I’m working in 1/35th.
Shermans, probably Priests, maybe Cromwells and Churchills too.
For Commonwealth forces Shermans and Churchills. Bren carriers as well. Did the Cromwell make it into the field before Normandy?
The US 756th Tank Battalion had the M4 Sherman, M5 Lt tank, and the T2(M31) recovery vehicle. There are a few photos at their web site 756tank.com, and the book by Roger Fazendin 756th Tank Battalion in the Battle of Cassino, 1944 is pretty good (no photos).
One of my sources says it came out in 1943.
That makes sense in terms of D-day. I wonder if it was actually used in Italy. I’ve never read of it anywhere, but I am definitely not an expert. This one is certainly worth more research.
A quick Google brings up this quote;
“Note that it (the Cromwell tank) only served in North West Europe (at least in WW2) and was not used in Italy, nor in the Middle or Far East, baring a few test vehicles, until after WW2.”
I think that answers your question Buff. I can’t say I recalled seeing any photos in Italy. Ha, I just discredited my first answer LOL, but I wasn’t sure to be honest.
In reguard to UK armor at Cassino a quick check of a few books and websites seems to indicate that the British were using Stuart Lt. tanks in their recon units and the M4 Sherman as their principle battle tank. They also used US M3 and M5 half tracks for their mechanized infantry.
The Br. also had armored car units which may have been involved at Cassino: Humber armored car, Daimler armored car (Dingo), and Bren gun carriers.
The Br. 7th Armored Division (Desert Rats) was there, and the 22nd Armored Brigade (attached to the 56th Infantry), and the 5th Reconnaissance Regiment (attached to the Br 5th Infantry), and many others.
Valentine and Crusader tanks were not used, but you might dig up information indicating that some Crusader variants (gun tractors, dozers, recovery vehicles) were used by the British units, but I doubt it. The US forces were using the M31 recovery vehicle (from the M3 Lee), and the British had their corresponding “Grant ARV I” which was their designation for the same M31 in British use during this period.
Add one. Churchill IV (75). I am not sure where the Br. 1st Army was involved but they were in Italy and they had re-gunned some of their Churchills with American M3 75’s from wrecked Shermans in Tunisia and they were used in Italy.
I know I missed alot, but hope this little bit of information will help get you started.