Stuart VI Recce (was: Stuart Recce replacement)

[Alex van de Wetering]

A couple of pictures of a Polish Stuart IV Recce. I am not sure when or where the pictures were taken, but the 1st Polish Armoured division sign can clearly be seen in the second picture.

Stefan; hope you are doing well......hope to catch up with you soon!

Source: https://www.facebook.com/WheelsofLiberation/

[Stefan Leegwater]

Hi Alex,

Great pictures again!

Look forward to catch up!

Stefan

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Found on FB:

"These photos are from a US Army 4t Corps history of the campaign across NW Italy pushing the Germans to and across the Po River."

Bob Holt added:

"Nice assortment of photos. There were a couple of posts over on the U.S. Tanks & TDs in Italy FB group about the photo with the turretless Stuart and fascine carrier in US service. These vehicles belonged to a US Provisional Armored Engineer Assault Company that was formed in preparation for the Spring 1945 Po Valley offensive. The turretless Stuart carries 751st Tank Battalion markings. All of the independent tank battalions had to exchange their new M24s to the 1st AD in March 1945. The 751st drew some badly beaten up M5/M5A1s in the exchange, which they deemed unfit for combat. It's possible that they converted this one to a personnel carrier since it had limited value as a fighting machine."

[Alex van de Wetering]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

When updating this thread by attaching the pictures and fixing the links, I found that there are two more pictures of Stuart VI Recces of the Recce Troop of the 8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars (RAC).

These pictures show a Stuart VI Recce being transported to Berlin in 1945:

Attachment 110367 Attachment 110368 Attachment 110366

For the Berlin Parade of July 21st 1945, maybe?

picture attached from a contact sheet from the Canadian Archives, Berlin parade July 21st 1945. Also attached is a pictures from the Imperial War Museum, BU 9078 that shows the two Turretless M5A1's.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Click here to see pictures and details of Stuart VI, PRESS ON, CT271427. It was brought home by Lincoln and Welland Regiment after WW2.

Here are some more recent photos of CT271427 made by Trevor Worthy in 2021:

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Sherman VC Firefly at Kleve, Germany, February 1945.

Looks like a Stuart VI Recce on the left.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Click here to see pictures and details of Stuart VI, PRESS ON, CT271427. It was brought home by Lincoln and Welland Regiment after WW2.

Some more info and photos of this Stuart Recce through the years:

Late December 1945, the regiment requested authority to ship to Canada its M5A1 Stuart VI recce tank Serial No. WD CT271427, manufacturer's number 10778, nicknamed "Press-On", to assist in forming a regimental museum collection. This tank was salvaged and repaired by the unit's Pioneer Platoon after being blown up on a mine in the battalion area. The turret was removed, and it served as the COs command and recce vehicle through action in Holland and Germany. The request cited its presence on the battlefield signified that the CO was present as an inspiration and confidence to all ranks. Its reputation as a mascot, led all those on strength at the end of hostilities to sign their names on the sides. It is a late production M5A1, with periscope guards on the crew hatches, a large rear storage box, and a not uncommon mix of road wheel types. It now stands in front of the armoury in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Source: https://lwsenate.ca/niagara-military-heritage-centre

PS: the "March 1945" date must be incorrect.

“Press On” upon its arrival at the Lake Street Armoury in March 1945. The officer standing next to the tank is Major Edward J. Brady DSO. (B Company Officer Commanding).

Lincoln and Welland Regiment archives

Source: https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news...87b7b3b3c.html

Tank at St. Catharines Armoury, October 1993:

Source: https://exhibits.library.brocku.ca/s...nce/item/15424

Colin McGregor Stevens wrote (source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6843...87371554270341):

The Lincoln & Welland Regt. in St. Catharines, has a turretless tank called "PRESS ON" which has been rotting in front of the armoury and there is word the museum MAY be getting ready to restore it. It needs so much care and research and work. I played on it as a kid in the 1950s when I was living in St. C. Looking at it lately it has the extremely rare remains of deep wading gear. As I recall it was knocked out in battle, salvaged and then used by the Lincs and Winks' CO for the rest of the war.

I'd be interested to see more of what remains of that deep wading gear!


PS: this is the current location of PRESS ON: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qSdYSBfUqVrAFuo56

[Ed Storey]

Fingers crossed that the Lincoln and Welland Regiment don't get the bright idea to do an overpriced ham-fisted "restoration" like we saw with Holy Roller.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

Fingers crossed that the Lincoln and Welland Regiment don't get the bright idea to do an overpriced ham-fisted "restoration" like we saw with Holy Roller.

All I hope is that they either fully restore it to running condition and to it's wartime specification, or preserve it as a static exhibit and put it under cover.

As the only known wartime Stuart Recce, and one with a recorded history, it is a truly unique historical artefact which deserves to be treated as such.

[Ed Storey]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

All I hope is that they either fully restore it to running condition and to it's wartime specification, or preserve it as a static exhibit and put it under cover.

As the only known wartime Stuart Recce, and one with a recorded history, it is a truly unique historical artefact which deserves to be treated as such.

This is Canada where essentially no-one cares and the country is a historical wasteland. Major historic artefacts, like vehicles and aircraft, are routinely placed outside to be slowly destroyed by the elements or vandals. An underfunded and understaffed Canadian museum community barely has the resources to recognize the small artefacts in their collections so when there is interest generated in preserving a major artefact, the results end up like the 'restored' Holy Roller.