7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

TNA Catalogue Reference: WO 205/1165

Extract from -

7th Armoured Division - Cromwell tanks
8 King's Royal Irish Hussars
1 R.T.R.
5 R.T.R.
5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards


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
4th Armoured Brigade - Sherman 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


C.29., 8 Hussars, 31 March 1945

C.32., 8 Hussars, 7 April 1945

C.30., 8 Hussars, 8 April 1945

B.23., 8 Hussars, 19 April 1945

C.34., 8 Hussars, Date Unknown
C.26., 8 Hussars, Date Unknown
C.27., 8 Hussars, Date Unknown
C.28., 8 Hussars, Date Unknown
C.67., 8 Hussars, Date Unknown
E.9., 8 Hussars, Date Unknown
E.7., 8 Hussars, Date Unknown
E.8., 8 Hussars, Date Unknown



C.38., 1 Royal Tank Regiment, 29 March 1945

C.37., 1 Royal Tank Regiment, 30 March 1945
C.40., 1 Royal Tank Regiment, 30 March 1945

F.19., 1 Royal Tank Regiment, 31 March 1945

C.36., 1 Royal Tank Regiment, 4 April 1945

C.70., 1 Royal Tank Regiment, 18 April 1945

B.24., 1 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
B.26., 1 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
C.42., 1 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
C.39., 1 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
C.45., 1 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
C.46., 1 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
C.47., 1 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
C.50., 1 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
C.41., 1 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
F.18., 1 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown



C.59., 5 Royal Tank Regiment, 28 March 1945

C.61., 5 Royal Tank Regiment, 8 April 1945

B.16., 5 Royal Tank Regiment, 19 April 1945

B.18., 5 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
B.17., 5 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
C.60., 5 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown
C.62., 5 Royal Tank Regiment, Date Unknown



B.20., 5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, 30 March 1945
B.21., 5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, 30 March 1945
C.58., 5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, 30 March 1945

C.54., 5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, 7 April 1945

C.49., 5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, 8 April 1945
C.53., 5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, 8 April 1945

C.72., 5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, 10 April 1945
C.71., 5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, Date Unknown

F.22., 5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, 17 April 1945

B.22., 5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, Date Unknown
C.51., 5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, Date Unknown
C.57., 5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, Date Unknown

C.55., 5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, Date Unknown
C.56., 5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, Date Unknown
C.73., 5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, Date Unknown
C.74., 5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, Date Unknown

 

FIGURES


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34 -
35 -
38 -
39 -




KEY

 

Regiment: 8 Hussars

Serial No.: C.29.

Mark: IV

W.D. No.: 188331

Date: 31 March 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure Nos.: 26, 29
7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: Not Known

Cause of Damage: H.C. penetration and scoop

Fire Damage: Burnt out

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Whole troop was lost in ODING and there were no survivors who could be interviewed. Turret at 12 o'clock.

Position of Hit: a) penetration through the visor plate just to the left of the vision port. It appeared to have hit the vision port which was about a third open and then hit the visor plate rough in the centre, making an oval scoop, approximately 20 x 85 mm. with a central penetration 25 mm. in diameter; b ) hit through right bogie wheel.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Inside is a jagged hole with everted edges about 25 mm. diameter; the projectile had gone back into the partition between the Driver and Co-Driver without doing much other damage; b ) did no damage to the hull.

Remarks: Tank seen. It is known that four members of the crew were taken P.O.W. as they were seen being marched away. It is assumed that they were not wounded.

Fate of Crew:
Driver: Severe wound right elbow, with destruction of the joint. Arm later amputated for gangrene. Discharged in 8½/52. Category E.
Commander, Operator, Gunner & Co-Driver: Missing P.O.W. Believed unhurt.

 

Regiment: 8 Hussars

Serial No.: C.32.

Mark: IV

W.D. No.: 188649

Date: 7 April 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: 26, 27
7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 30 yards

Cause of Damage: H.C. penetration

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Static on a cross roads near BREMEN. The penetration jammed the turret, but the tank continued to fire and knocked out two German guns. Turret at 12 o'clock.

Position of Hit: Penetration diminishing from 90 to 50 mm. diameter just above the turret ring on the left hand side of the turret.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Tank sealed but no appearance of major internal damage.

Remarks: -

Fate of Crew:
Commander, Operator, Driver & Co-Driver: Unhurt.
Gunner: Minor burns face. RTD in 1/52. Category A.1.

 

Regiment: 8 Hussars

Serial No.: C.30.

Mark: IV

W.D. No.: 188377

Date: 8 April 1945

Photo No.: 24, 32 [only one photo]

Figure No.: 25, 27, 28
7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: Not Known

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

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: In THEDINGHAUSEN, near BREMEN. Circumstances Not Known. Turret 7.30 o'clock.

Position of Hit: a) penetrate above track through left hand side of the engine compartment, about two feet from the back of the tank; b ) penetration through left hand side stowage bin and then through the junction of the roof and side wall of the Co-Driver's compartment; c) and d) two scoops of the centre of the right hand side of the turret.

Course & Effect of Projectile: a) went into engine, which caught fire; this shot hurt no one. b ) went through rear wall of front compartment and on to the floor, which was dented. This shot wounded the Operator and killed the Driver, while they were escaping. Fire was confined to the engine.

Remarks: Tank seen.

Fate of Crew:
Commander & Gunner: Unhurt.
Co-Driver: Not in tank.
Operator: Unhurt by a), wounded by b ) while escaping, deep flesh wound front of right thigh. Superficial wound both thighs. X-rays show numerous F.B's. (less than 50 mgs) in thighs. Still in hospital 27 September 1945.
Driver: Unhurt by shot a). Died of Wounds caused by shot b ).

 

Regiment: 8 Hussars

Serial No.: B.23.

Mark: 1 c

W.D. No.: 263496

Date: 19 April 1945

Photo No.: 18

Figure Nos.: 17 - 20
7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 600 - 800 yards

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

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Crossing HAMBURG-BREMEN Autobahn. Turret at 12 o'clock.

Position of Hit: a) non-penetrating scoop, on bottom left hand corner of the mantlet going on to hit the side wall of the turret; b ) through the lid of the Driver's hatch making an oval hole 150 x 75 mm at 2 o'clock to the periscope opening.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot a) caused no internal damage; b ) scattered fragments through the open Driver's hatch and damaged, but did not detonate the ammunition in the sponson behind the Driver, who was probably hit by the shot. He was driving with his head out.

Remarks: Tank seen.

Fate of Crew:
Gunner & Operator: Unhurt
Commander: Flesh wound left hand. RTD in 4/52. Category A.1.
Driver: Killed

 

Regiment: 8 Hussars

Serial No.: C.34.

Mark: VII

W.D. No.: 121797

Date: Not Known

Photo No.: 26

Figure Nos.: 25, 29
7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 1000 - 1200 yards

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

Fire Damage: Burnt out

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: In a wood outside SOLTAU. Operating singly with an infantry detachment. Fired at by an 88 mm. gun mounted on a railway carriage. Turret 12 o'clock.

Position of Hit: Penetration 85 x 130 mm. through the top left hand corner of the visor plate.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Roof of Co-Driver's compartment blown in, shot passed back through the forward bulkhead 20" in from the side of the tank, then through the turret ring, below the gun and went on through the right hand corner of the engine bulkhead into the engine. The tank was completely burnt out.

Remarks: Tank seen. The survivors of the crew could not be traced, probably because they were evacuated through the infantry R.A.P., but there was also reason to believe that some of them might have been taken P.O.W. Remains of at least two bodies, one of whom could reasonable be supposed to be the Co-Driver, were removed from the tank. Owing to lack of definite information the fate of the crew has been considered as Unknown.

Fate of Crew: Unknown.

 

Regiment: 8 Hussars

Serial No.: C.26.

Mark: Not Known

W.D. No.: Not Known

Date: 20 April 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: 29
7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: Not Known

Cause of Damage: H.C. penetration

Fire Damage: Minor confined fire.

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Not Known

Position of Hit: Penetration through visor plate between Driver and Co-Driver.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Caused a minot fire which only involved the upholstery of the front compartment, and was put out by the Crew. Gunner was probably injured by displacement.

Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from Squadron Officers. Tank was repaired.

Fate of Crew:
Commander: Unhurt in the tank. Killed by sniper while escaping.
Gunner: Simple fracture left scaphoid and radius. RTD 26/52. Category C.2.
Operator & Driver: Unhurt
Co-Driver: Flesh wound right calf. F.B. removed (size Not Known). Superficial wounds left knee, chest wall, and face. 1 degree burn face. RTD 18/52. Category A.1.

 

Regiment: 8 Hussars

Serial No.: C.27.

Mark: Not Known

W.D. No.: 187631

Date: Not Known

Photo No.: -

Figure Nos.: 26, 29
7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: Not Known

Cause of Damage: H.C. penetrations and scoops.

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: A whole troop was lost in ODING and there were no survivors who could be interviewed. Turret at 11 o'clock.

Position of Hit: a) penetration through lower front glacis plate, oval hole 50 x 100 mm. with central finger size penetration; b ) scoop cutting a channel 25 mm. deep out of the top of the M.G. mounting and compartment roof, which runs back to the fan cowling which was destroyed; c) scoop on roof of turret making a depression at 7 o'clock to the fan; d) penetration 30 mm. diameter into rear of tank, just above the bottom of the exhaust box on the left hand side.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: a) appeared to have done little internal damage; b ) damage to fixtures on turret roof and upholstery on inside of Operator's hatch lids; d) engine intact, projectile apparently did no damage.

Remarks: Tank seen. No detailed information about the crew available.

Fate of Crew:
Commander: Believed wounded and taken P.O.W.
Gunner, Operator, Driver & Co-Driver: Known to have been killed.

 

Regiment: 8 Hussars

Serial No.: C.28.

Mark: IV

W.D. No.: 188350

Date: Not Known

Photo No.: -

Figure Nos.: 26, 28
7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: Not Known

Cause of Damage: H.C. penetration

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: In ODING where a whole troop was lost, and thee were no survivors who could be interviewed. Commander and Operator who had their heads out were killed by M.G. fire. The rest of the crew abandoned the tank which was hit by H.C. shortly afterwards.

Position of Hit: Penetration 33 mm. in diameter through centre of the right hand side of the turret, just above the turret ring.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Jagged hole diameter inside about 100 mm. with severe internal petaling of the armour; Besa rack partially penetrated and some of the rounds damaged without any of them exploding.

Remarks: Tanks seen. No crew inside when it was hit.

Fate of Crew: Not in tank.

 

Regiment: 8 Hussars

Serial No.: C.67.

Mark: VII

W.D. No.: 121805

Date: Not Known

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: -

Range: Not Known

Cause of Damage: H.C. penetration

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Obscure. Whole troop was lost in ODING, and there were no survivors who would be interviewed.

Position of Hit: Penetration through front of turret near the main gun which was said to have been badly damaged.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Not Know in detail but there was said to have been considerable internal damage to the turret, but no fire.

Remarks: Tank not seen. Information from B.T.A. A member of the Squadron saw three bodies in the turret the next morning.

Fate of Crew:
Commander, Gunner & Operator: Killed.
Driver: Unhurt, believed to have been killed while escaping.
Co-Driver: Unhurt, believed P.O.W. (Missing).

 

Regiment: 8 Hussars

Serial No.: E.9.

Mark: -

W.D. No.: -

Date: Not Known

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: 34
7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 400 yards

Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm. Kw. K. 42) scoop.

Fire Damage: None.

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Not Known. Turret at 12 o'clock when seen.

Position of Hit: Projectile took a large chip out of the front of the turret at the top right hand corner of the aperture for the main gun, then ricocheted on to the mantlet to the left of the gun giving a longitudinal scoop 200 mm. in length.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: No internal damage. Shot broke up on the mantlet and the pieces were identified as being from a Kw. K. 42.

Remarks: Tank seen. Turret was still movable and might not have been at 12 o'clock when hit was hit.

Fate of Crew: Unhurt.

 

Regiment: 8 Hussars

Serial No.: E.7.

Mark: -

W.D. No.: 272060

Date: 20 April 1945

Photo No.: 40

Figure No.: 34
7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: Not Known

Cause of Damage: A.P. scoop. H.C. penetration.

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Not Known. Turret at 1.30 o'clock.

Position of Hit: a) H.C. penetration about -0 mm. [50?] in diameter tapering to 25 mm. through front of turret just below the roof between M.G. aperture and the main gun; b ) there was said to have been an non-penetrating A.P. hit on the front of the turret, but no signs of this were found.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Tank sealed so that internal examination could not be made, but it was stated that there was no fire.

Remarks: Tank seen and information from Squadron Officers.

Fate of Crew:
Commander: Died of Wounds. One leg was amputated by the projectile.
Gunner: Severe wound left wrist. T and T from above wrist to back of hand. Fracture radius, ulna and metacarpals. F.B. size Not Known removed. Still in hospital 28 September 1945.
Operator: Wounds face and F.B. in eye. RTD 25/52. Category A.1.
Loader: Flesh wound left forearm with retained F.B. Superficial wounds face. RTD 6/52. Category A.1.
Driver: Unhurt.

 

Regiment: 8 Hussars

Serial No.: E.8.

Mark: -

W.D. No.: 272065

Date: Not Known

Photo No.: -

Figure No.: 34
7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 30 yards

Cause of Damage: H.C. scoops

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Not Known. Turret at 12 o'clock.

Position of Hit: a) penetration through the splash ring in front of the turret ring and partial penetration of the turret behind; b ) scoop in roof of Driver's hatch and partial penetration of the splash ring. Both hits just to the right of the main gun.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: No internal damage.

Remarks: Tank seen. Still on the road.

Fate of Crew: Unhurt.

 

Regiment: 1 Royal Tank Regiment

Serial No.: C.38.

Mark: IV

W.D. No.: 188406

Date: 29 March 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure Nos.: 26, 29
7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 20 yards

Cause of Damage: H.C. penetration

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Street fighting in RAMSDORF. H.C. fired from a house. Turret at 12 o'clock.

Position of Hit: Penetration 40 mm. diameter through the front of the mantlet just above the machine gun. Crack in the armour just below the penetration.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Minor internal damage.

Remarks: Tank seen.

Fate of Crew:
Commander: Superficial peppering right arm and side of face, left wrist. RTD in 7/52. Category A.1.
Gunner: Killed.
Operator: Superficial peppering face and neck. Ruptured ear drum. Multiple F.B's which were not removed. RTD in 8/52. Category A.1.
Driver & Co-Driver: Unhurt.

 

Regiment: 1 Royal Tank Regiment

Serial No.: C.37.

Mark: IV

W.D. No.: 188368

Date: 30 March 1945

Photo No.: 26

Figure Nos.: 25, 29
7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 500 yards

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

Fire Damage: Confined.

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Static when hit by an S.P. gun near DORTMUND EMMS Canal. Turret 2 o'clock.

Position of Hit: Penetration 75 mm., diameter in the centre of the front of the tank through the junction of the lower front glacis, and belly plates via a track plate that was welded onto the former, so that it overhung the latter. Hit roughly in the centre of the tank.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Passed back through the partition between the Driver and Co-Driver and back under the floor of the turret. Mild fire confined to front compartment.

Remarks: Tank seen. From the Commander's statement to his medical board it seems likely that some of the crew received their burns while extricating the Co-Driver.

Fate of Crew:
Commander: 2 degree burns right head and face. Also wounded outside. Flesh wooden left forearm (rifle bullet). RTD in 3/52. Category A.
Gunner: 2 and 3 degree burns face, 3 burns hands. RTD 21/52. Category A.1.
Operator: 1 and 2 degree burns face and hands.
Driver: 1 and 2 degree buns face and hands and back of neck.
Co-Driver: Died of Wounds. Head wound left occipital region. Probably also burnt but no note of this in hospital notes. Died in hospital.

 

Regiment: 1 Royal Tank Regiment

Serial No.: C.40.

Mark: IV

W.D. No.: 188515

Date: 30 March 1945

Photo No.: 30

Figure Nos.: 26, 28
7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: Not Known.

Cause of Damage: H.C. penetration.

Fire Damage: Confined fire.

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Tank was operating by itself and the survivors became P.O.W. Turret at 12 o'clock.

Position of Hit: Penetration 65 mm. in diameter through the centre of the vertical side of the Driver's hatch near its free edge.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Front compartment burnt, but turret and engine intact. No other major damage to the inside of the tank. Driver probably hit by the projectile.

Remarks: Tank seen. The charred body of the Driver was found lying over towards the Co-Driver's hatch. It was stated that an unsuccessful attempt had been made to get him out through his hatch.

Fate of Crew:
Gunner, Operator & Co-Driver: Unhurt.
Commander: Wounded. Slight scalp wound because his head was exposed. Clinical notes untraced. RTD 2/52. Category Not Known. Probably A.
Driver: Killed. Detailed investigation of the charred body could not be made, but the following were noted. Compound fracture right wrist. Gross laceration right thigh and hip with ? [sic] abdominal injury.

 

Regiment: 1 Royal Tank Regiment

Serial No.: F.19.

Mark: -

W.D. No.: 271155

Date: 31 March 1945

Photo No.: -

Figure Nos.: 35, 38
7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: 300 - 400 yards

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

Fire Damage: Burnt out

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Going down the road of AHAUS, fired at by 75 mm. S.P. Turret 11 o'clock.

Position of Hit: a) scoop through top of the open Driver's hatch and going on to scoop the left hand side of the turret; b ) penetration 80 mm. diameter through lower front glacis plate near right and c) scoop on the right track, which did not damage; d) hit on the open lid of the Commander's hatch.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: Shot b ) was the only hit which caused internal damage. It entered and destroyed the final drive and appeared to have then gone back into the crew compartment. Tank caught fire immediately. Inside of the tank was completely destroyed and projectile path could not be traced. The crew started to escape after the first hit, but the Co-Driver's hatch was blocked by the gun, and he had to be pulled out through the turret. Order of shots was as stated above. Driver killed by shot a) which is thought to have hit him.

Remarks: Tank seen, but only hit b ) investigated in detail.

Fate of Crew:
Commander: Unhurt, out after the first shot.
Operator: Flesh wounds left wrist, both thighs and right foot. RTD 9/52. Category A.4. (original Category)
Driver: Killed.
Co-Driver: Deep flesh wound left thigh from which a F.B. was removed, size Not Known. Superficial wounds left forearm and right lower leg. RTD 8½/52. Category A.1.

 

Regiment: 1 Royal Tank Regiment

Serial No.: C.36.

Mark: IV

W.D. No.: 188274

Date: 4 April 1945

Photo No.: 25

Figure Nos.: 25, 29
7th Armoured Division, Tank Casualties, 1945

Range: Not Known

Cause of Damage: A.P. (75 mm. Kw. K. 42) penetration and scoop.

Fire Damage: None

Other tanks involved in same incident:

Circumstances: Not Known. Turret at 12 o'clock.

Position of Hit: a) hit and split right hand side of gun barrel about a foot from the mantlet, then penetrated the top right hand corner of the mantlet, making a large irregular hole; b ) hit left hand side of muzzle brake, then penetrated the front of the turret, but was eventually stopped by the mantlet on the left hand side of the gun.

Course & Effect of Projectiles: a) back through the turret to hit the extreme right hand side of the wireless which was dented. Fragments fo the mantlet were found on the floor, the projectile itself had been removed; b ) knocked the whole left hand side of the mantlet back about 4 inches, with internal damage consequent on this, pieces of projectile were found and identified as Kw. K. 42. A.P. shot.

Remarks: Tank seen.

Fate of Crew:
Commander, Gunner & Co-Driver: Unhurt
Operator: Killed
Driver: Flesh wound left knee. F.B. said to have been removed in a German hospital. RTD 10/52. Category A.1.