Cromwell vs 2 Panther tanks | September 1944 | Tank Duel

[@minuteman4199]

War diaries are fascinating to read. I was a junior officer in a reserve armoured regiment in Canada. The regiment had fought in Sicily, Italy and North West Europe. The war diaries were in the Officer's mess library and I read a lot of them. Our Honorary Colonel at the time had been a squadron commander during those battles and often attended the mess to socialize so we got first hand accounts of those times.

[@oliveradams1555]

That's awesome, getting to experience history rather than just read it.

[@davidcarr7436]

What was the reserve regiment were you with?

[@minuteman4199]

@@davidcarr7436 Ont R.

[@maxkennedy8075]

Cromwell is such an underrated tank. Very fast, good cannon especially for support and armour not as weak as people think

[@marcdavis4509]

Unfortunately British industry was unable to cast or weld turrets at the time. Riveted armor is never ideal.

[@maxkennedy8075]

@@marcdavis4509 Our domestic Shermans had cast turrets, the Matilda had a cast turret and a cast hull and the entire front of the Tortoise was one massive casting. The UK had plenty of ability to do large and complex castings Yeah riveted armour is not great but the Crommie did have welded armour later and increased thickness

[@irrelevant9023]

Armor Not as weak? Hah!

[@stevenbreach2561]

Don't upset the Wehraboos!Having a fast,manouverable,reliable tank with a decent gun beating them,doesn't fit their prejudices

[@stevenbreach2561]

@@marcdavis4509 not rivetted,but armour plates bolted onto the turret

[@28pbtkh23]

Very sad that Crump and Hide both died in action just a few weeks before the war's end.

[@RadioactiveSherbet]

Crump deserved *some* kind of award for his gunnery. Knocking out a moving tank on the first shot is an incredible feat of gunnery, especially considering it was using WW2-era fire control technology.

[@burningphoneix]

I wonder what the range was to the Panther.

[@petetimbrell3527]

Burning Phoenix - It scales off at 600 - 650 metres. Ideal range against flank armour a couple inches thick.

[@hughfranklin4002]

Crump fired 5 shells at 2 panthers and hit with all of them knocking out 2 tanks that is some shooting.

[@dpeasehead]

A perfect example of how being observant (maintaining situational awareness) and getting off the first accurate rounds is usually decisive.

[@nickgoodwood4812]

Remarkable that a Centaur was part of the troop. It was originally indented to only operate at D Day, day one and was painted in the 1940 brown paint, thus making for good camouflage at the beach. The 95mm howitzer proved to be a very good infantry support weapon, and all eighty Centaurs were used in the whole ETO after that day.

[@manifestdestiny1191]

When I was a tank company XO, my tank's gunner (who shall not be named) was a horrible soldier... he was lazy, dull, not physically fit, and had no leadership ability. HOWEVER, he could shoot the wings off a fly at 3,500 meters while moving! Most skilled gunner I've ever seen I never saw him miss. Sometimes, that's all you need!

[@Rogue66669]

Damn a month out from the end of the war in Europe, RIP Troopers Crump and Hide

[@billbrockman779]

KIA’s in the last months of the war depress me. There is a stained glass window in my church dedicated to an American lieutenant who was killed in April 1945. His family was clearly greatly moved to purchase the window.

[@YARROWS9]

@@billbrockman779 God bless these British, American and Canadian Soldiers who were fighting for the freedom of others, many miles from home.🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦

[@fusilier9276]

Great story of a successful combined US/ British action, RIP Trooper Crump taken days before the end like so many were.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Pity Band of Brothers episode 4 mocks and belittles British tankers of around this time (the 44th Royal Tank Regiment at Nuenen). Really annoys me, that episode.

[@stevenbreach2561]

​@@lyndoncmp5751It was made by septics what do you expect?

[@stuartbennett7614]

Yet again well presented and easy to understand with clear graphics im ex infantry and you are spot on at showing the British side of things of our forefathers giants of men .

[@gooner72]

Outstanding job by the British armoured units and an outstanding job by you for, yet again, a fantastic video mate...... well done!!

[@sg51psd04]

Amen, well done brother. Another story to be lost to the annals of history but brought forth to the public today because you gave a shit. (Forgive the language, I'm a retired grunt.) I am encouraged by your commitment to history, dedication to those who served those and to the accuracy you strive to achieve. Huzzah!

[@The3Lego3Freak]

Always loved the Cromwell, especially the comet and centurion. Would love to see more videos of untold stories like this 👍

[@DaveSCameron]

Shout yes! 🙏 ❤️ 🇬🇧⚽🎵📚

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

The 75 mm firing armor piercing rounds into the flank of a panther is highly effective. The armor on the flanks was totally inadequate to the task. My dad who was six Armored Division in the US Army and commanding Sherman's, told me you always wanted to maneuver for a flank shot, or engine shot on German Panthers, tigers and King tigers. That and the tracks were the weakest points on the vehicles.

[@bathhatingcat8626]

Shoot the flank on a tank? No way. That’s brilliant!!

[@MikeBrown-go1pc]

I have destroyed many Panthers in War Thunder from side shots with the same 75mm gun, but only on an M24 Chaffe. 35-45 mm side armour was really only to stop big manned anti-tank guns like the 14.5mm, and maybe shoulder launched stuff sometimes. They definitely made the Panther to point front at the danger. They could only put so much armour on them or it would basically just turn into a Tiger II. Now the US 75mm would have a hard time going through the side of one of those. 80mm sides.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

@@MikeBrown-go1pc I hope you understand you're talking about game experience and I'm talking about a soldier's experience in combat that was my father. There is definitely differences between game and real combat.

[@MikeBrown-go1pc]

@@JohnRodriguesPhotographer No kidding? I had thought they were exactly the same. What is the same is the dimensions, armour thickness, velocity and angles. People having a hard time picking up humor these days.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

@@MikeBrown-go1pc sorry I wasn't meaning to be offensive to you. I have had people question and not so pleasant terms the experiences of members of my family in combat. Sincere apologies if I did make you feel offended. I am also sorry if I'm misinterpreted your comment it wasn't my intention. I try not to throw rocks of people on here and I was trying to make my comment as little sarcasm as possible. You know I had an uncle that was Airborne Ranger, and my father that was 6th Armored Division, landed D-Day +26, fought all the way to Prague Czechoslovakia. My started his army career in 1939. He was involved with the troops that were testing the tanks to decide what design was best to incorporate in the army. The testing included the Christy suspension system. I'm telling you this because I want you to understand he wasn't just a draftee thrown into a tank. Not only was he a very experienced tanker, he survived it and continued on to a full career in the army. He often talked about fighting the German tanks and the best way to do it. Enjoy your gaming. Not my cup of tea but that's okay. Have fun when you can. God bless and keep safe

[@stevenbreach2561]

So much for the invincible Wunderwaffe.The Cromwell was a cracking tank that sacrificed heavy armour for speed

[@juanzulu1318]

Dont be silly. Basicslly all tanks are vulnerable at the sides against the average ATgun. And no, the Panther was far from being slow.

[@davidrussell8689]

Thanks to your efforts real heroes will never be forgotten.

[@lex1945]

Your uploads are always a treat!

[@t.j.payeur5331]

Thanks..I know a hell of a lot about WW2 and I've never heard of this incident. Nothing like having a good shot on your team...

[@robertmartyr2041]

damn they all should have gotten a medal especially for taking out not one but 2 panthers. shame on those who didn't see it fit for mr crump to get medal nor a mention in dispatches .

[@alonsocushing2263]

Typical giving a senior officer who wasn't even involved in the action an MC. Lt. Egerton should have got that MC and Trp Crump either an MM or DCM.

[@weissmanhyperion9650]

Unfortunately the medals are most likely going to be awarded to leadership roles, unless it's an act of individual valor. The tanks were driven out and destroyed because of the combined effort of the unit and thus its leadership is awarded the medal. Not saying the guys didn't deserve it but it is world war 2 and they can't award everyone that destroyed panther tanks medals. I think it's most likely the mission success and no casualties that played the biggest factor of leadership getting this medal.

[@ToddSauve]

One Canadian tanker took out five or six Panthers near Bretteville in Normandy around June 9, 1944 with his Firefly and got no medal for it. His CO said "Why should he get a medal for just doing his job?" That was what you got in WW2. 🤷‍♂️

[@alonsocushing2263]

@@ToddSauve His CO probably got a medal though.

[@ToddSauve]

@@alonsocushing2263 Not in his particular case but I do understand what you are saying. When all is said and done in this life, it is God we have to satisfy and if someone is greedy, pushing other people down so they can climb the ladder, God sees all that and it will figure into your fate. Better to be a person of upright character because that is all we carry out of here when our day is done. And compare how often Victoria Crosses are given out compared to Congressional Medals of Honor. There is a really _stark_ difference! And I am not trying to besmirch anyone's courage, so don't anybody jump on my case for stating that! But here are the numbers. 1,358 Victoria Crosses to 3,527 Medals of Honor. It is clear which is harder to win. 🤷‍♂️

[@7Starslayer7]

as a german and panzer enthusiast, i have to say the cromwell is my favourite allied tank! He just looks so cool, a bit like a miniature tiger, nice proportions and the big bolts give it an almost medieval knightly feel. No sleek curves, just raw and brutal without useless sheananigans.

[@crumpetcommandos779]

i think that view can be given to a lot of british equipment, it's quite brutalist and rough, like the sten for instance as a brit my favourite german tank is probably the panzer 3

[@7Starslayer7]

@@crumpetcommandos779 true. Have loads of respect for the british military! :)

[@crumpetcommandos779]

@@7Starslayer7 as i do for germany

[@gregmcgrath4859]

I note the only locals the paras could find to be photographed with happened to be young, blonde and female. Remarkable, that.

[@iatsd]

And going by the statistics, later on the Americans raped at least 2 of them.

[@asullivan4047]

Interesting and informative. Excellent photography job enabling viewers to better understand what the orator was describing. Class A research project!!! Special thanks to veteran tankers sharing personal information/combat experiences. Making this documentary more authentic and possible. Fighting/perishing/surviving knowing certain death/debilitating wounds were often times possible. Yet still advanced forward regardless of the consequences. That's true grit style determination to succeed!!!

[@alanmcintosh8087]

They've been recognised now thanks to your efforts in commemoration, Appreciated

[@randomlyentertaining8287]

One thing I've noticed is with a lot of pictures of knocked out Tigers, Panthers, and King Tigers is that their guns and bodies are situated in such a way that shows they were engaging targets without having their frontal armor facing the enemy. Would explain why so many, especially Panthers, were seemingly easily knocked out without the attacker needing to maneuver despite their frontal armor being largely immune to Allied tank and anti-tank fire.

[@JimRogers-oc2jd]

Good review! My dad served with the Royals, and in the same campaign. But he mostly drove Daimler armored resonance vehicles! He must have missed this one, but would have loved to hear the review. As it was; the tanks had a limited radio range (only 5 miles) Resonance Demimers had radios which was better then most so they were set in a lines 5 miles apart. So may have beed more scattered!

[@markwebster5749]

We will remember them 🇬🇧💪

[@conmcgrath7174]

ordinary decent men, sadly lost from us. Pax Vobiscum.

[@stephenobrien5909]

Sadly Crump and Hide were killed at the wars end, just a few more days and they would have survived. RIP.

[@rogerkay8603]

Huzzah for the Hussars! Trooper Crump, great shooting, RIP mate.🥀

[@GreatPolishWingedHussars]

Hussars? :)

[@rogerkay8603]

@@GreatPolishWingedHussars 15/19 King's Royal Hussars

[@barrymerchant3320]

@@rogerkay8603 i have the great honour to have served 12 years in the 15th/19th The Kings Royal Hussars

[@rogerkay8603]

@@barrymerchant3320 Nice one, thanks mate

[@Maxyshadow]

Thanks for this wonderful video.

[@Invicta556]

These 2 too 3 days from 19th to 21st were a cluster for Panzer Brigade 107. I must admit 11th Armored Div and 101st Div plus attachments did a outstanding job they really put there foot down in this area (Son) and gave the Germans a bloody nose (Particularly on the 21st knocking a few Panthers out). The Germans lost around 7 Panthers in this short period (19th-21st) before their main attack on Hells Highway ( Veghel on the 22nd) and onwards after that attack failed it was a race with VII Corps (O'Connor) too stop them breaching towards Overloon. Imo Panzer Brigade 107 was new and really was rushed about too much, Von Maltzahn there commander was not happy in how late they arrived but then again Panzer Brigades are very diffrent operationally too a Division due too size etc. I recommend Kampfgruppe Walther & Panzerbrigade 107 by Didden, Jack & Swarts, Maarten. Honestly a amazing book on this.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Pity then how episode 4 of Band of Brothers makes these British tankers out to be akin to clueless idiots.

[@lostinpa-dadenduro7555]

Let’s raise a glass for Troopers Crump and Hide.

[@KathrynLiz1]

My dad commanded a Cromwell at one time in Holland... he didn't like them a lot... apparently they had some shortcomings, lack if ventilation being one...... later in the war he was in a Cromwell that took a 88 round in Germany.... the tank was on a pontoon bridge and fell into the Rhine.... it was a hot day and the turret hatch was open...... dad was the only one to get out... the others all drowned......

[@alanmcintosh8087]

Sore but but proud tale, take care

[@shaunwalker2557]

like i said officers.....first out

[@brustar5152]

@@shaunwalker2557 Most tank commanders were not officers.

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

​@@shaunwalker2557 That's part of the deal. You don't want your Colonels getting picked off. Look at a modern conflict where so many unit commanders of a particular side have become casualties. It's unfathomable. You can't afford to lose the organization of your forces. Command and control is easier when you protect your officers. They do get special treatment because they're more important than a single grunt when it comes down to a serious war. See Douglas MacArthur retreating from the Philippines. That said, agreed with the other comment. A tank commander is not necessarily an officer. Likely an NCO. Possibly senior NCO. In the last 30 years, US and British tank crews have been drilled and prepared extensively, much more so than when the Second WW demanded a lot of inexperienced tank crews going into combat.

[@wiggles877]

A video on Lt. Gordon Henry. He commanded 3rd troop of C Sqn, 1st Hussars in his Firefly la Comtesse du Feu. His tanks destroyed 5 Panthers with 5 shots in a few minutes and was lining up for a 6th kill when his troop Sgt. Art Boyle's tank destroyed it. When someone asked why he wasn't awarded for this feat, his Brigadier said, "We're not giving out gongs for doing your job. You're job is to kill tanks, you kill tanks. Good for you, keep up the good work."

[@Nathan-ng1jt]

Only just found your channel. Excellent research, succinct delivery and wonderfully absent of politics, conjecture or opinion.

[@Andrew8533]

As is the case alot of the times, officers getting awards for the OR's actions. RIP lads 🙏

[@iatsd]

Yes, the tank just magically deployed on it's own and found the targets all by itself for the gunner. the OC wasn't doing anything, including not commanding the rest of his troop at the same fvcking time as he was engaging mutiple vehicles.

[@Andrew8533]

@@iatsd Get the officers phallus out ya mouth! Haha

[@shaunwalker2557]

@@Paratus7 no...they end up dead because of officers mistakes....and the officers were first out..

[@iantobanter9546]

78 years on it's good to see Dutch farmers maintaining the torch of freedom against totalitarian oppression.

[@charlescth]

Just to be pedantic! It is 15th/19th King's Royal Hussars (15/19H) not 15/19th... and Capt not Cpt! I was a Captain (Capt) in the 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers (16/5L). But an excellent video!

[@barrymerchant3320]

more pedantic the 15th/19th The Kings Royal Husars, I served 12 years in this great regiment.

[@alanimals]

Well done lads from the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards.

[@stevenbreach2561]

And "The Skins",5th RIDG.FTW,QS

[@royhayes-ry6rw]

and from ex 2nd Troop 15/19H@@stevenbreach2561

[@mattwordsworth9825]

If it wasn't for the Cromwell then there would be no Comet

[@kanth66]

This looks like the episode of Band of Brothers with the Cromwell

[@meatbap]

my new favourite youtube channel

[@bmused55]

It annoys me that we have historical moments of the Cromwell taking out supposedly superior tanks, but in just about any war game sim, the same rounds from a Cromwell bounce off the same targets, serving only to let said target know that an enemy tank is near by. The Cromwell was a good tank for it's day. It was fast and manouverable and had a pretty good gun that was able to kill most enemy vehicles it was likely to encounter. Sadly, game developers seem to think British Tanks = Weak crap and so make them that way.

[@Scimiter1948]

I could not agree more.

[@Type75Advance]

It's a slander for Brits 😔

[@DaveSCameron]

The Lord Protector indeed ✔️🇬🇧

[@philhawley1219]

Here is another mispronunciation. They are not in the cavalry called Dra. goons. That was a BBC comedy show on the Light Program

[@flyingtigers7856]

Go start your own KZbin military history channel ya flog and come back when you've got almost a quarter of a million subs!! Seriously, delete your comment ya knob SMH...

[@GhostvaperYT]

very interestign i took history and passed we learnt about ww1, ww2, falklands, vietnam, the arab israeli conflict and a lot more but NEVER had i heard of this battle and these names. thank you for enlightening me on this.

[@chuckhaggard1584]

Excellent video, I’m glad I stumbled across it

[@MasouShizuka]

Cromwells are a hell of a tank.

[@anthonyat2401]

Excellent presentation; thanks.

[@juanzulu1318]

Well, to be fair, this wasnt an extraordinary performance by the Cromwell crew. It was basically an ambush situation in which the Germans moved in.

[@philkelly8031]

Brave men that will never be forgotten Lest we Forget all that served their country

[@SunKing968]

WONDERFUL thanks

[@davidhardiman9603]

The talent of Crump and Hide was critical. God bless them.

[@robbabcock_]

Great video!

[@MagpieOz]

Unlikely to have been a Centaur. I think you will find it was a Cromwell CS

[@Devilsgreedybelly]

Why they didn't put this story in Band of brother's episode's specifically when in Eindhoven I'll never know, however I get it my brother likes to tell tales of me screwing up rather than tales of me excelling I suppose ☺️ great upload buddy

[@badweetabix]

4 hits out of 4 shots is quite a feat given the fire control technology of the period.

[@vickyking3408]

Would have liked a bit more detail, how did the cromwell out flank the Panther,did the US para's scout out the targets,hiw come the scout car was never attacked by the germans,enjoyed it through

[@SGusky]

Wow Amazing and sad at the end

[@not-a-theist8251]

It's a shame that the rest of the crew weren't regognized on any qay

[@camrenwick]

Soldiers doing their job, but officers taking the glory. RIP lads.

[@juanzulu1318]

Same as in civilian life. Things will never change

[@nbandpinportugal]

Lovely way to remember them.

[@tonybennett7145]

Great feat of achievement against powerful German armour. Why is it we never recognise our own but, prefer to hype up others?

[@pzkpfw2310]

Would love to see you do a video on the Tongo Tongo ambush in 2017

[@MikeBrown-go1pc]

Man, these guys got KIA right near the end.

[@johndue2366]

It is very British to honour the leaders and forget about the common man that did the deed

[@jakublulek3261]

Because if common man fails, leaders bear responsibility and are punished.

[@iatsd]

Yes. the gunner was a good shot. And? He wasn't finding the targets. He wasn't directing the tank. He wasn't commanding a troop at the same time as engaging multiple vehicles. He wasn't responsible for ~25 men. He wasn't coordinating with the other troops and the infantry. Hell, the gunner wasn't even the one calling the ammo loading. But yeah, let's all pretend the OC did nothing and the guy that did the shooting (his only job) is the one that deserves all the medals and the officer was just along for the ride.

[@stevenbreach2561]

I must agree with iatsd,even though I was a Cold War gunner on Cheiftain,the TC is the "conductor" of the tank orchestra

[@dude126]

The allocation of decorations never seems fair.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Pity Band of Brothers episode 4 mocks and belittles British tankers of around this time (the 44th Royal Tank Regiment at Nuenen). Really annoys me, that episode.

[@nickdanger3802]

Can you be more vague?

[@garycrosby4792]

Thank you. No bull, just the facts well related

[@Theearthtraveler]

Good show!!

[@Toranaboy634]

It's pronounced 'edgerton' but otherwise, thanks for this video.

[@jameslukaszewicz2029]

The Cromwell crew were more aggressive than the initial Comet, in the 'Comet v Tiger' story. There the commander flunked it, when he saw the Tiger.

[@kalanichandler2075]

even though german tanks were thought to be superior it does show that a worse tank with a good crew can be just as good

[@Lassisvulgaris]

The problem with German tanks, is that they had strong front armour, but weaker at the sides and rear. Of course, a good crew will realize this, and go for the waeker armour.

[@GreatPolishWingedHussars]

That wasn't a bad tank! The Cromwell tank was a good tank due to its excellent mobility. The tank was praised for its speed and also for its reliable an powerful engine, while its low profile made it harder to spot. The tank was half a meter lower than a Panther tank. The 1st Polish Armored Division also successful used this tank by the way. The German tanks are always overrated and the tanks of the enemies of the Germans are actually always underrated.

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

The Panther was only superior on paper. According to The Chieftain it was not an easy tank for its crew to get maximum potential out of, which immediately lowers its theoretical superiority and brings it more into line with the Cromwell, which may have been technically inferior but was actually very good at the job it was designed for.

[@juanzulu1318]

​@@Kevin-mx1vina, thats not quite correct. The Panther was an excellent medium tank at that time, on paper as well as on the battlefield (after solving the first issues). The point of this story is not about tanks but about the fact that the first sight is so important in tank battle, especially if it allows u to create an ambush situation like in this case.

[@dimitryrostov6482]

Can you do the battles for hostomel airport 2022 asap?

[@thijs6264]

Great video

[@ca9968]

Yeah, British Doctrine..the toffee nosed Rupert will always get the medal over any rank under him...

[@flyingtigers7856]

And Australia has inherited that British Doctrine. Ruperts patting each other on the back and giving each other decorations, while the enlisted men have to move heaven and earth for recognition.

[@sirnuggetsboi9758]

since I thought this was posted on april fools,it would be a breakdown of the FURY tank scene

[@jimleffler7976]

I like the videos on these, the audio not as much, kind of drab but they're still good

[@Ralphieboy]

Feats like this tend to get overlooked when the overall operation was a massive failure as was the case with Market Garden.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Market Garden was not a massive failure. It took 100km of German held ground in 3 days. It was actually the fastest allied advance against German opposition in the entire September 1944 to February 1945 period. Market Garden was 90% successful. It got British 2nd Army closer to Germany, the Germans lost Eindhoven and Nijmegen and a protective buffer zone in front of Antwerp was created. The Hurtgen Forest and Lorraine were far bigger failures than Market Garden.

[@Ralphieboy]

An advance in the wrong direction and with losses of elite troops in no way commensurate with the limited gains. Imagine if those resources had been directed farther south.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Paul 1. It was not an attack in the wrong direction. British 2nd Army used the ground taken in Market Garden for their advance into Germany in 1945. The British and Canadian advance to the Rhine via the Reichswald took place from the Nijmegen area, captured during Market Garden. Market Garden also created a protective buffer zone in front of Antwerp. 2. Far more resources WERE used to the south. The US 1st Army attacked into the Hurtgen Forest and towards Aachen with many more forces, and also failed. With 4 times the casualties. Patton had already stalled and failed to take Metz before Market Garden was even decided on. Patton kept failing to take Metz until well into November.

[@Dartslegend]

Heroes

[@spunkospunko4800]

Enjoyed this thanks mate rule Britannia 4shots 4 hits ,,av it

[@roybennett9284]

If only they didn't bgo a bridge too far..where was the air support, apparently the Dutch had an exercise involving the very thing that the Allies were doing..it was found that a small detachment could hold up a far superior force,as there is only an elevated highway for progress.

[@alexanderleach3365]

Even inferior tanks like the Cromwell and trump over tanks like the Panther with good crews and better tactics.

[@Lassisvulgaris]

More like knowing that German tanks had strong frontal armour, and weaker sides and rear.

[@ivorbiggun710]

Depends what you mean by inferior, really. The Cromwell was faster and more manoeuvrable, cheaper to build and more reliable.

[@alexanderleach3365]

@@ivorbiggun710 and superior numbers

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Devonshire]

The Cromwell had different strengths and weaknesses to the Panther but it wasn't inferior

[@philsosshep4834]

Sounds like to me the lieutenant egerton was a man from the ranks if he had joined in 39 ?

[@philsosshep4834]

@@madisntit6547 well that would explain a lot ,but he does look a lot older in that picture than 21 but then again so do many people back then.

[@ivorbiggun710]

@@philsosshep4834 After all they had seen I guess it's no wonder they looked old for their age. Egerton may well have come through the ranks, as you mention. My own granddad joined in 39 as a private and ended the War as a Lieutenant Colonel.

[@hansmiseur3025]

Panther, in all its glory, can be defeated quite easily by a flankshot from even a 40mm AT gun. Tiger had pretty much equal armor all around, so despite all of its flaws, you can see why it was considered a significant threat unless you had 76mm's or fireflies around.

[@juanzulu1318]

Basically all tanks can be defeated quite easily from the flanks.

[@hansmiseur3025]

@@juanzulu1318 Yes and the tiger was an exception, its side armor was only slightly thinner than the front.

[@Rusty_Gold85]

I've been reading and viewing excerpts of war heroism for a long time and it constantly disturbs me how medals are dished out to commission officers so quickly and readily , and the trooper or private gets to stay in the foxhole.

[@jakublulek3261]

It is about responsibility. If an individual soldier fails, he gets killed, maybe his friend gets killed. If an officer fails, many people get killed and part of the front can collapse. He bears much bigger responsibility, so he gets more rewarded.

[@Balangair1]

@@jakublulek3261 Exactly.

[@madzen112]

Even in WarThunder this would've been extraordinary.

[@juanzulu1318]

How so?

[@williamromine5715]

How do of 4 rounds fired at the second tank, 3 of them hit the front of the Panther, and the 4th hits the engine? Also, the tank commander gets a medal, but the gunner gets nothing? Something fishy about this one. Well done video though.

[@Davey-Boyd]

It was said the first rounds hit the drivers compartment. That could be hit from the front or side. The engine can be hit from the rear or the side. So they were presumably side shots.

[@williamromine5715]

@@Davey-Boyd Sounds reasonable. Still think the gunner should have been recognized. Damn good good shooting in the middle of battle. Especially since they were not expecting an armored defense.

[@Davey-Boyd]

@@williamromine5715 Totally agree with you on that!

[@crumpetcommandos779]

@@williamromine5715 hell yeah crump should've got some recognition for his aim

[@barthoving2053]

@@Davey-Boyd In theory you can hit the engine compartment even with a angled front shot. If picture of 6:00 is the panther in question. They either shot the side from between the house at what probably would be extremely close range and really out from where the Cromwell was depicted (5:00) or down the road and with the panther turret pointing the other way the pressure to shoot and move. And that would still relative close range between 400-500m.

[@peterrichards851]

The real heroes..

[@gavincross2902]

Typical Officer Commanding to take the medal and not recommend the supreme skills of the crew of the cromwell tank for awards.

[@GreatPolishWingedHussars]

The German tanks are always overrated and the tanks of the enemies of the Germans are actually always underrated.

[@davidedbrooke9324]

Bit like their cars nowadays.

[@GreatPolishWingedHussars]

@@davidedbrooke9324 Yeah right!

[@davidedbrooke9324]

@@GreatPolishWingedHussars Ah sarcasm, I love it!

[@GreatPolishWingedHussars]

@@davidedbrooke9324 I love to be sarcastic also when it's appropriate.

[@davidedbrooke9324]

@@GreatPolishWingedHussars of course we English are masters at it! Most don’t get it! 😉

[@accousticdecay]

Brave men

[@walklej]

Time you learnt to pronounce Egerton!

[@naenaemister5048]

here’s how i look at it german tanks have cool/style factor ally tanks have effectiveness

[@alanfox3606]

As per normal the officer corp are the one,s to be recognised and decorated , the rest of the team appear not to have been part of the action./Funny how it appear,s that the only member of the crew the officer is the only man to be decorated for this action.

[@jakublulek3261]

Because he had the ultimate responsibility for that action! Tell me, is it a brick layer or his boss who is responsible when building falls down? Leader is responsible for actions of his underlings, and their failures.

[@iatsd]

Yes. the gunner was a good shot. And? He wasn't finding the targets. He wasn't directing the tank. He wasn't commanding a troop at the same time as engaging multiple vehicles. He wasn't responsible for ~25 men. He wasn't coordinating with the other troops and the infantry. Hell, the gunner wasn't even the one calling the ammo loading. But yeah, let's all pretend the OC did nothing and the guy that did the shooting (his only job) is the one that deserves all the medals and the officer was just along for the ride.

[@geoffreypiltz271]

Great shooting with a gun that had comparatively poor armour piercing capabilities.

[@stevenbreach2561]

That made up for it with a high rate of fire

[@mosesracal6758]

Classic blind German main lmao

[@coryboren1963]

Engaging comment.

[@crumpetcommandos779]

engaging response.

[@willhovell9019]

Forgetting the Polish troops as usual

[@ole5539]

Some of us haven't.

[@mikewinston8709]

The British were notoriously poor at integration with the Americans. British cavalry officers were and still are, rather ‘up themselves’……🇬🇧

[@its_cyfa]

RIP