Operation Infatuate II: Sherman tanks at Westkapelle

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Originally Posted by David Herbert

Jack Olding only did the armoured conversion. The tractors themselves were licence built in the USA but I don't know who by.

Does this help?

IMG-20200819-WA0004.jpg

I got this from Christiaan de Braal yesterday (posted here with his permission), but I have no idea what document it’s actually from.

[MicS]

Originally Posted by Jakko Westerbeke

Does this help?

I got this from Christiaan de Braal yesterday (posted here with his permission), but I have no idea what document it’s actually from.

Nice Table!

However there must have been additional D6A's built since this one is clearly 1T3060:
D6A 1T3060.jpg

Michel

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Originally Posted by MicS

Nice Table!

You should see his bulldozers (I went to visit him today to see his D6 1T3038 shown earlier in this thread. Turns out he has another, but with wide tracks, but I forgot to look at its serial number.)

Originally Posted by MicS

However there must have been additional D6A's built since this one is clearly 1T3060:

Indeed. These bulldozers are just getting murkier at every step …

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Great news: the Sherman Crab at Westkapelle will be restored!

Yesterday a Dutch newspaper published an article stating the municipality corroborates the historic importance of this genuine battle relic and it needs to be saved from further deterioration. It will make a plan with two local museums for the restoration of the Sherman. A great example of local collectors and historical associations collaborating with government officials.

Read https://www.pzc.nl/walcheren/de-tank...ered~a726d1bc/ (in Dutch)

ADB85CBD-A05A-4F1A-9A75-56DAA1C78B41.jpeg

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Great news: the Sherman Crab at Westkapelle will be restored!

There is a little snag, though, which the article doesn’t mention: the estimated restoration costs are rather more than the amount the municipal government has freed for it. From what I was told in a phonecall yesterday, the people doing the restoration will make a start with that and meanwhile, see how to get the rest together.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Jakko Westerbeke

There is a little snag, though, which the article doesn’t mention: the estimated restoration costs are rather more than the amount the municipal government has freed for it. From what I was told in a phonecall yesterday, the people doing the restoration will make a start with that and meanwhile, see how to get the rest together.

That is typical for these kind of projects. I am sure the museum, municipality and local sponsors can work something out. The museum has been given two Sherman tanks (and possibly other artifacts). I have donated parts for one of their restorations. So maybe they can find ways to go the extra mile and give something back to the community.

[MicS]

Great news indeed! This is the opportunity to restore the original markings of the tank, instead of the variety of fanciful markings it has endured ever since it became a memorial. Accurate information about its commander as well as period photos could also be added to the memorial.

Michel