Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 10:14 pm
This is complete and utter nonsense. How possibly can Wilson opine on battle conditions of the Churchill versus Panther/Tiger prior to June 6th?r. burns wrote:
"The following pre-D-day conversation was recorded by Andrew Wilson, himself a Churchill commander, and it sums up the balance of forces very succinctly:
"What do the Germans have most of?
'Panthers. The Panther can slice through a Churchill like butter from a mile away'
"And how does a Churchill get a Panther?"
'It creeps up on it. When is reaches close quarters, the gunner tries to bounce a shot off the
underside of the Panther's gun mantlet. If he's lucky, it goes through a piece of thin armour
above the driver's head.'
"Has anybody ever done it?"
'Yes. Davis in "C" Squadron. He's back with headquarters now trying to recover his nerve.'
"What's next on the list?"
'Tigers. The Tiger can get you from a mile and a half.'
"And how does a Churchill get a Tiger?"
'It's supposed to get within 200 yards and put a shot through the periscope'
"Has anyone ever done it?"
'No.'
To put the record straight. The first three Tigers lost to another tank were by Churchills and occurred in Tunisia. The first was knocked out at a range of 500/600 yards on 27.2.43 by a Churchill commanded by Lt. Hern of B Squadron, North Irish Horse. The second was put out of action the next day and abandoned by its crew. It was hit at a range of 800/900 yards and was subsequently blown up the Royal Engineers. The following month, a third Tiger was knocked out by a Churchill of 21 Tank Brigade at a range estimated to be 700 plus yards.
On 23 5.44 the first Panthers knocked by tanks of the Western Allies occurred during the breaking of the Hitler Line. These were also the work of the North Irish Horse, both at ranges approaching 1,000 yards. Major Griffith was awarded a Bar to his Military Cross for his part in their destruction et cetera. Note the date Mr Wilson - these were the first Panthers encountered by Churchills anywhere!