Fitters recovering tanks from 'A' Squadron, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), 'blown up on mines whilst moving at night near the level crossing short of Ochtrup', Germany, 1945

Photograph by Major Wilfred Herbert James Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), World War Two, North West Europe, 1945.

Sherman tanks being recovered by a Sherman Armoured Recovery Vehicles, after hitting mines laid by German troops defending Ochtrup, North Rhine-Westfalia, April 1945.

The war diary of the Sharpshooters for 1945 reports 'A' Squadron and accompanying infantry moving on Ochtrup on 2 April 1945. Road obstructions were cleared and 230 prisoners taken. The diary records how 'resistance was found to have died down and after a bulldozer had brushed aside the barricade, the Sqn followed the infantry into Ochtrup'. While no casualties were recorded the diary does mention three tanks and a number of reconnaissance vehicles hitting mines. On the 3 April, 'A', 'B' and 'C' Squadrons were all involved in securing the town, with a further 200 prisoners taken, and one more tank lost to a mine, with no casualties.

To keep the all vehicles and equipment in good working order, each squadron within an armoured regiment would have a fitters section. These men were supplied by the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME).

From an album containing 198 photographs and captions compiled by Major W H J Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters). .