6th June - D-Day
The Troop's objective on D-Day was an unidentified structure on the
King Green Sector of Gold Beach. The Troop's amphibious DD tanks
waded in at H hour minus 5 minutes - 07.20 from a LCT - a tank
landing craft. The original intention had been for the tanks to swim
in but the sea was too rough. The structure was found to be a block
house with the gun traversing rear and firing enfilade to both sides
along the beach. The Troop Leader's tank with the Troop Sergeant
attacked the blockhouse form the left and the Troop Corporal's tank
from the right. However the latter sank in a large shell crater below
the surface. Attempts to pull it out failed and the other two tanks
took the track immediately behind the block house inland after the
crew of the block house surrendered.
The two surviving tanks of the Troop crossed the River Seulles at
Villers-le-Sec. So ended D-Day
4th Troop inspecting the Blockhouse
11th June - Cristot
A gap had been detected in the German line between Points 102 and 103 - Cristot - and attack began with 'B' Squadron and the 6th Battalion Green Howards infantry. The infantry became separated from the tanks resulting in the 12th SS in a defensive position picking off the the tanks and infantry. The operation became a complete failure. 4th Troop suffered three of the Troop wounded including the Troop Leader Lt T.E Apps
14th June - Verrières
On the 13th June the Troop was reunited with new diesel tanks at Jerusalem and as reserve Troop went into action with the 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry at Verrières. The Troop Leader was 2/Lt Robinson who had taken over as Troop Leader from Lt Apps who was wounded at Cristot. 2/Lt Robinson had just arrived from England. After the start at 10.00 hours, lining up with the infantry, they came under heavy fire in a corn field and the Troop Leader's tank was hit, killing all the crew, then the Troop Sergeant's tank, killing the Troop Sergeant, Sgt Fry and the operator Tpr Busbridge , who because of previous casualties were the only crew manning the tank. The driver , Fred Hall, driver escaped. The Troop Corporal's tank took evasive action and escaped from the long range German anti-tank gun. The casualties amongst the infantry were grievous.
August 3rd - Jurques
The attack against the enemy at Jurques. By now the Troop had a fourth tank - a Firefly with a 17 pounder gun. This gun was a match for the German Panther tank. A tank from 3rd Troop led the attack but was soon hit by the Panther dug-in at the top of the hill. A Typhoon plane winkled the Panther from out of its dug-in position and it came down the hill towards the Troop. The 17 pounder, with gunner Tpr Moffatt, scored a direct hit on the turret of the German tank
September 3rd - Lille
A reconnaissance was made of Lille and 'B' Squadron with 4th Troop leading entered the town to a rapturous reception
Troop Corporal's tank entering Lille
September 8th - Oostham, Belgium
The Troop launched an attack against the enemy in the town. The Troop Sergeants 'Firefly' tank was hit. Troopers Moffatt and Hill were killed
September 22nd -Operation Overlord
4th Troop were with 'B' Squadron who made the dash to Driel from Nijmegen with infantry of the 5th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry on the tanks in a successful bid to link up with the Polish Airborne Brigade
November 19th - Tripsrath
The two remaining tanks joined in the attack to capture the town. Both tanks were hit killing Trooper Fyles and wounding three
'A Trooper's Tale'
An account of the Campaign is in 'A Trooper's Tale' obtainable from :-
C Newton, 1, Grasshills, Aldbourne, Marlborough, Wilts SN8 2EH
email :cnewton@freeuk.com
Price £5.00