Ebook: Churchill British Infantry Tank Mk. IV

Изображения: черно-белые фото, цветные рисункиTHE Sqn. Ldr. was ordered, at all costs, to force a way past Steam Roller Farm and annihilate the enemyat the head of the Pass. Two tanks, commanded respectively by Capt. E. D. Hollands, D.C.M., and Lieut. J. G. Renton, succeeded in breaking through. Together they covered the 1,500 yards which separates Steam Roller Farm from the head of the Pass. To do this they had to advance down a narrow causeway from which no deployment was possible. This causeway was covered by an 88 mm. gun firing at a range of less than 200 yards. It fired two shots, which missed the leading tank, which charged, and the gun crew fled. The two tanks slowly wound their way to the top of the Pass, which was very steep and rocky. There, they had the shoot of their lives, but the remainder of the Sqn. and the Coldstreams were unable to force apassage and join them and they were finally ordered to withdraw. Before they did they accounted for two88 mm., two 75 mm., and two 50 mm. anti-tank guns, four lesser anti-tank guns, 25 wheeled vehicles, two3-inch mortars, two Mk. Ill Tanks and about 100 Germans.