Saturday, December 10, 2016

The 6 pounder Anti-Tank Guns at Operation Market-Garden - Arnhem 1944

In the document AIRBORNE OPERATIONS, Pamphlet No. 1 GENERAL, 1943 (Provisional), May 1943, under General Considerations for Airborne Operations, one of the highest ranking concerns was the vulnerability to tank attack. Inherent by their very nature airborne troops are limited in their T.O. and E. to the antitank artillery organic at each organizational level. See; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/p/operation-market-garden.html. 

The 1st Airborne Division as it jumped and glided in at Operation Market Garden had the following anti-tank artillery assets, which were limited to the two Airlanding Anti-tank Batteries RA contained within the 4th Airlanding Brigade.

The basic antitank gun team was embarked in two Airspeed AS.51 Horsa gliders. The first glider carried a jeep, an ammunition trailer, a 6 pdr Anti-Tank gun, a sergeant as gun commander, and three members of the gun detachment. A second glider also carried a jeep, two ammunition trailers, and an NCO and remaining member of the gun crew. The ammunition allowance carried in the three trailers was comprised of 15 armor piercing, and 27 Sabot, totaling 42 rounds per gun. This was less than half the normal Royal Artillery ammunition allowance of 96 rounds, due to airborne logistics limitations.

In addition 30 panniers of 6 pdr Anti-Tank APCBC (Mk 9T) rounds were included in the bulk cargo loads planned for delivery in three Hamilcar gliders in the second lift. Based on the size of a pannier which contained two metal cases of 6 pdr ammunition (4 rounds/case), this would be 240 rounds. See: http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2012/06/hamilcar-gliders-at-operation-market.html There were 500 rounds of 6 pdr Anti-Tank ammunition which were air dispatched by pannier, and recovered by the British during the course of the battle.

Each gun was an Ordnance, Quick Firing, 6 pdr, Anti-Tank Gun Mk IV (L/50 barrel with muzzle brake) on a Mk III (Airborne) Carriage. Significant major modifications were required to reduce weight and requisite to fit the gun into the 4 ft. 6 in. confines of a Horsa glider. These included:

            • Incorporation of L/50 barrel with muzzle brake
            • Reduction of the wheel track, restricting traverse to 37 deg. left or right
            • Reducing the size and shape of the Main Shield
            • Reducing the sides of the Lower Shield
            • Reducing the width of the lower Splinter Shield
            • Providing hinges in the middle of each trail leg
            • Reduction of the weight of the trails
            • Relocation of the Elevation Wheel
            • Modification of the Transport Lock and Towing Eye

The effective range of the 6 pdr was 1650 yds, with the maximum firing range at 5500 yds. It is interesting to note that while elevation/depression of the gun was effected by the elevation wheel geared to the body of the breech, the weapon used "free traverse" (not geared) by the crew pushing and nudging the back of the breech block. Apparently this design reduced both complexity and weight.

The following drawing, with acknowledgement and gratitude to the Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) Club, summarizes the modified and unmodified configurations of the gun.


Assembled the AFV Club 1:35 scale model provides an excellent replication of the real gun, as can be seen in the following photographs.






The completed model in full "battledress" to be compared with the real thing.





Photographs of the standard 6 pdr Anti-Tank Gun followed by the Airborne configuration.





Further, with acknowledgement and gratitude to NET-MAQUETTES, the following video series shows first the basic Ordnance, Q.F., 6 pdr (7 cwt), Ant-Tank Gun Mk II on a standard Mk I Carriage, and the second video the Airborne configuration, showing detailed photographs of those modifications.



Prior to the Arnhem operation the 1st Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery RA, was reformed into six troops. Four troops were each equipped with four 6 pdr AT guns each (16 guns total), and two troops each with four of the heavier 17 pdr AT guns. These weapons were assigned in direct support of the three Para Bns (1st Para, 2nd Para and 3rd Para Bns) comprising the 1st Parachute Brigade.

A second battery, the 2nd (Oban) Airlanding Ant-Tank Artillery Battery, was comprised of three troops of four 6 pdr AT guns (12 guns), and two troops each equipped with four 17 pdr AT guns. These weapons were assigned in direct support of the three Para Bns (10th Para, 11th Para and 156th Para Bns) comprising the 4th Parachute Brigade.

In addition to these two anti-tank batteries, each of the respective Support Companies, of the 2nd Bn South Staffordshire Regiment (Airlanding), 1st Battalion The Border Regiment (Airlanding), and 7th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers (Airlanding) had two Anti-Tank Platoons. Each of these platoons was comprised of four 6 pdr AT guns with associated crews, supporting jeeps, and ammunition trailers. This provided an additional 24 anti-tank guns.

The action of the 17 pdr Ant-Tank Guns (all  delivered by Hamilcar gliders) has already been discussed in detail in: 

The only guns to fight all the way from the landing zones to the division’s primary objective were five 6 pdrs of the 1st Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery which successfully joined LtCol John Frost’s 2nd Bn Para at the north side of the main Arnhem road bridge.They would provide what was to prove critical support in the ensuing battle at the bridge. These guns were principally credited with the complete destruction of  Waffen-SS HauptstrumfΓΌhrer Viktor Graebner's reconnaissance battalion at the north side of the main road bridge on 18 September. Amongst the 21 vehicles of Graebner's SS-Panzer-Aufklarungs-Abteilung 9 shown destroyed, are 8 Sd.Kfz.250/1 ‘alt’ half-tracks.



Based on War Diary entries, altogether four 6 pdrs and two 17 pdrs of the Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery supporting the 4th Parachute Brigade, and three 6 pdrs from "E" Troop, successfully reached the Divisional Troops Area, i.e. the Hartenstein Hotel/Oosterbeek Perimeter.

This iconic photograph is of the gun crew of a 6 pdr ironically named Gallipoli II, within the Oosterbeek Perimeter, engaging a German tank at a range of 80 yards. The only man with his face toward the AFPU camera is unidentified. The rest of the gun crew (L-R) are LCpl R. Eccles, Pvt G. 'Taffy' Barr and Pvt Joe Cunnington (No. 25 Anti-Tank Platoon, 1st Bn, Borders Regt (Airlanding)). The target, a PzKpfw B2 (f), was knocked out of action.


 In a significant action a Section (two) of 6 pdr Anti-Tank Guns were brought into position and sited on either side of a critical road junction at Bendendorpsweg and Acacialaan in Oosterbeek. On 20 September 1944 a coordinated major German attack was mounted on Bendendorpsweg towards the positions of the 2nd Bn South Staffordshire Regiment (Airlanding). This gun position commanded by LSgt John Daniel Baskeyfield of the South Staffords, was reported to have engaged and destroyed two Tiger I tanks and  a Sturmgeschutz III self-propelled gun. Subsequent extended in-depth research has concluded that it was probably three Sturmgeschutz IIIs, hardly a small feat. Although badly wounded in the leg, and with his entire gun crew killed or badly wounded, and his 6 pounder put out of action, he crawled across the road to the other still operable gun, whose crew had been killed, and single-handedly engaged and destroyed another Sturmgeschutz III. While reloading, his position sustained a direct hit from another German armored vehicle, and he was killed. LSgt John Daniel Baskeyfield was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.



A 1:35 scale model 6 pdr in the author's collection. It is observed from a similar orientation as the weapon LSgt Baskeyfield was serving when he engaged the last Sturmgeschutz destroyed before his position sustained a direct hit, and he was killed. Particularly sharp-eyed individuals and ex-artillerymen will notice that the lever to disengage the gun from the hydro-pneumatic recoil/counter-recoil cylinder is incorrect in the model. This detail has since been rectified.


The following photograph is a destroyed Sd.Kfz. 142/1 Sturmgeschutz III Ausf. G 'late version' of Sturmgeschutz-Brigade 280 Kgr. 'Harder'. Due to its location on Bendendorpsweg, it is probably one of the Sturmgeschutz destroyed by LSgt Baskeyfield's gun. Given the effective range of a 6 pdr, and an estimate of distances from the previous painting and Google earth, the engagement range appears within 100 hundred yards or so. This range is corroborated by the modern nominal standard distance between light posts (about 23 m or 75 feet) in the Netherlands. 


LSgt Baskeyfield's gun position on the horizon, as seen from behind the Sturmgeschutz III shown above.


The following two photographs are from Google Earth. The first is a bit out of focus in order that I could exploit the existing legends for the intersection of Benedendorpsweg and Acacialaan. The roadway is now obscured by trees, however the curvature which would have partially screened the gun positions is discernable. The second image is much clearer and shows the area on either side of Benedendorpsweg where the gun positions were sited. The location in Oosterbeek is just north of the northern bank of the Nijer Rhine.



Terence Tenison Cuneo CVO, OBE, RGI, FGRA, was a preeminent British artist. One of his specialties was depicting historical military actions. Given his impeccable credentials, his painting of LSgt John Daniel Baskeyfield VC, shown above, is deemed likely to be historically basically accurate. Having said that, this author would question whether the 6 pdr depicted by Cuneo is the correct airborne configuration. The reader should note the space between the right wheel and the trail, the size of the splinter shield, and the absence of the hinge assembly on the trail. Aside from those significant details, apparently all the buildings in vicinity which existed contemporary with the action were badly damaged, if not destroyed. In any event they were totally razed and replaced after the war, with the exception of the buildings on the south side of Benedendorpsweg which were never rebuilt, judging from recent Google Earth imagery.

One of the readers of this blog, by the name of Stewart has graciously provided a very interesting insight regarding the Cuneo painting. He has sent an image of a sketch which appeared in the Illustrated London Times contemporary with that painting. The similarity of the two is patently obvious, with the differences being the expanded scope of the sketch, the different pose of LSgt. Baskeyfield, and that the para attempting to cross the street is apparently dead. The question arises which piece of art was done first.



In addition Stewart has provided an image of a diorama which also depicts LSgt. Baskeyfield's VC action. A sharp eye will discern the correct configuration of the Airborne 6 Pdr. Thank you very much Stewart for the additional information. This author is personally very curious as to the manufacturer of both the figures and the 6 Pdr. Judging from the level of detail, specifically insignia, would appear to be 1:30 scale.



17 comments:

Jimmy E said...

Hello,
I would like to correct and add a few things.Baskeyfield arrived in this position, after being held in reserve on Tuesday 1115. The brave actions undertaken by Baskeyfield have not been 100% clear. reports were taken from several survivors. Although it is certain he destroyed 4 vehicles. Baskeyfield held first a position on the corner of Benedendorpseweg Acacialaan. His gun faced east (benedendorpseweg) towards the railway bridge. The other gun on the otherside of the acacialaan faced north. Baskeyfield took out a a German SdKfz 10/4 halftrack with 20mm FLAK gun (technically speaking could this combination also be refered to as a selfproppelled gun, that might have been the case) This combination,900yards from his position, was photographed in 1945 near a pillar of the railway bridge.It belonged to SS panzer FLAK abteilung 9. He might have disabeld a second vehicle in the Benedendorpseweg. He swung his gun around facing north were an German attack came from. His crew had been wounded or killed by this time and he handled his gun alone. When it was knocked out his crawled wounded across the road to man the gun were the crew was also killed/wounded. Here he was killed. The Sturmgeschutz III pictured was one of the last he had knocked out. It stood in the acacialaan. When you face the gun you are looking north. About a year ago a postwar 1945 colour film was found and a few seconds film of this SP gun made. Nearly all buildings were baskeyfield fought have been replaced postwar. In the acacialaan in this vincinity 2 buildings were there during the war. A bit further in the benedendorpseweg the houses are war period. It is said that Baskeyfields body was buried somewere in the acacialaan. A published drawing was made by Terence Tenison Cuneo about a week later when he met survivors of this action in Nijmegen. Later he made the painting based on this drawing. A licened metaldetectorist had permission to seach a garden in the Acacialaan. He found a partial 6pdr carriage leg. This can be seen in the Wolfheze glider collection.
The first 6 pdr airborne colour photo is actually a (rebuilt) regular 6 pdr. An original 6 pdr from the battle can be seen in Wolfheze (monument) and in the Hartestein airborne museum. An other 6pdr from this battle was after the war recovered and can be seen in the Army air corps museum Middle Wallop. It is also known that a 75mm Howitser was taken back to Britian an restored to fuly working order.
Got my information from a ministory about Baskeyfield published friends of the airborne museum and After the battle publication about Market-Garden part 2. I have photographs a the 6pdr gun leg, 6pdr in Middle Wallop, colour still of the SP gun. Restored 75 mm Howitzer.

Arnhemjim said...

Hello again Jimmy E.,
Once more my sincere thanks for not only your extensive and excellent research on LSgt Baskeyfield’s VC action, but for taking your personal time and effort to relate the information to the blog. When this blog was originated I had hoped for this level of exchange of knowledge, but all too often it seems like people will read the articles in a “receive only” mode, without further comment. I have both of the volumes of the After the Battle, Market Garden Then and Now Series. What is amazing is how the four attached photographers of the Army Film and Photographic Unit (AFPU) were able to chronicle the action, preserve the film, and that the media has been so well archived. I have not been to the Wolfheze monument and museum, but your remark regarding the recovered partial 6pdr leg (I refer to it as a trail) is intriguing. Depending on which portion was recovered, if it includes even part of the hinge assembly, this would confirm a MK III (Airborne) Carriage configuration (most strongly suspected). The guns would not have been able to be delivered into battle by Horsa glider (which they were), were that not the case.

Out of personal curiosity do you reside in the Netherlands or Great Britain? As mentioned elsewhere in this blog, and contained in at least one article; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2014/08/70th-anniversary-of-battle-of-arnhem.html , I have a reasonable collection of original source documentation on Operation Market-Garden. This includes several unit after-action reports. Among those is; the original war diary of the 1st Airborne Recce Sqn. R.A.C. from 1st Sept ’44 to 30 Sept ’44 (As you know, Maj. C.F.H. “Freddie” Gough’s unit). If you would be interested, and don’t already have a copy, would be pleased to provide a pdf file, if you provide an e-mail address. Again thank you and best regards.

Arnhem Jim

Anonymous said...

Hi, I am looking for good sources on the @ A/L AT-Bty OBAN. Any suggestions?

Grtz, Dirk H. see www.bta44.nl

Arnhemjim said...

Hello Dirk,

Thank you for the query on my blog page regarding 2nd (Oban) Airlanding Antitank Battery, Royal Artillery. Envy you with your home in the immediate proximity of Oosterbeek and Arrnhem. Have had the good fortune of two past extended visits to both areas.

With a background in intelligence, I have long since stricken the words “assume” or “assumption” from my vocabulary. As a result, you already may well be aware of some, if not all of the following information:
There is a War Diary of the Battery (Although I have copies of a few unit war diaries, don’t have this specific one), should be available through the Public Record Office.
Maj A.F. Haynes, OC, 2nd (Oban) Airlanding Antitank Battery, Royal Artillery, also wrote a post battle report.
Actions of the unit are related in the book, The Gunners at Arnhem, P. Wilkinson MC, ISBN 0-9535754-0-3 (Includes Roll of Honour, unfortunately a lot of NKGs (No Known Grave)).
https://www.paradata.org.uk/unit/2nd-airlanding-anti-tank-battery-ra
http://www.pegasusarchive.org/arnhem/batt_2ndATBat.htm
https://www.google.com/search?q=2nd+(Oban)+Airlanding+Anti- Tank+Artillery+Battery&client=firefox-b-1&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiasqWitr3dAhXBzVQKHQVUA-4QsAR6BAgGEAE&biw=2560&bih=1237#imgrc=_

Would also personally highly recommend the new book, ARNHEM The Battle for the Bridges, 1944, Beevor, A., Penguin/Viking, 2018 (978-0-670-91866-9)

Hope that at least some of this information will prove of value, and again thanks for your interest in the blog.

Unknown said...

Hi,

Regarding Cuneo,s painting.

The original sketch was published in the "Illustrated London News", on December 9th 1944. This was a Broadsheet newspaper, that was published on Saturdays. I have 5 of these, as 6 month "ledger" books, covering this period. they contain many photos, that I have never seen any other publication, and also many artist's sketch's done at the time.
Cuneo's painting is only about 2/3 of the original.
The original also shows the Bendendorpsweg, with the railway embakement in the background. Also, in this missing bit of cuneo's painting is the signature of the artist. A Mr. Bryan De Grineah.
The article that accompanies this sketch mentions the action as reported, at the time. This mentions the first attack coming from the Bendendorpsweg, and the destruction of 2 Tiger's and an S.P. gun. Saying that Baskeyfield allowed each of them to come within 100 yards before firing. The destroyed hulks can be seen in the background of the original sketch. The report say's the gun was then turned to face up the Acacialaan, as this is where the second attack came from.

Cuneo's painting also differs from the sketch. Baskeyfield's position is different, Cuneo's painting shows him about to load. The original has him sighting the gun. The other main/big difference is the soldier in the road! Cuneo seems too show alive and crawling across the road. The sketch has him dead. I believe the after action report, mentions a soldier shot while attempting to cross the road to aid Baskeyfield. Other diferences are minor, but I would like to know where Cuneo got the idea for a red, what looks to be a postbox, on the righthand side of his painting?

Best regards

Stewart

Arnhemjim said...

Hello Stewart,
Sincere thanks for your interest in the blog, and taking the time and effort to contribute further details to the article, specifically regarding Cuneo’s painting of LSgt. Baskeyfield’s Victoria Cross action in the battle of Arnhem/Oosterbeek. It’s always nice to receive confirmation of one’s analysis, in this case the initial engagement range of the 6 pounder antitank gun against the German armour.
Best regards,
Arnhem Jim

Unknown said...

hi, Jim,

I was actually researching the airbourne 6pdr for a model diorama I have planned. It's not actually about LSgt Baskeyfeild's action, but about lonsdale force at Oosterbeek church. When I read your piece and the comments I felt I need to put a few things straight.
Here's a link, it works, to a picture I took a few years ago.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/glorfindel1964/9190133099/in/datetaken-friend/

It is interesting that the atticle in the "illustrated London News" says that in the first action LSgt Baskeyfeild destroyed 2 Tigers and and S.P. In the second action, afer he had crawled to the second gun, the aticle says he engaged a Ferdinand S.P., and destroyed this, before being take out by a Tiger.

If my link has worked you should be able to see what I meant about the differences.
I have to say, that personal I prefer the original sketch over Cuneo's painting.

Best regards

Stewart

Arnhemjim said...

Hello Stewart,
Thanks once again for the additional perspective provided by the original sketch by Mr. Bryan De Grineah in the Illustrated London Times, and the flickr images of the diorama. Would appear that Cuneo’s painting could be construed as a plagiarism. Duly impressed by the accuracies shown in the diorama. Specifically the correct airborne configuration of the 6 pdr. The gun appears to be very similar to the 1:35 scale model I have in my collection, but if the details in the figures are of any indication, must be of a larger scale (1:30?). Intrigued as to what the source of the maker for both the figures and the 6 pdr. might be.
Best regards,
Jim

Unknown said...

Hello Jim,
and thank you.

I must say that I had never considered plagiarism. Now that I view them together, I would have to agree with you.
in a def-fence I have to say, that those I spoken to about this, had no idea that an original sketch existed. Or, believe that it was Cuneo himself, who did the original sketch.

As for the diorama, I can tell you that it is over 35yrs old. John hunter the gentleman who built it, was very studious with his research. Looking at the diorama now, i see that John took his inspiration from Cuneo's painting.
You are correct regarding the scale This particular 1 is in 1/32. I Know this, as I remember John Bringing to the club we both attended at the time.
The 6pdr is an old Airfix kit heavily converted to the airbourne version.
The figures are also Airfix, from their multi-pose range. John very rarely used stock figures, so the detail you see would have been sculpted himself.
I haveenjoyed your site, Jim, and have bookmarked you, so I can return at leisure. As a model builder myself, Arnhem and Operation Market Garden, are always supranational.

"Theirs is the Glory"

Best regards
Stewart

Paul said...

Hi Jim,
First of all thanks for your fabulous blog.
It brings me, besides a lot of fun also quit some insight to the operation MArket GArden.
I'm wondering if you can clear something for me.
In the first part of you blog you write:
The basic antitank gun team was embarked in two Airspeed AS.51 Horsa gliders. The first glider carried a jeep, 2 ammunition trailers, a 6 pdr Anti-Tank gun, a sergeant as gun commander, and three members of the gun detachment. A second glider also carried a jeep, two ammunition trailers, and an NCO and remaining member of the gun crew. The ammunition allowance carried in the three trailers was comprised of 15 armor piercing, and 27 Sabot, totaling 42 rounds per gun. This was less than half the normal Royal Artillery ammunition allowance of 96 rounds, due to airborne logistics limitations.
But in Gunners of Arnhem, P. Wilkinson states the there was only one Horsa available voor a 6 pd gun team and that they had to take all of their ammunition with them in this horsa in their jeep. So no trailer in this Horsa and no second Horsa.
Please help me out here.
Regards PAul

Arnhemjim said...

Hello Paul,
Apologies, and thank you very much for diplomatically pointing out the error in my text, which has been corrected. It should, and now does, state that the first glider carries only one ammo trailer with the jeep and 6 pdr. I even have a correct load-out diagram in an other article showing that it would be physically impossible to carry the previous erroneously cited load. See; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-airborne-jeeps-of-1st-airborne.html Am amazed that the mistake has not been previously cited. Sincerely appreciate your interest in the blog.
Best regards,
Jim

Unknown said...

Hello jim I am hoping you could help me if you can please.i have a keen interest in my uncle's time in arnhem and I believe that he was a driver for a 6 pound gun crew his name was walter hewerdine and I have his army number but not at hand and any information about walter would be most welcome...regards david hewerdine

Arnhemjim said...

Hello David,
I can sincerely understand your interest in your uncle's activities at Arnhem. Unfortunately without knowing the unit he was attached to, I have no idea where to even start looking. I'm afraid the only thing I might suggest is the following website; https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/British_Military_Records_Online. I hope that may be of some assistance.
Best regards,
Jim

Unknown said...

Goodevening Jim! first my compliments for giving insights in the battle of Arnhem, especialy the engagement of the battery of 6 pounder anti tank guns by Jack Daniel Baskeyfield, sadly after his death his body was not recovered, my question is more gun crewmembers were killedin the engagements and in the aftermath are there known fieldgraves of the fallen ones in the Acacialaan or Benedendorpse weg that might contain the remains of Jack Baskeyfield? in so many pictures i saw many fieldgraves situated in Arnhem and Oosterbeek greetings Ron

Arnhemjim said...

Hello Ron,
Thank you very much for your kind remarks and interest in the blog. Given that the 6 Pdr he was serving sustained a direct hit, it's understandable why his body wasn't recovered. I would imagine that those circumstances apply to all but the surviving wounded members of both gun crews. Unfortunately like yourself, I'm more or less limited to resources available on the Internet. I know the UK has an extensive War Graves Commission for WWII, but am not certain whether they can provide circumstances beyond name, serial number, regiment, general location, and year. Regret that I can't provide any further assistance.
Best regards and stay safe,
Jim

Arnhemjim said...

Hello Ron,
Was curious how much I could find in the records. I don't think you will be able to go much further than this: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2658753/JOHN%20DANIEL%20BASKEYFIELD/
Jim

Unknown said...

Goodevening Jim thank you very much for your kind response.This summer I visited the monument at an crashsite and pay my respect to a young pilot named William Hurrell who flew the Hawker Typhoon .William crashed 75 years ago and left burried into the deep ground in Eefde.His remains were recovered finally and his family over seas were informed.On the internet the recovery operation was covered. So many young men like him fought and died for our freedom, what remain is sometimes a Missing in action. , only known to God, a grave stone with a name but sometimes with a face and a story. It gives me a good feeling those brave men are not forgotten! thank you for giving a good insight in the battle of Arnhem. greetings Ron.

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