Prior to the departure of the North Irish Horse, from the UK to North Africa, Churchills tanks were engaged in AA practices on a range near Stiffkey, Norfolk. While those who took part firing Besas at drones being towed just off the coast, none really believed what was learned would ever be put to the test. On 6th April, 1943, the regiment came under command of 78th (Battleaxe) Infantry Division, to support troops of 36th Infantry Brigade in the clearing on the enemy occupied Oued Zarga mountains, so steep that the Germans did not believe they could be climbed by tanks. Without adequate anti-tank protection the services of the Luftwaffe were called upon and, for four days, both tanks and infantry came under persistent air attacks "during the course of which an Me110 was shot down by Besa fire and crashed in flames. Subsequently the 30 mm. cannon was rescued from this aircraft." NIH Battle Report, page 18. Little damage was done to the tanks - one was hit on the starboard track by a bomb dropped from a Stuka, gave the crew a dickens of a fright but injured no one! Four chaps were injured, two outside their tanks, two in their tanks both by a million to one chance. Not having to deal with Panzers the 6-pdr guns were loaded with HE - a cannon shell shot into the elevated barrel of one gun setting off the HE round, the recoil breaking the unfortunate operator's shoulder and upper arm. What happened to Paddy Hember, a driver, was even more remarkable - but that's a long story for another time. There must be other instances of tanks downing enemy aircraft, anyone know of them?
Having left the story of Paddy Hember hanging, I thought perhaps it wise to relate what happened to him. Paddy I knew very well, we both served in B Squadron's HQF Troop and, for a while we crewed the same Churchill. He was one of the North Irish Horse's many characters, first serving serving with the Irish Army before 'transferring' to the British Army. During the battle for the ten Oued Zarga peaks, I recollect (but cannot be sure) that he was aboard 'Bushmills' as the driver. The Germans, realising they were facing tanks where none was expected, managed to bring up a 50mm anti-tank gun which, although it was quickly destroyed, managed to get off a few shots. The appliqué armour affixed to the side of the Mark III Churchills was fastened by conical headed bolts, a shot from the A/T Gun hit exactly on the cone thrusting the bolt into the driver's compartment. Paddy was wounded so badly that his right arm was shot round the back of his neck and hung down over his left pocket; he was also wounded in the left leg. Luckily, during a lull in the fighting when he reached the casualty station and, instead of amputation, the doctor tried to save his arm with a complicated splint. Paddy was transferred to the UK after various efforts to mend his arm had failed. Amputation was the final decision but there was considerable delay before this could be performed. When, at last, he was called to Roehampton hospital, he refused to go as he was beginning to regain some use in his arm which, eventually, became full use. But his troubles were not over; returning to Dublin, he was court-martialled for desertion from the Irish Army. However, he argued successfully that he had only been absent without leave over an extended period. This was accepted and his punishment was to be dismissed the service. Ten of the NIH from the South rest forever in foreign soil, fortunately Paddy was not one of them!
Ten of the NIH from the South rest forever in foreign soil, fortunately Paddy was not one of them! In Belize one of the Army Watchkeepers in the Ops rooms was a Lt from the Irish Guards. He was asked about the members of his platoon and he said that it was evenly spilt between the north and south! My eldest brother's Father in Law, came across from Eire in 1938, he had previous experince of weaponry gained in Eire bit not from the Irish Army and joined the British Army. I know he served in North Africa, where he purloined 10,000 fags and hide them somewhere near to tripoli! He also served in italy as he had a very intersting story about Monte Cassino involving a cockney POL storeman and a demand for petrol for vehicles. After the war, he became a schoolie in with the occupation forces in Austria.
