The Research
Funnily enough, history never lit me up at school. It's only since becoming a wargamer and modeller that I've discovered a passion (OK, an obsession
) for it. For me, digging out obscure little facts brings the whole subject to life, and often puts things in their historical context. And I think that's especially true of our big toys - giving them a history, a theatre of operations, a name / number, and possibly even a named crew, really brings them to life. It also impresses the hell out of the General Public (although most of them get excited enough about what they do, how heavy they are, and how much they cost
).
You have to dig a bit to find out much about
Deserter, but I've found it an intensely rewarding experience. There's only 8 grainy monochrome photographs known, all of which can be found in the book "Italienfeldzug - German Tanks and Vehicles 1943-1945" Volume 2 (thanks to
Mark Lawson for the tip !). But they give a basis for more research. I won't go into too much detail, because (a) it would bore some of you to death
, and (b) there's probably a magazine article in it. But here are some bullet points:
In German service
Built by Daimler-Benz in June 1944.
Shipped to Italy (1 Abteilung, Panzer Regiment 4), probably between 18-21 September 1944 (part of the final batch of 20 shipped).
Painted in basic Dunkelgelb, with zimmerit in the Daimler-Benz pattern. Gun barrel left in heat-resistant grey paint. Rusty exhaust pipes noted.
In British service
Captured 22 October 1944. This was part of a Victoria Cross action by the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada (the recipient, Sergeant Ernest Alvia 'Smokey' Smith, was one of life's mavericks. Before being shipped back to England for his investiture at Buckingham Palace, he was locked up in Naples Jail - not because he'd done anything wrong, but to stop him doing anything stupid that might get him killed !
)
Originally offered to 'Popski's Private Army', but then to 145 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) (formerly 8th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment), 21st Tank Brigade. Assigned to A Squadron. Apart from the removal of explosive charges (including two egg grenades in the engine bay), sourcing two missing pieces of the firing mechanism from local Panther wrecks, and re-netting the radio (suggesting that it wasn't replaced with a British set). found to be in perfect working order. Named
Deserter, which was not a popular choice amongst the Ranks but all 145's tank names began with a D .......
There is no evidence that
Deserter was repainted by the British. Suggestions of a 'blow over' of SCC15 or brown paint are unsubstantiated.
In use at the Eastern end of the Gothic Line, on the Adriatic coast near Cesena. Used for live shoots against German emplacements (with impressive accuracy at 3,000 yards+). Also used for comparison track trials with Shermans and Churchills.
145 RAC disbanded in December 1944.
Deserter then transferred to the RAC School for instructional purposes. It is possible that it was then used by the New Zealand 20th Armoured Regiment until May 1945, and ended its days in a minefield
.
The British Crew
Commander: Sergeant James Henry Brocklehurst MM (Military Medal, awarded for actions in the Western Desert in April 1943 - originally nominated for the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)). Nicknamed 'Rommel'
Gunner: Trooper Walter Houlbrooly Pollard, born 1915. Tragically killed the day after his first shoot by stepping on a schumine
. Five of his brothers also served - one died of disease in India, one wounded, and one made Prisoner of War. An unlucky family.
Trooper Wilson (nothing else known so far)
Sources
Books: Italienfeldzug Vol. 2, Panther (Haynes Guide), Panthers in foreign service (Osprey), Germany's Panther Tank (Jentz / Doyle)
Bovington Tank Museum archives - 145 Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps
My model
All this has given me the information I needed to produce a reasonable representation of
Deserter as she was in November / December 1944. The key issue, of course, was the markings.
Deserter needed to show that she was British, even though she was used for long-range shoots and evaluation and not in tank v. tank actions. The markings chosen were not 'textbook' but they do tell a story:
Front glacis (left to right): 21st Tank Brigade diabolo / Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Arm of Service (AoS) symbol /145 RAC AoS symbol
Turret sides (front to back): '10' (radio callsign) / British Army flag / A Squadron triangle / '145 RAC' lettering
Gun mantlet: '10' (radio callsign)
And. of course, a dolly in the turret
. The photos show the crew in standard Battledress with black berets, so a bit of kit bashing was needed. The Duke of Wellington's capbadge was sourced from the inestimable Tony Barton (
https://www.antheads.co.uk/catguide/badges), and appropriate RAC shoulder tabs and sergeant stripes from eBay (I had to print the 21 Tank Brigade diabolo).
So markings were duly made (I love this bit !). But I had to chisel away some of Steve's lovely zimmerit to make a flat service, which was done historically. It almost broke my heart to do that
. It was suggested to me that I should also chisel out the areas where the
Balkenkreuz would have been, but I couldn't bring myself to do it !
And now (if you've borne it this long
) for some pictures of how it all turned out:
- Front glacis
- Turret (starboard)
- Turret (port)
- Commander
I think that'll do for this section - thanks for bearing with me ! Next stop, Playing ..............
All the best,
Chris
) way out and sub-contracted it ! Steve Norris kindly took the job on, with helpful advice and alternative parts from Mark Lawson. Steve started work in March 2023, and I collected her in November - many years faster than I could have done it ! 
). If you see me at a show, feel free to come over for a chat !
