6th Guards Tank Brigade/15th Scottish Division - UK Tank losses at Stadensen 14/4/45

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And a map from the same history:

 

Still working away..........I found this:

6thguardstankbrigade - 6th Guards Tank Brigade

and contacted the site owner. In reply I got this:

According to the Forbes book it was number 3 Squadron of the Coldstreams (4th Battalion) who were involved in the battle with Panzer division Clausewitz at Stadensen 14/15th April 1945.

Forbes reports "the tank crews...soon discovered that the village was already swarming with German SPs and half-tracks manned by Panzer Grenadiers... the Germans had managed to hoodwink the men of the outpost company into thinking that they were British armour and had completely overrun them."

It appears that the Coldstream tanks, guns, transport etc were crammed nose to tail in the village. After the fierce battle, 12 out of 13 German SPs were knocked out and 7half-tracks were deserted. At least 150 German dead and 150 prisoners taken.

The Coldstreams lost 2 tanks, one petrol three tonner, 2 M10s; the Glasgow highlanders lost most of their carriers, their command vehicle and practically all their transport with 30 dead and 30 missing. The platoon of sappers suffered heavily and their transport was wiped out.

I presume the M10's are the "17pdr Troop" mentioned by Delaforce.

 

Not necessarily. Did you not read the account I posted above? It mentions the GH lost two 17-pounders in the village.

 

Hi!

see above:
The Coldstreams lost 2 tanks, one petrol three tonner, 2 M10s; the Glasgow highlanders lost most of their carriers, their command vehicle and practically all their transport with 30 dead and 30 missing. The platoon of sappers suffered heavily and their transport was wiped out.

What means "M10"? The M10 "Wolverine" respectively the 17pdr SP "Achilles"? Which Unit uses Achilles there?

Regards

 

Hi,

i have checked the War Diaries in the Nationalarchive in Kew.

17 pdr. = 102th Anti-Tank Regiment (NH)
M10 = 63rd Anti Tank Regiment

Both Units have one troop in Stadensen with the Highlanders.

 

Panzerschlacht Um Stadensen by Pen and Dagger posted Jan 25, 2017 at 10:22 AM

 

Are there any photos from Stadensen existing? I never saw any, but I think that incident should have been documented anyhow.

regards
Frank