Itailan Propaganda
On the back of the photograph is the following:When asked if I knew anything about two Churchills which allegedly were destroyed by planes of the Italian Airforce in Tunisia, March 1943, my response was that it was obviously pure propaganda. However, my attention being directed to the reason for the enquiry, a photo of the Churchills up for auction on the eBay, I recognised the two as being tanks of North Irish Horse - having kept ahead of the bidding the original is now in my possession. What is most interesting is the statement that the Churchills were destroyed by the Italian Air Force.
"ISTITUTO NAZIONALE LUCE - ROMA- RG-60603 Specisione del 26/4/43-XXI - ore -10.50 Tunisia: Mezzi corazzati nemici distrutti dalla nostra aviazione nel corso del combattimenti nel settore occidentalle del fronte. (reproduzione riservata) - RG - LUCE."
The photograph, taken at an odd angle, is of two 'C' Squadron's 2 Troop tanks that fell down while returning to refuel. An extract from page 10 of the NIH Battle Report (as written by Major Welch, C Squadron Leader) is relevant:
"At 1900 hours, 1st March, three troops C Squadron were ordered to support the 139th Brigade at Sedjenane. They arrived at Tamara at 0400 hours Tuesday morning. I had made a reconnaissance with the officer commanding Lincolnshires the night before, being under his command. His orders were to hold Sedjenane as a firm base. The enemy had infiltrated through the positions of the Forresters, 1st Commandos and the Durham Light Infantry and had driven them from their positions during Monday's fighting. The Colonel of the Lincolns asked me to dominate Sedjenane at first light and to support his infantry. I moved two troops to the village and one troop on to the Mansour Ridge to watch the left flank. All were in position by 0900 hours. The troop dominating on the right of the road was in a bad position due to difficult ground and the Germans managed to infiltrate right up to this troop. On the whole, however, the day was quiet and the Germans were held. At dusk the squadron was ordered to withdraw to harbour. The right-hand troop when retiring got caught by the dark owing to pulling out a carrier. As a result two tanks, after taking a wrong turning, went over a small cliff by a mine pit shaft."Amazingly, both crews were unhurt and, except for Trooper McClean who was taken POW, returned safely to our lines. Some days later both Churchills were recovered, repaired and put back into service.
Notes about the photograph:
The figures are of a German flanked by two Italians.
The large tarpaulin, weighted down by rocks, covered an enemy anti-tank gun later captured intact.
In the distance, between the trees, Sedjenane railway station can just be seen.
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