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Shadow_Banshee · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Feb 03, 2005 Posts: 575

pagesperso-orange.fr/a...cit4an.htm this is the brest link i think 14th sept section
"On the west, the 29th Division pushed its attack and made considerable progress on the left with the 175th Infantry. The Polygone high mound, forming the backing for the naval range, was captured and a counter-attack against Fort Keranroux was repelled. "B" Squadron of the 141st Royal Armoured Corps, with 15 "Crocodiles" (Churchill tanks mounting flame throwers in addition to normal equipment) was attached to the 116th Infantry and assisted in that unit's attack on Fort Montbarey. Four of the flame throwing tanks were used, but they did not fare well on their first employment. "
APO 308, U.S. Army
28 Octobre 1944

REPORT OF THE VIII CORPS AFTER ACTION AGAINST ENNEMY FORCES IN BRITANNY, FRANCE, FOR THE PERIOD 1 - 30 SEPTEMBRE 1944
hope this helps, intresting reading either way

claude_GILLONO · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 25, 2006 Posts: 80

- bsmart

- claude_GILLONO

It's true some Crocodiles were used to support the US Forces that liberated Brest, with British crews.
HTH

I don't doubt you but for completeness do you have a reference?

Hi
I searched my pdf CD version of 'Breakout and Pursuit", the corresponding 'Green Book' volume and the story is detailed on page 650.
141st Regiment - 15 Crocs used mid September 1944
HTH

bsmart

Thanks for the references. I was hoping Breakout and Pursuit was one of the volumes that has been put online at the CMH but it doesn't appear to be there. I'll have to look it up on the CD version at home in the next few days.

Looking at Amazon.com because of this thread I see that Joseph Balkoski has a new book out on the 29th Infantry Division 'Beachhead to Brittany' So I guess there is another book on my 'gotta have' list Rolling Eyes

supertsar · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 12, 2007 Posts: 38

I was specifically looking for ant reference to them being used against Brest in august/September 1944. Given my comments about U.S. 9th Army being attached to 21 AG in late 44 I have no doubt they supported US troops in the surge into Germany

I've got a copy of "29 Let's Go!" A history of the 29th Infantry Division in WWII by Joseph Ewing originally published in 1948. On page 138 during the battle for Brest - specifically at 11:00 AM on Sept 14th 3 TDs from the 644th TD Battalion and 4 flame-throwing Churchill tanks of the RAC were used in the attack on Fort Montbarey. It goes on to describe the attack and gives the Churchills a lot of credit.

Also the latest issue of After the Battle magazine discussed THE BATTLE FOR GEILENKIRCHEN where British armor particpated in a joint operation with American infantry to capture the town. But I can't remember if they were Shermans or Crocs....

claude_GILLONO · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 25, 2006 Posts: 80

Crocodiles methinks

T26E4 · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Apr 14, 2006 Posts: 42

- Tanklord

Bob, I am like you, I read the same article about changing the guns in the Churchill. I am at work, but I think it may be in one of this past years AFV News.

Bob Smart and Tanklord: the article was written by Capt Morrel, the REME officer in charge. It was recently reprinted in AMPS' Boresight magazine. It was cited in Gerry Chester North Irish Horse homepage as well. I first read it here:

www.track48.com/articl...index.html

Tanklord

Thanks T26. I do get "Boresight" Just forgot that that was where I read it. Thanks for the heads-up!

bsmart

AMong the books I received for Christmas (I've finally convinced my family that books on my Amazon wishlist are the preferred gifts Smile

) was Beachhead to Brittany - The 29th Division at Breast August - September 1944 by Joseph Balkoski. I haven't started reading it yet but it lists B Squadron 141st Regiment Royal Armoured Corps, "The Buffs" (Crocodiles) as an attached unit in an appendix and crocodiles are mentioned in teh index in two large sections. I'll let everyone know if I find anything interesting about their use when I read it.

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