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The REME team arrived at Beauvais after their initial success at La Capelle in high spirits. Despite the freezing weather they believed that the recovery of Tiger 104 was going to be easy, compared to 121, (but they knew nothing of the drive failure).
The initial attempt to pull 104 from the field proved fruitless, her tracks were frozen to the ground. More cables were laid, so as to generate a greater pulling ratio, in the end a 6-1 ratio. In addition, petrol was poured onto the ground alongside the Tigers tracks and set alight. This had the desired effect and the tank moved several feet, with the off-side track locked.
Next day the same pull ratio was rigged up. Overnight Tiger 104 had become frozen to the field once more. As the tractors pulled, the towing cable became taught, then finally broke with a sharp crack! Fortunately no one was in the way, although a dog, that had attached itself to the team took flight at this, not to be seen again.
Eventually Tiger 104 was loaded onto the trailer and began its journey to the coast. The convoy of Diamond T's and trailer made its way to Calais. Once there it was loaded onto a train ferry and brought back to England. The recovery operation drew to a close on January 15 when Tiger 104 arrived at Chobham in Surrey, the home of the Directorate of Tank Design. Apart from the broken cables, to be expected in a recovery of such magnitude the Diamond T's did a steady 3 miles to the gallon.
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