Facebook: Friends of the Tank Museum

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US Personnel board landing craft for the invasion of Italy in Termini Imerese Sicily - 1943

Some of the soldiers are with the 45th Infantry Division
Most of the LST's/Landing Craft appear to be Royal Navy

LIFE Magazine Archives - George Rodger Photographer

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THE BATTLE OF ANZIO, JANUARY-JUNE 1944.
A Sherman tank comes ashore from a landing craft at Anzio, 22 January 1944.
Creator: Dawson (Sgt) (Photographer), No. 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit.
Source: © IWM NA 11034

[fsn]

A US-built M3 Medium tank.  These were used both by both the US and Britain; but basically, we liked the photograph.  The Thompson submachinegun with drum magazine was standard stowed equipment on these vehicles

I also like the photo.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Also used by the Soviets..

[Techno II]

I also like the photo.

So do I !

Cheers - Phil.

[Steve J]

Yep, nice photo for sure. The Soviets used to call it 'the grave for seven brothers', or words to that effect, which can't have engendered confidence in the crew!

[sultanbev]

There is an unsubstantiated story that the Soviets crammed 20 SMG armed infantry inside some Lee tanks instead of carrying them on the outside 

[Orcs]

Spoke to a 14th Army veteran at Bovington many years ago, and he said that in the jungle it got so hot in the tank  they went into action with all the hatches open. He said some crews even removed the hatches completely

[steve_holmes_11]

Spoke to a 14th Army veteran at Bovington many years ago, and he said that in the jungle it got so hot in the tank  they went into action with all the hatches open. He said some crews even removed the hatches completely

Hints of that in Defeat into Victory and also James Holland's Burma '44.
The troops in Burma foudn teh 2 guns handy for suppressing Japanese jungle bunkers.
HE to about 100 yards, then close in with machineguns and the 37mm continuing the suppression.

[fsn]

Firing the Comet's 77mm gun at night. This photo gives us some idea of how the Sherman Firefly received its name. In the dark the 77mm muzzle flash we see here would be blinding, and this is a less powerful version of the Firefly's 17 pounder. The muzzle flash from that could dazzle crews even during the day, and gunners were trained to close their eyes as they fired.


That, I did not know. Another mystery solved.

[fsn]

Development of Matilda I began in 1935. Production began just before the outbreak of the Second World War in July 1939 and 139 vehicles were delivered in August 1940. 97 of these were lost after the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk, without having had much use. The rest were removed from British service in 1941, but captured vehicles stayed in German service in domestic security roles.

Just reflecting that about 8 years separated the design of the Matilda I and the Comet ... indeed the Centurion.

[Heedless Horseman]

fsn... yeah, just a quote... but thought that Matilda Mk1 were the main vehicles in the Arras Attack? Never been sure whether Matilda IIs and Is were 'integrated' within units in 1940?

'Muzzle Flash'.. wargames tend to forget that a 'Gun' has a 'Bl***y Biig Blast!' I can't see that 'supporting' inf would want to be anywhere near  a tank firing main gun! Or any arty in any period!

Matilda Mk1 to Centurion. Or Gloster Gladiator to Gloster Meteor ! Aren't We Amazing when 'Pushed'! Current issues included! Me... I just need more sleep! lol!

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Me... I just need more sleep! lol!

Dont we all !!! As to integration - 2-4 troops of Matilda I - rest Matilda II - not certain wheter it was 4 or 5 troops in the Tank Rgts.

[sultanbev]

MicroMark list B198 

The Matildas were treated differently in different units.
4th RTR was pure Matilda I but did have Vickers VIC in CHQs.
7th RTR has one company of 16x Matilda I, one company of 16x Matilda II, and one mixed company of 7x Matilda II and 9x Matilda I. Companies were 5 platoons each of 3 tanks, CHQs one tank and one Vickers VIB.

[fsn]

Portrait of a family, Alaska, circa early 1900s.


OK, technically not a tank, but I have a serious question. What is he holding in his hand - the hoop and stick thing?