Hello all,
I need some info on an occurance in Savio Italy 1944. I have read of a one Ernest Alia "Smokey" Smith who on Oct.21-22 1944 won the Victoria Cross for Single handedly taking out a Panther (with a PIAT!),10 Gerries and made many succesfull attempts to bring back wounded members of his unit, The Vancouver Seaforth Highlanders. I want to do a dio of this incident and need to know what kind of Panther this was and as much usefull info that anyone can provide, i.e on what side was he crouching,how far away was he from the panther,ect. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Don't know anything about the incident but would recommend using an A or an early G

never heard of that incident either, but similar ones happened.
to knock out a heavy tank like a panther or tiger with a PIAT the firer had to have been within a hundred yards at most.
the PIAT had a rather short range, but packed one hell of a punch!
cheers

joe

"In the eastern sector of the allied (8th British Army) the 10th Indian Division and the 46th British Division (5th Army Corps) continue towards the river Savio and Cesena, conquesring the hills east of the Rubicone River.
The 1st Canadian Division (1st Army Corps) moves across the Savio river towards Rigossa. "

This is the only thing I found about the fighting around the Savio river. If it can help you with further searches the incident should be happened between the 12th and the 14th on October 1944.
Sorry not to be more helpful.
Ciao

Hi WULF: There are lots of sites u can search for info on Smokey Smith. Here is a link to one http://www.qohldrs.co.uk/html/pte_smith_vc.htm

I met Smokey a few years ago and he's quite the character....drinks a lot....on a recent trip to Ortona Italy for these men to meet some of the German paras they fought during that Christmas in Ortona....there were many tours lined up for these men and most of them were walking tours.....these men were all in their 80's....they'd turn around and wonder where Smokey had gotten to.....they'd send a search party out in all directions looking for the nearest pub....and sure enough they'd find him telling war stories to people who didn't understand English...but they were buying him drinks anyways.
Awonderful man....but I don't even think he'd know or remember the details you want to know....a little artistic license may be in order....the link in the above post gives you a little info....rpobably the most you'll find.
Good luck and post the pics when you're done please...would love to see it.

Thanks Bison 44 that helped a bit.

you should go with the early Pather A. if you get the Concord book its got some good photos of panthers