Were there any drawbacks to being a tankie in Burma ?

Probably from C Squadron, 3rd Carabiniers as this unit supported 2nd British Infantry Division at Mount Popa, but couldn't find any reference haw it was lost.

 

Addition to mentioned incident with captured 25 pounder. From Connolly's "Soldiers Son's Don't Cry":

It was on the 6th of May that 5 Troop were ordered to try to destroy what was supposed to be a Jap 75-millimetre but in the exchange of fire the troop leader’s tank was hit and completely destroyed with the loss of its complete crew. When this position was eventually overrun it was discovered that the gun had not been a Jap 75-millimetre but a British 25-Pdr; the tank with its crew had not stood a dog’s chance. This disastrous event had killed some of the most experienced crew members of the squadron, men who were well liked and who at this stage of the campaign would be very difficult to replace, but it must also be stated that in the last eight to ten days in action the squadron had lost seven out of the remaining eleven tanks and our officers must have been aware that our guns were shot out and completely inaccurate at any range over 100 yards.

 

Some really good tank pics in Burma, here including A 3rd Carabiniers tank on Mount Popa.http://www.fireandfury.com/painting/burmaarmypaintingguide.pdf

 

Just a pair of wild guesses, based on looks only:

1. Magnetic mine placed on top of the engine compartment?
2. Very lucky mortar hit on said location

 

I find this a very odd statement. Could it be referring to the 37mm? There's no way a decent 75mm wouldn't accurately fire to over 100 yards. The barrels would have to be like a wizzard's sleeve for that to be the case!

 

I would think that the heat and humidity must have been absolute hell for the crews, possibly worse than in the desert. When closed down in action there would have been precious little ventilation, either. I wonder how often commanders had to relieve tanks and crews because of dehydration and heat exhaustion.

 

Sorry but book doesn't give more details. By the end of war 3rd Carabiniers still used the same tanks in which they fought at Imphal.

 

Clive posted this in post 4.....thanks Owen.............see what happens when I try to do tanks :loldevil: