Some Churchill tanks were up-gunned using the gun and mantlet of M4 Shermans retrieved from battle damage in North Africa early 1943. Does anyone know which regiments used the 'new' tank. From what I can see 51RTR might have been issued with them but I might be barking up the wrong tree. The 51RTR arrived in the Port of Bone and disembarked from MV Empire Pride 04 Feb 1943 and marched as gunners RA to No 4 transit camp. On the 09 Feb Advance parties to Penthieve area. Unloading of vehicles commenced. It was reported that Ship J74, containing 19 tanks has been sunk. The vehicle strength on leaving UK was 52 Churchill MkIII/IV, 6 Churchill Mk 1, 2 Churchill Recoveries, 9 Daimler Scout Cars, 4 White Scout Cars, 10 Universal Carriers, 7 Carriers TPC, 4 Carriers Slave Battery, 5 Humber Staff Cars, 19 BSA M/Cs, 3 Austin Utility's, 25 Bedford 3 ton 4x2GS Lorries, 10 Austin 3 Tonners, 10 Bedford 15cwt 4x2 Trucks, 4 15cwt Bedford Water Tanks, 1 15cwt Morris Comm 4x2 Office. Personnel Strength: Off's /WO's/S/Sgts /Sgts /L/Sgts /Cpls /L/Cpls /Troopers /Total ORs 41 / 9 / 5 / 40 / 10 / 62 / 58 / 533 / 717 The Regiment on 12/13 Feb received Movement Instructions No.1/2 from AFHQ Advance Movements. 15/16 Feb Advanced party moved to Le Kef area. From here on the action starts and a lot of movement with Sqns moving to other units for specific tasks. The vehicle strength for 28 Feb states that there are 55 Churchills but doesn't give numbers for each Mark. The 19 lost on J74 or some of them at least have been made up as the original number of Churchill was 60 and as far as I can see from the Diary none were lost due to action. Where's the Officers' Mess Lorry and gin palace? Roger
Hi, The Na75s were delivered to Italy after conversion. The first batch was to my regiment, the North Irish Horse. For inventories see: http://www.nih.ww2site.com/nih/Documents/8thTS-Index.html The three units of 25th Army Tank Brigade, NIH, 51st RTR and 142 RAC all left the UK wearing RA cap badges on forage caps. 21st Tank Brigade (note difference in title) which arrived in Tunisia later did not. To the best of my recollection, none of the three units of 25ATB left the UK with any Mark IVs in inventory, however, a few were delivered towards the end of the capaign to replace losses. 21stTB had a mix of Mark IIIs and IVs on leaving the UK. Cheers, Gerry
Gerry, Greetings and thank you for your service as a veteran. Were 6pdrs effective against Panthers and Tigers? The North Irish Horse Regiment Any relatives in Co. Tyrone?
(Herr Oberst)</div><div class='quotemain'> Were 6pdrs effective against Panthers and Tigers? [/b] When two tanks are within reach of each others killing range, the advantage goes to the faster loader and/or has the speedier traverse. In both these respects the 6-pdr equipped Churchills, at least in Tunisia and Italy, held the advantage. Two examples: The first Tigers (two) knocked out by another tank were by Churchills of the NIH in Tunisia - the first Panthers knocked by tanks of the Western Allies were also by NIH Churchills in Italy. We lost no tanks to either and, perhaps sounding strange to some, it was the PzKw IV that we did not like coming up against. </div><div class='quotemain'> Any relatives in Co. Tyrone? [/b] Being English, no, however, as our tanks were named after towns/villages in Ireland, both north and south, perhaps some are located in County Tyrone. Here's a listing: http://www.nih/ww2site.com/nih/Articles/9.html With best wishes to you and yours, Gerry
