Interesting book on the capture of Tiger 131.
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 12:42 am
Hello all,
I just finished reading "Catch That Tiger" by Noel Botham and Bruce Montague. . I'm sure many of you Gents across the "pond" know the story full well. I only knew of it's capture in Tunisia. The book was the idea of Major A. D. Lidderdale's son Dave Travis, renowned rock and country music star. He discovered his Father's papers and diary after the Major's death in 1999 at the age of 86. The author's also had help from many sources, including David Wiley, Director of the Bovington Tank Museum in Dorset.
I was surprised to learn of how the tank was captured in basically a close quarter combat situation. I also found it interesting to note that 131 was almost stolen\destroyed by a SS man with the Abwehr spy agency. The most surprising thing was that Lidderdale actually fired the Tiger's cannon at a German Uboat from the deck of the Empire Candida, the transport vessel that 131 was lashed to!
There are a few oddities in the book. Much of the conversations are speculative, as is noted in the acknowledgements. There is also a part where a large air battle is occurring in the Mediterranean. The book states that Messerschmitt Me 110's were more than a match for Mosquitos. I've always been under the impression that the Me 110 was outclassed early in the war and it's most successful role came as a night fighter? This is not to say that some German Ace didn't outmatch some Allied pilots in one. One can witness this in Hans Ulrich Rudel's amazing feats in his Ju 87 Stuka. One last thing I noticed was that in the Epilogue for the book, a certain RAF pilot by the name of Joseph Berry became an ace with 60 V1's and V2's destroyed. I'm assuming that the V2's were on their launchers or being transported on their mobile launch units, as I'm pretty sure no one ever shot down a supersonic V2?
That being said it was a pretty good read.
As a side note, another interesting read is "Wisconsin's Flying Trees in WW2" by Sara Witter Connor. https://www.amazon.com/Wisconsins-Flyin ... 277&sr=8-1. It documents how the vast Northern Woods of white pine became a primary source of wood for the Mosquito and gliders used during WW2. Much of it cut by German POW's ironically! Most of Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose was also made of Wisconsin white pine, so I guess it's nickname is not very correct! It is a bit tech laden by linear board feet, tonnage of glue used for laminate etc., but is a interesting read on a little known aspect of WW2. I found it particularly interesting since I'm a native Wisconsinite.
At any rate, worthy books to pass the evenings with,
Eric.
I just finished reading "Catch That Tiger" by Noel Botham and Bruce Montague. . I'm sure many of you Gents across the "pond" know the story full well. I only knew of it's capture in Tunisia. The book was the idea of Major A. D. Lidderdale's son Dave Travis, renowned rock and country music star. He discovered his Father's papers and diary after the Major's death in 1999 at the age of 86. The author's also had help from many sources, including David Wiley, Director of the Bovington Tank Museum in Dorset.
I was surprised to learn of how the tank was captured in basically a close quarter combat situation. I also found it interesting to note that 131 was almost stolen\destroyed by a SS man with the Abwehr spy agency. The most surprising thing was that Lidderdale actually fired the Tiger's cannon at a German Uboat from the deck of the Empire Candida, the transport vessel that 131 was lashed to!
There are a few oddities in the book. Much of the conversations are speculative, as is noted in the acknowledgements. There is also a part where a large air battle is occurring in the Mediterranean. The book states that Messerschmitt Me 110's were more than a match for Mosquitos. I've always been under the impression that the Me 110 was outclassed early in the war and it's most successful role came as a night fighter? This is not to say that some German Ace didn't outmatch some Allied pilots in one. One can witness this in Hans Ulrich Rudel's amazing feats in his Ju 87 Stuka. One last thing I noticed was that in the Epilogue for the book, a certain RAF pilot by the name of Joseph Berry became an ace with 60 V1's and V2's destroyed. I'm assuming that the V2's were on their launchers or being transported on their mobile launch units, as I'm pretty sure no one ever shot down a supersonic V2?
That being said it was a pretty good read.
As a side note, another interesting read is "Wisconsin's Flying Trees in WW2" by Sara Witter Connor. https://www.amazon.com/Wisconsins-Flyin ... 277&sr=8-1. It documents how the vast Northern Woods of white pine became a primary source of wood for the Mosquito and gliders used during WW2. Much of it cut by German POW's ironically! Most of Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose was also made of Wisconsin white pine, so I guess it's nickname is not very correct! It is a bit tech laden by linear board feet, tonnage of glue used for laminate etc., but is a interesting read on a little known aspect of WW2. I found it particularly interesting since I'm a native Wisconsinite.
At any rate, worthy books to pass the evenings with,
Eric.
