A Sherman tank from 'A' Squadron, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), 'ditched after hitting mine on the main Road 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.

A Sherman tank ditched after hitting a mine 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.

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