I'm looking for information with regard to a postcard with a tank shown on it, there is a number on the rear of the tank, the tank seems to have been ditched at the side of the road. The postcard in question looks as though it is from the 3rd Ypres area, the road from St Julien to Ypres, the number is partly obscured by a tree, the only number(s) I can make out is that of it ending in 32. I'm wondering if this could be F32, F32 was a supply tank in that area belonging to F (6) Battalion Tank Corps, 17 Company, 7/8 Support Section. If it is F32, the photograph must have been taken after 1st August 1917, as records show it was still at the start line on that date. I'm assuming this tank was supporting the 55th Division during their advance on the 31st July 1917 (3rd Ypres), supporting the 166th BDE, 165 BDE and 164 BDE's of that Division due to it's location on the St Julien to Ypres road. Does F32 have a name? Any ideas as to its (F32) location when it was ditched, was it ditched? Any information on this tank would be appreciated. Many thanks in anticipation of your kind assistance and help, GTB.
-- Edited by GTB on Sunday 20th of January 2019 02:50:42 PM
Hi Gwyn, many thanks for your response, yes, a few people have commented on it and Dop Doctor keeps cropping up. I have included a picture of the postcard for you to look at, it doesn't look like the same tank to me, due to the fact the tree is missing from your picture and I can't see the tank on the right in my picture on your picture? Somebody has suggested the tank on the right of my picture is that of D24 (2759) at V19c.2.0 - Deuce of Diamonds, which received a direct hit on the 09 10 17. I'm researching the tanks that supported the 1/10 Liverpool Scottish between 31st July - 5th August 1917, having no date on my postcard, I wasn't sure if any of the tanks shown on the card could have been involved with the 1/10 Liverpool Scottish during that period, thought it may have been F32 (supply tank), F (6) Battalion being in that area between the above dates I mentioned. There is a tank called Friar Tuck (male) Lt Ryric. A - F12 (2321) from F (6) Battalion, 16 Coy, supporting 164th BDE, which I believe broke down and was ditched very close to a Bossaert Farm / Setques Farm, north of the Weltjie - Roeselarestratt / Graventafelelstratt road, East of Wieltjie on the 31st July 1917. (F12 later fighting at Cambria). Wondering if anybody has any details or even pictures of the tanks that supported the 1/10 Liverpool Scottish during that period, especially around the Bossaert and Setques Farm area, East of Weltjie, looking for detailed information on Friar Tuck F12. Does anybody have an detailed information or pictures during that period on the farms mentioned (Bossaert and Setques). Regards and thanks Gary.
Sorry for delayed response. The tank in your photo is D32 Dop Doctor.
I don't have a photo of 2321 Friar Tuck F12 during Third Ypres, but the tank was recovered and fought during the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917, when it was captured by the German Army and photographed. Picture attached.
