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Discussion in '☆☆ New Recruits ☆☆' started by Woods family, Feb 23, 2020.

  1. Woods family

    Woods family New Member

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    Just joined and have a photo of an uncle and tank from Europe don't know much about location or tank. Any info would be great Bill Woods - 2nd in back row from right side.jpg IMG_20200219_0005.jpg
     
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  2. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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  3. von Poop

    von Poop Waspish

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    As OP says, it's a Sherman.
    Specifically an M4a3(105) HVSS
    The M4a3 refers to the base tank.
    The 105 to the gun - 105s are howitzer-equipped fire support variants.
    The HVSS to the type of suspension, which might be a clue re. dating the pics, as IIRC it wasn't fitted until mid '44.

    Something about the pics says possibly postwar.
    Does that fit with what you might know?
     
  4. RichTO90

    RichTO90 Well-Known Member

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    Long postwar, during the 1950s. Possibly in training in the US since by that time the Medium Tank M4A3(105) HVSS was not an item of issue in USAEUR AFAIK? If I could read the registry number or what is painted on their helmets after the "211" at the top, I could tell you more. It is possible the "211" refers to the 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
     
  5. R Leonard

    R Leonard Member

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    looks more like a stenciled "20" rather than a "211". But, yes, definitely the 1950's, my guess mid to late. Notice the soldier with his feet on the tube, now notice the soldier whose face appears under his right arm.
     
  6. RichTO90

    RichTO90 Well-Known Member

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    Yep, I missed that. I was keying off the Armor-Cavalry insignia painted on the side - post 1950. The helmet of the guy leaning against the tank appears to be "211", but its pretty poor resolution.
     
  7. Riter

    Riter Well-Known Member

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    Notice the black tanker in the loader's hatch? Integrated unit. Definitely post WW II Truman era. Why were we using 75 mm Shermans in the '50s though? We should havce converted to all 76mm by then. Back to Hunnicutt (his definitive book on the Sherman)
     
  8. RichTO90

    RichTO90 Well-Known Member

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    Never mind, it is "20".
    It's not a 75mm, it's a 105mm.
     
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  9. Riter

    Riter Well-Known Member

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    Duh. Well that makes sense.
     
  10. Takao

    Takao Ace

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    The registry number is 30125030.
     
  11. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    Helmet number looks like 211 to me, but can't rule out 20 due to poor resolution. I'm pretty sure the reg # is 30125030.

    Arrgh. Takao beat me to it. :(
     
  12. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Got a Sherman a few miles from here. Gotta get pix.
     
  13. RichTO90

    RichTO90 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. It's a DTA (Detroit Tank Arsenal) M4A3(105), probably completed on the last day of February 1945, which means it probably never left the U.S. I suspect the photo is actually in the U.S. If I could read the rest of the helmet stencil I'm willing to bet they are part of a training unit, possibly at Fort Knox.
     
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