A Sherman tank of 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) knocked out near Primosole Bridge, Sicily, 1943

Photograph by Major Wilfred Herbert James Sale, 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), World War Two, Sicily, 1943.

Sale records this as Major Chris Wrey's tank, having 'brewed up' near the Primosole Bridge over the Simeto RIver. Allied airborne troops had attempted to capture the bridge and 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) were involved in the supporting ground attack which met heavy resistance. The war diary of the Sharpshooters for 17 July 1943 records a number of men killed and wounded. A further entry for 'A' Squadron reports, 'After crossing the bridge Major Wrey was knocked out by A/Tk fire and Sgt Ward killed by a sniper, Lt Sale slightly wounded and temporarily blinded by a sniper hitting the .5 machine gun ammo which exploded down into the turret'.

From a photograph album containing 241 photographs compiled by Major Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), 1943-1944.