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The Tank is Still There

by Mark Ketteridge

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Contributed by听: Mark Ketteridge
People in story:听: Charles Patrick Ketteridge
Location of story:听: Etrepagny
Background to story:听: Army
Article ID:听: A3249524
Contributed on:听: 09 November 2004

Charles Patrick Ketteridge

The family had been told how my uncle was killed and where, but until a few weeks ago did i discover the truth. Pat was in a Scottish Tank regiment and the truth is that his tank was stopped by a German bazooka and that all five crew were killed as they evacuated the tank. I have also been informed that this was they only time that all five crew members were killed during the whole of the war which is incredible considering they lost 51 tanks during the Goodwood battle.

It was only in August of this year that we were advised and taken to the field where the tank still lies today. That was an amazing feeling.

I have also been sent two photographs of him with his crew taken in July 1944.

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Message 1 - Tank still there

Posted on: 21 December 2004 by Trooper Tom Canning - WW2 Site Helper

Charles -
I can only symphasise with you on the loss of your uncle - however to be given the story that his crew were the only full crew to be killed during the whole war takes a bit of understanding as there were many tanks knocked out by 88mm a/t guns - all over the place in which ALL or ANY members of the crew did NOT get out. Our 25th Tank Brigade at the Hitler line lost over 30 Tanks in less than fifteen minutes with many full crews still lying inside.Many battles in the Italian campiagn were strewn with dead tanks with their full crews still inside. Check Croce - Gemmano - San Martino - San Fortunato - Frosinone - Arce - and then of course there was Cassino, not forgetting the North African desert when Rommel appeared with his 88mm A/T guns ! Read of how the newly arrived 2nd Armoured Division went into battle near Beda Fomm and were wiped out never to appear again.
This is history, unfortunately the nine months campaign in NW Europe was indeed bloody and a tough fight - so were other areas which did not get the media coverage that they enjoyed or their frequent R & R sessions at home !
best regards

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