大象传媒

We were a troop of four Cromwells from the 2nd Northants Yeomanry. I was the Troop Corporal with two Sergeants and a Lieutenant Troop Officer. After 2NY was disbanded we were now with 'B' Squadron of the 1st RTR having joined them on August 20th 1944.
By the 2nd-3rd September 1944 we were operating in the area of the Lille Coalfields', an area of railways, canals and narrow roads! The circumstances for tank commanders were very awkward because we had 'run off' our maps and Troop Leaders were relying on information from the Squadron Leader who was usually relying on the local Maquis for his information and most likely a local school map.

On this occasion we were in one of the small towns of the 'Coalfields' and our troop was instructed to proceed down through the town market place and to locate a bridge and defend it until such time that the Squadron could organise a stronger force to follow on to secure the area. This was all during the night and in total darkness.
Our Troop Leader came back from his meeting with the Squadron Leader. Thinking it would be quicker, he briefly outlined the intention and said follow me. We went down to a 'T' junction (here we made our error) and turned left instead of right and suddenly found out we were out in the countryside instead of the market place. We came to a turning off to our right (quick natter on the 'B' set) and decided we could take this right turn and approach the bridge from that side of the town (it did not appear to be a very large town). Having taken this turn we then came to a 'T' junction and turned right.
We passed a very large house on our right in its own grounds (a country hall) and came to a railway station and pulled into the station yard, we four Cromwells making enough noise to wake everybody. We four commanders decided that not having a clue of our position decided to return to the town and carry on with the original plan through the market place. So off we went, Troop Officer in the lead and i was the third tank in line.
Suddenly just as we came to the large house the road was full of German transport lorries that were pulling out to form a convoy facing towards the town. With no way past and a deep ditch on each side of the the road, suddenly a German Officer with a torch haltered a lorry half way out of the gateway for us to proceed (you must note we were closed down exept for the Commander) giving our Troop Leader a very impressive Nazi salute he waved us on.
Now as soon as my driver heard the word 'Jerries' he slammed his visor shut, now there was no way you can see anything through a periscope in the dark! So with him trying to kepp up with the tank in front, I was having to do my best by telling him 'Left tiller' or 'right tiller' to keep him from going into the dyke on either side of the road. When we came to the left turn to continue our return we had to stop and using the pick head managed to prise open his jammed visor(with me calling him all the stupid B's I could) The fourth tank caught up with us and pulled in behind, the commander was also telling off his driver who had decided on his own initiative to side swipe the last lorry into the dyke,thinking it of a bit of fun!
We then carried on to catch up with the other two who had gone on. We caught up with them alright! The second (sergeant's)tank driver had clipped a large stone wall on the corner of the second turn left and broke a track which had run off. So what do we do? It would take too long to do a repair so we put a towrope for the Troop Leader to tow the tank and I towed the track behind us, swinging from left to right creating a shower of sparks every time it hit a curb or another stone object. The fourth tank behind us being the only free running tank bringing up the rear.
Anyway we returned to our starting point, having done no more than let every 'Jerry' in the town know we had arrived!! 'B' Squadron, 1st RTR-what a way to arrive!

After our Troop Leader had reported to the Squadron Leader, it was decided we would go back to do it right (second time around). Our disabled Cromwell was replaced with a 17-pounder Sherman, so once more we went down into the town. Our Troop Leader in the front, followed by the Troop Sergeant with me behind him and the Sherman behind me. We came to a 'T' junction. Round the corner goes 'Sun-ray' followed by 'Able', I was half way round when suddenly everywhere became bright as day. Jerry was putting up star shells on top of the houses and what appeared to be a mutiple 20mm gun of some sort started firing at the first two tanks. Talk about fireworks! Bits were flying off the two Cromwells which both started to reverse. I started to reverse but our having to use our tillers to turn the corner meant that the Sergeant's tank was catching us up. So I thought it would be quicker to do a neutral turn around which I told my driver to do. Round we came and without stopping, straightened up and went straight into the front Sherman and he then did his best to try and shove the seventeen pounder out of the turret. What the seventeen pounder gunner thought I hate to think. All the fitting which these old Desert Rats always put on their tanks were being ripped off, finally I managed to convince my driver to slip into neutral and roll back off.
Why I shall never know, but nothing ever came of it and no inquiry ever happened. So maybe we didn't do as much damage as it appeared. Anyway the war carried on and when daylight came the REME came to repair the damaged tank and we became heroes to the local population. Plus we became our normal efficient four Cromwell Tank Troop helping to win the War!

Reg your vet

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