Summary: The 23rd Hussars conducts a long-range duel with skilfully- placed anti-tank guns, self-propelled guns and tanks put into the line by the 12th SS Panzer Division to block its progress.
Description: Shermans and Fireflies from the Hussars' 'B' Squadron jockey for firing positions on Hill 112 and open fire on German positions barring 11th Armoured Division's advance to the Orne. The Germans retaliate by bringing down artillery airbursts and inflict several casualties. A 75th Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery M10 Achilles moves up to lend additional firepower to the Squadron's under-gunned Shermans. Fireflies (also armed with the powerful 17-pounder gun) take up positions just below the crest of Hill 112 where they can fire hull-down at the Germans; smoke rises from one tank which rashly cleared the crest. Smoke from fires created by the tanks' bombardment rises from Evrecy (?). Tank commanders observe through binoculars the effects of their indirect fire. The rest of 'B' Squadron remains behind the hill as the M10 and Fireflies continue their intermittent shelling. The M10 and a nearby Firefly are seen in action; empty shell cases are thrown out of the Firefly, which eventually reverses out of its firing position.
Production Details: Directorate of Public Relations, War Office (Production sponsor)
Army Film and Photographic Unit (Production company)
Leeson, W J (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army, Hussars, 23, Squadron B (regiment/service)
British Army, Royal Artillery, AT Regiment 75 (regiment/service)
Keywords: armour, United States - tank: M4 Sherman & [British] (object name)
armour, United States - funnies: M4 Sherman Firefly & [British] (object name)
armour, United States - SPG: M10 Achilles & [British] (object name)
combat, British - armoured (object name)
combat, British - artillery bombardment [I] (object name)
weapons, British - gun: 17-pounder gun (object name)
destruction, French military - area: artillery bombardment (object name)
01/5(4-16).232 [ Operation Epsom] (event)
Évrecy, Calvados, France (geography)
Hill 112, France (geography)
