Sherman Register

Denmark

When entering NATO in 1949, Denmark qualified for receiving military aid. Instead of receiving the M47 Patton (a training centre was already established in Belgium to train Belgian, Dutch and Danish instructors) Denmark received the M4A3 Sherman for training. Due to the outbreak of the Korean war the M47 Patton was in short supply, so Denmark and the Netherlands received the Centurion under the MDAP.
In 1955 Denmark received the M10 17 pdr SP Gun to beef up the anti-tank defence of the Danish Army, especially the reconnaissance units which were equipped with M24 Chaffees. With the advent of the M41 Walker Bulldog in 1962, the M24s were phased out. Some M10s were then relegated to duties as targets, and others were handed over to local defence units on Fyn and Sjælland as tank destroyers. When Denmark started to receive Leopards in 1975, the older Centurions (with 20 pdr guns!) were re-classified as tank destroyers and the M10s were taken out of service. Spare ammunition was sold off and the radio and .50 cal MG were taken out of the vehicles. The 12 M10s (and probably another 12 in Sjælland) in Fyn were stored indoors until 1980, then moved outdoors under covers until phased out in 1983.

(Please click on the photos (as applicable) to jump to large-scale copies)

M4A3-E4 76MM
Scan courtesy of Henrik Clausen	Denmark received eight M4A3-E4 76MM Shermans (retrofitted with 76mm guns) in 1952. These were the first tanks to become operational in Denmark, and they were used for training while waiting for newer tanks. Because the M47 Patton was in short supply, Denmark received the Centurion from 1953 onwards. This Sherman is preserved at the Dragonkasernen (military garrison), Holstebro, Denmark.

M32B1 Tank Recovery Vehicle
Scan courtesy of Henrik Clausen	Denmark received two M32B1 TRVs in 1953 as recovery vehicles for the Centurion Mk 3. They were superseded by the Centurion ARV Mk 2 in 1957. This M32B1 is preserved at Hærens Kampskole in Oksbøl.

M10 17 pdr SP Gun
Scan courtesy of Henrik Clausen	Denmark received 48 M10 17pdr SP Guns from Canada under the MDAP. Before delivery, they where they were rebuilt at the Montreal Locomotive Works where some were fitted with CDP tracks. Danish registration numbers all seem to be 5 digit and vary with the unit in which they serve. As an example, one M10 started out as 50.679 with the Royal Horse Guards, then became 26.979 while serving with Fynske Livregiment and ended its life as 17.125. This M10 is preserved at the Dragonkasernen (military garrison), Holstebro, Denmark.

M10 17 pdr SP Gun

Scan courtesy of Henrik Clausen

Denmark received 48 M10 17pdr SP Guns from Canada under the MDAP. Before delivery, they where they were rebuilt at the Montreal Locomotive Works where some were fitted with CDP tracks.

Danish registration numbers all seem to be 5 digit and vary with the unit in which they serve. As an example, one M10 started out as 50.679 with the Royal Horse Guards, then became 26.979 while serving with Fynske Livregiment and ended its life as 17.125.

This M10 is preserved at the Dragonkasernen (military garrison), Holstebro, Denmark.

Sources:

Claus Bonnesen (see the Links page for more information on the M10).
Henrik Teller (see his Danish Army Military Vehicles Homepage).

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Page created: 20-03-1999
Last update: 08-10-2001