[Lang]

I have done a bit more research on those mystery equipped tanks.

The photos above show the tanks of the British C Squadron, 3rd CLY (County of London Yeomanry) lining up and loading onto the landing barges for the invasion of Sicily. The exit shots are of them debarking in Sicily.

I have found several photos of tanks in the same regiment at the same time carrying no similar equipment.

Just a wild guess is the Squadron commander was a bit of an innovative chap and organised rafts (from the Air Force or Navy?) for his boys for the sea crossing and landing. Obviously whatever they are, they are very temporary as the dozens of photos of this unit in subsequent days after the landing display no such equipment.