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Caen Image Information Request
SgtRam
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#197
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Posted: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 - 07:59 AM UTC
I came across this picture for the first time, I believe it is Canadian in or around Caen. On the left, the first tank looks to be a Firefly, but the one behind looks to be a M10 (or Achilles). Would they have had Achilles ashore and up front by the time Caen was taken?

m4sherman
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Posted: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 - 08:25 AM UTC
There are several Achilles in the group. From what I have the first pictures of Achilles are dated July 31st to August 2nd, just before Caen was taken. However I could swear there was a picture of one in action during June, but I can't find it, or it could be a delusional memory.
berwickj
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Posted: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 - 01:17 PM UTC

Quoted Text

However I could swear there was a picture of one in action during June, but I can't find it, or it could be a delusional memory.


Is this the one? Canadian M10 near Sword beach: (Or so it was captioned)



John
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Posted: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 - 01:30 PM UTC
Each British Armoured Division had a Regiment of Achillies so I'd say there is no problem at all with one being present at the fall of Caen as by that time the British/Canadian Armoured Divisions were ashore
ChrisJohnson
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Posted: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 - 04:23 PM UTC
3rd A/tk Regt R.C.A. landed on D-Day, so yes, if the photo is of Canadian troops, it's possible that this M10 from the original post is from that regiment. The regiment was temporarily reorganized for the D-Day landing in that the SP troops from each battery were amalgamated into 105th A/tk Bty to support 9th Bde, 3CID.

Cheers,

Chris
SgtRam
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#197
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Posted: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 - 06:26 PM UTC
Thanks all for the information, the picture could be an interesting idea for a diorama.
Frenchy
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Posted: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 - 08:04 PM UTC
Don't know if this one would help, but it has been taken in the same village, Saint-Charles-de-Percy, on the same day, according to the caption...

"British Sherman tanks and 6-pdr anti-tank guns of the 11th Armoured Division, advancing through the village of St Charles-de-Percy in Calvados, Normandy, on the N 177 road to Vire. 2nd of August 1944"



H.P.
m4sherman
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Posted: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 - 08:22 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

However I could swear there was a picture of one in action during June, but I can't find it, or it could be a delusional memory.


Is this the one? Canadian M10 near Sword beach: (Or so it was captioned)



John


That's the one. I think I over looked it because it is a normal M10 Achilles, not the 17pdr variant. Come to think of it, there is one pictured on the beach on D-Day or so, near some Bren carriers?
SgtRam
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#197
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Posted: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 - 08:36 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

However I could swear there was a picture of one in action during June, but I can't find it, or it could be a delusional memory.


Is this the one? Canadian M10 near Sword beach: (Or so it was captioned)



John


That's the one. I think I over looked it because it is a normal M10 Achilles, not the 17pdr variant. Come to think of it, there is one pictured on the beach on D-Day or so, near some Bren carriers?


If you look closer to the original, those Achilles seem to be the 17pdr variety with the muzzle break.
Magpie
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Posted: Thursday, December 29, 2016 - 08:27 AM UTC
Definitely an Achillies in the originalpic.

Muzzle brake and counter weight are a dead give away.

The "normal" M10 was called Wolverine by the Brits. AT regiments in Armd divs had a mix of Wolverines and Achillies
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