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Unique ID: 775 Added to Database: April 2009 Last Edited: April 2009 Type (ID): M4A2 Sherman (1320) Model (ID): M4A2 (1320) Location Category (ID): Memorial (6083) Location (ID): Ecouché (6083) Serial Number: Registration: “420830” painted on nose. Name: “MASSAOUAH” painted on hull sides (previously “MASSAOUA”). Other Identification: Collection Reference: Links: References: Associated Tanks: Location History: (see map) 1: General Motors - Fisher Body Division, Grand Blanc, Genesee County, Michigan, USA (Primary manufacturer) 2: Memorial, Écouché, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France (Current location) This M4A2 is now named with the spelling “Massaouah” although the accompanying plaque and label use the previous spelling. The plaque is mounted in front and reads as follows: MASSAOUA MASSAOUA EN HOMAGE A LA 2EME D B LIBERATRICE D’ECOUCHE 13 AOÛT 1944 IN HOMAGE TO THE 2ND ARMOURED DIVISION LIBERATOR OF ECOUCHE 13 AUGUST 1944 There are three large holes in the armour on the left hand superstructure side. The rubber is missing from much of the tracks and many of the roadwheels; this is consistent with the tank having been penetrated and then burned out. There is a large display board behind the tank with photographs, maps and information about the battles that took place around Ecouché. The English text describing the background of this tank reads as follows: The Massaouah It takes its name from a victory won by the Foreign Legion in Erythrea. Thanks to the mayor at this time, the firm put in charge of collecting war wrecks donated the tank to the commune in commemoration of its liberation. It only needed to be moved a few metres. In September 1952, General Vézinet, President of the National Association of the friends of the 2nd DB recounted the history of this tank: “…The morning of the 13th August, the first division of the 501 RCC enters Ecouché. The Massaouah is stationed on the western outskirts of the city, ready to block the road to Falaise from the columns of the 116th Panzers who are flowing towards them from the west. In the middle of the afternoon the opportunity the team has been waiting for presents itself: a “Mark IV” comes along, spots the Massaouah, manoeuvres itself into a firing position and prepares to open fire. It never has a chance to start. At the first shot, at 800 metres, the “Massaouah” puts it out of commission: the Keren Is avenged”. The end of the Massaouah: “On the 15th of August the Massaouah is still in its position on the outskirts of Ecouché, where the section is recuperating after the preceding hard days. Whilst the other crews are carrying out maintenance on their machines, the Massaouah and the Bir Hakeim are keeping watch. Suddenly some German tanks hidden in a wood north-east of Ecouché on the other side of the Orne river, open fire unexpectedly. The first shell hits the ground at the feet of Aspirant Malin; the second shell hits the Bir Hakeim; the third shell penetrates the ammunition compartment of the Massaouah which catches fire. A counter offensive firing occurs but it’s too late: the Massaouah is lost. Sergeant Major Mahaeo, thrown out of the turret, is unscathed (he will later die courageously in Massaouah II in front of Baccarat). Ancel, the first pilot, is safe and sound, but Léonard, the radio charger, has a broken foot, while the rifleman receives a heavy blow in the chest”. The phrase “the Keren is avenged” is, of course, a reference to the Sherman at Le Vieux-Montmerrei (q.v.).

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

August 2007 1: Front left view Taken: 21 August 2007 Contributor: T. Larkum Photo ID: 1233 Added: 4 May 2009 Filename: 54CNV17_... Views: 171 Select/Has Priority: 17/0		2: Front right view Taken: 21 August 2007 Contributor: T. Larkum Photo ID: 1230 Added: 4 May 2009 Filename: 54CNV19_... Views: 147 Select/Has Priority: 17/0		3: Rear left view Taken: 21 August 2007 Contributor: T. Larkum Photo ID: 1231 Added: 4 May 2009 Filename: 54CNV24_... Views: 172 Select/Has Priority: 4/0
4: Left view Taken: 21 August 2007 Contributor: T. Larkum Photo ID: 1234 Added: 4 May 2009 Filename: 54CNV18_... Views: 147 Select/Has Priority: 17/0		5: Right view Taken: 21 August 2007 Contributor: T. Larkum Photo ID: 1235 Added: 4 May 2009 Filename: 54CNV20_... Views: 165 Select/Has Priority: 4/0		6: Label Taken: 21 August 2007 Contributor: T. Larkum Photo ID: 1236 Added: 4 May 2009 Filename: 54CNV23_... Views: 151 Select/Has Priority: 17/0

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