Operation Infatuate II: Sherman tanks at Westkapelle

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Jakko.
Do you know if the refurbishment is being considered solely as a ‘standard’ Sherman, or is the plan to reconstruct an acceptable external representation of its wartime Crab entity?

I don’t know for sure, but I would be highly surprised if restoration of the Crab fittings was in the works. Here’s what the tank looked like in 1962, very soon after it was originally put next to the existing memorial:

Crab T148656 in 1962.jpg

(Note the sheet metal over the remains of the jib attachment points on the front sides.)

I strongly suspect that I know how people would react if the mine-clearing gear were to be reinstated … “That’s not the Tank! What’s all that stuff on the front?”

Oh, and just for fun, here’s when it was replaced in 1988:

T148656 1988.jpeg

I’ve got scans of a whole series of pictures of that, and intend to make my own similar ones of the upcoming restoration

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Jakko Westerbeke

Oh, and just for fun, here’s when it was replaced in 1988:

Was it lifted for restoration in 1988 as well?

Here are some pictures of the last restoration: back in 1994 apprentices of Royal Schelde shipyard restored this Sherman as part of their training. The project was led by Jan Roelse of Royal Schelde, and help was given by fellow Keep Them Rolling members collectors like Peter Aalderson (parts) and Goud (transportation).


Lifting the Sherman off the dyke at Westkapelle (25-03-1994).
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Source: https://proxy.archieven.nl/0/8DC83B9...DD454FF6255BA7 and https://proxy.archieven.nl/0/2FB4082...1470128CE56594


Sherman being transported by low loader to Royal Schelde shipyard in Vlissingen. The transport was donated by Goud Transport company (1994).
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The team of apprentices of Royal Schelde shipyards pictured in front of their recently completed restoration project (28-10-1994).
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Unveiling of plaques on the restored Sherman tank (28-10-1994).
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Source: https://proxy.archieven.nl/0/181F165...4CAA071EDFAA7E

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Was it lifted for restoration in 1988 as well?

I thought you had read my book?

It was moved in the mid-80s because the dyke was strengthened, to bring that up to Delta-height. It was shifted to the southern side of the Gap, very close to where the lifeboat station is now, and when the works had been completed, it was replaced on a rebuilt and enlarged pedestal. Not in exactly the same spot as before, but close.

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Here are some pictures of the last restoration

Cool, I hadn’t seen those before

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Update: this Tuesday afternoon, 8 December, the tank will be removed from its pedestal and taken to the restorers. The lifting will be done by a local crane company, the moving by the Dutch Army.

Needless to say, I intend to be there

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Today was the day! Went there early in the afternoon, met Hanno IRL a bit later (he’s the one all the way on the right in the first photo) and talked about AFVs, landings, etc. Then we took some photos when the crane and transporter eventually arrived, only several hours after the originally intended time

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[Jakko Westerbeke]

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[Hanno Spoelstra]

Was good meeting you in person today, Jakko! Thanks for the chat and sharing your photos.

It was a long, cold wait - but worth it.

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