Stopping the Panzers

[John McGillivray]

There’s a new book out by Marc Milner dealing with the planning and the first few days of the Normandy invasion. I’ve gotten through the first hundred pages and so far its being a good read, with a lot of interesting information. He makes the case the Canadians real role in Normandy was to form two brigade fortress positions and defeat the expected counter attacks by the German Panzer Divisions in either side of the Mue river valley.

http://www.amazon.ca/Stopping-Panzer.../dp/0700620036

[John McGillivray]

Some interesting information from the book.

In late February the 3rd A/T Regiment send their 6pdr batteries to the ranges at Beachy Head to practice with the new APDS ammunition. The war diary reports that the shooting was good. The gunners found that there was no need to lead the target because with an m/v of 4050 F/S the tungsten shot would reach a target at 900 yards in about 1/8 of a second. No German armor could stop it. Also they could hit targets up to 2500 yards range.

The 29 Friefly crews (less the drivers) of 2CAB went to Warcop ranges in Westmprland on early April for a two day gun camp. On 6 April each gunner fired 5 HE rounds. The next day the whole crew took turns firing a total of 49 AP rounds. After every 20 rounds the crews had to stop and take 20 minutes to check every screw and bolt on the gun and do a general overhaul before resuming firing. Unfortunately these weren’t the tanks they would take into action in June. 2CAB only received their Firefly tanks in mid-May so were unable to test fire their 17pdrs.

[sapper740]

Originally Posted by John McGillivray

The gunners found that there was no need to lead the target because with an m/v of 4050 F/S the tungsten shot would reach a target at 900 yards in about 1/8 of a second.

Must be that New Math they're teaching these days!

[John McGillivray]

Originally Posted by sapper740

Must be that New Math they're teaching these days!

That was partly my error. The quote in the book is;
“ …it was deployed and used to engage targets at 900 yards or less – in fact, seldom more than 500 yards. At that distance the tungsten dart reached its target in about an eight of a second ;… ‘

500 yards at 4050f/s it should be about 3/8 of a second, and 900 yards in about 5/8 of a second.

[maple_leaf_eh]

I have been rereading the regimental history of the 27th Armoured Regiment which was one third of 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade. The fortress position in mentioned as a nighttime formation on the night of 6 June, and elsewhere.

The Fireflies were unfortunately bullet magnets. The immediate shakeout after the landings was that Troop Leaders had the Fireflies, and suffered badly. Of the twenty Lts who landed, six were killed and three more wounded in the first three days. Almost 50% casualties. Then they changed tanks and gave the Fireflies to Sergeants.

[cletrac (RIP)]

So the tank is crossing at 30 mph at 500 yards. That's 16.5 feet he travels in that 3/8 of a second. At 900 yards he's moved over 28 feet. I'd be hanging on a bit of lead I think. Those boys wouldn't have much luck shooting a running deer!

[John McGillivray]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

I have been rereading the regimental history of the 27th Armoured Regiment .

Where did you get the copy of their history. I have copies of the histories of 1st Hussars and Fort Garry Horse.