FAT Fast 17 pounder recovery

[John McGillivray]

Originally Posted by Rob Fast

I would like to stick with the 3RD. Div. markings on my FAT/17PDR..Was there one paticular battery 1,2,or 3 which was designated for the big 17? Also did the 3RD. Anti-Tank with the 3RD. Div. even have the 17 going into D-Day? Artillery tac. markings on big back door and also in the back? Just want to get it right the first time. Cheers Rob

Rob, an anti-tank Regiment had four Batteries. In1943- early 1944 each battery of the A/T Regt in an Infantry Division contained two 6pdr troops and a 17pdr troop, each with four guns. Third division was unique in that it was an assault unit for D-Day and one of the 6pdr troops was replaced by a troop of 3in M-10s.

SP A/T guns were normally found in the A/T Regt. of Armoured Divisions and in the Corps A/T Regiments, and not in the Infantry Divisions.

In Jan. 1945 the A/T regiments in the infantry Divisions (2nd and 3rd) were reorganized to have two batteries of towed 17pdrs and two batteries of 17pdr Archers. 1st Div in Italy kept the old establishment until it move to NWE in March 1945.

[Rob Fast]

My next question? If my choice of #1 troops in the first battery is not A/B/C/D... but E/F/G/H... do I mark my choice H with #1 troop in the tac sign? "H1"...or just the "H"... It is my understanding that all Fat/Limbers/Guns in the first battery were all 1st troop men... So why not just the "H"... Nit Picking here a little bit. Cheers Rob

[John McGillivray]

Originally Posted by Rob Fast

My next question? If my choice of #1 troops in the first battery is not A/B/C/D... but E/F/G/H... do I mark my choice H with #1 troop in the tac sign? "H1"...or just the "H"... It is my understanding that all Fat/Limbers/Guns in the first battery were all 1st troop men... So why not just the "H"... Nit Picking here a little bit. Cheers Rob

Rob there seems to be a misunderstanding here. An Anti-tank regiment is made up of four batteries. Each battery has three troops and each troop has three guns. The troops in each battery are as followers;
Senior Battery – A, B & C troops
2nd Bty – D, E, & F troops
3dr Bty – G, H & I troops
Junior Bty - J, K, & L troops

The tac signs shown on the guns consist of a letter and a number. The letter refers to the Troop while the number refers to the gun and not the battery. In the photo you posted the I-2 indicates that it is the No. 2 gun of I Troop

[Rob Fast]

I will be marking the tac sign on the Fat door H1.

http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/vehi...ticalsigns.htm

[Rob Fast]

We are into the gun restoration trying to free up the traverse/elevating gears after being buried for so long. They are a little gummed up to say the least. I thought I would post some pics out of the manual of some of the parts needed. The gun is quit incomplete so this part search is going to take a couple of decades I figure.
Parts needed first time around: Elevating handle and worm gear part#25,41,49,50,etc...
Seat and attachments...All accessories...and of course ordnance breech and muzzle brake.

Thanks for looking...Cheers Rob and Tony in bloody cold Manitoba!

[Rob Fast]

I just found a Broad C Arrow mark on this made in England gun. Should I be surprised at that? Pardon my ignorance here. Cheers Rob

[Rob Fast]

Thought I would give you guys a look as it came out of the shop. Still looking for P-60 boxes,artillery plotting board small,front bumper hawser hooks Chev, mirrors, tripod,hawsers, anything FAT /17 pounder related. Cheers Rob