BEN MACDHUI ?

Discussion in 'Vehicle Names and Census Numbers' started by KevinT, Aug 24, 2021.

  1. KevinT

    KevinT Senior Member

    Attached is a screenshot from War Pictorial News No. 169 courtesy of the Imperial War Museum Archives.
    The image shows a Sherman V named BEN MACDHUI, there are no visible AoS or Divisional markings but looking at the Sherman behind it looks to have the Black Bull of 11th Armoured Division on the transmission and also looks to be a BEN something, but I may just be seeing things. If it is 11th Armoured I am guessing at 2nd Fife and Forfar Yeomanry. Can anyone confirm either.
    The film is dated 31/7/1944 but that may not be accurate.

    Cheers

    Kevin BEN MACDHUI.png
     
  2. As you said BEN MACDHUI is clearly a Sherman V from the RHQ of one of 11 Armd Div's regiments, probably 3 R Tks since the tac sign on the hull side appears to be yellow rather than blue:
    WPN 169 - 480 - 1944-07-31 - 04.56 - Sherman V name BEN MACDHUI 11AD - 0.jpg

    On the very last frame of this sequence I also believe I can read the first three digits of 3 R Tks' Mob Serial Number 0042:
    WPN 169 - 480 - 1944-07-31 - 04.56 - Sherman V name BEN MACDHUI 11AD - 4 - Notes.jpg

    Next sequence in WPN 169 shows a Sherman Vc named MONAR:
    WPN 169 - 480 - 1944-07-31 - 05.06 - Sherman Vc name MONAR - 0.jpg
    WPN 169 - 480 - 1944-07-31 - 05.06 - Sherman Vc name MONAR - 1.jpg
    WPN 169 - 480 - 1944-07-31 - 05.06 - Sherman Vc name MONAR - 2.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2021
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  3. KevinT

    KevinT Senior Member

    I had excluded 3 RTR as all the names I have other than some early cruisers begin with "C" and I have a few 2 F & F with names beginning BEN something. I had seen MONAR, also a large area in Scotland and there is a 2 F & F Crusader named LOCH MONAR. I tried to enlarge that area showing the Mob number and agree it starts 004? but could not make out digit(s).

    War Pictorial has turned up several new names I had not seen before a few of which I have posted on section of WW2T.

    Cheers

    Kevin
     
  4. As a matter of fact I do not know the MSN for 2 FF Yeo, so can't excude it just yet. Maybe it also starts with 004x, but I doubt it.

    Anyone knows the Mob Serial Number for 2nd Fife and Forfar Yeomanry?
     
  5. Sheldrake

    Sheldrake All over the place....

    Is it possible that Ben and Mchdui are names/ nicknames of the driver and co-driver? Maybe a piece of WW2 ironic satire.
     
  6. KevinT

    KevinT Senior Member

    Possible but as the tank behind is called BEN something highly unlikely.

    Cheers

    Kevin
     
  7. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Ben or Beinn is the Scottish Gaelic name for hill and Ben MacDui is the second largest mountain in the UK after Ben Nevis.
    Regards
    Hugh
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2021
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  8. KevinT

    KevinT Senior Member

    I have put the question out to a couple of sites and email contacts to try and resolve who BEN MACDHUI belongs to.

    Cheers

    Kevin
     
  9. Christian Fletcher

    Christian Fletcher Well-Known Member

    Mob # for 1 F&F Yeo 8020 (p22 1944 index); 2 F&F Yeo 18000 p35 1944 index.

    I have the same names (& vehicles as your list) and no more.
     
  10. Thank you Christian!

    MONAR is therefore 2 FF Yeo, as per the Mob Serial on the amn box on the offside mudguard:
    WPN 169 - 480 - 1944-07-31 - 05.06 - Sherman Vc name MONAR - MSN 18000.jpg

    As for MACDHUI, it seems that it is indeed from 2 FF Yeo as well. See:
    Mobilization Number?
    BEN ALDER is clearly the tank right after BEN MACDHUI.

    The number which looks like 004x on the top right corner of the glacis plate may not be the MSN after all, or maybe one inherited from another unit (R Tks?) and not painted over when the tank was taken on strength by 2 FF Yeo. There is another, unreadable writing on the opposite corner.
     
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2021
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