Priest Kangaroos in Italy?

[Mark W. Tonner]

Hi Mark;

In regards to your: "said to be a tank of the 7th Hussars (7th Armoured Brigade). However, on the turret side, there is the horse badge!"

From 22 Oct 44 to 8 Jul 45, the 7th Hussars were part of the 9th Armoured Brigade, that would explain the 9th Armd Bde's Fmn Sign on the turret side of their DD's.

Note: 7th Hussars were part of the:

- Light Armoured Brigade from Sept 39 to 16 Feb 40
- 7th Light Armoured Brigade from 16 Feb 40 to 10 Apr 40
- 4th Armoured Brigade from 10 Apr 40 to 3 May 41
- 7th Armoured Brigade from 7 Jul 41 to 5 Nov 43
- Div Troops - 10th Armoured Division from 5 Nov 43 to 25 Apr 44
- GHQ MEF from Apr 44 to Sept 44
- 9th Armoured Brigade from 22 Oct 44 to 8 Jul 45
- 7th Armoured Brigade from 8 Jul 45 to 31 Aug 45

In regards to your: "Now, the 14/20th Hussars had transferred to 7th Armoured Brigade for this operation"

The 14th/20th Hussars were never part of the 7th Armoured Brigade between 1939-1945, they served in the Indian Army from Sept 39 to Jan 45, first has part of the Indian 2nd Armd Bde from Jul 41 to Jan 42 and than with the 252nd Indian Armd Bde from Jan 42 to Jan 45, at which time they became 8th Army Troops(under 9th Armd Bde for Admin/conversion/training) from Jan 45 to Aug 45.

7th Hussars: - converted to D.D. tanks in Oct 44, upon joining 9th Armd Bde and were organized as follows:

1x Squadron 16x Sherman D.D. tanks plus 1x Valentine D.D. tank
1x Squadron 16x Sherman D.D. tanks plus 1x Valentine D.D. tank
1x Squadron 16x Sherman D.D. tanks plus 1x Valentine D.D. tank
11x Stuart light tanks

14th/20th Hussars: - converted to Kangaroo Armoured Personnel Carriers in Jan 45, upon joining 8th Army Troops and were organized as follows:

1x Squadron 40x Priest Kangaroos
1x Squadron 28x Sherman Gun tanks

Hope all of this answers your questions. The armament carried by the 3x Valentine D.D. tanks of 7th Hussars, is unknown.

Cheers

Mark: Follow-up ref armament carried by Valentine D.D.'s - overall there were 650 Valentine Mk III and Mk VIII coverted to D.D. tanks - the Mk III mounted a 2pdr main armament and the Mk VIII mounted a 6pdr main armament. The Mk XI mounted a 75mm main armament, but I've only ever seen a sketch of a Mk XI D.D., never came across any info regarding their conversion or use has D.D. tanks.

Cheers