Report by Capt Harari, 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars.
On D+4 I received instructions to remove pay-books and maps on fifteen Stuart tanks which became casualties pm on D+1.
At 1900hrs on D+4, I set out beyond our lines, escorted by a patrol from the East Yorks Regt and accompanied by LCpl Winch 8th Hussars, whose task it was to assist me in the search.
The tanks covered an area of approximately one square mile and were more or less evenly distributed over the area. As the moon was nearly full, and a party of men would have been clearly visible, I preferred to leave the patrol halted before reaching the tank area, and advanced with Cpl Lister East Yorks Regt to examine the furthest tanks, instructing LCpl Winch to inspect the nearer ones.
All such articles as might have been of value to the enemy were removed and frequencies were altered on both flicks (Radios). I was unable to visit the foremost tank, however, as it was patrolled by an enemy listening post, though I crawled to within 70yds of it. Cpl Lister remained within the shadow of a tank and a little further back. I was presumably seen or heard, as I was challenged and several flares went up, accompanied by a burst of machine-gun fire. After lying low for half an hour, I decided to return and reached the East Yorks lines at 0300hrs.
My activities were hampered by enemy patrols and by a vehicle that was circulating in the area. The moon rose at 2100hrs and rendered rapid movement difficult. I saw no sign of the East Yorks patrol on my way back, though they apparently waited for me until 1430hrs.
On the following night, I returned to the tanks with a patrol of KRRs. My object was to select tanks suitable for eventual salvage and to remove wireless sets from such tanks as it would be difficult to pull out. We approached the tanks by a different route, crossing an enemy minefield that ran North-South to the right of the tanks. The mines appeared to be deeply laid, as our passage did not disturb them. The area was covered with coils of wire, what appeared to be unexploded shells and other suspicious objects.
The same vehicle as on the previous night was heard, also the sound of digging. Two wireless sets were removed and brought back, and four tanks were selected for the first attempt at salvage.
The following morning, under cover of a smoke-screen, I guided two Infantry Tanks Mk 2 towards the tanks. One of the tanks blew a track on a mine. However, the attempt had to be abandoned owing to the shelling of the area by the enemy.
(Signed) Max Harari Capt 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars.
Related topics
- A short history of 3rd The King’s Own Hussars
- A short history of The 4th Queen’s Own Hussars
- A short history of The 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars
- Middle East (Egypt and Libya) timeline
- Vickers-Armstrong Mk VIB light tank
- A10 Cruiser tank
- A13 Cruiser tank
- A15 Crusader tank
- M3 Stuart ‘Honey’ tank
- M3 General Grant tank
- M4 Sherman tank
- Object: 2pdr Armour piercing round
