| Accession Number | P08614.003 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Maker |
Army Public Relations |
| Place made | Vietnam: Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam: Phuoc Tuy Province |
| Date made | c 1971 |
| Conflict |
Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial
This item is licensed under CC BY-NC
|
A Centurion Mk V/1 tank, (ARN 169017), from C Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment, which was ...
Description
A Centurion Mk V/1 tank, (ARN 169017), from C Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment, which was commanded by 37709 Sergeant (Sgt) Stan Hanuszewicz (nick named ham sandwich). It was damaged whilst engaging an enemy bunker system during Operation Hermit Park in the north east of Phuoc Tuy Province on 25 June 1971. The tank was struck twice by rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) The first RPG struck the muzzle of the gun barrel, obstructing the bore. This was cleared when Sgt Hanuszewicz fired an armour piercing capped ballistic capped (APCBC) round down the damaged barrel. The second RPG strike hit the front of the turret, just above the gun barrel and disabled the electric turret drive and gunners sight. It also damaged the co-axial .30 calibre machine gun, commander's hatch and the IR searchlight support bar. Sgt Hanuszewicz continued to engage the enemy with his .50 calibre ranging machine gun (the aperture of which is visible in the armoured block, lower right).