H1017412 wrote:
Like the 61 Mech flash on the turret bustle.
That is something I don't quite understand yet .... history is always full of twists & turns!!!
During Operation Packer, at Tumpo3 we abandoned three tanks ie. 52, 53 & 12A. Operation Packer was primarily a citizen force operation under 82 SA brigade. The tank regiments came from Regiment President Steyn. So how do the tanks 52 & 52, lost during this operation, have emblems for 61 Mech Bn & E Squadron, School of Armour, on the turret bustle? These units were not there ?
The composition of 82 Brigade:
2 x Olifant tank squadrons - Regiment President Steyn
1 x Ratel-90 anti-tank squadron - Regiment Mooirivier
2 x Ratel-20 mechanized companies - Regiment Groot Karoo & Regiment de la Rey
1 x G5 battery - Regiment Potchefstroom University
1 x G2 battery - Regiment Potchefstroom University
1 x 120mm mortar battery - 44 Parachute Brigade
1 x 127mm MRL battery - 19 Rocket Regiment
3 x companies - 32 Battalion
AA, engineer and reconnaissance (4 Reconnaissance Regiment) platoons
Olifant #53 after being later being recovered by FAPLA ... note the emblems. There are also photos of 52, as she is still today lying in the minefield, with both emblems clearly visible.
Some progress ....