Sherman Id

Discussion in 'North Africa & the Med' started by Jarnob, Feb 9, 2006.

  1. Jarnob

    Jarnob Junior Member

    Hello, i got this photograph but i can't seem to ID it 100%.... :

    This is as far as i ID'ed:

    1. The soldiers loading this tank wear british helmets - Canadians didn't fought in North Africa?
    2. The Sherman is a M4 or M4A1 (Sherman I or II).
    3. The Sherman wears a two coloured camouflage - as used by the British.
    4. On the side of the turret is a square visible - stating that this must be a Sherman of 'B'-company.
    5. On the left of the photograph is a regiment square sign visible with a number - beginning with a '4'.
    6. On the right of the photograph is a dark/black roundel badge visible with a Rhino OR Bison...

    Now it would make sense if the unit badge is a Rhino - but then it wouldn't be used in a black roundel...
    and it looks more to me as a Bison... Combined with the 'Square 4 . ' number it doesn't make any sense to me....

    Can anyone help me?!?

    I will post a close-up of the 'Bison/Rhino' badge as soon as i'm home!
     
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Looks like rhino badge of 1st Armoured Divsion.
    could be Queen's Bays? Like this oneQueen's Bays Sherman.
    Thinking about it the 40 sign would indicate Div HQ or if 43 or 44 then Recce unit. Well it did in 1944-45,not sure about 1942.I've got this photo in a booklet published 1943 about El Alamein.
    I've tried to find on orbat fot 1 Armd Div but no luck.
     
  3. Jarnob

    Jarnob Junior Member

  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    [​IMG]1st Armd Div.
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    1ST ARMOURED DIVISION [Major General Briggs]

    12 Lancers

    4/6 South African Armoured Car Regiment

    2 Field Regiment RHA

    4 Field Regiment RHA

    11 Field Regiment RHA [ex 8ArmDiv]

    76 Anti-tank Regiment RA

    42 LAA Regiment RA

    1 Field Squadron RE

    7 Field Squadron RE

    1 Field Park Squadron RE

    1 Armoured Division Signals

    2 Armoured Brigade [ Brigadier Fisher]

    =92 Sherman, 68 Crusaader-160 tanks

    Queens Bays

    9th Lancers

    10th Hussars

    Yorkshire Dragoons

    7 Motor Brigade [Brigadier Bosvile]

    2 Bn Kings Royal Rifle Corps

    2 Bn Rifle Brigade

    7 Bn Rifle Brigade
     
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    [​IMG]


    someone at www.matadormodels.co.uk has made the Sherman you are looking for just need to get regiment.I think it may be the Divisional commanders tank. The "40" means Div HQ so I'd go with that. Open to correction though.
     
  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  8. Jarnob

    Jarnob Junior Member

    WOW! Thanx! Thanx! Thanx!

    You really found this out fast! Normally i collect photographs of German tanks and those i can easier
    identify via internet sites. I have some problems with the Allied vehicles though....
     
  9. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    No problem,I enjoyed the detective work.
     
  10. Jarnob

    Jarnob Junior Member

    So it would be safe to state:

    Sherman II

    'B' Squadron, The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards)
    2nd Armd Brigade - 1st Armd Division

    Looking at the drawings it's most likely that Sherman II's wore the Black Round Rhino badge (old type)
    for the 1st Armd Div and other Shermans wore the Red Squared Rhino badge (new type)...
    (correct me if i'm wrong)

    p.s.: this photograph is an original from my own collection.

    Greetz,

    Jarno Boer
     
  11. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I'd agree with that.
    If you need anymore british AFV's identified, leave it a week cos I'm of to France tomorrow.
     
  12. debra

    debra Member

    This thread was very interesting to me. Thanks.
     

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