Further to Post #79 regarding TSM W. Tippings 6th Troop A Squadron , a Belgiam eye witness report and a photo spot have confirmed the KO locations for the other two scout carriers of TSM W. Tipping’s Troop. The second scout carrier of 6th Troop , according to a Belgium eye witness report, was KOed across from Kerk Van Walfergem Church about half a kilometer from Walfergem on the Brusselsesteenweg east of Assche. Kerk Van Walfergem Church Map of carrier KO locations The 3rd scout carrier of 6th troop managed to reach Assche via Brusselsesteenweg and was KOed in front of the Café at the Assche Station. The markings, a triangle and a 6, indicating 6th Troop A Squadron have been crossed off by German soldiers. Other vehicles in Assche have similar crosses through their markings, for example the MK VIb named Archan on Kalkoven, and this seems to have been a German practice in Assche. Left front view of Carrier #3 at the Assche Station Right rear view of Carrier #3 showing damaged track Insufficient information is available now to ascertain the crews of these two scout carriers. Thanks to Jan and Rich for the photos.
At 0600 hours on the morning of May 18, 1940 5th Troop A Squadron 15/19 Hussars, under the command of 2nd Lt. Eustace Frank Feilden Brace, was sent out on a reconnaissance patrol south west from Wolvendaal (Vijlst) along Nieuwelaan. The 15/19 Hussars war diaries report the intent was to establish contact with the 5th Belgium Division who were suppose to be on the northern flank of the 15th/19th Hussars. Previously 2nd Lt Brace had successfully lead several reconnaissance patrols for the regiment since the regiment entered Belgium on May 10. On May 10 his troop was the first to enter Belgium prior to the regiment to reconnoitre bridge locations. Then on May 17 he lead another two patrols to establish contact with the Belgians. However on this occasion his luck was to change. While proceeding south west on Nieuwelaan 5th Troop came into contact with a German reconnaissance group heading north in the opposite direction near the small Sint Annakapel chapel. The German reconnaissance group consisted of several Sdkfz 234 armoured cars and motorcycles with side cars (most likely 750cc BMW side car combinations with 7.92 mm MGs). The Sdfz 234s had a crew of 4 and were armed with a 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 autocannon. The autocannon was capable of firing at a rate of 280 rounds per minute using high explosive ammunition. The Sdkfz 232 carried a Fu. Ger.11 SE 100 medium range radio and a Fu. Spr. Ger. "a" short range radio. This model was visually distinctive because of the heavy "bedstead" antenna over the body of the car. Photo of a Sdkz 232 and BMW motorcycle in Poland German reconnaissance groups view down Nieuwelaan Upon coming under fire 2nd Lt Brace had turned left off Nieuwelaan on to Vollickstraat toward Meyskens Farm. Brace then turned right after passing Meyskens farm house into an orchard and adjacent field. Air photo view of Meyskens Farm Meyskens Farm House, The sign Verbodene Vuil En Hout Te Storten (Forbidden Dirt and Timber Deposit) marks the entrance to the field. While the German armoured cars engaged the rest of 5th Troop on Nieuwelaan a German motorcycle and side car turn on to Vollickstraat in pursuit. It entered a field just south of Myskens farm house and moved parallel to Brace’s carrier. Brace then passed through the orchard and attempted to enter an open adjacent field by traversing a small ditch. He failed to negotiate the ditch and came under MG fire from the motorcycle and side car. Brace and his crew were shot up. Brace although mortally wounded managed to abandon his carrier and make his way to a nearby tree where he collapsed. The Meyskens family recalls he asked for water and was bleeding from the lower body and that blood ran down the track for some metres. The rest of 5th Troop was shot up by the German Sdkfz 232s and according to 15/19 war diaries only one wounded survivor, Corporal Payne, managed to escape and report back. The Germans then arrived with a motor bike and side car and lifted Brace onto it. The bike was maneuvered steadily across the field on to Vollickstraat and toward Sint Annakapel . Brace died on route to Sint Annakapel. Sint Annakapel The following command scout carrier photo in a field is from Peter Taghon Mei 1940 chapter 18 plate 15. Taghon indicates it is a 5th Troop C Squadron 15/19 Hussars command scout carrier. However the carrier markings, a 4 digit number inside a circle tactical mark, are not consistent with known 15/19 markings. It is unclear at this time if this is in fact 2nd Lt Brace’s carrier. 2nd Lt Brace was educated at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Berkshire, England. He was the son of the former 15/19 Hussars regimental commander Colonel Henry Fergusson Brace DSO, MC. He was 20 years old when he died and was the first officer casualty of the war. 2nd Lt. Brace is commemorated at St Werburgh's Churchyard and War Memorial, Hanbury, Staffordshire, England 2nd Lt. Brace is buried at Adegem Canadian War Cemetery, Maldegem Oost-Vlaandern, Belgium along with his crew, believed to be Trooper Alexander McQueen Cunningham and Trooper Victor Alexander Cooke. More Brave Hussars, Rest In Peace, Merebimur. Grave stone photos provided by Mr. Frank Vanpaemel, who lives near Adegem Canadian War Cemetery (thanks again Frank for the quick trip). Eye witness account of Mr Meyskens from Jef Vermeiren’s research materials. Scout carrier photo from Peter Taghon Mei 1940. Thanks also to Andrew for carrier markings interpretation. If anyone has a picture of Brace or a carrier shot that might be his carrier can you please post it.
The following is a portion of a work in progress document that maps known 15/19 Hussars to specific squadrons, troops and vehicles. The following deals only with A Squadron. It should be noted that FHQ, 3rd Troop, 4th Troop and 5th Troop saw action in Assche on May 18 1940. 6th Troop was engaged while approaching Assche. 1st Troop and 2nd Troop did not enter Assche. If anyone has additional information or can suggest other possible documents, please post a reply. Organization and Personnel of the Fighting Component of A Squadron 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars May 18 1940 at Assche This document is an initial attempt to map lists of known 15th/19th Hussars personnel for May 1940 to individual FHQs, squadrons, troops and vehicles of the fighting echelon of the regiment. A detailed breakdown of equipment and personnel has not been undertaken at this time for B Echelon. The “B” Echelon component of the regiment attached to RHQ made its way completely intact across the Dendre River on the morning of May 18 1940 and was not involved in any engagements. A variety of source documents have been utilized including, regimental histories, war diaries, personal accounts and lists of killed in action, wounded and prisoners of war for May 1940. These documents have various degrees of completeness and inconsistencies which precludes a complete mapping of personnel. This personnel mapping exercise will remain as a work in progress and achieve greater completeness as additional documents and personal accounts are found. The result of the personnel mapping exercise was intended to be used as a research aide in reconstructing events for the 15th/19th Hussars on May 18 1940 in the identification of vehicles and interpolating personal accounts. The personnel mapping results contain information relating to whether individual vehicles were knocked out, damaged or abandoned and their location. Individual personnel are listed as kill in action, died of wounds, wounded or prisoners of war. In addition lists of personnel that are likely vehicle commanders and crew men based on wounded and killed in action locations and dates are also provided where possible. At the outbreak of the Second World War the 15th/19th Hussars were part of the 3rd Infantry Division, based in York, serving as the divisional reconnaissance regiment (3 September 1939 - 30 March 1940). In April 1940 Cavalry regiments were organized into two Armoured Reconnaissance Brigades. 15th/19th Hussars became part of 2 Armoured Reconnaissance Brigade along with 5 Inniskilling Dragoon Guards and 1 Fife and Forfar Yeomanry. The 2 Armoured Reconnaissance Brigade was commanded by Brigadier A.J. Clifton. The regiment’s role was that of traditional cavalry being reconnaissance, protection, flank and rear guards. The key appointments of the regiment for May 1940 were as follows: Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel D. S. Frazer. Second in Command Major W. R. N. Hinde OC A Squadron Major C. Cokayne-Frith. OC B Squadron Captain N. A. Courage. OC C Squadron Captain Sir H. R. K. Floyd, Bt. OC HQ Squadron Captain G.T. Wright OC Militia Squadron Captain A. R. A. Dorrien Smith Adjutant Captain A. D. Taylor Quartermaster RSM H. Mayo RSM RSM L. B. Lyons RQMS RQMS Craven TQMS TSM Allington SSM A Squadron SSM J. R. Laing SSM B Squadron SSM Griffiths SSM C Squadron SSM Cook SSM HQ Squadron SSM Burkinshaw The War Establishment as a Divisional Cavalry Regiment gave the regiment a strength of twenty-one officers and four hundred and thirty-four other ranks, including attached troops. The three Sabre Squadrons each had a Fighting Headquarters and six Troops. Each Squadron FHQ had two MK VIb tanks and one command scout carrier. There were two tank troops of three Mk VIb tanks each, with 3 crew members per tank and four carrier troops each consisting of a command scout carrier with 3 crew members and two scout carriers with 4 crew members. Typically 1st and 2nd troops were allocated tanks and the remaining 4 troops were allocated carriers. Thus a squadron had a total of eight tanks and thirteen carriers and 71 officers and other ranks, which according to the regimental history never exceeded one hundred throughout the whole war. Each tank was equipped with a Number 11 wireless set, but each carrier troop had one only, for the troop commander. Two troops of each Sabre Squadron were commanded by subaltern officers and the remaining four troops were commanded by TSMs (WO 111) or by Sergeants. The leadership for the two tank troops appeared to be split between an officer and an NCO. The armament was light-in the Mk VIb tank with only two machine guns (.5 and .303 Vickers) and in each carrier one Bren LMG and one Boyes -55 anti-tank rifle. The fighting component (echelon) of A Squadron consisted of the following tanks, carriers, motorcycles and known personnel based on regimental war diaries and history along with personal accounts and interpolations: A Squadron: A Squadron consisted of FHQ of two tanks and one carrier, two tank Troops of three tanks each, and four carrier Troops of three carriers each for a total eight tanks and thirteen carriers. Each tank had a crew of 3, command scout carriers had a crew of 3 and scout carriers had a crew of 4. This accounted for a total of 71 men in the squadron. The squadron was also allocated one section of 7 dispatch riders dispersed from RHQ. FHQ: (2 tanks and 1 command scout carrier, 7 motorcycles, 16 men total) Mk VIb #1: [Tank KO Assche] Major C. Cokayne-Frith, Commander, KIA Corporal K. Smith, tank gunner, KIA Tpr W. Philp, KIA MK VIb #2: [Tank abandoned Assche] Captain B. H. Mytton, 2IC, wounded, POW 2 unknown crewmen Command Scout Carrier # 1: [Carrier KO Assche] SSM J. R. Laing, wounded, POW 2 unknown crewman Despatch rider section 3: L/Cpl J. Davies, dispatch rider, wounded, POW Trooper G. Sargeant, dispatch rider, wounded, POW 5 unknown dispatch riders 1st Troop: (1 command scout carrier and 2 scout carriers, 11 men total) Command Scout Carrier #1: Sgt Pullen, Troop Leader 2 unknown crewman Scout Carrier #2: 4 unknown crewman Scout Carrier #3: 4 unknown crewman 2nd Troop: (1 command scout carrier and 2 scout carriers, 11 men total) Command Scout Carrier # 1: 2nd Lieutenant G. Courage, Troop Leader 2 unknown crewmen Scout Carrier #2: 4 unknown crewmen Scout Carrier #3: 4 unknown crewmen 3rd Troop: (3 tanks, 9 men) Mk VIb #1: [Tank KO or abandoned Assche] TSM Warrant Officer Class III J. Smith, Troop Leader, POW 2 unknown crewmen Mk VIB #2: [Tank KO or abandoned Assche] Sgt A. W. Relf, tank commander, KIA Tpr D. Craig, KIA 1 unknown crewmen Mk VIb #3: [Tank KO or abandoned Assche] 3 unknown crewmen 4th Troop: (3 tanks but only 2 tanks on May 18 1940, 6 men total) Mk VIb #1: [Tank damaged and abandoned Assche] Lieutenant Lord Clifton P.S. Bligh, KDG attached, Troop Leader, wounded, POW 2 unknown crewmen Mk VIb #2: [Tank KO Assche] Lance Corporal C. R. A. Pearce, acting tank commander, wounded, POW Trooper J, H. Blake, tank driver, KIA Sergeant G. H. Mckenzie, tank gunner (in training as tank commander), DOW Mk VIb #3: [Tank stuck in ditch and abandoned near Leuvien] 5th Troop: (1 command scout carrier and 2 scout carriers, 11 men total) Command Scout Carrier # 1: [Carrier KO or abandoned Assche] 2nd Lieutenant H. P. R. Lloyd-Mostyn, Troop Leader, KIA(drown crossing The Channel) 2 unknown crewmen Scout Carrier #2: [Carrier KO or abandoned Assche] 4 unknown crewmen Scout Carrier #3: [Carrier KO or abandoned Assche] 4 Unknown crewmen 6th Troop: (1 command scout carrier and 2 scout carriers- 11 men) Command Scout Carrier #1: [Carrier KO near Walfergem] TSM Warrant Officer Class III W. Tipping, Troop Leader, KIA 2 unknown crewmen Scout Carrier #2: [Carrier KO in Walfergem] 4 unknown crewmen Scout Carrier #3: [Carrier KOed in Assche] 4 unknown crewmen Using the lists of killed, wounded and taken prisoner on May 18 1940 in Assche it is further possible to derive a subset of personnel based on rank who would have been A Squadron vehicle commanders from 3rd or 5th Troops and other ranks who were crew of the vehicles in Assche. Currently 3 vehicle commanders and 20 crewmen remain to be mapped along with 5 DRs. List of Possible A Squadron 3rd and 5th Troop Vehicle Commanders: Sgt J. Nicholls 18-May-40 Assche, Belgium, wounded, POW Cpl L. Aldridge 18-May-40 Assche, Belgium, wounded, POW Cpl F. Gregory 18-May-40 Assche, Belgium, wounded List of Other A Squadron Ranks: Killed Wounded or Taken Prisoner In Assche: Tpr P. Wilkins 18-May-40 Assche, Belgium, KIA Tpr H. Harper 18-May-40 Assche, Belgium, wounded, POW Tpr P. Lee 18-May-40 Assche, Belgium, wounded, POW Tpr A. Strang 18-May-40 Assche, Belgium, wounded, POW Tpr F. Wallace 18-May-40 Assche, Belgium, wounded, POW Tpr R. Drake 18-May-40 Assche, Belgium, wounded, POW Tpr R. Fisher 18-May-40 Assche, Belgium, wounded, POW
The following is a summary of previous post #40, 55 and 57 by Rich, Jan and myself supplemented by information from the 15/19 Hussars war diaries, regimental history, along with Street View information and recently acquired Belgian eye witness reports. At 0600 hours on the morning of May 18,1940 B Squadron 15/19 Hussars was positioned near the small village of Chateau Royal De Bouchout (Boechout) northwest of Wemmel. Orders had been received for the regiment to continue their withdraw to the Dendre. B Squadron was to retire to their 2nd position at Crokegem (Krokegem) along with RHQ. Previously on the evening of May 17 B Squadron had failed to make contact with the 5th Belgium Division who were supposed to be north of their position. Later they would discover that the Belgium Army had withdrawn and the northern flank of the 15/19 was exposed to the Germans. On May 18, 1st Troop B Squadron consisted of only 2 Mk VIb tanks. TSM Maddocks was the troop commander and L/Sgt. B. Long commanded the other Mk VIb. While passing through the village of Brusseghem at 1030 hours a German armoured car (most likely a SdKfz 232) was spotted. The squadron and RHQ then came under SA fire from German infantry in and around the houses in the town. The squadron then deployed around the village and German infantry were located in an adjacent corn field. The squadron and RHQ then formed a line and moved through the corn field back toward the village. Tank MG fire was reported to have suppressed any further SA and AT fire from the Germans. Upon reaching Crokegem at about 1130 hours it was noted that L/Sgt B. Longs Mk Vib was no longer with the squadron. His tank had been KOed during the engagement with the Germans at Brusseghem. Belgian eye witnesses reported his tank just outside Brusseghem on Brusselsesteenweg (about 320) just west of the intersection of Dorpstraat. Long and his crew, believed to be Trooper Murphy and Trooper Muir had been killed when the tank was hit by AT fire and brewed up. Trooper Muir was found about 200m east of the tank outside some buildings on Dorpstraat. He had been mortally wounded and died of his wounds. The following photos show Longs tank, note the square and number 1 tactical marks indicating 1st troop B Squadron. Note also the cobbled road, side walk, power line and farm buildings in the distance on the upper right. These features are present in the current day Street View of this area. L/Sgt B. Longs KOed Mk VIb from the left front, looking west, noted the AT hits and burned exterior. L/Sgt Longs Mk VIb from the right rear, looking east, note same damaged left rear fender Another photo from the left side Current Street View of the location looking west on Brusselsesteenweg Location Trooper Muir was found outside the current day lawn mower sales and service store Map of area west of Brusseghem L/Sgt Bertram Henry Long is buried at Adegem Canadian War Cemetery, Maldegem Oost-Vlaandern, Belgium along with his crew, believed to be Trooper James Arthur Muir and Trooper Leslie John Murphy L/Sgt B. Long. His inscription reads: A Beautiful Smile A Heart of Gold One of the Best The World Could Hold R.I.P. Trooper J.A. Muir Trooper L.J. Murphy L/Sgt B. long and his crew are buried alongside 2nd Lt E. Brace and his crew in Adegem Canadian War Cemetery Rest In Peace Brave Hussars, you will not be forgotten. Merebimur. Thanks to Rich for the initial photo interpretation which further digging substantiated. Thanks also to Mr. Frank Vanpaemel, who lives near Adegem Canadian War Cemetery, for the grave stone photos. Belgian eye witness account from Jef Vermeiren’s research materials. Tank pictures from Rich and Peter.
Hi Nick, thanks so much, most helpful! There are never enough photos to support or disprove ones speculations. Most interesting to hear about Elephant, I'd definitely like to have a look at that photo. If you don't wish to post it perhaps it could be emailed. But no worries. I'm pretty sure your teralpfenz (Teralfene) Mk VIb is on J.B. Callaboutstraat near the rail underpass. Check the attached. not so great, picture looking east from under the rail underpass, same building. Note the bomb crater in the road which was the reason the 3 MK VIbs could not proceed further to the Dendre and got shot up and abandoned here. I have several more photos of these tanks, all looking west on J.B. Callaboutstraat. Street view of JB Callaboutstraat With regard to Bulldog that would correlate as the MK VIbs in the woods we know are B Squadron tanks. Rich also spotted Bear, see post #51. With regard to Elephant if it is 4th Troop A Squadron it might be Lord Clifton's tank. We think his tank might be one of the two tanks in the Assche timber yard. It may also be the captured 4th Troop tank in Flanders, but just speculating. We know my Dads tank didn't have a name, (it was a last minute replacement vehicle on May 10,(I won't go into the whole story here)). There is a picture of the front of it in an earlier post that shows no name or symbol.The other tank of 4th Troop went into a ditch near/at Louven, also pictured in an earlier post, (could be this one as well). You're right about the markings for MK VIbs seems they had a tendency to brew up so no visible tactical markings usually. Cheers Steve
I was wondering if anyone could help spot this 15/19 Hussars command scout carrier. I think it might be somewhere on or near Leuvesstraat and be the carrier of 2nd Lt. J. Livingstone-Learmonth, 2nd Troop B Squadron. He was sent to reconnoitre the Leuvenstraat bridge on the afternoon of May 18 and was shot up and he and his crew were KIA. I've tried street viewing these areas (no luck) and have some locals helping as well to try to locate it. But just thought I'd post this just in case some members might have some other pictures of this carrier that could help spot it. Cheers Steve
Hi Nick, most interesting. I can definitely see the lions head symbol, on the engine hatch, after playing with exposure and contrast in photoshop. This leads me to question the spot for post #26 and #39 (the spot here was based on the surrounding buildings and there was no clear tactical marks). Your photos, as well as showing the tactical marks and lions head symbol, also show the coiled barbed wire attached to the back of the tank similar to other 4th Troop A Squadron tanks seen entering Belgium on May 10. As in these well published photos. I'll have to street view around on the outskirts of Louven/Louvain and see if I can spot the farm. Great photos! Cheers Steve
Steve, have you revisited CWGC now that there is extra info relating to headstones / original burial ? http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2083252/LONG,%20BERTRAM%20HENRY When they were moved to Adegem, Cooke, Cunningham, Long and Murphy were placed in a collective grave. Muir was separately interred. I'm not sure quite how that ties in with the original Brussegem information contained on the headstone page...it would seem that headstones were placed at Brussegem prior to consolidation. I find it a pity that no separate plot for the May 1940 casualties was created at or near Asse. In that respect, WW1 casualties seem to have been better treated.
CWGC Cemetery Mechelen/Malines http://nl.tracesofwar.com/artikel/54537/Oorlogsgraven-Mechelen.htm [sharedmedia=gallery:images:29156] Lieutenant Derek St. George Martin, 63972, 26 jaar.
Steve, I've had a look and can find no images of this 3rd Div carrier. The background looks to me to be more typical of the southern side of Brussels which of course doesn't fit unless it's later in the campaign somewhere. Can we rule out an AOP Carrier ? I have found a picture of an abandoned C Squadron carrier which may be 15/19H. Background certainly has a Leuven / Brussels feel to it.
Rich, you're right the 3rd Infantry Division carrier might be someone elses and not 15/19. The only tactical mark is the divisional formation sign on the left front fender. Some further digging and scanning of other regimental WDs would be needed to eliminate other possibilities. Might be trying too hard to fit the picture to the story. With regard to your attached carrier picture it looks similar to the Taghon Ch 18 carrier in post #102. Looks like a 4 digit number inside the circle tactical mark and has the antenna for a command scout carrier with no number adjacent to the squadron tactical mark. Andrew had mentioned not having seen this type of marking before. But it might be 15/19 C Squadron. From the 15/19 WDs it seems the regiment did come under attack by dive bombers (Stukas JU 87s) in Louven and suffered some KIAs (Tpr C. King and Tpr G. Norkett) but there is no mention of lost or abandoned vehicles. I have the routes the regiment used when advancing and withdrawing from Louven so will have a quick street view visit. Thanks much for scanning your photo collection. Cheers Steve
Rich, I have been using the CWGC head stone and grave registration information for clues. Mostly for inscriptions where no grave stone picture exists or it is not visible and adjacent burials but other clues are possible. The 15/19 Hussars dead are sadly scattered over a number of cemeteries and memorials: SCHOONSELHOF CEMETERY DIEST COMMUNAL CEMETERY ASSE (MOLLEMSEBAAN) COMMUNAL CEMETERY ADEGEM CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY HEVERLEE WAR CEMETERY TERALFENE CHURCHYARD BOUTERSEM CHURCHYARD LINDEN COMMUNAL CEMETERY MECHELEN COMMUNAL CEMETERY MOLLEM COMMUNAL CEMETERY DUNKIRK MEMORIAL LAPUGNOY MILITARY CEMETERY I have been researching more info on crews and have matched up a few more of the KIAs with vehicle commanders. I was looking at Lt D. Martin yesterday who's Mk VIb was KOed by AT guns south of Vrijlegem on Fort (Belgian eye witness reported seeing his tank). His crew were KIA (I believe Tpr Fewster and Tpr Allcock) and Lt D. Martin died of his wounds the next day (19/05/1940). The crew are buried in Schoonselhof Cemetery and Lt D. Martin (as Filip knows) is buried in Mechelen Cemetery. Then there is 2nd Lt. Livingstone-Learmonth and his crew in Heverlee War Cemetery. I'm still digging up more info for a future account for these chaps. Cheers Steve
Steve, not my scans, a straight lift from eBay at some time or other...If it was mine, then it wouldn't have that 'watermark' across it. I'm pretty sure that the 4-digit number inside the C Squadron circle is simply the 'T' prefix census number (with 'T' originally above). Someone must have had the idea to overpaint the white when applying the circle around it. The Carrier which is likely to be Long's displays the number 525* - This fits nicely in the range T5255 - T5550 applied to 296 Aveling Barford Scout Mk1s (with Middlesex CC registrations RMY 609 - RMY 904. I think it likely that this creative adaptation was only used by one unit so these two are likely to belong together....Unless Andrew has an Army Council Instruction to standardise this ! He may also be able to advise on colour. I suspect that your other 3 Div Carrier is indeed 15/19H as apart from the use of some as Artillery OPs, no other units should have had them and an AOP is likely to have Artillery tac markings and, I believe to have the port fixed closed.
Steve, much of the credit should go to Andrew who first pointed out to me that many units have a 'house style' to their markings and often differ from their colleagues, even when following the same A.C.I.s and BEF GHQ instructions.
Can any one confirm the name on photos from posts 77 & 104? Not directly related to this topic but other A Sqn names seen on later tanks such as Covenanters and Cromwells:- ACHILLES 1 and later 5 troop ADONIS 1 troop AJAX 1 troop APOLLO 5 troop APPOLLO ? 1 troop Cheers Kevin