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

The Sherman V Crab wallowing through the mud, making its way ashore is DANDY DINMONT. The Sherman V Crab in the background, about to leave the ramp of LCT 737 "5 BRAMBLE" is Turret No.2. The Churchill AVRE with SBG bridge can be seen still on deck of the LCT. The other Churchill AVRE and Armoured Bulldozer cannot be seen in this photo.

IWM (B 11632).jpg
Caption: A Sherman Crab flail tank coming ashore from an LCT during the invasion of Walcheren Island, 1 November 1944.
© IWM (B 11632)


Of this Sherman V Crab, we only know it had Turret No.2. When zooming in on the photo, another 2 can be discerned, but it is not outlined in white. So this could also be Turret No.22.
It has a unique identifying feature: the bridge classification sign, a black 40 on yellow circle, can be seen on the right hand flail boom. It is unique in the sense that on other Crabs used in Infatuate II it was absent or painted over with temporary markings. Below the bridge classification sign "5 BRAMBLE" is chalked. Like the other Crabs, it was left in the Zuidstraat after they were swamped in during the night of 1-2 November. It is pictured here in the Zuidstraat in 1945:
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(Source)


Next picture is dated ca. 1945 too, but was taken later as more of the rubble has been cleared and a temporary building erected:
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(Source)

Another ca.1945 photo showing Turret No.2. According to the caption of this photo it is located at the address Markt 92-96 in front of the monumental house "'t Herenhuis". Markt is a section of the road adjacent of the long Zuidstraat, so this caption helps us to pinpoint the location more precise.
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(Source)