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- No
Introduction
Established in early 1943, the 6th South African Armoured division was a mechanised division representing the bulk of South Africa’s heavy armour during WW2. The division was composed of South African volunteers and integrated Allied forces. Under the command of Major General W.H.E. Poole, the division was trained in Egypt for much of 1943, before being deployed into the invasion of Italy alongside the British, Americans, and other Allies.
Over the course of the campaign, the 6th South African Armoured Division distinguished itself highly, including during the liberation of Florence and battles in the Apennine Mountains. It played a vital role in disrupting German defensive lines, utilising its tanks effectively, despite often being significantly outmatched by Axis armour. The Italian campaign was an absolute hellish slog, against well entrenched German forces, but the South Africans consistently managed to do more with less. By the end of the war, the division had a well-earned reputation as an effective fighting force, leaving a lasting legacy in South African military history.
The vehicle discussed in this suggestion is the M7 ‘Priest’ in South African service. The Priest is an American-made Self Propelled Howitzer, built on the chassis of an M3, with an open topped superstructure and an M2A1 105mm Howitzer. Serial production of the Priest began in mid-1942, with over 4000 being built in total.
The Priest entered lend-lease service with 6th South African Armoured Division in late 1944, when the division was transferred from the British Eighth Army to the American Fifth Army. The Priest equipped the 4/22 Field Regiment of the South African Artillery, with 8 Priests in each of the 7/64, 10/65, and 11/66 Field Batteries. The Priests were utilised in both offensive and defensive roles, predominantly being called in to soften up enemy formations and fortifications prior to an assault.
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