Operation Infatuate II: Sherman tanks at Westkapelle

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

LCT 737 "5 Bramble":

• Sherman V Crab, DANDY DINMONT
• Sherman V Crab, Turret No.2
• Sherman V Tank, WOLF OF BADENOCH
• Churchill AVRE
• Churchill AVRE SBG
• D7 Armoured Bulldozer

Sherman V, T-148829?, name WOLF OF BADENOCH, Turret No.10 was one of 1st Lothians and Border Yeomanry, A-sqn HQ's tanks. It was commanded by Major D.R.R. Pocock who was the Squadron OC. It did get ashore and gave sterling service to the Commando forces.

One of only two Shermans left in battle-worthy condition, together with 2 Churchill AVREs, it played a considerable part in the Commando operations against the Domburg battery and also against the strongly fortified Black Hut area lying behind it. Between 2-8 November the two Sherman tanks fired 1,400 rounds of HE ammunition plus a large amount of AP shot. The accuracy of the shooting was outstanding, German guns in concrete emplacements being immobilised by shells fired through the gun slits: suitable tank positions were extremely difficult to find but fire from them was largely responsible for keeping down casualties to the assaulting troops. By 8 November the northern rim of the island was in British hands.

A Sqn Lothians tank at Domburg.JPG
(Source: [1])


After the Operation, it was left derelict in the Zuidstraat in Westkapelle with the other Sherman and Churchill tanks. In July 1946, it still proudly displays its turret number "10", while the hull side is adorned with random paint splashes. Could this be the result of a house painter cleaning his brushes?
More interesting is the WD census number which is harder to read. I deciphered it as T-148829, but would like confirmation from this or other sources.
af8aa57558f8e3cec7f88c146580eb227112f46dfcd61da963a64c255805e36f.jpg Sherman V No.10 cropped.JPG
(Source)


Note it still sports "5 BRAMBLE" on the wading trunking and turret no.10 can be clearly seen. It was photographed on 27 May 1947, by which time reconstruction of the village - which had been nearly obliterated by the bombing and flooding - had been started. Houses were reconstructed while the derelict tanks still lined the streets.
7f9c8fe9209482ba13289e922bc47872e6b079a125edc774fbe4bac01b350ce7.jpg
(Source)