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UNIQUE ID 770: M4A4 SHERMAN DUPLEX DRIVE AMPHIBIOUS TANK

D-Day Monument, Courseulles-sur-Mer, France

(Location: Courseulles-sur-Mer)


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Sample Photo from Tank with UniqueID 770


Unique ID: 770
Added to Database: April 2009
Last Edited: April 2009
Type (ID): Sherman Duplex Drive (1410)
Model (ID): M4A4 Sherman Duplex Drive (1414)
Location Category (ID): D-Day Monument (6035)
Location (ID): Courseulles-sur-Mer (6035)
Serial Number: A possible serial number is detectable on the towing lugs; it is hard to decipher but could be “051” or similar.
Registration:
Name: “BOLD / AUDACIEUX” painted on right hull side.
Other Identification: “CT 453671” painted on left hull side.
Collection Reference:
Links:
References:
Associated Tanks:

Location History:
(see map)

1: Detroit Tank Arsenal / TACOM, Warren, Macomb County, Michigan, USA (Sole M4A4 manufacturer July 1942-September 1943)
2: D-Day Monument, Courseulles-sur-Mer, Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France (Current location)


Many Sherman DDs, and other vehicles from landing craft, that were lost on D-Day remain on the sea-bed to this day. This M4A4 DD, or Sherman V DD in British parlance, was snagged by fishermen’s nets three miles off the Normandie beaches. It was then recovered by M. Jean Demota, who held the salvage rights to that part of the shore, in 1971. His company brought it to the beach and Canadian engineers, with a recovery vehicle, towed it off the beach - freeing the tracks in the process. A large part of the money for the project was raised by Leo Gariepy, an ex-sergeant who had commanded the first DD to land at Courseulles on D-Day and who made his life in France after the war. The vehicle was treated for rust then dedicated as a memorial to its crew and its Canadian unit. It is now on display in Place 6 Juin, Courseulles-sur-Mer in Calvados. It appears to be in relatively good condition, although it is of course missing its canvas frame and many other external fittings.

There is a metal sign nearby that reads “JUNO BEACH. At 0730 hours 6th June 1944, the 6th Canadian Armoured Regiment (First Hussars) in support of the 7 Canadian Infantry Brigade of the 3 Canadian Infantry Division, assaulted and overpowered enemy defences between Courseulles-sur-Mer and Bernieres-sur-Mer. This tank, recovered from the sea nearly 27 years after launching, is dedicated by the First Hussars, to the memory of all who participated in this operation”.

It is of interest to note that the road behind the tank has been named after Leo Gariepy. Over the road another relic, a German Kwk 39 anti-tank gun with some signs of battle damage, can be seen on a small plinth on the pavement.
The Sherman has a series of plaques fixed to each side of the hull (some have been added since the tank was photographed for the first edition). One reads as follows:

A
LEO GARIEPY
1912-1972
CITOYEN D’HONNEUR DE
COURSEULLES-SUR-MER
GRACE A QUI CE MEMORIAL A ETE ERIGE
EN SOUVENIR DE SES FRERES CANADIENS
TOMBES A L’AUBE DU 6 JUIN 1944
TO LEO GARIEPY
1912-1972
CITIZEN OF HONOUR OF
COURSEULLES-SUR-MER
BY WHOSE GRACE THIS MEMORIAL
HAS BEEN ERECTED
IN REMEMBRANCE OF HIS CANADIAN BROTHERS
FALLEN AT DAWN 6 JUNE 1944

Another reads: “JUNO BEACH. At 0730 hrs the 6th of June 1944, the North Nova Scotia Highlanders assaulted enemy defences between Courseulles-sur-Mer and Bernieres-sur-Mer. Suffering heavy casualties, they advanced on into Germany”.

Images - Photographs and NavPix (click to expand or browse)

August 2007

Front right view
1: Front right view

Taken: 25 August 2007
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 1551
Added: 12 July 2009
Filename: 46CNV14_...
Views: 152
Select/Has Priority: 4/0
    

 

Front left view
2: Front left view

Taken: 25 August 2007
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 1552
Added: 12 July 2009
Filename: 46CNV17_...
Views: 143
Select/Has Priority: 17/0
    

 

Left view
3: Left view

Taken: 25 August 2007
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 1553
Added: 12 July 2009
Filename: 46CNV16_...
Views: 157
Select/Has Priority: 17/0
    



Rear right view
4: Rear right view

Taken: 25 August 2007
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 1554
Added: 12 July 2009
Filename: 46CNV19_...
Views: 179
Select/Has Priority: 4/0
    



Plaques on side
5: Plaques on side

Taken: 25 August 2007
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 1555
Added: 12 July 2009
Filename: 46CNV18_...
Views: 136
Select/Has Priority: 17/0
    



Dedication to Leo Gariepy
6: Dedication to Leo Gariepy

Taken: 25 August 2007
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 1556
Added: 12 July 2009
Filename: 57CNV01_...
Views: 133
Select/Has Priority: 17/0
    



Plaque on side
7: Plaque on side

Taken: 25 August 2007
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 1557
Added: 12 July 2009
Filename: 57CNV02_...
Views: 140
Select/Has Priority: 17/0
    



Right rear towing lug
8: Right rear towing lug

Taken: 25 August 2007
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 1558
Added: 12 July 2009
Filename: 57CNV03_...
Views: 147
Select/Has Priority: 17/0
    



Left rear towing lug
9: Left rear towing lug

Taken: 25 August 2007
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 1559
Added: 12 July 2009
Filename: 57CNV04_...
Views: 122
Select/Has Priority: 17/0
    



Casting marks on transmission cover
10: Casting marks on transmission cover

Taken: 25 August 2007
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 1560
Added: 12 July 2009
Filename: 57CNV05_...
Views: 129
Select/Has Priority: 17/0
    



Casting marks on transmission cover
11: Casting marks on transmission cover

Taken: 25 August 2007
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 1561
Added: 12 July 2009
Filename: 57CNV06_...
Views: 91
Select/Has Priority: 17/0
    

    



August 1982

Front left view
12: Front left view

Taken: 1 August 1982
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 1562
Added: 12 July 2009
Filename: Scan_She...
Views: 136
Select/Has Priority: 17/0
    



 

Front right view
13: Front right view

Taken: 1 August 1982
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 1563
Added: 12 July 2009
Filename: Scan_She...
Views: 138
Select/Has Priority: 17/0