4th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

TNA Catalogue Reference: WO 205/1165

Extract from -

Tank Casualties Survey, NWE 1945 | WW2Talk

4th Armoured Brigade - Sherman tanks
Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons)
3/4 County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters)
44 Royal Tank Regiment

See other threads for further data, 1945 (Click on the "Topic Tag WO205/1165", just under the title, to bring up list of related threads)

11th Armoured Division - Comet tanks
7th Armoured Division - Cromwell tanks
8th Armoured Brigade - Sherman tanks
&
Guards Armoured Division - Sherman and Cromwell tanks:
2nd Armoured Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS
1st Armoured Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS
2nd Armoured Battalion IRISH GUARDS
2nd Recce Battalion WELSH GUARDS



Feel free to add information or to correct any errors
If commenting on any particular post, please either quote it or give the Serial no. & Unit, eg H.19., Staffs Yeo
Please also note that I have no knowledge of these units, so can't answer any questions about them. My personal interest lies solely with the GAD battalions.

 

INDEX


A.78., Royal Scots Greys, 28 March 1945

B.38., Royal Scots Greys, 4 April 1945

B.39., Royal Scots Greys, 5 April 1945

B.41., Royal Scots Greys, 7 April 1945

A.79., Royal Scots Greys, 19 April 1945

A.80., Royal Scots Greys, 20 April 1945
B.75., Royal Scots Greys, 20 April 1945

A.140., Royal Scots Greys, 25 April 1945
B.43., Royal Scots Greys, 25 April 1945

B.44., Royal Scots Greys, 26 April 1945

AB.1., Royal Scots Greys, Date Unknown
AB.2., Royal Scots Greys, Date Unknown



A.88., 3/4 County of London Yeomanry, 26 March 1945

B.45., 3/4 County of London Yeomanry, 28 March 1945
B.49., 3/4 County of London Yeomanry, 28 March 1945


A.91., 3/4 County of London Yeomanry, 30 March 1945

A.87., 3/4 County of London Yeomanry, 1 April 1945
A.90., 3/4 County of London Yeomanry, 1 April 1945

A.89., 3/4 County of London Yeomanry, 8 April 1945

B.47., 3/4 County of London Yeomanry, 14 April 1945

B.48., 3/4 County of London Yeomanry, 16 April 1945

A.86., 3/4 County of London Yeomanry, 23 April 1945



F.25., 3/4 County of London Yeomanry, Date Unknown
F.34., 3/4 County of London Yeomanry, Date Unknown



A.96., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, 25 March 1945
A.97., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, 25 March 1945

A.105., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, 28 March 1945
A.102., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, 28 March 1945

A.98., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, 18 April 1945
A.99., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, 18 April 1945

B.77., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, 19 April 1945

A.100., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
A.101., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
B.54, 44 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
A.103., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
A.104., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
A.106., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
A.107., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
A.108., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
A.109., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
A.110., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
F.28., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
F.35., 44 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown

 

FIGURES

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2 -
3 -
4 -
5 -
7 -
8 -
9 -
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12 -
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17 -
18 -
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20 -
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22 -
23 -
24 -
35 -
36 -
37 -


KEY

 

Regiment: Royal Scots Greys

Serial No.: A.78.

Mark: II

W.D. No.: 233488

Date: 28 March 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: -

Range: Not Known

Cause of Damage: A.P. scoop

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Not Known

Position of Hit: Damage to left idler and front bogie suspension without penetration

Course & Effect of Projectiles: -

Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Second-in-Command.

Fate of Crew: Unhurt

 

Regiment: Royal Scots Greys

Serial No.: B.38

Mark: V c

W.D. No.: 212265

Date: 4 April 1945

Photo No.: 20

Figure Nos.: 21 - 23
4th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 700 yards

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

Fire Damage: Burnt out

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Stationary when hit by A.P. fire from an unidentified source thought to have been an S.P. gun, since tracks marks were later found at the apparent source. Turret at 1 o'clock.

Position of Hit: T and T penetration, entry hole approximately 75 mm. diameter, in side wall right sponson below turret. Exit at approximately the same position on left side.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot passed under 17-pounder and probably hit the Gunner. Tank eventually completely burnt out, but did not appear to start burning until after the crew had got out. Operator must have been hit by secondary fragments.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from crew Commander.

Fate of Crew:
Commander & Driver: Unhurt
Gunner: Killed. Shoulder and upper chest shot away. Hit by the A.P. shot.
Operator: Wounded. a) flesh wound, inner side lower end right thigh, with "small F.B's" round lower end of femur; b ) superficial wound left knee, RTD 5/52, Category A.1. Hospitalisation prolonged about 1/52 by dermatitis round wound.

 

Regiment: Royal Scots Greys

Serial No.: B.39.

Mark: 1 c

W.D. No.: 269895

Date: 5 April 1945

Photo No.: 19

Figure Nos.: 17, 18
4th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 400 yards

Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm. A.T. gun) penetration

Fire Damage: Confined, minor

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Stationary when hit by A.P. from ground mounted A.T. gun well camouflaged in the open. Turret at 1 o'clock.

Position of Hit: Penetration 81 mm. diameter in side wall of left sponson just behind forward sponson ammunition bin.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot went through the batteries and under the floor of the turret. Fire confined to some M.G. ammunition.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from tank Commander.

Fate of Crew:
Commander: Unhurt
Gunner: Burnt. 2 degree face and hands, RTD 1/52 Category A.1.
Operator: Wounded, a) flesh wound cheek, parotid fistula and partial VII nerve palsy; b ) flesh wound of anterior abdominal wall over left rectus muscle; peritoneum not penetrated; c) compound fracture upper ⅓ of left thigh, with large wounds in anterior and lateral aspect. X-ray shows 4, 0 - 50 mgm F.B's among bone chips; d) transverse flesh wound base left hallux. Still in hospital 25 September 1945.
Driver: Burned. 2 degree burns face and hands. RTD 6/52 Category A.1.

 

Regiment: Royal Scots Greys

Serial No.: B.41.

Mark: 1 c

W.D. No.: 262925

Date: 7 April 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure Nos.: 13, 14
4th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 800 yards

Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm. Pak. 40 A.T. gun) penetration.

Fire Damage: Burnt out

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Tank stationary as it had run onto a mine which had immobilised it. Turret at 12 o'clock.

Position of Hit: Shot scooped left rear bogie and made a penetration about 80 mm. diameter through left side of engine compartment below petrol tank.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot (Pak. 40 A.P.C.B.C.) dented the rear wall of the engine compartment and was found unexploded on the floor of the engine compartment.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from Squadron Second-in-Command. Tank started to burn at once, but burned quietly.

Fate of Crew: Unhurt.

 

Regiment: Royal Scots Greys

Serial No.: A.79.

Mark: II

W.D. No.: 233600

Date: 19 April 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: -

Range: Not Known

Cause of Damage: A.P. penetrations and scoops

Fire Damage: Some - extent Not Known

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: At ETELSEN. Circumstances Not Known.

Position of Hit: Not Known.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Details Not Known. The tank was scooped several times before the crew baled out; penetration occurred after tank had been abandoned.

Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Leader.

Fate of Crew: Unhurt.

 

Regiment: Royal Scots Greys

Serial No.: A.80.

Mark: II

W.D. No.: 263264

Date: 20 April 1945

Photo No.: 12

Figure Nos.: 1, 3
4th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: Not Known

Cause of Damage: A.P. (88 mm) penetrations and scoops. Flak gun.

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Turret found at 1.30 o'clock.

Position of Hit: a) scoop damaging left sprocket; b ) scoop right edge of front of hull just above track; c) penetration about 95 mm. diameter through front of hull, in front of Driver; d) penetration about 100 mm. diameter through front end of left sponson.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Crew got out before tank was penetrated. Order of shots a) and b ) as given above, shots c) and d) Not Known. Shots not traced since front hatches were sealed. The turret was undamaged. Shot d) appeared to have gone through the Driver's instrumental panel and been arrested in the left sponson.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from Squadron Leader.

Fate of Crew: Unhurt.

 

Regiment: Royal Scots Greys

Serial No.: B.75.

Mark: 1 c

W.D. No.: 269794

Date: 20 April 1945

Photo No.: 21

Figure Nos.: 13, 14
4th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 800 yards

Cause of Damage: A.P. (88 mm. Flak 18) penetration

Fire Damage: Confined right sponson

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Moving slowly forwards, turret at 12 o'clock

Position of Hit: Penetration 98 mm. diameter in side wall of left sponson below turret behind bin.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot went across tank about a foot above turret floor and was stopped by the side wall of right sponson which was bulged out. Some Browning ammunition in the right sponson had burnt. A 2 kgm portion of the base of the shot and other smaller fragments were found in the right sponson.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from crew Commander. Driver was apparently unhurt when he baled out, but was later found dead with no apparently injury, and is considered as having been killed outside.

Fate of Crew:
Commander: a) multiple flesh wounds right and left legs with multiple F.B's; b ) penetrating wound left knee, entry lateral side; c) flesh wound left thigh. RTD 20/52. Category A.1.
Gunner: Wounded. Fragment wounds leg and arm. Still in hospital 8 November 1945
Operator: Wounded, a) wound right leg with below knee amputation for gas gangrene; b ) multiple soft tissue wounds left leg and fracture of left fibula. X-rays 3, 0 - 50 mgm. fragments, 1, ¼ - 1 gm. fragments; 1, 1 - 5 gm fragments. Still in hospital 2 October 1945.

 

Regiment: Royal Scots Greys

Serial No.: A.140.

Mark: II

W.D. No.: 233174

Date: 25 April 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure Nos.: 1, 2
4th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 30 yards

Cause of Damage: H.C. (Panzerfaust) penetration

Fire Damage: Confined to turret

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Proceeding slowly down a street in BREMEN when ambushed by infantry in the basement of a house and fed at by Panzerfaust. Turret at about 12 o'clock.

Position of Hit: Penetration 60 mm. diameter through left side wall of turret below Commander's hatch.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Jet went between Commander's and Gunner's seats.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from Commander of the tank behind. Fire started at once.

Fate of Crew:
Operator, Driver & Co-Driver: Unhurt
Commander: Killed. No obvious severe wound. Body slightly burned (Padre).
Gunner: Killed. Small wound in side of head. Body slightly burned, but no obvious other wound (Padre).

 

Regiment: Royal Scots Greys

Serial No.: B.43.

Mark: 1 c

W.D. No.: 263896

Date: 25 April 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: -

Range: 25 yards

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

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Stationary, firing into a house in BREMEN, when fired at probably with Panzerfaust from a basement. Turret half right front.

Position of Hit & Effect of Projectile: Projectile hit top of right hand side of front of hull and made a channel 6" long in the roof of the hull to the right of the hinge of Driver's hatch. No internal damage.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from Operator of tank, and Commander of tank behind.

Fate of Crew: Uninjured.

 

Regiment: Royal Scots Greys

Serial No.: B.44.

Mark: 1 c

W.D. No.: 269381

Date: 26 April 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: -

Range: 60 yards.

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

Fire Damage: Confined turret, minor

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Tank stationary in evening half-light when fired at by infantry in the garden of a house.

Position of Hit & Effect of Projectile: The projectile fired from the left rear hit the roof of the turret and blew the Commander's cupola off and injured the crew.

Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Leader and Second-in-Command. Operator's and Commander's hatches open. Not Known whether Driver's also open.

Fate of Crew:
Commander: Wounded. Head, multiple fragment wounds. Further details Not Known.
Gunner: Wounded and burned; a) 1 degree and 2 degree burns of face; b ) injury to eyes with corneal oedema; c) ruptured left tyrannic membrane. RTD 2/52. Category A.1.
Operator: Killed. Hair and eyebrows scorched but no obvious severe wound.
Driver: Burned. 1 degree burns face and neck. Some injury to eyes causing conjunctival hyperaemia. RTD 4/52. Category A.

 

Regiment: Royal Scots Greys

Serial No.: AB.1.

Mark: Not Known

W.D. No.: Not Known

Date: Not Known

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: -

Range: Not Known

Cause of Damage: A.P. scoop

Fire Damage: -

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Not Known

Position of Hit: A.P. scoop at the top of glacis plate on front of hull.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Minor damage

Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Leader.

Fate of Crew: Unhurt.

 

Regiment: Royal Scots Greys

Serial No.: AB.2.

Mark: Not Known

W.D. No.: Not Known

Date: 16 April 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: -

Range: 20 yards

Cause of Damage: H.C. (Panzerfaust) scoop

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Tank moving down a track at about 12 m.p.h. when ambushed by infantry armed with Panzerfausts. Projectile fired from half right front.

Position of Hit: Tapering hole in gun mantlet but no penetration.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: No internal damage.

Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Troop Leader. Not Known whether Driver's and Co-Driver's hatches were open or not.

Fate of Crew:
Turret Crew & Driver: Unhurt
Co-Driver: Concussion, crack fracture right temporal bone bruising right eye. Probably injured by displacement, possibly by hatch being blown down onto his head. No F.B's shown on X-rays. Discharged Army Category E., 26 September 1945.

 

Regiment: 3/4 County of London Yeomanry

Serial No.: A.88.

Mark: II

W.D. No.: 233611

Date: 26 March 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure Nos.: 1, 3
4th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: Not Known

Cause of Damage: H.C. penetration

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Turret stated to have been at 12 o'clock

Position of Hit: Penetration at junction of front and roof of turret in front of Gunner.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Gunner's periscope shattered. No fire damage.

Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from R.M.O. and Squadron Leader. Ground very boggy and wet, so that R.M.O had to come up on foot and casualties could not be evacuated for 6 hours.

Fate of Crew:
Operator, Diver and Co-Driver: Unhurt
Commander: Died of Wounds - a) severe shoulder wound, with fractured humerus; b ) T and T wound right forearm with fracture of radius and ulna; c) 1 and 2 degree burns face. Some fragments removed from forearm at operation, at F.D.S. where he died, 29 March 1945.
Gunner: Killed - severe head wounds.

 

Regiment: 3/4 County of London Yeomanry

Serial No.: B.45.

Mark: 1 c

W.D. No.: 233559

Date: 28 March 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure Nos.: 13 - 15
4th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 50 yards

Cause of Damage: H.C. Panzerfaust penetration.

Fire Damage: Confined to turret. Minor

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Tank was without any infantry support, in thickly wooded country, when attacked by German infantry.

Position of Hit: a) penetration 50 mm. diameter through rear of engine compartment just below deck; b ) 1½" penetration 40 mm. diameter through right side of turret just in front of Commander's hatch.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Crew got out uninjured after hit a).

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from Squadron Leader.

Fate of Crew: Uninjured in the tank, but were killed by rifle fire after baling out.

 

Regiment: 3/4 County of London Yeomanry

Serial No.: B.49.

Mark: 1 c

W.D. No.: 269320

Date: 28 March 1945

Photo No.: 23

Figure Nos.: 14, 15
4th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 25 yards

Cause of Damage: H.C. penetration

Fire Damage: Burnt out

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Stationary at night. Turret found at 3 o'clock.

Position of Hit: Penetration approximately 50 x 95 mm. diameter into right grouser box through its roof.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Tank burned fiercely at once, and exploded within ten minutes. Crew baled out at once.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from Troop Leader.

Fate of Crew: Unhurt.

 

Regiment: 3/4 County of London Yeomanry

Serial No.: A.91

Mark: II

W.D. No.: 233499

Date: 30 March 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: -

Range: -

Cause of Damage: Not Known

Fire Damage: Confined to turret

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Not Known

Position of Hit: Not Known

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Fire confined to turret.

Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from R.M.O. Cause of fire thought to have been phosphorus grenade accidentally dropped by the Tank Commander.

Fate of Crew:
Gunner, Operator, Driver & Co-Driver: Unhurt
Commander: Burnt. 1 and 2 degree burns face, right leg and hand. Discharged hospital to sick leave 2/52. Final Category Not Known, probably A. (Counted A.)

 

Regiment: 3/4 County of London Yeomanry

Serial No.: A.87.

Mark: II

W.D. No.: 233583

Date: 1 April 1945

Photo No.: 15

Figure Nos.: 1, 3
4th Armoured Brigade, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 900 yards

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

Fire Damage: Burnt out

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Moving slowly forwards when fired at by ground mounted FLAK or A.T. gun. Turret found at 11 o'clock.

Position of Hit: Penetration about 75 x 130 mm. diameter through front of hull between Co-Driver and Driver.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Path could not be traced because contents of tank were disrupted. Tank burned slowly.

Remarks: Tank seen. Information from members of crew and Squadron Leader.

Fate of Crew:
Turret crew and Co-Driver: Unhurt
Driver: Wounded. Traumatic amputation right arm at elbow joint. Discharged hospital in 7/52. Category E.