understand, something to do with Tank Museum staff - no doubt someone else will have more detail.

 

I've sent an email to the museum, hopefully they have some info and contact details of relatives of crew, I've asked them to pass on my email to anyone who may want to get in touch....fingers crossed!

 

A few more pics of B Sqn in what looks like Bad Segeburg:-

 

Great pics! Yes, the first and last ones were certainly taken in Bad Segeberg, the buildings in the last pic can be seen in a photo from my grandfather's collection.
Any names of crew, perchance?

 

There isn't, sorry!

 

Frank, apologies for being pedantic but ‘Tanker’ is an American name for their soldier’s that crew tanks! ‘Tankie’ would be the correct term for a member of the RTR and ‘Donkey Walloper’ for anyone in the Cavalry!!!

Tpr C. Ellershaw was on the same tank as Sgt A. Duff and LCpl JS. Nation, they were also killed! The reason l know is that a guy I served with (Tim Payne) father was on the same crew and he has visited their grave’s in Hannover!

 

Frank basically the 60 Panzer Grenadiers (Armoured Infantry) were in a delaying type operation so the leading troop gave them a few bursts of MG or HE and probably by-passed their position and left it to the attached infantry to finish them off!

 

Sounds familiar! All the hard work left to the infantry while 3 RTR heads off to the next RV with Wolfgang! (Bit of an in-joke tuned to those who knew Soltau training area).

 

Unless of course the enemy were well dug in and a ‘Quick Attack’ was required! Chroist that brings back so many memories - ‘Suitable fire base at grid’ . . . . ‘FUP at grid’ . . . . ‘Orders in 10 minutes’!!!

 

Excellent jokes travel well; some of us know that joke even though we've never served in the Armed Forces. A bit like that little skirmish out the back of the Allertal Service Station - it's the 75th Anniversary of that on Sunday!
Fear Naught as you lot say.