Found this article in After the Battle No 23, published 1979 - Titled: Tank Recovery From Dunkirk. It's about A13 Cruiser MkIII MK1 from 3rd RTR, that was recovered from the beach at Grand Fort-Phillipe near Gravelines in September 1978. I wondered what happened to it, as the article finished with being stored in farm yard. I've now established that it was moved to Musee du Mur de l'Atlantique Batterie Todt, where recently and unfortunately, it has been scrapped, which is a terrible shame. Here is a link to that page: A13 Mk.I Cruiser Mark III British tank - The last survivor is scrapped
What a tragic waste. Another little bit of history gone. Thanks for sharing the articles about the recovery.
Criminal...as was the scrapping of three stripped Bren Gun Carrier shells recovered from the Dyle line by the Brussels Military Museum not all that long ago...and it has since been possible to identify them from the war diaries. These people are simply interested in showing off. Not in history.
Looking at the date of its recovery, it can't have been long afterwards that I acquired this photo from a mate at school who'd been over there:
The mind boggles, doesn't it. Sort of thing you read of happening in the past & feel pleased there's no need for it now. Surely always someone to be found on the Internet grapevine to take something for scrap value. Shambolic, and a tiny bit sad. Tanks encyclopedia says cut up in the late 2000s. Anyone seen a more precise date?
Is this the poor mite? A13 Mk.I Cruiser Mark III British tank - The last survivor is scrapped Damn, beat me to it...
