Tom yep '52' would be on a Red square, the other marking could be a Corp, Division or AOS marking as from what I've seen most Valentines didn't have a bridge class displayed (believe this would be 16 if displayed)
46th RTR formed part of 23rd Armoured Brigade.
I would say that the photo must be from North Africa or Sicily as the following photo shows a 46th RTR Sherman III knocked out in Anzio.
Extract from: The Valentine in North Africa 1942-1943, by Bryan Perrett.
Subsequent History of 23rd Armoured Brigade
The following is an extract from a Brief History of 23rd Armoured Brigade, a small pamphlet long since out of print, and, to my knowledge, the only complete record of this famous formation’s operations.
Sicily July 10,1943
Whilst the success of the British forces in AFRICA was still echoing round the world, General Montgomery, with his 8th Army, struck again on July 10, 1943, landing in SICILY. The 23rd Armoured Brigade was in the forefront. This time 50th RTR with a squadron of 46th RTR supported 51st Highland Division in the assault landing. Regimental headquarters and the remaining squadrons of 46th RTR joined the Brigade as soon as transport was available to SICILY, and these two armoured regiments proceeded to take their full part in the difficult and bitter fighting in SICILY.
At the end of the Sicilian Campaign, Brigadier G. W. Richards handed over the Brigade to Brigadier R. Η. B. Arkwright, who commanded until the end of the war.
Salerno Sept. 9,1943
40th RTR at this period, were concentrating in NORTH AFRICA, retraining and re-fitting with Sherman tanks in preparation for the SALERNO landing. On the 9th September, 23rd Armoured Brigade, which then consisted of 40th RTR and the “Greys”, took part in the assault on the mainland of ITALY at SALERNO. These two regiments supported 46th Division, 56th Division and 201 Guards Brigade. In the meantime, 46th and 50th RTR had temporarily joined 4th Armoured Brigade and with the 8th Army they had crossed the MESSINA STRAITS and landed in ITALY, They continued to advance with the 8th Army and were engaged in fighting at SAN SALVO with 78th Division in November, and they continued Northwards until reaching the SANGRO River where 50th RTR were engaged in some very bitter and heavy fighting in that area, their Commanding Officer being killed.
Naples Oct. 1,1943
To return to the west coast of ITALY, the 23rd Armoured Brigade fought with the Infantry in the break-out from the SALERNO bridgehead and in the forcing of the VIETRI Gap. They also carried out the advance on to the NAPLES plain and the capture of the SORRENTO Peninsular which was effected by the “Greys” with Americans. The 23rd Armoured Brigade, (40th RTR) plus Americans were first into NAPLES and they continued throughout that extremely wet and cold winter fighting in the mountains and on the banks of the VOLTURNO. The crossing of the river followed, which, at that period the Italians considered to be an insuperable obstacle. They continued to advance along the famous APPIAN WAY towards ROME. During this period 46th and 50th RTR rejoined the Brigade from the 8th Army and the “Greys” left us, much to our regret. They were a fine fighting regiment.
That Autumn (1943) consisted of mountain climbing in tanks, to assist 46th Division, 56th Division, 210 Guards Brigade and 5th Division. The GARAGLIANO River was crossed by the 40th RTR about January 19, 1944, in support of 56th Division, 46th Division and 5th Division. The fighting was bitter and the Infantry suffered very severe casualties which prevented them from joining up with the British 1st Division at ANZIO where 46th RTR had landed. It is not necessary here to describe the ficrcc fighting that took place at ANZIO.
Rome June 4, 1944
The Brigade, when the break-out finally came was well represented, 46th RTR being the first tanks over the TIBER River and that regiment was actually in ROME on June 4,1944.
Return to M.E.F.
Shortly after this, 23rd Armoured Brigade was withdrawn to the MIDDLE EAST to recuperate and re-train, exactly two years after they had arrived in EGYPT. It would appear safe to say that no Armoured formation, even in the 8th Army, had been more constantly engaged, or had fought with more Infantry Divisions during that period.
Fighting with Infantry is very exacting as it means that the tanks are always in the forward areas getting little rest by day and mostly moving by night.
Greece 1944
After intensive training in the MIDDLE EAST, the 23rd Armoured Brigade sailed for GREECE in October, 1944 and in the early days of the Greek Civil War it bore the brunt and horrors of that unpleasant period alone.
I hope this helps.
