Hi, I am curious to know what kind of thanks are in these pictures. They were taken by my Dad in january/february 1945 in Russi, Italy. He was with the Royal 22e Regiment. Thank you for your help !
The second (right hand) photo is of a Churchill tank. Google images has one rear view of a Churchill tank from the rear. Scroll down to the photo taken at Dieppe: CHURCHILLENG Could the first (left hand) photo be of Bren Carriers? They appear to be very low, with a tarpaulin shroud and there is a piece of track on the front which looks odd.
I think Owen has the right of it. The suspension units on the vehicles in the first photo are symmetrical and of a different appearance from those of universal carriers.
Not all on T16 rubber block tracks. T36E6 a fairly common grousered metal track that fits that image. Think there was another metal track type. Very quick look says maybe T55e1, but no certain images.
Ok, that's a good point. I should have said more: the suspension units looks American, and now that I've looked more closely, I think it's pretty easy to argue that it looks like a Stuart's. Here's one Stuart tank, and a zoomed in section of the photo. In the photo we're looking at, I've put vertical red lines at the centre of the suspension units. I've also circled two points that look like return rollers. Now look at the position of the suspension units and return rollers in the Stuart photo. The positioning does seem to match. Secondly, look at the area on the right that I've circled - the close spacing between the two front wheels and their relative angles. That looks a LOT like a Stuart. I don't know all the carrier types, so if you can find one with a similar suspension system, well, go for it
I'm not sure why this digressed so. They're Stuarts sans turret, & a Churchill. Owen's right in the first reply. (He's got a certificate & everything. He showed me.) The only carrier that could even come close in shape/size is an Oxford, & they entered service Postwar. Can't think of one that used volute suspension units either, as clearly visible in the shot (Though I think Horstmann designed them as well as the type that bears his name - as seen on most Carriers). Anyway - Cheers for sharing the pictures, J. Always great to see original family photos. (Ron, who lurks about here, served in a turret-less Stuart in Italy - a few recollections here: "Honey tank" - Turret-less or otherwise. )
I'm not sure why it digressed either after good clear answers - I'd also add that a member who has posted above restored the below, so I trust his opinion on these things - he knows his onions (or leeks)
wouldn't it be brilliant if that was a Churchill of Gerry Chester's NIH. Chapter 6: The NIH in Italy - Part One- At War
