May 2017
Tank Times
Published by THE TANK MUSEUM, Bovington, Dorset, UK, BH20 6JG
Tel: +44 (0) 1929 405 096
www.tankmuseum.org
FROM THE MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR
VETERANS MEET FOR EXHIBITION OPENING T
The Tiger Collection, now open.
wo surviving German Tiger Tank veterans met their British counterparts at the opening of the Tiger Collection exhibition.
Jagdtiger, along with the Elefant, which is back in Europe for the first time since 1945 having been lent by the US Army Ordnance Training and Heritage Center.
“You have to remember that these tanks were killing machines. And it must never happen again; they must be a warning to others.”
There were emotional scenes as the veterans – all in their nineties – met each other more than 70 years after the end of the Second World War.
Never have these tanks been together at the same time before – not even during the Second World War.
Ernest said: “It is a strange feeling really, meeting each other – but also amazing. Time heals, of course, but we must never forget.
The veterans shook hands and embraced as they looked at the collection of tanks which once struck fear into the allies and their reputation has endured.
The two German Veterans whose stories are told, Wilhelm Fischer and Waldemar Pliska, met British veterans Ken Tout and Ernest Slarks who also feature in the exhibition.
The Tiger Tank Collection exhibition, supported by World of Tanks, includes Tiger 131, two King Tigers and a
Waldemar said: “I was grateful for the invitation and looked forward to meeting the other veterans.
“While the Germans don’t speak much English we discovered that we have so much in common.” David Willey, Curator of The Tank Museum, said: “Seeing the Tiger veterans and the British veterans meet was quite a moment.
Lucy McCalister
Since 1983 the Friends have played an important role in the life of The Tank Museum. Originally started as an independent charitable organisation to provide financial support in a time of uncertainty, they became a primary source of workshop volunteers and have funded a range of projects. In recent years the number of Friends has been in decline, from over 1,000 ten years ago to less than 600 today. The Tank Museum has changed significantly in the course of the last 34 years, and in 2016 it was decided that the future of the Friends of The Tank Museum could only be guaranteed if it was merged with The Tank Museum.
Waldemar Pliska, Ernest Slarks, Wilhelm Fischer and Dr. Ken Tout.
“From speaking to them it’s clear that they shared so many experiences and they were looking forward to meeting.
Inside… ● TIGERS REPAINTED ● TANKFEST ● WORLD’S OLDEST COMBAT TANK ● RESTORATION WORKSHOP NEWS
“To bring them together at the exhibition was a wonderful way to bring attention to the stories of the tanks and the men who fought both in and against them.”
THE TANK MUSEUM - THE WORLD’S BEST COLLECTION OF TANKS An Independent Museum and Registered Charity No 1102661
The Friends sponsored the turn-table on which Little Willie is displayed.
THE TANK MUSEUM - MAY 2017
www.tankmuseum.org
Tel: +44 (0) 1929 405 096
PRESENTS
The Friends of The Tank Museum may no longer exist as an independent entity, but they remain critical to our future. Without the support of the Friends, events like TANKFEST and Tiger Day would not have been possible, and the charitable contribution they make will help guarantee our sustainability in the future – particularly in funding vehicle conservation and restoration projects.
24 and 25 JUNE 2017
T
ANKFEST, presented by World of Tanks, remains the world’s best display of moving armour – and tickets for this year’s show are selling fast.
Great War Greats
Friends at work in the Workshop.
An important part of my role is to improve communication with current members and to recruit new ones. We will also be looking to add additional benefits and special offers to the package to make Friends membership more attractive. As well as free entry to the Museum (excluding special events) and a 20% discount for three guests, Friends currently receive a 10% discount in the shop and restaurant and three free visits to the Archive and Reference Library a year. Membership also includes a subscription to the tri-annual magazine of The Friends of The Tank Museum, Tracklink, which often features articles written by members themselves. The purpose of the Friends is to bring together likeminded individuals who are passionate about the work The Tank Museum does and want to support that work through their membership subscriptions. Adult membership is £30 per year – for more information see our website. To join the Friends, please download a form from tankmuseum.org/support-us/friends, email friends@tankmuseum.org, or call 01929 405096 ext208.
Making its first public appearance in the UK, an original running First World War Saint-Chamond tank is being shipped over from Musee des Blindes at Samur, France. This last survivor of its type will be in action in the arena alongside our A7V and MkIV replicas, where David Fletcher will present a Live Tank Chat on tanks in the First World War.
Unique Museum Treats Alongside a number of favourites from the Museum collection, the Second World War Valentine is set to return following a major overhaul. The Museum is also hoping that restoration work on the 1935 Vickers-Armstrong Light Tank Mk IV – the only surviving vehicle of the important British inter-war vehicle – will be complete in time for it to make a special appearance.
Jagdtiger
Second World War Stars The Weald Foundation’s running Jadgpanther will be filling the arena gap left by Tiger 131, which will remain in the new Tiger exhibition for the weekend. The Jadgpanther will be joined in the arena by Steve Lamonby’s newly restored StuG III, making its display circuit debut, and a Churchill tank from the Churchill Trust.
Saint-Chamond
Guest Stars Tank Museum supporter and regular TANKFEST visitor James May will be climbing the Tower with his stunt-man sidekick Jim Dowdall to present this year’s Normandy-era mock battle.
Challenger 2
Best of British Among the vehicles brought by the British Army, The Tank Museum has requested the very latest – the AJAX and hopes it will be able offer the public the first opportunity to see this new light tank in action.
For the new Tiger Collection exhibition, The Tank Museum’s Jagdtiger and Tiger II with Preproduction turret were repainted to show how they looked when they were captured in 1945. Both tanks are now painted in RAL 7028, known as Dunkelgelb. After extensive research by Museum staff the correct shade was recreated by Colour Right Paints Ltd of Bere Regis.
With a large World of Tank booth onsite, there will also be opportunities to meet members of the WOT community including The Mighty Jingles, QuickyBaby and other celebrity gamers.
In 1944, when these two vehicles were built, German tanks were painted in Dunkelgelb at the factory. Frontline units were issued with tins of RAL 6003 (Olive Green) and RAL 8017 (Red Brown) paint. They painted these colours over the Dunkelgelb themselves, so there was no standard camouflage pattern for German armoured vehicles. The Tiger II and the Jagdtiger both spent the war with trials units at Sennelager Training Area. As they were never used by a frontline unit their Dunkelgelb was never painted over.
TANKFEST will be an advanced ticket only event, and with over half of tickets sold we recommend buying early to avoid disappointment. Buy at tankmuseum.org. Tiger II (Pre-Production)
Lucy McCalister Marketing and Membership Coordinator
Churchill
Jagdpanther
THE TANK MUSEUM - THE WORLD’S BEST COLLECTION OF TANKS An Independent Museum and Registered Charity No 1102661
One of the aims of the Tiger Collection is to highlight the differences between the legend and the reality of the Tiger tank. The Tiger II and Jagdtiger’s previous colour schemes were applied decades ago based on information we now know was inaccurate. Their new colour may seem less interesting, but it reflects the true history of both vehicles.
THE TANK MUSEUM - MAY 2017
www.tankmuseum.org
Tel: +44 (0) 1929 405 096
THE BATTLE OF ARRAS The April – May 1917 Battle of Arras was the British part of a larger offensive planned by the French. Arras would both divert German attention from the French attack, to be launched further south along the Aisne, and allow the British to test newly developed offensive tactics.
MARK II, NUMBER 785 THE WORLD’S OLDEST COMBAT TANK
T
he Mark II tank on display at The Tank Museum is the oldest tank in the collection, and possibly the world, that is known to have seen combat.
Preparation Fosters of Lincoln built the 25 Male Mark IIs, including our tank, Number 785. There were also 25 Females. Mark IIs were intended only for training, so they were built from boiler plate steel that wouldn’t stop bullets and shrapnel, rather than armour plate that would. In early 1917, British tank officers had a problem. Plans for the upcoming Battle of Arras required 60 or more tanks, but only 15 were available. Their desperate solution was to press 45 Mark IIs into combat, including 785. It was assigned to III Section in 10 Company of D Battalion, numbered D5 and named Dahlia.
In Action On the 9th April 785 went into action, commanded by Lieutenant Noel Humphreys. The only one of III Section’s four tanks not to be put out of action, 785 and its crew did ‘good work’ at Telegraph Hill and Neuville Vitasse, despite Humphreys being wounded early on.
It was next earmarked for combat on the 23rd under the command of Second Lieutenant Dawes. Unfortunately its right drive train broke, so it wasn’t able to join the battle. 785 was then reassigned to 12 Company and renumbered D48. On the 3rd May it went into action at Bullecourt commanded by Second Lieutenant Herbert Chick. Although 785 reached the German trenches, broke through the wire and knocked out several machine gun emplacements the accompanying infantry were unable to advance. With five of his crew wounded, Chick had to withdraw.
There is extensive battle damage on the rear of the Mark II and, owing to the fact that it is has not been repaired and that 785 is reported to have sustained only minor damage at Bullecourt, there is speculation that this damage occurred at the Battle of Cambrai – its final action.
British infantry carrying barbed wire pickets forward.
On the 11th British and Australian forces attacked around Bullecourt. Although the Australians were supported by tanks, they either broke down or were quickly destroyed. The attack was further hindered by a lack of artillery support and strong German counterattacks. The Australians were forced to retreat and suffered over 3000 casualties.
After Arras Shortly after Arras new Mark IVs began entering service and some Mark IIs were converted into Supply Tanks. Evidence of this conversion work is visible on 785, most prominently the hatch on the cab roof.
By this point German reserves had begun to arrive, and their defences were reorganised. This led to slower progress and higher casualties for the British. Further attacks and counter-attacks continued until the 16th May.
Its current numbering, F53 ‘The Flying Scotsman’ was discovered under later paint layers and dates from this period. We know F53 was a 6th Battalion Supply Tank at the Battle of Cambrai.
Herbert Chick, 785’s commander at Bullecourt.
Although the details are unclear, 785 was returned to the UK after the war and somehow saved from scrap. In 1949 it was donated to the Tank Museum where it was displayed as a Mark I until a real one was acquired in 1970.
Tank 787 at Arras.
The first day of the offensive, the 9th April, was a great success. Most famously the Canadian Corps captured Vimy Ridge. Further south in the Scarpe valley British Divisions along with small numbers of tanks advanced unprecedented distances through the snow against German forces exhausted and demoralised by the bombardment.
After 785 was moved indoors its Male sponson was removed and it now carries the only surviving early style Female sponson.
THE TANK MUSEUM - THE WORLD’S BEST COLLECTION OF TANKS An Independent Museum and Registered Charity No 1102661
The two largest were on the 23rd April and the 3rd May – with tanks being used on both days. In the face of strong German resistance, neither were successful. On the 3rd May over 7,000 British soldiers were killed. This was one of the highest totals on one day during the entire war. The battle continued as long as it did to support the French. Their attack was going badly, and they needed the British to keep pressure on the Germans.
THE TANK MUSEUM - MAY 2017
FROM THE
EDITOR
www.tankmuseum.org
Tel: +44 (0) 1929 405 096
NEW TANK MUSEUM BOOKS
EVENTS
THE TANK BOOK The Tank Museum and DK have produced the definitive tank book. From the birth of the tank to unmanned vehicles and the tanks of the future, The Tank Book looks at over 400 different vehicles. Incredible photographic tours take you inside a variety of tanks, putting you in the seat of some of the most formidable vehicles to ever go into battle.
PANZER III OWNERS WORKSHOP MANUAL
Nik Wyness
Haynes are well known for producing manuals on car maintenance and repair. Over the years Haynes have worked with The Tank Museum to produce manuals on tanks from the Museum’s collection such as Tiger 131 and the Great War tank. The latest in this series is the Panzer III, held and fully restored by The Tank Museum. Full coverage is given of the tank’s design, construction, war service and the restoration of the Tank Museum’s Ausf L variant.
The opening of The Tiger Collection saw one of those rare and poignant moments, when we brought together British and German tank veterans. 72 years on from the end of the Second World War the former enemies, now all in their nineties, exchanged words of mutual admiration and respect for the experiences and privations they endured as young soldiers.
You can buy both of these books from the Museum’s Online Shop.
For the first time, The Tank Museum will be holding a special Father’s Day experience! £60pp - Limited Places available.
12 - 13 August 2017
SCI-FI INVASION Meet the stars of your favourite scifi adventures at The Tank Museum. Normal Admission applies.
VALENTINE The Valentine is currently being readied to run at TANKFEST 2017, following a full overhaul. Its engine and gearbox have been the focus of maintenance work, and these both now need to be tested with the tracks disconnected to prevent the tank moving.
Occasions like this show that the wartime generation still have a great deal to teach us all – but time is running out for us to learn.
16 September 2017
TIGER DAY VIII This is the last time Tiger 131 will run in 2017. Don’t miss seeing the only running Tiger I in the world! Buy early and save!
The new exhibition itself is an incredible spectacle, where the tanks are displayed in such a way that maximises their visual impact. It’s the first of a series of exhibitions that we will be implementing annually to improve our Second World War hall, and one that will not disappoint enthusiasts of German armour.
MATILDA II Matilda II will not be ready for TANKFEST this year, but we expect this full rebuild to be complete in time for the 2018 event. Progress with this project is being followed on our YouTube Channel in our Matilda Diaries series, where suspension and paint are among the subjects yet to be tackled. 7 October 2017
Nik Wyness Head of Marketing and Engagement
FATHERFEST
RESTORATION WORKSHOP NEWS
Ken Tout, Ernest Slarks, Wilhelm Fischer and Waldemar Pliska are each featured in the new exhibition having been previously interviewed. The two British and two German veterans had never met before and we were honoured by their presence in what will surely be one of the last meetings of this type. There are now fewer and fewer of the wartime generation among us – a point reinforced when, three weeks previously, we learned that another veteran who had contributed to our exhibition had passed away. David Render, whose book Tank Action: An Armoured Troop Commander’s War 1944-45 was published just last year, was 93.
18 June 2017
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THE TANK MUSEUM - THE WORLD’S BEST COLLECTION OF TANKS An Independent Museum and Registered Charity No 1102661
TANK MOD See models from across the modelling spectrum. Including boats, planes, cars and of course tanks! Normal Admission applies.