Canadian Forces

Half submerged Canadian tank "Boar"

Gerry Sellars

In the foreground, half submerged is Churchill tank "Calgary" from C troop. Comander: Lieutenant B.G.Douglas Driver: Corporal J.H.P. McCann Co-Driver: Sergeant A.S. Wagstaff Gunner: Trooper K. Smethurst Loader/Radio Operator: Trooper D.G.Scott. Calgary landed on the eastern side of Red Beach near the harbour. It was under the command of C Squadrons Reconnaissance officer, Lt. Douglas. After landing it turned right and moved along the beach running parallel with the sea wall towards the cassino, searching for some where to cross onto the promenade. About half way along White Beach it's left track was suddenly blown off. After loosing a track Calgary took on the role of a pillbox and used it's 6-pounder on targets like the cassino and the tobbaco factory. Trooper Scott in "Calgary" remembers: "We were sitting with no cover and so had a good view of the beach. Lt. Douglas found enough targets to keep Smethurst busy until we had used up all of our ammunition. We were attracting a lot of gun fire, we took some direct hits on the turret, hard enough that the paint was melting and running down on the inside. The heat inside, along with the smell of the smoke and cordite, was almost unbearable, so much so that Sergeant Wagstaff, who was down in the co-drivers seat was put out of action. We stayed in the tank until we were ordered to surrender. "Blossom" and "Bluebell" can be seen in the distance.