Comet a34 in Korea ?

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phil fitzpatrick
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Comet a34 in Korea ?

Post by phil fitzpatrick »

Hi everyone.
I am searching for a subject for my Comet.
Can anyone help or confirm whether the Comet did or didnt serve in Korea.
On the Wikipedia site the comet is said to have served in the Korean War and served along side the heavier Centurion Tank.
It also said that the Hussars and 7th armoured division used cromwells for reconaissance but were then replaced by comets.
I clicked on various other links and found one that said,the Kings Royal Irish Hussars went out with 3 squadrons of Centurion Tanks and a Troop of Comets for Reconnaissance.
In Osprey's publication of the Centurion it said that the 8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars,landed at Pusan on 14-11-1950 with 3 squadrans of Centurion tanks and a reconaissance troop of cromwells.
Ospreys book on the cromwell cruiser tanks didnt give any clues,but out of interest it said that there was one surviving photo that showed the exsistance of a Comet Crocodile similar to the Churchill with a pressurised fuel trailer and flame thrower fitted.
Unfortunately they didnt show the photo.
Any Help or comments on the Comet and Korea,was it there or not would be appreciated.
Has any one looked at the Comet photo's on Primeportal,there are 22 pages of them under A34 Comet in the tank list.
www.primeportal.net/tanks
Cheers
Phil

Stephen White
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Post by Stephen White »

Phil

Thanks for the useful link.

No Comets were deployed to Korea. The sources which state they were are mistaking what were in fact Cromwells. These were manned by Royal Artillery crews who were employed as forward observers in the armoured battle groups.

The only Comets to see operational service were those of 11th Armoured Brigade, whose three regiments received their tanks in late 1944, surrendered them to take part in operations to contain the German Ardennes offensive and re-equipped in Jan 1945. They then took part in the remaining advance to the Baltic. Only one other regiment had Comets in time to fight, the 15/19th Hussars, who were the divisional recce regiment.

Comets did appear in 7th Armd Div just after VE Day and were seen in the Berlin Victory Parade.

Alll the best.

Stephen

phil fitzpatrick
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Location: Sambourne uk
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comet

Post by phil fitzpatrick »

Hi Stephen
Thanks for the confirmation about Korea,and the rest if the Information about their deployment.
I bought those two books that were being recommended and they are well worth the money,especialy the amount of detail and good reading in the Comet hand book.
Cheers
Phil

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