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KEY: Location markers are coloured from Green meaning exact to Red meaning gone or unknown (details here)

Unique ID: 87 Added to Database: May 2008 Last Edited: May 2008 Type (ID): A27L Centaur (3290) Model (ID): Centaur IV (3298) Location Category (ID): Pegasus Bridge (6005) Location (ID): Pegasus Bridge (6005) Serial Number: Registration: “T185102” painted on nose and rear plate. Name: “VIDETTE” painted on front plate. Other Identification: Collection Reference: Links: References: Associated Tanks: Location History: (see map) 1: Leyland Motors, Farington, Lancashire, North West England, Britain (Primary Centaur manufacturer) 2: Portsmouth, England (General embarkation area 5 June 1944) 3: La Brèche d’Hermanville, Hermanville-sur-Mer, Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France (Disembarkation area 6 June 1944 - recovered 1975) 4: Antwerp, Belgium (Restored then returned to Pegasus Bridge 1977) 5: Pegasus Bridge, Bénouville, Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France (Current location) Text in original Preserved British Tanks publication: [No entry] Text in Preserved British Tanks Update: [No entry] Text in original Preserved Tanks In France publication: This Mark IV Centaur was built by Leyland. It was part of V Troop of the 5th Independent Battery of the RMASG and it landed on D-Day at Sword Beach between Hermanville-la-Breche and Lion-sur-Mer. It came into contact with the enemy some five hundred yards from the beach. It reversed up to a hedge but was hit by mortar fire that set the bins and then the engine compartment on fire. The crew evacuated, and the vehicle was left behind as the fighting moved on. It was bought by a scrap dealer after the war, and then by an enthusiast on behalf of the Caen Museum. It was recovered in 1975 from Hermanville by 7 Field Workshop, REME, based in Fallingbostel. It was then restored by 60 Station Workshop, REME, in Antwerp and put on display in June 1977. Most of the Centaur’s roadwheels, as well as some other parts, are not original. It was reported that there were plans for it to be moved to the Caen Museum (q.v.) but these didn’t come to fruition. In recent years the Centaur was moved a short distance and is now opposite the famous Café Gondrée beside the road that crosses over Pegasus Bridge. Its paint is peeling and its condition has generally deteriorated. A plaque on the left side of the bridge section on which it stands reads: This Centaur tank was part of the Royal Marines Armoured Support Group which supported the ‘D’Day landings at “Las Breche d’Hermanville” on 6th June 1944. It was subsequently abandoned in the vicinity of Hermanville and was recovered in November 1975 by the British Army, restored by 60 Station Workshop REME and returned by them to this site in June 1977, the base was constructed by 34 Squadron RE. This Centaur is the property of the “Association Du Musee de Caen 1944 et la Bataille de Normandie”.

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

August 2007 1: Front left view Taken: 22 August 2007 Contributor: T. Larkum Photo ID: 1243 Added: 7 May 2009 Filename: 48CNV04_... Views: 253 Select/Has Priority: 4/0		2: Front right view Taken: 22 August 2007 Contributor: T. Larkum Photo ID: 1244 Added: 7 May 2009 Filename: 48CNV02_... Views: 199 Select/Has Priority: 17/0		3: Front right view Taken: 22 August 2007 Contributor: T. Larkum Photo ID: 1245 Added: 7 May 2009 Filename: 48CNV03_... Views: 183 Select/Has Priority: 17/0
4: Front left view Taken: 22 August 2007 Contributor: T. Larkum Photo ID: 1246 Added: 7 May 2009 Filename: 48CNV05_... Views: 193 Select/Has Priority: 17/0		5: Rear right view Taken: 22 August 2007 Contributor: T. Larkum Photo ID: 1247 Added: 7 May 2009 Filename: 48CNV07_... Views: 178 Select/Has Priority: 17/0		6: Left view Taken: 22 August 2007 Contributor: T. Larkum Photo ID: 1248 Added: 7 May 2009 Filename: 48CNV08_... Views: 213 Select/Has Priority: 17/0
7: Plaque on bridge section. Taken: 22 August 2007 Contributor: T. Larkum Photo ID: 1250 Added: 7 May 2009 Filename: 48CNV06_... Views: 171 Select/Has Priority: 16/0
August 2005 8: Front right view, photo taken by King_nothing Taken: 23 August 2005 Contributor: Wikimedia Photo ID: 1253 Added: 7 May 2009 Filename: Dig_Cent... Views: 313 Select/Has Priority: 17/0
August 1982 9: Front right view Taken: 1 August 1982 Contributor: T. Larkum Photo ID: 1254 Added: 7 May 2009 Filename: Scan_Cen... Views: 174 Select/Has Priority: 17/0		10: Left view Taken: 1 August 1982 Contributor: T. Larkum Photo ID: 1255 Added: 7 May 2009 Filename: Scan_Cen... Views: 195 Select/Has Priority: 17/0

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