大象传媒

In 1943 I was seconded to the South African Army.We were stationed at the recently acquired Breda Machine Gun Factory, 10 Kilometeres from Rome.The Fifth Army comprising men from seven nationalaties was battling fiercly with the German Army which had retreated to the Viterbo line and then to the Traseme line.
Each line proved to be costly to break through.The German Tiger tank was reputed to need five American Shermans to disable it.German soldiers called the Sherman the "Tommy Cooker" due to the ease in which the Sherman Tanks caught fire.
Few replacement tanks were available as most were going to the invasion forces;the immediate repair of battle damaged tanks was essential.
I climbed into a newly delivered tank which was parked in the centre isle of our main workshop building. On switching on the radio set, I was greatly alarmed when the engine roared into life.The tank had been left"in gear" and to my horror it started to move slowly down the isle towards the wall which blocked off the end of the workshop.Panic stricken I scrambled out of the turret and dropped into the driving seat hastily pressing the "cut off" button. To my great relief the tank stopped three feet from the end wall. I gave a huge sigh of relief.The destruction of the main supporting wall would have resulted in the collapse of the rear of the building bringing the vital repair of tanks to the end for several days.
Battle damage had caused the Sherman's electrical equipment to become confused, hence its startling behaviour.

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