As it is a dull, dark, drizzly day here I thought I would ask a question. Over the last couple of years a number of references to Weasel amphibians on the Normandy beaches have been found. This is the first reference I have seen to Terrapins. From the report of Naval Commander Force J 'Terrapins supplied to LCRU (Landing Craft Recovery Units) proved slow and cumbersome and should be replaced by DUKWs'. Can anyone add to this? My reading over the years suggests that Terrapins made their operational debut in October 1944. Any comments or further information would be appreciated. Mike
Interesting! I have heard rumours of LVT's being used late on D-Day to bring in supplies and take back casualties and I believe there are a few photos but this is the first I have heard of Weasels and certainly Terrapins. Like you I thought they didn't appear until much later than D-Day. cheers Kevin
There's a very brief reference to them in trials/training in Dec 1943 here. And then there's this. Presumably the LCRUs got the Terrapins to free up DUKWs for the first line units.
Thank you Idler. I cannot pretend to have read all the material in the links but it does seem that Terrapins were issued and the crews trained in their use. I have also received a document showing that the Terrapins were issued on a scale of one per two LCRUs. This would make a total of six. More later. Mike
The scale of issue seems to have been increased to one per LCRU making a total of twelve. Handwritten amendment to the original document. I wonder why the Terrapin was found unsuitable. The report says 'slow and cumbersome' but they seem to have had good performance on sand dunes and in surf. They also had a greater load carrying capability than DUKWs, although awkwardly arranged. I suppose the answers are to be found in the War Diaries for LCRU. Since these are not army units they remain a mystery to me. Who knows where Royal Marine unit diaries and RN shore party diaries might be found? Mike
Hi Mike, Although the Terrapin had agreater load carrying capacity than the DUKW it suffered from the following problems:- Poor visibility for the driver due to his central location, although when the front canvas cover was raised to protect the forward hold from large waves an observer stood behind the driver for guidance. The vehicle had a poor record for manoeuvrability in rough waters making it difficult to steer. As it was powered by two twin Ford V8 engines mounted side by side, each driving the 4 wheels, if one of these flooded it would be difficult to steer in water and I would have thought impossible on land. Perhaps these are just some of the reasons it was disliked. cheers Kevin
Forgot to post this (Unit Sheet of RN CRU part of 7 Cdn Inf Bde Gp, dated 3 May 44), which shows one Terrapin allotted, LTIN 1159 to be ready to beach at H+9 hrs on MIKE Sector (note the typo: a comma was typed instead of the number '1'): Source: War diaries : T-7620 - Héritage The LCRU with 9 Cdn Inf Bde Gp was initially (as of 18 Mar 44) allotted a DUKW in LTIN 1735 ready to beach at H+16hrs on NAN: Source: War diaries : T-7620 - Héritage which was changed (by 2 May) into a Terrapin in LTIN 1743 to beach H+7 hrs: Source: War diaries : T-12331 - Héritage The corresponding Landing Tables also reflect the above. Michel