Finding the Fallen on History Television...

[Tyler]

Did anyone else catch that episode tonight about the missing Mk IV tank near Cambrai?

They were testing a bunch of 8mm German ammo against the 6mm armour plating of the Mark IV. What really grabbed my attention was how they were able to penetrate the armour with a reverse loaded FMJ round. Fired normally, FMJ round didn't penetrate the steel plate, but reversed, it did. I've never heard of this before.

Has anyone read about it or actually tried it?

 

[BUSHMAN79]

On a previous episode they dug up some Mk.VII .303 with reversed bullets. I guess they work just like a shaped charge.

 

[fat tony]

The Finnish site 'gunwriters on the web' had a write up about that particular tactic. Supposedly it makes the bullet act more like a die punch - who knows?

http://guns.connect.fi/gow/gunwriters.html

 

[steve1973]

I thought this topic rang a bell. Check this out in the Reloading forum:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243559&highlight=reverse

 

[paulz]

Awesomw show! I have also seen an old (1960's) article in a gun magazine about the "reversed bullet". They were talking about penetrating sniper plate, and did a little test with mild steel plate and a .303. Worked as advertised.

 

[John Sukey]

Then there was that Sherman tank they found in Normandy. Went into a shell hole that blocked the road, so instead of trying to get it out they covered it over with dirt and drove over it. Found some years ago when they were doing road repairs.
But the funniest one was when a tank outfit was going to have an inspection before going overseas. Problem, they had one more Sherman than they were supposed to have. Solution? dig a hole and bury it.
The California National Guard was on manuevers many years later with mine detectors and got a MASSIVE indication. So they started digging and found a brand new tank. It was dug out cleaned up, and used in veterans day parades. No Idea if they still have it, but I would guess they do.