Wreck

[mkenny]

The reason I am posting here is because of the 2 tanks in the background. It is a famous incident where a Sherman rammed a Tiger II in the rear. The Gaurds Officer (Gorman) was decorated for it. There are a number of photos of the 2 tanks but the exact location is not quite fixed. I just was curious about the 'plane and wondered if it could add anything to what we already know. It is a touchy subject with those in love with German super-Panzers that a Sherman could do this. The present 'excuse' is that the TII accidently REVERSED into the Sherman at the very moment a German pak fired at the Sherman. This round then penetrated the TII and destroyed it. Thus German super tank was destroyed by German super pak. Obviously no Allied weapon could hurt such a magnificent machine.

[Dave Wadman]

Hi Franek,

While my guess is as good as anyone else's as to the identity of the wreck, the incident about the M4 ramming the King Tiger is, IMO, much more interesting!

Regards

Dave

[mkenny]

Originally Posted by Franek Grabowski

Beatiful shot with those wrecks behind (I cannot see them on aerial shot), any chance for a better scan?

They are not in the aerial shot. The photo was taken at around 12 midday and the tanks did not get there till about an hour later. Sorry.

[mkenny]

Some more pics. Much better than those funny 'wingy' things anyway!

[George Hopp]

The wingtip certainly appears to be that of a P-47, and inboard is what appears to be the ammunition compartment.

[SMF144]

Mkenny,

I've just had a chance to look at the image and judging by the cowl flaps and the four bladded prop, I'd have to say it's most likely a P-47.

Stephen

[O.Menu]

From the french booklet Historica N°87:

Lt Gorman from the Irish Guard collide the Tiger2 from the 503 Abt on the 18th of July 44. The German crew escape and the Sherman crew do the same. As the fight was not finished Gorman wanted to find a firefly, what he did. He then took the control from the firefly a shooted a tiger 1 also there, then he shoot the Tiger2 and his own Sherman from 700m until he saw saw them burning. Mr Gorman was present on 18 Jully 1999 for the inauguration of a memorial about this event. On 18th Jully 2004, Saumur Museum brough his running Tiger2 and a sherman for a "then and now" celebration on exactly the same emplacement 60 years after, ie: on the road between Cagny and Emiéville.