Gareth Davies Posted 20 July , 2017 Share Posted 20 July , 2017 I am told that this photo was taken near Molenaarelsthoek which is just north of Reutel. I don't have a date. Can anyone identify the tank please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knotty Posted 21 July , 2017 Share Posted 21 July , 2017 Is the number 12 of any significance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 21 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 21 July , 2017 I am afraid I have no idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trajan Posted 21 July , 2017 Share Posted 21 July , 2017 The 12 looks to be a photographers code... and is there nothing on the back? I know, potentially a silly question as you haven't said so, but... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 21 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 21 July , 2017 I haven't seen the original but I am pretty sure they checked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew pugh Posted 21 July , 2017 Share Posted 21 July , 2017 Good Evening Is the first word on the photo looks like Flanders, and then looks like Muolenaurestwerk. can any body make out the word. Regards Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 21 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 21 July , 2017 It's Molenaarelsthoek as I posted in the OP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 22 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 22 July , 2017 Where have all the tank spotters gone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Dunlop Posted 22 July , 2017 Share Posted 22 July , 2017 Tank spotting... Not being a 'tank spotter' myself, I offer the following. This area was captured in October 1917 during the Battle of Broodseinde. I am not aware of any tanks that supported 1st Australian Division. The tanks were either near Poelcapelle or Reutel. The presence of undamaged homes and trees would not be consistent with Molenaarelsthoek during Third Ypres. I don't know of any tanks operating in this area during the last weeks of the war. Sorry not be more helpful. Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyC Posted 22 July , 2017 Share Posted 22 July , 2017 (edited) Hi, to me (deducing from other exemples I know) the "12" denotes 12th photo within a series of at least 12. It must have been taken shortly after the fighting, otherwise the KIA soldiers would already have been removed. GreyC Edited 22 July , 2017 by GreyC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knotty Posted 22 July , 2017 Share Posted 22 July , 2017 Ok with Roberts observation can I throw this into the mix, could it be a captured tank used by the Germans and subsequently knocked out by allied fire? As I say just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herekawe Posted 23 July , 2017 Share Posted 23 July , 2017 As Robert says the countryside and buildings look relatively secure, the mud does not look very deep looks more like pugging from being trampled as far as I can see. The tank is sitting on the surface of the soil. The barbed wire looks like it has been dragged aside, folded back on itself - the tank has not driven over it. Can anyone see the uniforms - the bodies may not be contemporary with the tank? Any chance this is staged? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 23 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 23 July , 2017 Is there a cross on the distant building? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyC Posted 23 July , 2017 Share Posted 23 July , 2017 "Can anyone see the uniforms - the bodies may not be contemporary with the tank?" Good point. GreyC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidearm Posted 23 July , 2017 Share Posted 23 July , 2017 Tank spotter here! This isn't Flanders at all. The tank is F27 'Fighting Mac II' lost at Bourlon during the Battle of Cambrai. Gwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knotty Posted 23 July , 2017 Share Posted 23 July , 2017 Gwyn Is that the tank shown in German postcard/photo no. 25 taken from behind with another knocked out tank to its left? I believe that one shows the dead crew members. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 23 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 23 July , 2017 12 minutes ago, Sidearm said: Tank spotter here! This isn't Flanders at all. The tank is F27 'Fighting Mac II' lost at Bourlon during the Battle of Cambrai. Gwyn Thanks Gwyn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidearm Posted 23 July , 2017 Share Posted 23 July , 2017 3 hours ago, Knotty said: Gwyn Is that the tank shown in German postcard/photo no. 25 taken from behind with another knocked out tank to its left? I believe that one shows the dead crew members. John I'm sorry John, I don't recognise it from that description, but Fighting Mac II was lost in a group of five or six tanks and often others appear in the background of photographs. They were well photographed, including from the air, so we have quite a good collection of pictures. Gwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 23 July , 2017 Share Posted 23 July , 2017 8 minutes ago, Sidearm said: I'm sorry John, I don't recognise it from that description, This one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knotty Posted 23 July , 2017 Share Posted 23 July , 2017 That's the one, I have it downloaded in a folder of postcards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prussian Posted 24 July , 2017 Share Posted 24 July , 2017 So the writer of that card wanted to lead us on the wrong track... But it was solved brilliant! Chapeau! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidearm Posted 24 July , 2017 Share Posted 24 July , 2017 On 23/07/2017 at 16:15, IPT said: This one? Yes, same tank. Gwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 24 July , 2017 Share Posted 24 July , 2017 (edited) In that case, I might as well post the rest of The Prussian/Sidearm's previous thread on these tanks. Some fascinating photographs. Edited 24 July , 2017 by IPT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleeper Posted 24 September , 2017 Share Posted 24 September , 2017 On 23/07/2017 at 21:26, Knotty said: Gwyn Is that the tank shown in German postcard/photo no. 25 taken from behind with another knocked out tank to its left? I believe that one shows the dead crew members. Hello a very kind Gentleman sent me this report written by the Commander of F27 Fighting Mac This was found in Kew and lists a relative of mine being on the crew. Edward Haslam Tyson was believed captured however was reported KIA days later. He had no known grave. The picture on here of Fighting Mac is very haunting in that it might Show the remains of Edward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towisuk Posted 25 September , 2017 Share Posted 25 September , 2017 It's probably been flagged up before but....a German film with some captured and knocked out tanks at Cambrai found here...... http://www.filmportal.de/en/video/nach-der-tankschlacht-bei-cambrai-dezember-1917 regards Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now