Allied Combat Tanks PDF

WORLD WAR 2 FACT FILES
Allied
Combat Tank
PETER CHAMBERLAIN AND
JOHN MILSOM
Publi hed 1978 by Arco Publi ru ng Company, Inc . .
219 Park Avenue Sout h. New York, N.Y. 10003
opyrighl 197!l by Peter Chamberlain and John Milsom
AII rights re erved
Pri nted in Great Bri tai n
Librury of Congress Cataloging In Publication Data
Chumberlai n. Peter.
AlUed combat tanks .
World War 2 fact fi les)
I. Tanks (Mili tary science) 2. World War. 1939- 1945--Tank
warfar . J. Milsom, John, joint author. II . Title.
UG446.5.C4 358'18 77- 17948
ISBN 0-668-04373-3
ArcoPublishingCompany,Inc.
New York $4.95
METROPOLITAN LIBRARY SYSTE
FRANCE
Introduction
The tanks employed by France during World War II were greatly influenced by
the rigid tactical doctrine thatwas biased towardsinfantrysupport. As theresult,
the vehicles developed and adopted were generally low-speed and completely
unsuited to fast mobile armoured operations. Furthermore, the crews wer
generally too small in number-thereby requiring of the commanders too many
functions undercombatsituations. Despite theseoperationalmisconceptions, the
actual engineering and technological design of French tanks was, in general,
excellent and represented the very foremost in contemporary research and
development.The Frencharmoured forces atthebeginningofthewarweremade
upof2,285 tanks (excludingobsolete models and thosede ployedin thecolonies),
comprising 6 basic models: Renault R-35, Hotchkiss H-35, and FCM-36 light
tanks (and their derivatives), the Char D, SOMUA 35, and the Char B. There
were also a large number of so-called AMRs a nd AMes. which were in effect
tracked armoured cars, The di s tribution of th-ese tanks throughout the French
Army in June 1940wasasfollows: 3armoureddi isiom,totalling468 tanks(Chars
BI . BI bis . and H-39); 3 light mechanised di visions totalling582 tank (Chars S-
35, S-40. H-35, and H-39/40); 5 light cavalry divi ions t (ailing 110 tanks (Chars
H-35 and H-39/40) ; and 25 separate non-divi sional tank battalions totalli ng 1, 125
tanks (Ch.1r' R-35, H-35, FCM-36, and D2,),
LIGHT TANKS
J)ATA Char Leger Renault FT (Light Tank Renault FT)
CREW 2
Thi s light tank. which was famou, for its exploil during World War J, s ti ll
WEIGHT 6,700kg 6.6to"'s
HEIGHT 2.14m 7f.
remained in servicewith Frencharmoured units when World WarII brokeou t. It
LENGTH 4.IOm IH.51in
a l'o formed a major part of the lank strengths ofseveral other nations who had
WIDTH 1. 74m 5ftS1in adopted it during the early 1930s, The Renault FT light tank was conceived by
ENG1NE Renault4-cyl. water-cooledpdrol General Estienne as a light infantry-accompanying tank, and was designed by
developing 35 hp
Renault etSerrein 1916, 3.177vehiclesllfthi s typehadbeenproducedbythetillle
SPEED Road IOkmh 6.2mph
oftheArmisticein 1918. Betweenthewarsthetankwasextensivelymodified,and
ross-country7 kmh 4.4mph
during 1931 existing vehicles were re-armed with the 7,5-mm Chatellerault
ROADRADIUS 60km }7miles
machine-gun in place of the original 8-mm Hotchkiss type. Several variatillrls
ARMAMENT Eitherone 37-mmSagunorone
utilisingKegresserubbertracksanddifferentformsofarmamentweredeveloped.
7.5-mm Chatdlerault MG
500Renault FTs were employed during the initial stages of World War n by the
ROUNDSCARRIED 240x37mm
4,800x7.5mm French, and then later by the Germans. One of the most prominent of the
ARMOURTHICKNESS Max 22mm 0.87in modifications was the Char Renault BS, mounting a 75-mm gun, a few ofwhich
Min 6mm 0.24in were encountered by the Allies during the invasion of France in June 1944.
ClllIr Leger Renault FT, armed with a
37-1/1/11 , a gllll; crew memher is using a FlIsil
Milruilleur Mle 1974/1911s all anti-aircraft
1I 'l'/JPOIi
Char Leger Renault FT. armed with a
7.5-mm machine-g/III being covered with a
camouflage !letting 011 a lighttallk
trallsporter
DATA
CREW 2
WEIGHT 5.500kg 5.4ton'
HEIGHT 1.73 m 5ft 81 in
LENGTH 3.5 m II ft 5lin
Wlorn 1.64m -'f! ~ in
ENGINE Rcnaull8-cyl. water-Ct)(lledperrot
developi ngH4 hp
SPEED ROod 54kmh 33.6mph
Cross-country 30kmh 18.6mph
ROADRADIUS 10Clkm 124.3miles
ARMAMENT One 7.5-mm machine-gun
ROUNDSCARRIED 2.250
ARMOURTHICKNESS Max 13 mm .51 in
Mi n .s mm .20in
AMR Rel/lIlllt Modele 1933 VM
DATA
CREW 2
WEIGHT h,50C1kg 6.4tons
HEIGHT 1.88In 6 ft 2! in
LENGTH 3.S4m l2ft7in
WIDTH 1.76m 5ft 91 in
ENGlNE Renaull4-cyl.wa(er-cooledpetrol
developing82hp
SPEllD RoadhlJ kmh 37 mph
Cross-country30kmh 18.6mph
ROADRADIUS 20C1km 124.3 miles
ARMAMENT Vari " l"(seetext)
ROUNDSCARRIED 2.250(7..I-mm mgversion) ;
1.220( 1J .2-mm version) ;
I ,(XX) (25-mm version)
ARMOURll-IICKNESS Maxl3mm .51in
Min 5mOl .20in
AMR Renault Modele 1933 VM (Armoured Reconnaissance
Vehicle Renault Model 1933 VM)
As part of the 1931 re-equipment programme. the specifications for a light
armoured reconnai sance vehicle (AMR) were laid down on 16 January 1932.
Renault produced a vehicle to this specificationand aftertes ts with 5 prototypes,
over the period 1932 to 1933, the French Army adopted the vehicle as the AMR
Renault Modele 1933 VM. The vehicle was accepted officiallyon6June 1933. A
total of 123 were built.
AMR Renault Modele 1935 ZT (Armoured Reconnaissance
Vehicle Renault Model 1935 ZT)
The AMR 1933 VM vehicle did not quite come up to requirements, and in 1934
Renault developeda new version. The mostfundamental alteration was to locate
the engine at the rear (the AMR 1933 VM had been front-engined) to provide
bett er vision for the driver. The running gear was also lengthened to allow a
smoother ride across country _Due to the international situation 100 of these
vehicles were ordered, and there were4 versionsadopted which differed in their
armament. Thefirst had a turretsimilarto thatoftheAMR 1933 VM armedwitha
7.5-mm machine-gun .The second version had a 13.2-mm Hotchkissmachine-gun
in a larger turret.Thethird version had thickerarmouranda25-mmgunand a7.5-
mm machine-gun in the turret. Thefourth version had afixed superstructurewith
the same armament as the third version. Altogether 200 AMR 1935s were
produced in three separate batches of Ino, 30 and 70 respectively .
AMR 35. armed with 25-mm glll/
AMR Renault Modele 1935 ZT. 2nd version.
armed with 1J.2-mm Hotchkiss machine-gun
FUllrth version of the AMR 35 with fixed
superstructure and armed with a 25-mm gUll
AMC Renault lUodele 1934 YR (Armoured Combat Vehicle
RenauJt Model 1934 YR)
DAT As a result of the 19'<1 prof.'Tammc. Renault developed a light armoured combat
CREW 3 vehicle for use by the m .:haniseu cavalry. The prototype appeared in October
WEIGHT 9,7ookg 9.55 tons
1933. and the vehide a.. officially adopted in 1934_ Only 12 of these vehicles
HEIGHT 2. IOm 6ft II in
were produced uue tll th decision to adopt the AMC 1935 instead_
LENGTH 3.9Rm IHt
WlDTH 2.(JI m 6 ft 9\ in
ENGINE Renault R-cyl. :>elrol
developing 120 hp
SPEED Road 40 kmh 2-< mph
Cross-wuntry 30kmh
ROAD RADI US lookm 124.3 miles
ARMAMENT One 47-mm Sa34 !,'lIfi anu on. 7..<-mm
ITIg
ROUND C RRIFD 01 avail"ble
ARMOUR THICK 'S MlI xl0mm .79io
Min 5 mm .20 in
ANte RenGuil l'.1odi:le 1934 l'R
DATA
CREW 3
WEIGHT 14,500 kg 14.3 IOns
HEIGHT 2.51 m 8 ft 3 in
LENGTH 4.78 m 15 ft 8) in
W10TH 2.27 m 7ft 5l in
ENGINE Renault 4-cyl. water-cooled petrol
d<veloping 180 hp
SPEED Road 4() kmh 25 mph
Cross-country 30kmh IS.6mph
ROAD RADIUS 200km 124.3 miles
ARMAMENT Either one 47-mm gun or one 25-mm
gun. and one 7.5-mm mg
ROUNDS CARRIED Not availabl<
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 25 mm .98 in
Min 5 mm .20in
AMC Renal/It Modele 1935 (AGGI) with
47-mm gU/I
OAT
CREW 2
WE[GHT 11.300 kg I 1.1 ton.
HEIGHT 2.13 m 7 f:
LENGTII 4.22m 13 ft !Om
WIDTH 1.85 m 6 ft 03 in
ENGINE Hotchkiss Modcl6L6
waler-cooled petrol developing 75/ I:!O hp
SP[;ED Road28/ 36kmh 17.4/ 22.4 mph
Cross-country 12/17 kmh 7.5/ 1O.I>mph
ROAD RADIUS 150 km 100 miles
ARMAMENT One 37-mm Sal8 gun and one 7.5-mm
MG 31
ROUNDS CARRIED 58x37 mm 2,400x7.5 mm
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 34 mm 1. 34 in
Min 12 mm .47 in
AMC Renault Modele 1935 (Armoured Combat Vehicle
Renault Model 1935)
In 1935 the French cavalry adopted a new, improved model of the AMC, also
produced by Renault. It was almost identical to the original model but had a new
larger turret (APX 2) . Basically the same armament was retained as in the original,
the vehicle being referred to as the ACG I . There was a variant, however, that
mounted a 25-mm Hotchkiss gun in place of the 47-mm gun, and this became
known as the ACG 2. The AMC 1935 suffered from extreme teething troubles
which delayed its entry into service. 100 vehicles were built altogether, later
production being taken over by AMX.
Auto-mitrailJeuse du Corps de Cavalerie
In 1937 twelve ACGI chassis were purchased by the Belgian Ministry of Defence.
These vehicles were equipped with Belgian-designed turrets, which had been
modified by moving the left-side episcope to the rear and closing up the original
opening. They were armed with the FRC 47-mm anti-tank gun and a co-axial 13.2-
mm Hotchkiss machine-b'Un. From September 1939 eight of these vehicles were
battleworthy and they were used in action during the J940 campaign.
Auto-mitrailleuse du Corps de Capalerie
Char Leger Hotchkiss Modele 1935 (Light Tank Hotchkiss
Model H-35)
As mentioned under the R-35. the H-35 was a competitor light infantry tank. The
firs t prototype was released on II January 1935. The commission testing the two
tanks found the H-35 to be better in several respects, but the early production
version was grossly underpowered and had a poor cross-country performance.
The cavalry accepted the H-35 as their , tandard light tank in October 1936, and
af ter modification the H-35 Modele 38 was accepted by the infantry to supplement
the R-35. By June 1940 791 H-35s and their de rivatives were deployed in French
tank unit s. Later model s of the H-35 received the APX-R turret as used on the R-
35. Lmprove ments were carried out to the H-35 in F bruary 1939; the 75-hp engine
hHd been considered inadequate and so a more powerful J20- hp engine was
utilized. This adaption necessitated modification to the rear hull armour. At first
the new tank was designated the H-35 Modele 38, but later became referred to as
the H-35 Modele 39, and finally just H-39.
4
Char Leger Hotchkiss Modide 1939 J;.
Char Leger Hotchkiss Modele 1935
DATA
CREW 2
WEIGHT 10,600kg 10.4toos
HEIGHT 2. 1m 6f. 10\in
LENGTH 4.0m 13f.llin
WIDTH 1.85m 6f. OJ in
ENGINE .Renault4-cyl. water-cooledperrol
developing82 hp
SPEED Road 19kmh 11.8mph
ROADRADlUS l4Gkm 87mile;
ARMAMENT One37-mm gun (sectext)andone
7..I-mmMG31
ROUNDSCARRIED 58x37mm 2,5(X.J x 7.5 mm
ARMOURTHICKNESS Max45mm 1.77in
Min 14 mm .55in
Char Leger Hotchkiss Modele H-J9/40 (Li ght Tank Hotchkiss
Model H-39/40)
A proportion of H-39s were equipped new arma ment, the :n-mm SalS gun
beingreplaced bythe Sa3Swith longerbarrel.Trial withthis model beganinJuly
1938 and quantity production began in Octoberof the same year. The maximum
armour was increased to 40 mm. making the overall weight 12 tons. The
ammunition stowagewas increased to 100roundsof37 mm. In otherrespectsthe
tank was identical to the H-39.
Kllocked out Hotchkiss Modell' 39/40
Frall ce 1940
Char Leger Renault Modele R-J5 (Light Tank Renault Model
R-35)
On 2August 1933 the French High Commandannounceda new programme fora
light tank, to be armoured all light anti-tank weapons and capable of
supporting the infantry. Sev ra.! firms submitted proposals, and one of those
accepted was that b_ t he Renaultfirm. This led to theconstructionofa prototype
ZM light tank. Followingcompari son trials with the Hotchkissentry(laterH-35),
which prov d unsatisfactory. the Renault design was accepted as the standard
light infantr tank on 9 pril 1935 and an initial order for 200 was given. The
Renault ZM re'cived the designation Char Leger 1935R, though it was usually
referred to a. the R- 35 . _art y production vehicles were fitted with the L.713
(APX-R)rurrer mountingth 37-mm SaIS gun. Thiswas superseded by theL.739
turret with the improved Sal8gun M37. Finally,a small numberofR-35s
were fitl ed with the L. 767 turretarmedwith the long-barrel led 37-mm Sa38gun.
Char Leger Renault Modele R-39 (Light Tank Renault Model
R-39)
[11 1938 several R-35 light tanks werefitted with trench-crossing tails. TIlese have
been referred to asR-39s, althoughnoofficial records have beenfound toconfirm
this.
5
Rel/allit Modele R-J5
Char Leger Renault Modele R-40 (Light Tank Renault Model
R-40)
nAT
This li ght tank, which was adopted in 1940, was an improved model of the R-35
CREW
with a new suspension system, AMX was sub-contracted to provide a new
WEIGffr 10,400 kg 10.24 '''ns
suspension sys tem that would give a better performance cross-country. Two
HEIGHT 2.35 m 7It 8. in
ba ttalions of R-40 saw action in 1940, s me armed with the 37-mm Sa38 gun and
LENGTH 4.58 m 15 It
some fitted with the trench-crossing tail. Later production models of the R-35,
WIDTH 2.02m 6ft71i n
equi pped wi th t hi s gun, were <l lso known as R-40.
ENGINE Renaull4-cyl. water-cooled pelrol
developing R2 hp
SPEED Road 20 kmh 12.4 mph
Cross-country 12krnh 7.Smph
ROAD RADnJS 100 km 62 miles
ARMAMENT One 37-mm S,,38 gun ""d one 7.5-mm
MGJI
ROUNDS CARRI ED 65 X37 mm ),OOOx 7.5 mm
ARMOUR THICKNESS a ~ 801m 2.28 in
Min20mm .79; n
Rel/allit Modele R-40
Char Leger FCM Modele 1936(Light Tank FCM Model 1936)
In addition to the Ren ault and Hotchkiss light tanks, a comparatively small
number (100) FCM 36 light tank s were adopted in 1936, This was the fir st French
mnss-produced tank to be equipped with a di esel engine, Another novel feature
for a French tank at that time was the application of welded armour. It served
alongside the R-35 as a light infantry support tank ,
6
DATA
CREW2
WEIGHT 12.000kg I1.8 Ions
HEIGHT 2.0m 6fl6Jin
LENGTH 4.35m 14 II 31 in
WlDTII 2.10m 6fl I()l in
ENGINE Bertiet 4-cylinder
developing91 hp
SPEED Road 24 kmh 14.9mph
Cross-country 12 ktnh 7.5 mph
ROADRADIUS 225 km 140miles
ARMAMENT One.15-mmSagunandone7.5- mm
MG:\1.
ARMOURTHICKNESS Ma.s40mm 1.57in
Min 13 mm .5 1in
FCM Modele f936 heing unloaded from tUllk
trallsporter
DATA
CREW 3
WF. IGHT 14,OOOkg 13.810ns
HEIGHT 2.40m 7fl 10Jio(wi lhoerial)
LENGTH 5.76/4.81 m 18 fl II in/ 15 fl91 in (wilh &
w/o tail)
WIDTH 2.lfim 7111io
ENGINE Renau"4-cyl. waler-cooledpelTol
developing74hp
SPE [) Road 18 kmh 11.2mph
Cross-couolry IOkmh 6.2mph
ROADRADIUS 90km 56miles
ARMAMENT One47-mmSa34gunandIwo
Char Leger Renault Modele D1 (Light Tank Renault Model
Dl)
Du ri ngthe 1920'sRenault had devel oped.1 private venturein the formof the NC
light tank . whi ch was exported abroad in two basic variants (NC I, NC2) .
Followingthe light tank speci ficat ionlaid downin 1926. the NCtankwasmodified
as the NC3 .At the endof 1929 the French Armyordered 10 vehicles which were
de livered and testedin 193 1. Adopted as the harLe er01 ,this tankbecamethe
first AFV to be standardi ed hy th French Army aft r World War l. By 1932 a
total of 160 Cha r 0 Is had been delivered as li ght infan try-accompanying tanks .
The tank wa.used operat ionally b. French troop. duringt he fi ghti ngin Francein
1940 and al so later in North frica .
7.5-mm mgs
RO NO CARRI ED 112x47mm 5,OOOx7.5mm
ARMOURTHICl<NF.SS Max40mm 1.57in
Min 10 mm .39 in
Char Df ill uction in Tunisia f942
DATA
CREW 3
WEIGHT 19.750kg 19.4 tons
HEIGHT 2.67m 8ft9in
LENGTH 5.46m 17ft II in(w/otail)
WLDTII 2.22m 7ft1lin
ENGINE Renault/rey!.water-cooledpetrol
del/eloping ISO hp
SPEED Road23 kmh 14.3 mph
ROADRADIUS lOOkm 62miles
ARMAMENT One 47-rnmSa34orSa35gun andtwo
7 . .5-mmmgs
ROUNDSCARRIED 120(47-mm SaJ4), 108 (47-mm
SaJ5),5,OOOx7.5mrn
ARMOURTHICKNESS Max40mm 1,57 in
Min 20mm .78in
Char D2. The playing card insignia identified
sub-units
Char Leger Renault Modele D2 (Light Tank Renault Model
D2)
In 1930 the Frenchinfantry requesteda vehiclewith betterarmourthan the Char
D 1.This led to thedevelopmentoftheChar02,which wasalsobuiltbyRenault.
The prototype was presented in April 1932 underthedesignation UZ. Afterlong
tests, thwarted with breakdowns, the FrenchArmyeventuallyadopted the tank ,
50 being ordered on 19 January 1934. In May 1937 the Conseil Consultati! de
I 'Armement ordered a further 50, which were delivered j ust before hostilities.
MEDIUM TANKS
Char Moyens de BataiOe B (Medium Battle Tank B series)
On 12 August 1924 the DirectorofInfantryrequested theprovisionof60tanks(2
battalions of 3 companies each) of a new type of battle tank. On 20 March 1925
General Es tienne gathered together a team oftankdesigners who weregiven the
specifications for the new tanlc On 10 February 1926 the characteristics of the
new tank were stated explicitly,itnow beingcalled Char de Bataille (CharB). A
contract was placed in March 1927 with the firms of Renault, F.C M., and
F.A.M.H. (St. Chamond) for the production of three prototypes of the Char B.
Parent firm was selected as Atelier de Construction de Rueil (ARL) . The three
prototypes tested between 1929 and 1931 had different armour thicknesses and
other design changes. Followingtrials, production of the new tank began at the
end of 1934 under the designation CharBI . After thedeliveryof35 vehicles. an
order was placed for the armourto beincreased from40mm to 60mm, resulting
in the Char BI-bis. To compensate fortheextraweight , theenginewas up-rated
to 307 hp (formerly 250 hp) _In 1939 ARL led the design of the final model, the
BI-ter. This had two diesel engines totall ing350hp,armourincreased to 75 mm,
and other improvements_ Only5 vehicles of this latter type werecompleted_ By
May 1940a total of387CharsB(all types)wereinservicewilhtheFrenchArmy.
::: BI Model BI-bis Model BJ-fer
REW 4 CREW 4 CREW 5
r
WEIGHT
HEIGIrr
30.000kl< 29.51<""
2.16m 7ft Iin
WEIGHT
HEIGHT
3I,500kg 3Iton'
2.79m 9ft2in
WEIGHT
HEIGHT
36,000kg 35 .4 tons
2.86m 9ft41 in
LENGTH 6.32m 2Uf!9in LENGTH 6.37m 20It IIin LENGTH 6.35m 20It in
WIDTH 2.50m WIDTII 2.50m 8ft21 in WIDTH 2.73 m 8h in
ENGINE Renault watt." r- ENGINE Renault6-cyLwarer- ENGI NE 2xRenault6--cyl. water-
cooledpetroldevelop- cooledpetroldevelop- cooleddi eselsdeveloping
ing250hp ing307hp 17.1 hpeach
SPEED Road 34kmh 21 mph SPEED Road 28kmh 17.4mph SPEED Road 28 kmh 17.4mph
Cra ss-country 16kmh IOmph Cross-country 16kmh 9.9mph Cross-country 16 kmh 9,9mph
ROADRADIUS 180km 112miles ROADRADIUS 180km 112 nliks ROADRADIUS 250km 156miles
ARMAMENT One75-mmSa35gun.one47-mmSa35gun.andtwo7,5-mmmgs
ROUNDSCARRIED 75x75 mm ROUNDS(' ARRlED 74 x!5mm ROUNDSCARRIED 100x75mm
80x47mm
5.IOOx7.5mm 5.IOOx7,5mm 5.IOOx7.5mm
ARMOURTIlICKNESS Max40mm 1, 57in AR.\40URTHICKNESS Max60mm 2.36in ARMOURTHICKNESS Max75mm 2.95 in
Min 15 mm .59in Min 22mm .87in Min 2U mm .70 in
Char Moyens de Bataille B (B I-bis)
DATA
CREW 3
WEIGHT 19.500 kg 19.2 tons
HEIGHT 2.6J m 8 ft 7J in
LENGTH 5.38 m 17ft X in
WIDTH 2. 12m Ilft Il l in
ENGI NE SOM UA 8-cyl. water-cooled petrol
developing 190 hp
Cross-country 23 kmh 14.3 mph
ROAD RADfUS 250 km 155.4 miles
ARMAMBNT One 47-mm S. 35 gun and two 7.S-mm
mgs
ROUNDS CARRI ED 11 8 x 47 mm 1.250 x 7. 5 mOl
. ARMOUR THICKNESS Max40mm 1..I7 in
Min 20 mm .79 in
<III
Char de Bataille 8 (8 I)
Cbar de Cava/erie SOMUA 1935S (Cavalry Tank SOMUA
S-35)
Thi no, a medium tank in! nded for llse by the French cavalry units. It resulted
fr m the pr gramme which specified an armoured combat car armed with a
47-mm or :!:-mm gun and a machine-gun. armoured on a 40-mm basis , having a 3-
man c: re,\ . and a range of 200 kilometres . The SOMUA firm built a cast-steel
prototype. which was designated Auto-mitrailleues de Combat SOMUA Type
Armoured Combat Vehi ' I SOMU A Type AC3). Eventually, the vehicle
Wft'.. ted Char de Cava/erie S-35. The production vehi cle appeared a t the
beginning f 1935 and received a new turret with a 47-mm Sa35 gun and two 7.5-
rnm Reibel machine-guns. 26 1 vehicles were accepted by the French Army. AI the
begi nnin of 1940 a modified version was adopted, the SOMUA S-40, with more
powerful armament and a new suspension system. The SOMUA tank WHS
con. idered 10 be the best tank in the world at the time, and was highly regarded by
t he G rmans .
9
....
AI.
Char de Cavalerie SOMUA 1935S. Tunisia
1947
Char Lourdes FCM 2C (Heavy Tank FCM 2C series)
General Estienne foresaw the need for a number of ultra-heavy tanks, and 300
were ordered from F.C. M. Work on this tank, designated 2e , was started but the
order was reduced to 60 in May 191 7. The construction of 10 vehicles was
underway when the Armis ti ce was igned, and further orders were dropped . The
10 vehicles were continued wi th, howe ver. and by 1923 they all had been
completed . During 1926 one of these vehicles was re- worked as the Char 2C- bis
(often erroneousl y called Char 3C), and was re-armed wi th a short IS5-mm
howitzer. The tank had two turrets, the rear one mounting a machine-gun. The
Char 2C-bis had new engines and he'lvi er armour . Eight of these machi ne. were
ready for action in 1940 behjnd the defen. ive li nes. but were destroyed on th ir
speci al railway fla ts by German dive-bombers before they could be depl yed in
action.
DATA ---------------------------------------------------------------,
CborlC C1wr 2C-blI
CREW 12 CREW 13
WEIGHT 68. 000 kg 66.9 Ions WEIGHT 75,OOOkg 73.8 10ns
HEIGHT 4.15 m IHI 7] in HEIGHT 4. 04 n1 13 fr 3 in
LENGTIl 10.37 m 34 ft
LENGTH 1O.27m 3H1 8,in
WIDTH 2.97 m 9 fl 81 in WIDTH 2.97 m 9 It Sl in
ENGINB 2 x Daimler6-cyl. water-cooled petrol ENGINE 2 x Sauller-Harle 6-cyl. waler-cooled
developing 180 hp (each); laler replaced petrol developing 250 hp (each)
by 2 Maybach 250-hp engine, SPEED Road 13 kmh S mph
SP ED Road 13 kmh 8 mph Cross-country 8 kmh 5 mph
Cro,s-counlry 8 kmh 5 mph ROADRADTUS 150km 93.2miles
ROAD RADIUS 150km 93.2 miles ARMAMENT One 155-mm howilzerand four
ARMAMENT One 75-mm gun and four 7.5-mm m ~
7.5mm mgs ROUNDS CARRIED 124 x 55mm IO,OOOx7.S m
ROUNDS CARRI ED 150 x 75 mm IO,OO() x 7.5 mm ARMO RTHICKNESS Max50mm 1.97 in
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 45 mm I.n in Min 12 rum .47 in
Min 10 mm .39 in
10
...
FCM 2C knocked out on its railway flat car
by German air attacks in /940
POLAND
Introduction
At the beginning f Wo rld II the Polis h Army was no t ve ry highly
m chanised a nd posses'Ied onl y a small tank for ce comprised mai nly of tank ettes
and light A rie:) oi ta nkettes was de ve loped on the ba is of t he Bri tish
Cmden-La d Mk V1 machi ne- gun carrier, coll ecti vel y designated TK, mou nting
ligh t ma chi ne-gun . These were c mpleme n t d by two model of a ligh t medium
ta nk b.heU n t he Vickers 6-t on design and desi gnated 7TP (7- t n Polski ). The
ori gina l ITP mudel was twi n-tur reted a nd mounted only machine-gun armam nL
bu t later a s ingle turreted version a ppeared equipped wi th a Bofors anti-tank gun .
These vehj cl e s formed the brunt of t he Polish armoured forces alt hough several
pr(.\1 llyp vehicles were under development at the time of t he German att ack. The
hick of tanks and the very bleak international situation compelled t he P olish
General laff to seek the purc hase of forei
b
'l1 tanks. During 1938 contact were
made with zechoslovakia which, however. refused to sell Praga and Skoda tanks
to Poland . In April 1939 the Po lish General Staff fi nally obtai ned permission to
purc hase 100 Renault R-35 tanks from France. T he firs t batch comprising 49 R-35s
and 4 H-39s (equivalent to one tank battalion) arrived in Poland by sea in May
1939. O ther tanks, in the process of being ferried by land, arrived in Rumania
where they remained due to the outbreak of war.
Polish tanb in service at the outbreak of war were as follows: TK.3 (300), TKS
(390), and Lighl Tanks 7TP (170).
DATA
CREW
WEIGHT 2, 400 kg 2.4 IOns
LENGTH 2.54 m 8 ft 5J in
WI.DTH 1.78 m 51t 10 in
ENGINE Ford Model A developing 40 hp
SPEED 48 kmh 30 mph
ROAD RADfUS 200km 124.3 miles
ARMAMENT One 7.92-mm Hotchkiss wz 25 mg
ROUNDS CARRIED 1.800x 7.92 mm
AR.lI.fOUR THICKNESS Max 8 mm .31 in
Min J mm .11 in
Small reconnaissance tank TK.3
DATA
CREW 2
WEIGHT 2,600 kg 2.6 tons
HEIGHT 1.33 m 4 ft 4. in
LENGm 2.53 m 8 ft 5 in
WIDTH 1.77 m 5ft 9l in
ENGINE PolslU Fiat developing 42 hp
SPEED 40 kmh 25 mph
ROAD RADIUS 180 km 11 2 miles
ARMAMENT One 7.92-mm Hotchkiss wz 25 mg
ROUNDS CARRIED 2,()(Xl x 7.92-mm
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max JOmm .39in
Min 3 mrn . Il in
Maly czotg rozpoznawczy, TK (Small reconnaissance tank TK J
This was an improved version of the TK .1 a nd TK.2 vehicles that had originall _
been developed from the Vickers-Cardeo-Loyd Mk VI machine-gun carrier. Th
TK.3 was designed with heavier armour and an enclosed superstructure and pu
into production; 300 machines were built from 1931-32 onwards. This was the fi r
armoured track-laying machine to be built in quantity in Poland.
Mafy czolg rozpoznawczy, TKS(Small reconnaissance tank TKS
Developed in 1933, thi s was an up-armoured version of TK.3 with thicker armour,
a Polish-built Fiat engine, wider tracks and a strengthened suspension . The glacis
plate was designed to incorporate a single ball-mounted machine-gun; new vision
and sighting devices were abo installed. Quantity production of 390 vehicles
commenced in February 1934.
Line-up of TKS tanks
12
TK/TKS z karabinem maszynowym kal. 20 mm FK
From 1936 experiments were made to modify and up-gun the TK and TKS series.
These improvements included a redesigned front superstructure and the fitting of
a 20-mm FK cannon for an anti-tank role . Twenty of these converted vehicles
were in service by August 1939,
Modified TK.3 with 20-mm FK cannon
; ; .... 1'A 7TP jw
CREW 3
WEIGHT 9,510kg 9.36 tons'
HEIGHT 2.30 m 7 ft Ii) in
LENGTH 4.88 m Iii ft
WIDTH 2.42 m 7ft I I Hn
ENGINE Saurer VBLD diesel developing I JO hp
SPEED Road 32 kmh 21 mph
ROAD RADIUS 160km 99 miles
ARMAMENT 37-mm Bofors wz 37 gun and one
7.92mm wz 30 Browning mg
ROUNDS CARRIED SOx 37 mm
3,960x 7.92 mm
Min 5 mm .20in
Rear -v iew of Polish twilltarret lighttallb.
The frollt alld rear vehicles are Vickers 6-ton
tanks rewurked to 7 TP stalldards; the centre
vehicle is a 7 TPdw twintllrrettype
7 TP jll'. single turret ~
Czolg lekki TTP (7-ton Polish light tank)
At the same time as the Carden-Loyd tankettes were purchased in 1929, Poland
also obtained from Vickers-Carden- Loyd 36 6-Ton Light Tanks of the type ' E '
with the production rights . In 193 1 it was decided 10 design a Polish version using
Vickers components and a new engine, the Saurer 6-cylinder diesel of 92 hp.
Accepted and put into limited production as the V AU-33 (Vickers-Armstrong-
Ursus-33) there were two versions, the V A U ~ 3 jednowiewwy (single turret) and
the V AU-33 dwuwiezowy (twi n turret) . Some of the original Vickers 'E' type
tanks were also converted to V AU-)" standards. During 1934, trials were carried
out to improve the V A U-33 before the machine went into full production and
subsequently a new design was proposed with a modified rear superstructure to
house a Saurer VBLD diesel engine of 110 hp, a stronger suspension, increase in
frontal armour and various other modifications.
This new machine was designated Czoig lekki 7TPand put into production in
1935. The firs t of the 7TP "eries to be built were of the twin-turret type (7TP dw);
twenty-two of these were ordered and delivered by March 1936. While the
production of the twin-turret model was proceeding, it was decided to introduce a
single-turret ver sion carrying it 37-mm Bofors tank gun (7TP jw) but due to
production difficulties the first batch of turrets had to be obtained from Bofors;
these arrived between February 1936 and January 1937. The firs t prototype was
completed by November 1936 and underwent trials in February 1937. Production
commenced in mid-1 938 with one major change incorporated: the turret rear was
extended to accommodate a nldio set.
GREAT BRITAIN
Introduction
Although Great Britain achieved a lead in tank designduring the 1920s and earl.
305, this was soon lost to other nations which allocated sufficient budget r
allowances totank development. suchas Franceand the SovietUnion. Despite
multitude of extremely advanced models , produced up until 1936-37, Ih
mainstays of the British tan.k force were made up of the light tank Mk VI seri e
and the Vickers medium series-bothof which werecompletelyobsolete by t ho
time. With the need to carry out rapid rearmament following the Germar
annexation of Austria and the occupation of Czechoslovakia, the new serie.
Briti s h tanks had manyshortcomings.The Britishtank situation deterioratedsli
further following Dunkirk, where a very large proportion of all British Arm
mechanised equipmentwasabandoned in the wakeoftheadvancingWehrmachl
Basically, for the duration ofWorld War II the British tank forcewas madeup0
three types of tank-Light, Cruiser and Infantry. The light tank did not play.
very importantrole, but the cruiser'C'(compatiblewithmedium)wasevolvedfor
the mobile battle and the infantry T (compatible with heavy) for directinfant r;
support. Despite the poor start , by the end of the war some fairly good design'
had evolved. The crui ser series progressed from the AI3through theCrusader .
Cavalier, Centaur, Cromwe ll and Comet, the infantry through the A.9, A.I O.
Valentine. Matilda and Churchill. In general, Britishtanks ofWorld Warnwere
well-designed andwell-armouredand possessedexcellent roadand
performance.Their weakness. however, byin theirpoorfirepowerandit wasn t
until the introduction of the 17-pounder gun towards the end of the war that
British tanks achieved any kind of armament equality with their German
counterparts. Of particular interest was the multitude of specialised tank,
developed by the British, particularly for the Normandy invasion (D-Day). Thi
tremendous and difficult task required a whole range of specialised tanks for
dearing obstacles , crossing gaps, wading, flame-throwing. anti-aircraft defence
etc. Most of these were converted from conventional gun-tanks then in use with
the British Army. including those obtained through Lend-Lease from the USA
and Canada.
DATALightTankMk VIR
CREW 3
WEIGHT 5.2ROkg 5.2wns
HEIGHT 2.22m 7ft :Hin
LENGTH 3.95m 12ft 11 \in
WIDTH 2.06 m 6ft9in
ENGINE Meadows X8 hp
SPEED Road '6kmh 35 mph
Cross-country 40kmh 25 mph
ROADRADIUS 209km 130mile,
ARMAMENT One .50-cal(12.7'mm)andono.30]
O .7-mm) mg.'!
(MkVIC)One 15-mm Bc,,"a (clOd one
7.92-mm Bcsa mg. ..;
ROUNDSCARRIED 175xI)mm 2.700:< 7.92men
ARMOURTHIrKNESS Max 14 mm .5. in
Min 4mm .l6i n
Ligh! I <l1Ik. Mk ViC. shu wing f5-tIltll and
7. 92-/1/ 111 Besa mil chill e-glllls
Light Tanks Mks II and VI
The Blitish light tank series emanated from the sma'll Carden-Loyd Mk VlI and
VIH tanks which were produced by Vickers (who took over Carden-Loyd) in
1929. Through the the Mk II and III saw servicein variousformsandafew
Mk I1A and IIB vehicles were still equippingthe Wes tern Desert Force(later8th
Army) in 1940. The Mk lIAsand Ills werealso used by the South Africansin the
Abyssiniancampaign of 1941. The Mk II and UI had Horstma nn suspension with
paired road wheelsand horizontal coil springs.The LightTankMk IVwasa more
powerfuldevelopmentofthe Mk III.The idlerwheel wasdispensed with and the
hull was enlarged.TheLightTankMk V waSsimilarbuthadalengthened hulland
a larger turret to accommodate two men. The Mk IV and V entered service in
1935-36 and some remained in service i n 1940-41. The most widely used of the
Vickers Light Tanks was the last of the series. Mk VI. This also had the larger
lengthened hull, and a larger cylindrical turret which accommodated a radioset.
The suspension was strengthened and a single return roller was fitted to the hull
si d . The Mk VIA had a faceted cupola a double armoured louvre over t he
radiator. Mk VIB was a simplified produc tion typewit h ' hanges whichincludeda
one- piece radiator lo uvre and a circular cupola . T he light tanks up to Mk VIB
w re amled with ei the r .303or Vickers Smachine- unsin variou combinations.
butthefinal va riant .the LightTankMk VI ,was more powerfullyarmedwithco-
a ial 15-mm and 7.92-mm Besa ma chi ne-gu ns. Wider bogies and an improved
Mead ws engi ne compensa ted for he extra eight. On t hi v hide the cupola
was dispensed with. The Mk VI light ta nk seri es were in produc ti on during the
193n-4f1 period and remain d in e r vice unt il I 4_.
The.c light tanks proved la rgely outmoded by the dema nds uf modern
mechanised wur.ThoughintendedforColonialpoli cingand recon naissancework,
the shortage of British cl' uis'rtanks meanttbatall 100often thelight t<lnk had t
he ut!d in anl /fe nsivc role for whi chit wasnotsui ted.Thiswas particularlytrue
in Fran in 1940 here li ght tanks formed the bulk ofBritisharmoured str ngth .
With the increasing availabilityofcruiser tanks, light tanks were notperpetua ted
fu rt her. They were lI sed o perati onallyin France 1939-40, re ece a nd Crete:al so
14
with the South Africans in the Abyssinian campaign and the Australians during
the Syrian campaign of 1941.
Light Tank Mk VIA in the Western Desert
Auto-Blindee MitrailJeuse TIS
Thi s was one of a series of Vickers tanks that were huilt for export. The chassis
was similar in design to the British light tank , but this version was equipped with
a high conical turret. Known as the M 1934.42 vehicles were deli vered to Belgium
during 1935 where they were armed with the D.2-mm Hotchkiss machine-gun.
Some of these saw limited action against the German Army during the 1940
campaign .
Belgium light tank T.15
Light Tank Mk VII Tetrarch
Designed as a private venture hy Vickers in 1937, this vehicle featured several
innovations th.lt included a heavier main armament than the previous light tanks
and a new type of suspensi on incorporating four large road wheels with the drive
to the rear pair. Steering effected by warping the tracks.
It was offered to and accepted by the War Office in 1938 and put into production
in 1940, though orders were cut back when light tanks were dropped from British
armoured he first employment of the Light Tank Mk VII in offensive
operat ion. \V:I.' in 'Ironclad' , the invasion of Madagascar on the 5 May 1942.
In the pri ng f 1942 a batch of Tetrarch tanks were sent to the Soviet Union
wi th a c of British tanks which also included Matildas and Valentines.
The Telr.Jrch was suhsequently adopted as a glider air-landing tank . the Hamilcar
glider ing specifically to carry it. This was the fi rst tank to go into
action hy ..ir. bei ng used in this role a t the Normandy landings by the 6th Ai rborne
Di\;sion. A fe w were later used with the American M22 Locust tanks in the air
Tl'frar ch ligirl ilirhome {ullk Ileillg l(Jaded
i nfO HUlllilcargliJer
(he Rhine on 24 March 1945 .
.\ limit ed nu mber of Tetrar h tank ' were ar med with the 3-inch howitzer in
plac\:: l1f rhe 2-pdr and t he e vehicl es were desi gnated Tetrarch ICS (lnfantry
Support).
1)\ 1.-\
CREW,
WEIGHT 7.620 kg 7.5 IOns ARMAM ENT One 2. pdr(40-mm) gun and on.
2.1 2 ", 6 flil l in 7.91-mm Hc:: sa rng
LENGTH 4. 11 m IHI 6in ICS One 3-inch howil lcr and (roe
WIIlTH 1.J I OJ 7 fl 7 in 7.92-rnm Besa mg
ENGINE Mead w.MAT developi o8 165 hp RO N S CARRrED 50x 40mrn
SPEI!D Mlml h 40 mph 2,025 x 7.92mm
( 'ross-country 4j kmh 28 mph ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 14 mm 0. 55 in
ROAD RAIliUS 125 km 140,,,,le, Min 54 mOl 0.16 in
Cruiser Tank Mk / ill the Western Desert
Cruiser Tank Mk IJA
Cruiser Tank Mk I (A.9)
This vehicle was intended as a replacement for the obsolete medium tanks [her
service. The design of the A.9 was undertaken by Sir John Carden of Vicker-
1934, the prototype being completed by April 1936. After a period of furt
development production commenced in 1937.
Though the A.9 had originally been rated as a medium tank , under the n
service concept of Infantry and Cruiser tanks, it was now classed as Cruiser Til
Mark I.
The armament consisted of a main turret with a 2-pdr gun and a co-axial
machine-gun and two auxiliary machine-gun turrets on either side of the drh ~
position. This was the firs t British tank to be equipped with a hydraulic-power
traverse system for turret rotation.
A number of Cruiser Mk Is were fitted with the 3.7-in howitzer to enable th
in a close-support role, to fire high explosive or smoke; these vehicles wer
designated Mk ICS.
Cruiser Tank Mk I saw action in France 1939-40 and in the Western De e
1939-41.
DATA
CR EW 6
WEIGHT 12. 190 kg 12 IOns
HEIGHT 2. n5 m 8 f' 8! in
LENGTH .I. 79m 19ft
ENGINE AECTypeA . I?9de veloping 150hp
. SPEED Road 40 kmh 25 mph
Cross-country 24 kmh 15 mph
ROADRADruS 241 km 150 miles
ARMAMENT One 2pdr (4().mm) gun and three .3m
(7.7-mm) Vickers mgs
ROUNDS CARRIED IOO x 40mm
3, OOOx7.7 mm
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 14 mm 5 ~ in
Min 6 mm .24 in
Cruiser Tank Mk n and Mk IIA (A. to)
This vehicle was designed and developed by Sir John Carden at the request of th
War Offi ce in May 1934 for an Infantry tank u ing the A.9 machine as a basis .
The A. 10 had t he same hull , suspension and power-operated! turret as the A. Y.
but the two auxiliary machi ne-gun turrets were discarded. To achieve the
increased thickness of armour required for this vehicle in its infantry support role.
extra armour plates were bolted to the original hull, this being the first occasion
that composite armour was employed.
The main armament was a 2-pdr gun with a Vickers co-axial machine-gun.
Alongside the driver was an aperture for an additional machine-gun, but this wa
blanked off and the space used f r the stowage of ammunition. The Mk ilA
mounted a 2-pdr gun and a co-axial 7.92-mm Besa machine-gun, with a second
Besa machine-gun in the mounting alongside the driver. The close support
version, Mk ICS, was armed with the 3.7-in howitzer and two Besa machine-guns .
The A. 10 saw action in France 1939-40 and in the Western Desert 1939-41.
DATA
CREW 5
WEIGHT 13 .970 kg 13. 75 'ons
HEIGHT 2.65 m 8 ft 8) in
LENGTH 5.59 m 18 ft 4 in
WIDTH 2.53 m 8 ft 3! in
ENGINE AECTypeA . 179developingl50hp
Cross-wuntry 12.9 kmh 8 mph
ROADRADruS 161 km 100 miles
Cruiser Tank Mk m (A.B)
ARMAMENT One 2 pdr (4().mm) gun and one .303
(7.7' mm) Vi ckers mg
(Mk IIA) One 2-p<lr (4().mm) gun and
two 7.92-mm Besa mgs
ROUNDS CARRl ED IOO x40mm
4,050x7.7or 7.92 mm
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 30 mm 1.18 in
Min 6 mm .24 in
The A.13 was an important tep in Bri tish tank development , si nce this was the
design that initiated the run of Cruiser tank equipped with the Christie type of
. uspension. The design ori gi nated in 1936 after British War Offi ce bservers had
witnessed the high speed demonstration of the BT tanks at the Soviet Army
ma noeu vres .
The BistrokhodllY Tank or Fast Tank had been evolved from a number of tanks
that had been purchased by the Russians from the American engi neer, J. Walter
Chri stie , t he important feature of these machines being the high peed suspen-
. ion . T hl. consisted of large di ameter road wheels on swinging arms controll ed by
coil compression springs, which could ru n either wit h or wi thout tracks.
16
DATA
CREW 4
WEIGHT 14.220kg 14 Ions
HEIGHT 2.59m 8ft 6in
LENGTH 6. 02m 19ft9in
WIDTH 2.54m 8fl 4in
ENGINE Nuffield Libertyv-12developing340 hp
SPEED Road 48kmh 30mph
Cross-counlry 38kmh 24mph
ROADRADIUS 145km 90mil es
ARMAMENT One2-pdr(40-mm);,'Un andone.303
(7.7mmJVickersmg
3,750x7.7mm
ARMOURTHICKNESS Max 14mm . 5in
Min 6mm .24in
Cruiser Ta llk Mk [JI
DAT
CREW 4
WEIGHT 15,04O kg 14.8Ions
HEIGHT 2.59m 8ft 6in
LENGTH 6.02m 19ft 9in
WIDTH 254m 8fl4in
ENGINE Nuffield Liberl yV- 12developing340hp
PEED Road 48kmh 30mph
Cross-counlry 22.5kmh 14 mph
ROADRADIUS 145km 90mile.,
ARMAMENT One2-pdr (40-mmJgunandone.303
(7.7-mm) Vicker s or 7.Q2-mm Besa
mg
ROUNDSCARRIED 87x4O mm
3.750x7.7or7.92mm
ARMOURTHICKNESS M.x 30mm 1. 18in
Min 6mm .24in
AChristie tank waspurchasedby the Britishattheendof 1936from whichtwo
protot ype A.13 machi nes were developed.
After various trials and modifications, in which the pitch of the track was
shortened and shock absorbers were incorporated in t he suspension, the A.13
went into production in 1938, deliveries commencing early in 1939. The power-
dri ven turret was rectangularin shapewith sl opingf ront and sideplates . The 2-
pdr gun and co-axi al Vi kers .303 machine-gun were carried in a mantle!
supported bytrunnions in thefron tturr tplate, anarrangementcommon tomost
other contemporary tanks.
Used operationall y in France 1940 and Libya 1940--41.
Cruiser Tank Mk IV and IV (A.I3 Mk II)
TheCruiserMkIVwasbasicaflyanup-armouredver ionoftheMk ill, anddidin
fact have the ordnance de'ignation A.I Mk n. Thisver i n Hppeared following
the decision in 1939 to in rea,e the arm ur a is of Crui er tanks to 30 mm.
The extra armour pl ati ng lias m inly on th nose, glaci s i Ul d turret front;
another feature wa the addition of V- "ection armourplatingonthe turr tsi des.
Thisresultedin the characteri Uc undercut ides . the feature bywhichthe Mk IV
could be distinguished from the fk lJ1 ( .13 Mkn. The Mk IVAde ignati onwas
given to late producti n ehlcle \\hi h had the Vi cker co-axial machi ne-gun
replaced by the7.9:!-mmBe a.TheMk (VA wasalsoavailableinli mitednumber
asa closesupportve hicle \I, ith lh gun replacedbya3-inchhowitzer. Some
oftheA.13 Mk Imachine"werel' terreworkedwithextraarmourplates,uptothe
Mk IV standards; were externally similar to the Mk IVand could only be
dislin/,'1J i.hed the type of gun mantlet as originally fitted to the Cruiser
tank Mk ill.
Cruiser Tank Mk IVA ill actioll illthe
Westem Des rt
17
Cruiser Tank Mk VI Crusader Mks I-III (A.IS)
Crusader IT! advancing in Tripolitania ...
Crusader I 011 patml in tile de. 'erl
The Crusader tank was designed between 1938 and 1940 and was the last of t ~
Cruiser series to be developed without consideration of practical experience ()
modern warfare.
Marks I and Il were equipped with a 2-pdr gun and a co-axial 7.92-mm Be"
machi ne-gun in t he main turret, with an additional 7.92-mm Besa machine-gu n
mounted in thefrontauxiliary turreton the leftofthedriver.Thisauxiliaryturr I
was laterremoved onmanyofthese vehiclesand theadditionalspaceusedfor the
stowage of ammunition.
The Crusaderwas fir stused in actionin the Western Desertin June 1941,andil
wa soon apparent that the vehi cle was under-gunned and too thinly armoured.
I ncreased thicknessofarmourand the6-pdrgunwasfi t! d to theMk HIversion
and many of t he Mks I and JIs were later similarly modified. The Crusader
remained the standardequipme nt ofthe 7thArmouredDivi sionuntil the Ba ttle f
Alamein in which some hundreds of Crusaders took part , many of hich were
equipped with the 6-pdr b'lln. Close-support tanks Mk IC and Mk IICS were
armed wit h the 3-inch howitzer .
DATA
C'REW 5(Mk .I) 3(MkUl)
WEIGHT (Mk I) 19.300kg 19 Ions
(Mk lIl)20.070kg 19.75tons (MkIll) One6--pdr(57-rom) gunand
HEIGHT 2.23 m 7ft 4in (Wo 7.92-mm Bcsa mgs
LENGTH 5.99m 19ft8in ROUNDSCARRIED(Mk l) I !Ox40mm
WIDTH 2.64m Sh8in 5.000:<7.92rom
ONGINE Nuffield l .ibtrtyV- 12developing340 hp (Mk 1II)65x57mrn
SPEED Road43 kmh 27mph 3.755x7.91 min
Cross-country24kmh 15mph ARMOURTI[ICKNESS(Mkl) Max40mm 1.57in
ROADRADfUS 204 k.m 127 mile_, Min 7mm .28 in
ARMAMENT(Mk1) One2pdr(4().mm)gunand (Mk1ll) Max51mm 2.0in
two7.92-rnm Adamgs Min 7 mOl .lS in
Cruiser Tank Mk vm Cromwell (A.27M)
Experience with the Covenanterand Crusaderpilotmodelsin late 1940, plus the
accrued lessons of the tank actions in France and Libya, led the Ministry of
Supply toaskfora heavier(.Tui ser tank whichove rcame theinheren tfaullsofthe
existing designs . Thicker armour (65 mm on hull front, 75 mm on rurrel front) ,
bigger turretri ng.a heaviergun(6-pd r) anda morepowerful engi ne,aweightlimit
of24 tons ,a speedofnotless than24mph,andaboveall muchbettermechanical
rel iabi lity.wereamongth improvementsreque ted.Oneof thedesignsofferedto
thi s specifi cation was by Leyla nd Motors wh had been inv Ived in buii ding
Covenanter aJld Cru ader tanks . The Leyland design uti lised a chassissi milarto
the Crusader bu twas tobepoweredwitha new nginedev lopedbyRoll s-Royce,
t he Meteor , which was an adaptation of the Merli n aero engine. The Merrit-
Browngearboxwasanotherfeatureofthisnewdesign.TheLeyl and proposalwas
accepted and designated A.27, the Birmingham Carriage & Waggon Co being
18
Centaur/V of the Royal Marine Armoured
Support Group
DATA Cromwell rv
CREW 5
WIDGHT 27.940 kg 27.5 Ions
HEIGHT 2. 51 m 8 ft J in
LENGTH 6.35 In 10 ft 10 in
WIDTH 3.0 m 10fi
ENGINE Rolls-Royce Meleor V-I 2 devcl" ping
600 hp
PEED Road 51.S kmh 32 mph
Cross-country 29 kmh I mph
ROAD RADrUS 278 km 173 mjl",
ARMA MENT Q 75-mm Mk v or VA !-.'un ;lOu two
7.92-rnm Sew mgs
RO NDS CARRJEn 64x75 10m
-I .9'Ox7.92 mm
ARMOUR THI KN " S MIl> n, .,1101
J rmOUr
3 in (J 48 int
Min Rmill (Ill m rTI (ItI
wddt'd van.lnt!.1
.31 in(. W:n)
Cromwell/V moping through a French lOw"
during tire Normandy campaign
made parent company of its production group. However, due to the shortage of
Merlin engines needed for aircraft production, an interim version of the A.27 was
proposed. retaining the Liberty engine of the Crusader, but otherwise identical to
the Meteorengine design. Designed by English Electric, this version was
designated A.27L and became known as the Centaur tank. These went into
production by the end of 1942. About 950 Centaur tanks were built, with series
from I to IV; of these 80 were armed wi th the 95mm howitzer for the role of close
support. These were used by the Royal Marines Armoured Support Group on the
O-Day landings. The A.27M (now known as Cromwell) production started in
Ja nuary 1943, by which time Leyl and had become the design and production
parents for the entire A.27 series . The Centaur and Cromwell series were
structurally simil ar, wi t h a hull and turre t of simple box shape and composite
construction-an inner skin wi t h an outer layer of armour bolted on . Driver and
codriver/ hull machine-gunner sat in the forward compartment , and the turret
crew consi sted of the commander, gunner and loader who was also the radio
operator. Numerous detail modificati ons were inc rporated during the Crom-
well' s production run, which ended in 1945. M st important innovation was the
introduction of allwelded construction in place of riveti ng on later models , thus
further simpl if ying mass-production. The romwell was numerically the most
important British-built cruiser tank of World War U, together with the American
built M4 Sherman, forming the main equipment of British armou red divisions in
194445.
Cromwelll
Original production model with /'pdr gun and L\.\I) Be. a maChine-guns . imil ar in
external appearance to Centaur I.
CromwelJ n
Cromwell I modified by rcm(l\'al of hull machincgun and fitting of wider
in in place of 14 in.
Cromwell m
Centaur I reengi ned with Meteor 10 hring it to A.27M standards, fi tted to carr y
auxiliary fuel tanks at Ihe rear . riginally Cromwell X.
Cromwell IV
Centaur III re-engined \\ ith tete( r. armed with 75-mm gun and two Besa
machi ne-Q'lIO .
CromweJJ V
As Cromwell rv but with all-welded hull.
19
Cromwell VI
DATA
CREW -'
WEIGHT J2,OOO kg 31. Stons
HEIGHT 2.7901 9ft 11 in
LENGTH R. 15 m 21i ft 81 in
WIDTH 2.9101 9ftli'"in
ENGINE RolI<-Royce Meteor V-12 developing
6(X) hp
SPEED Road 51.5 kmh 2 mph
Crolis-country 24 krnh 15 mph
ARMAMENT One 17-pdr (7Irmm) gun and one
O.30-cal (7.62- mm) Browning mg
ROUNDS CARRIED 42x7fi mm
ARMOUR THICKt "lESS Max 101 mm 3.98 in
Min 10 mm .39 in
The Cha//clllJer ill action in Ho//alld
Armed with the 95-mm howitzer replacing the 75-mm gun for close-support role .
Cromwell vn
Cromwell IV re-worked with applique armour welded on hull front, 5 ~ in track,
stronger suspension, reduced final drive ratio to govern down maximum speed k
32 mph. Armed with 75-mm gun and two Besa machine-guns.
Cromwell vm
As Cromwell VIl but armed with 95-mm howitzer and two Besa machine-gun'
Cruiser Tank Challenger (A.30)
Design work commenced in May 1942 to provide a v hicle armed with a hell\
hi gh-vel city gun to knock out any known German tank. The A. 30 as this vehieL
was designated was based on a lengthened romwell cha sis wi th lighten
armour and one extra su pension unit per side.
The fighting compartment was wi dened to accommodate the specially des ign
turre t to mount t he 17-pounder gun .
The hallenger (firs t known as the Centurion) entered production in Marc
1944, but only saw acti on in NW Europe.
Cruiser Tank Comet (A.34)
This was a heavier, improved version of the Cromwell series, developed to
accommodate the new 77-mm gun. This weapon, desib'11ed by Vickers-Armstrong.
was a new compact version of the 17-pdr with a shorter barrel, shorter breech and
lighter in weight.
Its performance and penetrating power were only slightly inferior to those of
the 17-pdr. It was intended that the 77-mm gun would fit in the original A.27 type
turret with modifications, but in the event an enlarged welded turret was found
necessary.
Design of the A.34 was begun in July 1943 and the pilot model was ready for
tests by February 1944; as a result of these trials a stronger suspension with the
addition of track relUrn rollers was fitted. By this time the A.34 represented a 60
per cenl re-design of the A.27 and was virtually a new tank.
ProJ uct ion deliverie commenced in September 1944 and the first A.34s , n()w
named Comet , were issued to the II tn Armoured Di vision after the Rhi ne
crossing in March 1945.
DAT.\
CREW 5 Cross-coumry 26 kmh 16 mph
WEIGHT 33.020 kg ' 2.5 lons ROAD RADIUS 198 km 123 miles
HEIGHT 2.68 m Xf( 9,l in ARMAMENT One 77-mm gun and two 7.92-mm
I-ENGTH 7.66 m 25 f( Il in Bcsa mgs
WIDTH 3.05 m 10ft ROUNDS CARRJED 58x77 mm
ENGINE Roll s- Royce Me lcor V-12 devel oping 5.175x7.92mm
600hp ARMOUR THICKNESS Max IOlmm 3.98 in
SPEED Road 47 kmh 29 mph Min 14 mm .55 in
DATA
CR W 2
WEIGHT 11,180kg II tons
HEIGHT 1.87m 6ft I i in
LENGTH 4.85m 15 ft II in
WIDTH 2.29m 7ft 6in
F.NGINE FordV-8developing70 hp
SPEED Road 12.9kmh 8mph
Cros--country9kmh 5.6 mph
ROADRADruS 129km 80mile,
ARMAMENT One .30J-cal(7.7-mm)mg
ROUNDSCARRIED 4,OOO x7.7mm
ARMOURTHlCKNESS Max60rom 2.36in
Mi n 10mm .39in
Infantry Tank Mk I Matilda I (A. ll)
Thi s classof tankstemmedfroma GeneralStaffrequirementfora tank tosupport
the infantry in the attack .
Specificati ons requested a heavily armoured vehicle that would be immune to
37-mm anti -tankguns travelatinfantrypaceandbearmedwitha machine-gun to
engage enemy troops.
Th fi rs t pi lot model de igned by Sir John Carden and built by Vickers-
Armstrong was delivered for tri al in September 1936 under the code name
Mat ilda for security purposes .
The vehicle had a very mall plai n hull.with exposed tracks and a small cas t
turre t armed wi th a .303-cal machine-gun .
The suspension consi ted of six rubber-tyred and two double steel-tyred road
wheels (per side) in two bogi e frames supported by semi-elliptic laminated
spring . By the outbreak of war ome 90 had been built. The 4th Bn RTC were
equi pped wi th the Mk I tanks in F romcefrom September 1939until Dunkirk ,but
none of these machines were saved . Due to the lack ofan anti -tank weapon for
u e againsthosti le tanks, some MarkL werefitted withthe .50Vi ckersOl achine-
gun duringtheirperi od inFrance. Productionof theInfantryTank Mk (ceasedin
Augus t 1940 after 139 had been built.
Infantry Tank Mk n Mati lda n (A.12)
The need to provide an improved \er.ion of the mall InfantryTank Mk t, with
room foranextra crew :.t 2-pdrgun anda bette r (ofup to 15 mph)
led to the deve lopment faet1n iderabl . larg r ehi cl e .ThisCam abou tsinceit
was impossi ble to fil a turreT abl to mount a 2-pdrgun on the extremely small
dime nsions of I nfan t _ Tank \1.k I. Thu!> the Mechanisation Board drew up a
completel y new de ign. Infanfr) Tank Mk /I withextremely heavyarmourona
60 mOl basi . Box bQgie! u..,pen..ion as used to t he heavy weightofthe
new design. nd ann. und ide with prominent mud chut es were a
di tinctive feature . ,\readilya ail ableA C commercial typeofdieselenginewas
utilis d due III the urgency f the desi!,'Il , though in a later version (Mk llA*) a
Leyland die.eI ....a used . he actual layout closely foll owed tha tof t he Medium
Tank A.7.... hich had been built as a prototype in 1929-32 but not produced, Th
fi rst pi lot motlcl W;JS reatly for trials by April 1938 and production began in the
f oil wing -\nned with a 2-pdrgun and a co-axial ,303 Vickers machine-gun
in a c .. .,r rhre -man turre t. the Mk n InfantryTankwas the mostpowerfultank in
,er.iceat that period.TheMk 11 wassometimesknowna, theMatilda senior, but
\\hen the: fk I was withdrawn from serviceafterDunkirk the name Ma tilda was
ntllci.IJI} .ldopted.
Tho:: atildaII wasfirst usedinactionatArras, France ,inMay 1940andproved
\er) lI ccessful in combat. During the fighti ng in the Western Desertin 1940, it
\.1 thebest-armedand-armoured of the tanksengagedand onlytheGerman8.8-
em Flakgunin mid-1941 wasable topenetratethe A.12' sarmouratlongrange .As
(he Ulrrer ring was too small to allow a 6-pdr gun to be fi tted, thi s led to the
eentua lwit hdrawal ofMatildas [rom tankbri gades ; Alamein wa the lastmaj or
hattie in which it was used. The Ma tilda also saw service in the Eri trean cam-
paign Crete and in the uth We t Pacific area wi th theAustrali an army.Itwas
t the Sovie t Union . A numberof Matildascaptured by theGermans in
the fight ing in the We tern Deser t were taken into service and used by them.
Matilda IT, Infantry Tank Mk llA
Simi lar to Matil da n, but with Besa 7. 92-mm machine-gun instead of Vickers .
Infantry Tank Mk I Matilda / ill Frallee
1939-40
OATA
CREW 4
W rGHT 26.950kg rOil>
HEIGHT 2.51m 8ft3in
LENGTH 5./\ I m IH ft -'in
WIDTH 2 9m 8ft6in
ENGINE Matilda I. II 2x EC,8 hpeach
Marilda Or. I 2xLcyland.':J5hp
Crosscountry 12.9krnh 8mph
ROADRADlUS 257krn 16(Jmib
RMAMNT One2-pdr(4a.mm)gunandone
7.920101 Be-samg
ROUNDS CARRlED 92 x 40rnm
2,925x 7.92 nUTI
ARMOURTHICKNESS Mllx 78 111111 .1.07 in
Min Umrn .Sli n
21
Infantry Tank, Mk II M atilda II, operating
in the Tohruk area
Matilda III, Infantry Tank Mk IIA *
As Matilda ITA hut with two Leyland diesel s of 95 hp each.
Matilda ill CS
Matilda ill with .I-in howitzer instead of 2-pdr gun.
Matilda IV, Infantry Tank Mk IIA**
As Matilda [II, hut with improved Leyland engines , and auxiliar y fuel tanks at the
rear.
Matilda IV CS
Mntilda IV armed with a 3-in howitzer.
Matilda V
As Matilda I'll , but with improvement s to gearhox and gear shift.
Infantry Tank Mk ill Valentine
nATA Val .... l:llle I
When Infantry Tank Mk II production commenced. Vickers were asked to join
CREW ~ the manufacturing group. Ins tead they chose to off er the War Offi ce thei r own
WEIGHT 16,260 kg 10 ' on$ design of Infantry Tank t hat was based on e perience gained from the
H - GHT 2.28 m 7f, <! in
development and manufacture of t he A.9 and A. IO Cruiser Tanks . Vi ckers
LENGTH <AI m 171,9 in
submi tted their proposal two days before St Valentine ' S Day, 1938, hence the
WIDTH 2.oJ m H,7jin
name. The pro posal was for a 3-man Infa ntry Tank . weighing 14-15 ton s with an
ENGIN E EC uevdoping 135hp
armour basis of 60 mm, designed for rapid production, bot h from the machinery
SPEED Road 24 kmh I' mph
and assembly poi nt of vi ew, and was to be based on component s whi ch had been
C' ros:H.:o Un( ry 12.9kmh gmph
u. d wi th compl et atisfaction in the A.9 and A. IO vehicles. There waS a delay in
ROAD RADI US 145 km 90 mi les
ARMAMENT One 2- pd r (4a-mmJ gun and one
offi cial ordering, howe ver, and nly when war became inevitable was an order
7.92-mm Bcsa mg placed in July 1939. The first production vehi cl e appeared in M y 1940; in thi s
ROUNDS CARR IED 7Qx 40 mm case no pilot model was built. Thi s new infa ntr y tank was based on lhe chassis,
.1. 150.:<7. 92 mm uspension and drive train of the A. IO, but had a new superstructure and turret;
ARMOUR THICKNeSS Max 65 mm 2. 56 in
thi s was t he two-man type tha t necessitated the commander ncti ng as loader for
Mi n 8 mm .J lln
the 2-pdr gun . Observa ti on for both commander and gunner wa s provided by
Vick rs type periscopes giving all-round vi sion. The turret could be rotated either
22
Valentin e Is of the 6th Armoured Di vision on
manoeuvres in England 1941
Vall!ntine Ill . 7ion'! /I /(Jeli/lu/ t (l tll" , Ol/t'
extra crt'w 11lelliher
manua Uy or by electrical power traverse controlled by the gunner. The driver was
situated in the central position at the front of the machine, being given maximum
vision in the closed-down position by two Vickers periscopes fitted in addition to
the bullet-proof glass-protected slit type forward look-out. The engine and
transmission compartment were at the rear end, isolated f rom the fighting
compartment by a fire-proof bulkhead. The fuel tanks were enclosed in a
leakproof sub-compartment of the main engine room . In late 1940, Valentines
entered full service and some were used in the cruiser tank role to help overcome
shortages. The Valentine first saw service in the Western Desert and was used
with distinction throughout the campaign, proving to be a good reliable gun
pl atform. Also used operationally in North Africa, Madagascar 1942, Pacific area
with New Zealand troops. Canadian-buil t Valentines VI and VII were supplied to
the Soviet Union.
By late 1942 the Valent ine was largel y obsole te due to its low speed and small
turre t which restricted the fi tting of a larger calibre gun. Valenti nes m and V had
the turret modi fied to accommodate three men (a loader, in addition to
commander and gunner), but the third turret member wa dropped when the 6-pdr
gun was fitted in later marks. The 6-pdr gun wa introduced into production
Valentines from March 1942. Orh r modi fica ti ons included improved engine
installati on (GMC diesel units) and a change ver from all-riveted to all-welded
constructi on. The fi nal production version in the Valentine series was the
Valentine Xl; this vehicle was ar med with the Bri tish 75-mm gun in a speciall y
adapted turret.
Infantry Tank Mk m* Valentine n
As Valentine I, but with AE diesel engine (131 hpj repla ing petrol engi ne .
Vehicles for desert service equipped wit h <;imd . hield. and jettisonable long-range
fuel t::lnks.
Valentine In
As Valentine II , but with turre t m difie d to take a third crew member. New turret
front with improved mantlet; commander ' hatch set towa rd. rear of turret.
Valentine IV
.... V;dcntine IJ, but wi th GMC dies I engine (138 hp) replacing AEC unit.
Valentine V
Sirnil ;lr to Val en tine TIl hut motive power ~ u p p l i e by GMC die. el engi ne.
Valentine VI
anadian-hui lt model, ex ternall y similar to Val entin TV with GMC dieseL In
product ion lale 194 1. Nose pl ate cast instead of bol ed as on Briti sh v hi d es .
Drowning .30-cal m;ichine-gu n replaced 7.92-rnm Be a .
')'
_.'
VaJentine Vll
Valentine lX
Valentine X l ~ operating as a battery
commander ~ Ilelz icles wi th SP (l7-pdr)
A Ilti-Tallk regiment
Improved Valentine VI bui lt in Canada with different radio and detailed internal
change .
VaJentine VllA
Improved Canadian-built Valentine VIT, with jettisonable fuel tanks. studded
tra ks and protecti ve cages over headlamps. The whole production of Canadian-
built VaJentines, except for the first 30 that were held back for trai ning, was
supplied to the Soviet Union .
Valentine vm
Valentine III up-gunned with a 6-pdr replacing the 2-pdr and co-a>tial machine-gun
in a redesigned two-man turret.
Valentine IX
Valentine V up-gunned with Ii 6-pdr replacing the 2-pdr and co-axial machine-gun
in a resdesigned two-man turret.
Valentine X
As Valenti n s vm and IX but with co-axial 7. 92-mm Besa machine-gun and up-
rated GMC ujescl engine (1 65 hp). In production 1943.
Valentine XI
Si milar to Valentine X. but with Briti h 75-mm gun replacing6-pdr, and cast n e .
Infantry Tank Mk IV ChurchiD (A.22)
This vehi cl e was developed jointly by th War Mechanisati n Board and Vauxhall
Mot rs Ltd. In general shape, overall dimen. ion. and ITan mission del ils it was
ba ed on its predeces o'r , 'A.20', a vehicle that had be n projected in 1939 as a
heavi ly armoured lnfanlry Tank.
The first 14 PT duction models were deli vered in JUll 1941 from an order that
had been placed while the vehicle was still on the drawing board . The power plant
was de igned to be as compact as possible; the radiators and petrol tanks were
placed aJongside the engine and protected by heavy armour plating again t splas h.
The transmission featured the Merritt-Brown four-speed gearbox which pr vided
conlrolJed differential steering; the Churchill being the fiTst production vehicle to
use this . Panniers were provided at each side of the hull, between the upper and
I wer runs of track; these were used for the stowage of equipment.
The tank was carri ed on 22 bOgie ( J I each ide) , each independently sprung,
with steel articulated link tracks that were pudded or webbed. Double door were
instaJled in the roof above the drive and front gunner as escape hatches, and a
24
Churchill / of Canadian Armoured Regt 011
huge-scale offensiFe exercises in Englalld
/941
square d or in each of the hull sides provided access to the driver's compartment.
Periscopes were mounted in the hull roof for the driver and front gunner and in
front of the turret.
Armament for the Churchill I consisted of a 2-pdr (40-mm) QFSA gun and a
7.92-mm Besa machi ne-gun co-axi ally mounted in the turret and a 3-inch QFSA
howi tzer in the front hull plate. A 2-inch moke mor tar was mounted on th turret
roof . Due to the ru sheJ development programme of this vehicle there were
numerous defects in the design leadi ng to frequ nt breakdowns wit h the early
marks .
Churchill n
This model had the 3-i nch howi LZer removed froll1 the hul l fronl and rep!aced by a
7.92-mm Besa machine-gun. .In.1Il n of the Chur hill lf wa t he cI . e-support
version. Churchill rrcs, whi ' h ,imp!y chang d over the gun di sposition of the
Churchill I. so that the -i nch hoy, IIzer was carried in the turret and tbe 2-pdr gun
in th hul !. .
Churchill II. Compare l -pdr ~ l n with siu of
tallk
25
IJATA Churchill III and rv
CREW 5
WEIGHT 39,620kg 3910n5
HEIGHT 2.97 m 9 f.9 in
LENGTH 7.47m 24ft6in
WIDTH 2.74 m 9 f.
ENGINE Bedford Twin-Six developing 350 hp
SPEED Rood 24.9 kmh 1:1.5 mph
Cross-coun.ry 12.9 kmh 8 mph
ROAD RADI US 145 km 90rniks
ARMAMENT Oneb-pdr (57-mm) M5 gun and 'wo
7.92-mm Besa mgs
ROUNDS CARRIED X4x 57 mm
6,975 x 7.92mm
Min J6 mOl .63 in
Churchill III with welded turret and armed
with 6-pdr gUll ill actioll in Tunisia
Chl/rell i" IV, CIIM turret and 6-pdr gun
!novillg through the ruills of a French tOWIl
Churchill m
T his version appeared in 1942, armed with a (i-pdr in a new type of welded turrel
I n addition this vehicle was fitted with full track covers, new air intake louvr
and other improvements. Used in action during the ra id on Dieppe ()n 19 Augu I
1942 when a small number of Churchill Is were also involved. In action during th
Tunisian Campaign 1942-43 and supplied to the Soviet Union in 1942.
ChurchiU IV
Appeared concurrent with the Churchill III . T hough armed wi th the 6-pdrgun, th
Churchill rv was fitted with a cast turret which offered armour protection slighl ly
superior to that of the welded type. The gun was either the 6-pdr QF Mk 3 or Mk
5, the latter being distinguished by it s noticea bly longer barrel and counler-weight.
Used operationally in Tunisia 1942-43.
Churchill IV (Na.75)
During January 1943, the work hop of the armoured brig<1des of the 1 t Army in
Tunisia converted 120 Chur hill IVs to carry t he 75-mm MJ gun t<1k n from
26
wrecked Sherman tanks. This was to enable the tank to fire high-explosive shells:
the British 2-pdr and 6-pdr guns fired only AP (armour-piercing shot). These were
the first British tanks to take guns of this calibre into action where they were lIsed
with great success in the Sicily and Italian campaigns. The NA.75 (North Africa)
remained in service until 1945.
Churchill IV (NA 75) firing on Gerll1(1lllines
ill Italy
Churchill V (95-mm howit zer)
Churchi lJ V
This was the same basic vehicle as the Chur hill IV. but fitted with a QF 95-mm
tank howit zer Mk I for the close-support role . In operations in North Africa, Ital y
and North West Europe.
Churchill VI
Thi WU\ 10 the Churchill IV. bu t with a Bri ti. h 75-mm gun replacing the 6-
pdr gun. In Iwduction during 1943.
hurchill VII (A.22F/ A.42)
Thi wa, it redesigned version of the Churchill with thi cker ar mour, a heavier
,u and improved gear box. The square side escape hatches were repl aced
h) -ircuiar types that we re intended to reduce the armour weakness in these
and the drivers vi ion hatch in the vertical front plate was al!>o r placed by
a ci rcular hatch. The turret was a compl e te redesi gn . havi ng cast side. and a
weideL! roof. Improved vision was provided for t he commander by the installati on
\)f a rai . ed vision-block circular cupol a in place of the pre vious rotating . quare
hatch. Thi. model entered production at the end of 1943 and was the princi pal
British heavy tank to take part in the invasion of Europe in June 1944, and in
subsequent 1944-45 campaigns. Designated A.22F, this vehicle was redesignated
A.42 in 1945.
27
Churchill V II
DATA Churchi llVlJand VIU
CREW 5
WEIGHT 41.660kg 41tons
HEIGHT 3.45m II rt 4in
LENGTH 7.44m 24rt 5in
WIDTH 2.74m 9ft
ENGINE BedfordTwin-Sixdeveloping350 hp
SPEED Road20kmh 12. 5 mph
Cross-country 12.9kmh 8mph
ROADRADJUS 145km 9()mile,
ARM MENT Churchill V[[ One7 mmgulland
two 7.92- mm ~ mgs
hurchill VTlI One9S-Olm howitzer
andtwo7.92-mm8esamgs
ROUNDSCARRIED ChurchillVll 84x75mm
6.525x7.92mrn
Churchill VlI! 6O x 95 mm
6.52.1 x7.92 mm
ARMOURTHICKNESS Max 152 oun 5. 98in
Min 2.1 mm .98in
ChurchiU vm
Thi wasthe finalmai nproduction ver ion ofthe Churchill asacombattank,and
wasidenticalin all respects to the Churchi IVIIexceptfor the main armament ,a
95-mm howitzer replacing the 75-mm gun.
Re-worked Churchill models
With theintroductionoftheChurchillVIIinNovember 1943,workwasstartedto
convert models lll. IV. V and VI to Churchill VII tandards. Most of thi
conversion work was carried ut in REME work hops. Retrospecti e fittings
included later mod Is of the 6-pdr or 75-mm guns, Churchill VII type vision
cupolasandsights,andappliquearmour.Thesere-workedandupdatedChurchills
appeared from early 1945 onwards.
Churchill IX
Chur chill IlJ and rv with heavier composite cast/wel ded VIlJ type turret
rei nforced roof and re-armoured withappl ique armourconsistingof thickerfront
pl ates and the addition ofskirting plates to the hull. OrdnanceQF6-pdrMk or
Mk 5 was fitted.
Churchill IX L T
As for Churchi ll IX but retaining the original light turret.
Churchill X
This was the Churchill VI re-worked wit h heavier c mposite turret , reinforced
ro f and re-armoured with applique si de armour. Also fitted wi th new visor and
gla ' s plate , heavy suspension uni ts and H41 gearbox as in the Churchill VII.
Armed with the QF 75-mm Mk 5 or Mk 5A gun.
Churchill X LT
A. for Churchill X but retaining the ori gi nal light turret.
Churchill XI
Re-work d Churchl lt V tanks incorporati ng a heavier composite turret ,applique
side arm ur, thicker f ront plates, a reinforced roof and t headditi on of skirting
plat s to t he hull .The QF95-mmRowitzer Mk1remai nedthemai narmamenton
this versi n.
SOVI ET UNION
Introduction
The majority of the oviet tanks employed during the earl y operati on of the
German campaign in the Soviet Union (summer 194 1)weretypesproducedunder
the Second Five-year Planandwere alreadyoutdated bythe beginningof World
28
War II, There were an estimated 21-24,000 tanks available to the Soviet Union in
June 1941 , of which the Germans destroyed over 17,500 within the first three
months of operations,
Despite the fact that most of the Soviet armour was old, the Russians were in
the proces of introducing new models (T-34, KV T-40 and T-60) at the time of
the German attack, and these were excellent tanks all around, The T-34 and KV
tanks remained vi rtually unchanged throughout the entire war and it took only
minor modification to maintai n their quali tative superi ority over the German
machi nes , When the war termi nated the Soviet Uni on had virtually discarded the
light tank altogether, but had retained their T- 34 mecli um (now up-gunned to 85-
mm) and redesigned their K V heavy model into the 'Iosef Stalin' mounting a 122-
mm gun.
With the tremendous losses in tanks during the fir t period of the war and t he
necessi ty to evacuate al most their entire western tank industri es to the e t, the
Soviets were unable to reach numeri cal pa rity with the Germans before 1943. For
this reason the Russian were for ced to utili e thei r armour during t his defensive
period purely as infantry support . A! Don as production pi cked up, however,
they began to form larger units- fi rstl y, [ank corp- , and later tank armies . The
quali ty of these large Soviet tank formations had improved considerably by the
end of the war, but their performance was rest ri cted greatly by the lack of military
transport.
DATi\.
CREW 3
WEIGHT 8,QOO.9,500kg 7.9-9.35 tons
. (Jependingon mOdel)
HEIGHT 2.08-2.33 m 6 ft 81 in-7ft nin
(depending on model)
LENGTH 4.62-4.88 m ISft 2 in-16 ft Oin
WIDTH 2.41-2.44 m 7 fl " in-8 ft 0 in
ENGINE T-26 4-cyl. air-cooled petrol developing
91 hp
SPEED Road 2&-32 kmh 17.4-20 mph
Cro<S-CDunlry 20 kmh J2. 4 mph
ROADRADlUS 100-22S km 62-J40miles
ARMAMENT Various-see above
ROUNDS CARRIED Various , according I()
armament
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 2S mm .98 in
Mln 6 mm .24 in
Light Tank T-26 followed by the twin turret
version
Commanders' version of the T-26 (T-26TU!
...
Lyokhy Tank T-26 (Light Tank T-26 series)
As was the case with many other Soviet t ks of tht! 19 0 the T-26 1ight tank was
developed from a British model, in thi ca e the famou. 6-ton Ijght tank built by
Vickers-Arm trong td, This model was de elopeu as the basic light infantry-
support tank to repl ace the obsolete M S model. and rem . ned in rna s-production
thr ughout the peri od 1931-40, Al toget h r more than 12.000 of the e vehicles, in
multip1icily of models, were manufacrured . During 1930 a group of engineer in
the Experimental Design Department (OKMO) a t the Bolshevik Fa tory in
Leningrad, clirec ted by N .V. Bari kov and S.A. Gi nzburg, manufactured 20, imi lar
vehicle under the designations TMM- I and TMM-2, Following comparison trial
with Soviet-designed models (T- 19 and T-20), on 13 February 193 1, the Vickers
design was accepted by the Revoluti onary Mili tary Counci l (Revvoensovet) for
adoption by the Red Army. After mi nor alterations by the engi neer Zi gelya, the
vehicle was standardised as the T-26, Duri ng the folIowrng year mass-production
began at several factories. Tank.:; of the fi r t series had two juxta-opposed turrets
that could mount a multiplicity of armamt!nt combinations, For commanders there
was a speci al version with radio called T-2t>TU, A ompanion version, with one
turret removed and the other mounting a new long-barrelled 37-mm gun was
. 'cheduled for adoption by the ed Army. but only a few were produced due to the
decision to adopt a ingle-turreted model with a larger turret. Mass-production of
the single-turreted mod I began in 1933, Original models were armed with the new
37-mm gun but eventually this was replaced by the 45-mm gun, In 1938, as a result
of the fi ghting agai n!> t the Japanese in the Far East, a new welded version of the
ingle- turreted mod I was developed designated T-26S. Some of the earlier
models were also retrofitted with the turret of this tank. During service with the
Red Arm lhe T-16 underwent many alterations and modifications and several
..e vehicles were developed around it.
Light Tank T-26S
Lyokhy Pla vayushchy Tank T-37 (Light Amphibious Tank
T-37 series)
DATA During 1930 some examples of the Carden- Loyd light amphibious tank (A-4E I I)
CREW were pur hased in England. A group of engi neers at Factory No. 37 in Memory of
WEIGHT 3.2ookg 3. 15 tons
S . Ordzhoni kidze in Mo cow, di rected by N.A_Astrov, developed a series of
HEIGHT 1.82 m Ht I ~ in
experimental vehi cles of thi s type. After unsuccessful tests with a number of
LENGTH 3.75m 12ft3)in
experimental models, on II August 1933 the Red Army offi cially adopted the T -37
WIDTH 2. 00 m 6 ft 7 in
light amphibious tank for use by reconnai ssance sutruni ts. Production. began at
ENGINE GAZ-AA 4-cyl. wawr-cooled petrol
Factory No_ 37. In the meantime, another group of engi neers under N. N.
developing 40 hp
Kozi ryev carri ed out improve ments to the de ign, resulting in the variant
SPEED Road35k",h 21.Smph
designated T -37 A_ Since the origi nal vehi cl e never entered servi ce, however, the
Water4krnh 2.5 mph suffix A was dropped and the vari ant became referred to purel y as the T-37. Mass-
ROAD RADIUS 18.5 km I 15 miles production of the tank began towards the end of 1933 and continued unti l the end
WATER OPERATION I_ hours
of 1936 when the improved T-38 type appeared . Altogether about 1, 200 vehi cl s
ARMAMENT One 7.62-mm DT mg
of the T -37 type were bui lt in various models . Platoon and company commander'
ROU DS CARRiED 5(10 round .
tanks , designated T-37U or T-37TU. were provided with radi o equipment and the
ch racteristi c hand-rail aeri al around the hull.
Min 4mm .16in
Light Amphibious Tank T-37TU
Lyokhy Plavayushchy Tank T-38 (Light Amphi bious Tank
T-38)
T h i ~ light tank, which was a successor to the earlier T-37 light amphibious tank,
was accepted for adoption by the Red Army during 1936_It was designed by a
group of engineers at the Factory No. 37 in Moscow, under the direction of N.
30
DATA
CREW 2
WEIGHT 3,280kg 3.23 tons
HEIGHT 1.74m Sft81 in
LENGTH 4.05 m 13ft 31 in
WIDTH 2.5J m 8ft 3in
ENGINE GAZ-AA4-cyl. water-cooledpetrol
developing40hp (T-38-M2had GAZ-MI
4-cyl.water-cooledpetroldeveloping
50hp)
SPEED Road45kmh 28 mph
Cross-country2.' kmh 15.5mph
Water6kmh 3.7mph
ROADRADIUS 250km 155.7miles
WATEROPERA nON 12 hours
ARMAMENT One7.62.-mm DTmg
ROUNDSCARRIED 1,5[2x7.62-mm
ARMOURTHICKNESS Max 9.5 mm .37in
Min 4.0rom .16i.n
Light Amphibious Tank T-38
DATA
CREW 2
WEIGHT 5,590kg 5.5tons
HeIGHT 2.12m 6ft Illin
LENGTH 4.43 m 14 (,61 in
WIDTH 2.51 m 8ft3in
ENGINE GAZ-2026-cyl. wllter-cooledpe trol
developing8 hp
SPEED Road45kmh 28mph
Cross-counrry30kmh 18.6mph
Water 10kmh 6.2mph
ARMAMIlNT Eitherone [2. -mmOShKor20-mm
ShVAK20nnd ne 7.62-mmDTmg
ROIJNDSCARRJED 55Qx 11.7/ 20mm
2.0Iox7.62mm
ARMOURTHICKNESS M ~ Ilmm .51 in
Min 6mm .24m
Astrov. In essence the tank was a thoroughJy modernised T-37, being lower,
faster and having an improved hull and re-Iocated turret (to the opposite sideof
the vehicle). From 1936onwardstheT-38replacedtheT-37inproduction.During
1938 a modified variantwith a morepowerful50hpengine and new transmission
was adopted as theT-38-M2.Llke the T-37, from 1937 theT-38formed the basic
armoured equipment of the reconnaissance sub-units in armoured, infantry and
cavalry units . It was also adopted by the Air-Landing Corps. Production of the
vehi cle terminated in /939, although the vehicle continued in service until total
replacement by the T-40 light amphibious tank.
Lyokhy Plavayushchy Tank T -40 (Light Amphibious Tank
T-40)
As th result of the 1939-40 tank programme. the Red Aml Yreceived a new
amphibiouslight tank toreplace theobSOleteT-38model.Thiswa de i,!, 'llated the
T-40, and first issued to re nnai.sance and armoured liaison units at the
heginning of 1941. The tank wa' a c mplete departure from previous Sovie t
practice. in thatitemployed fu lly independenttorsi n-barsu pensionandwelded
armour. In orderto maintai n t h amphibious capabili ty the tankwas fai rl y thinly
armoured .Theoriginal -40 models werearm d with a 12.7-mm heavymachine-
gun and a co-axial 7.6:!-mm DT machine-gun, but about the ti me of the
introduction of the T -bO li ght lank some T-40s were re-armed with the 20-mm
ShYAK-20cannon. nimprovedmodel, 'ometi mesreferredtoa theT-40A was
introduced during. 1941and had certain minormodification . During 1942 theT-
40S which hadgreatl yiJl creasedarmourwas placedinli mited production .Dueto
the Increased .....eight. however, the tank was no longer amphibious and conse-
quen tly the water-propulsion and steeri ng components were omitted.
Light Amphibious Tank T-40
31
DATA
CREW 4
WEIGHT 13.500kg 13 .3 IOns
HEIGHT 2.33 m 7 ft 7! in
LENGTH 5.57 m 18 f[ 3! in
wrOTH 2.66 m 8 ft ~ in
ENGINE GAZ V-4 4-cyl. watercooled die,e1
developing 300 hp
SPEED Road 53 kmh ~ mph
Crosscountry 40 kmh 25 mph
ROAD RADIUS 350 km 21 7.5 miles
ARMAMENT One 45'mm gun and one 7.62mm
DT mg.
ROUNDS CARRIED 150x 4 mm 4,OOOx7.62mm
Min 12 mm .47 in
Light Tallk T-5()
DATA
CREW
WEIGHT 5,750 kg 5.66 lOns
HE IGHT 1.8901 6 ft 2! in
LENGTH 4.30 m 14 fl I in
WIDTH 2.46m SftUlin
ENGINE GAZZoo &-Cl'l. walcr-cooled petrol
developing 711 hp
SPEED Rood 44kmh 27.3 mph
Cross-counlry 30kmh 18.6 mph
ROAD RADIUS 614km J82miles
ARMAMENT One2().mm ShVAK cannon .".1 one
7.62-mm DTmg
ROUNDS CARRIED 780x20 mm 945 x7. 62 mm
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max20mm .79;n
Min 7 mm .28 in
Lyokhy Tank T-50 (Light Tank T -50)
The T-50 light tank was designed as a repl acement for the T-26 and BT tank
being int ended to support infantry and to carry ou t reconnaissance missions. Lik
the T-34 it was characterised by it greatly inclined armour, whi ch was of equ
thickness throughout. Due to its si mi larity in appearance and overall design to I
K Y heavy ta nk the T-50 was often referred to as the 'Mali K lim ' (Little Klim) . .
special di esel engine was developed for this vehicle , but si nce the tank wa
complex and required a much producti n effort as the T-34 medium il wa
discontinued af ter only 65 vehicl es had been delivered to the Red Army.
Lyokhy Tank T-60 (Light Tank T -60)
In 194 1 Ihe Red Army adopted the T-60 light tank as a replacement for the T-40
light ' mphibiou tank . Ln thi ase. however, the need for heavier armour resulted
in the tank bcing non-amphibious . Difficulty was experi enced in the provision of
more powerful i:l rmament. Soviet engineers attempted to mount a 37- mm gun but ,
even with reduced charge rounds, the turret ri ng was unable to absorb the recoil
f thi s weapon. Due to the mili tary si tuation there was no time to evolve a lighter
tank gun nnd the Soviet armament de igner Shpitalny and Vladimirov were gi ven
the ta k of adapting their high-velocity 20-mm ShY AK aircraft cannon for the T-
60. This was accomplis hed in a very short time, and tests howed that armour-
piercing incendillry rounds fired by the 20-mm ShY AK cannon could penetrate the
same armour as the original 37-mm gun. T he new T-60 was accepted in armament
and ordered in production in November 1941; over 6,000 were completed and
delivered before replacement by the T-70. The vehi cle was issued to reconnaiss-
ance units and also to infantry formations for direct support in combat. An
improved model of the T-60 was produced in late 1941 , often referred to as T-60A.
This vehicle had increased armour, but the main difference was the substitution of
oJid road wheels for the ellrlier spoked type.
Light Tank T-60
Light Tank T-60A
DATA
CREW 2
WEIGHT 9.960 kg 9.8 tons
HEIGHT 2.22m 7ft)' in
LE. GTH 5.00 m 16 ft 5 in
WIDTH 2.52 m 8 ft 3, in
ENG IN E 2 x ZI$- 202 6-cyl. water-cooled petrol
developing 70 hp (eal'h)
Cross-country 30 kmh 1 ~ 6 mph
ROAD RAOrUS 446 km 277 miles
ARMAMENT One 45-mm gun and one 7.62-mm
OTmg
ROUNDSCARRlllD 70x 45mm 945xH2mm
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max60mm 2.36 'n
Min IOmm :Win
Light Tank T-70;\
Lyokhy Tank T-70 (Light Tank T-70)
Duri ng January 1942 the T-70 light tank began to replace the earlier T-60 model.
Despite the fact thal it had been . hown that the li ght tank was not an effectiv
combat vehicle, it was cheaper and ea_ic!r to mass-produce, which mean t that
units could receive tanks where they would therwi e have had none. The T-70
light lank was mass-produced at the Gorki Automobi le Works, and had the 'ame
chassis as the T-60 (with th drive taken to rhe front in lead of the rear) slightly
reinforced to take the extra weight. new turret was fitted mounting a 45-mm gun
and o-axial 7_ o2-mm DT machine-gun _ fhe hull rmour was al 'o modified to give
a cleaner out line and better prol eli n. and the driver was provided with an
armoured visor. Performance was improved through the li se of two ngi nes in
pl ace of One_ During 1943 an improved mod I. . omelimes referred to as T-70A,
appeared which had in reased aTmour and slightly more powerful engines _
Production of T-70 tanks w s cet ed in autumn 1943 after completion of 8,226
ve hicles .
Light Tank T-70A
33
Lyokhy KoJesogusenichny Bistrokhodny Tank
Wheel-track Fast Tank BT series)
AI ngside the T-26 light tank, the BT fast tank was the most prolific armour
fighting vehicle, and the most popUlar, in the Red Army during the 1930, . T'
ini tial s BT were an acronym for ' Bis trokhodny Tank' , or Fast Tank_ I t was kno
a mong Soviet tankmen as the ' Betka' (Beetle) or as the 'Tri -Tankista ' (Thr
Tank-men) as the result of its 3-man crew. The BT tank was derived from I
American tank desib'Tl by J. W . Ch!i tie, an exampl e of which was purchas d
Sovi et officials in the US during 1930 and shipped back to the Khar!"
Loc6motive Works . Afte r e xtensive development work the Revoluti n...
Mi litary Council authorised the BT tank for adoption by the Red Army on 23 M
1931 . Producti on work began at the 'Komjntem' Works duri ng Augus t , and on
September the first two protot ypes, desi gna ted BT- 1. were del ivered to th R
Army for tri. Is. This fir st model waS provided wilh machine-gun armament onl
and it was requested that the production model be armed with an ar tillery weap
In the meantime, the BT-2 model , sti ll wi th only machine-gun armament \\
adopted in li mited quantities . Duri ng producti on, succe ive BT-2 tanks wer
equipped wi th the 37-mm gun Model 1930. During 1932 the Red Army k
that the BT tank be ar med with the more powerful 45-mm gun, and after a
of experimental trials the BT-5 was adopted wi th thi. gun mounted in a large,
turret. Comma nders' vehicles (BT-5U, BT-5TU) were provided with two-wa
mdio equipment and had a frame aerial around the turret lOp . A special arti ll er
support model was developed, designated BT-5A, mounti ng a short-barrelle
76.2-mm gun. Result ing from experience in combat (Spai n and Manchuria) th
Red Army requested Ihat the BT be redesi gned with loped, welded armour .
the result the BT-7 model appeared . Command and artillery models weI'
devel oped , with the same suffic s as for Ihe BT-5 model. Duri ng 1938 a new die e
engine had been developed for tank use, and this was ins talled in all suhsequen
BT-7 tanks , n referred 10 a BT-7M (also as BT-8). The Red Army al 0 adopte
a mult iplicity of special purpose tanks based on these model s (fl ame- thrower
bridge-layers , chemical tanks, ere).
DATA
Model 111'-2 Model BT-5
CREW CREW )
WEIG HT 10,200 kg 10 IOnS WElGHT " ,500 kg 11.3 tons
HEIGHT 2.}Sm 7ft , in RllTGHT 2. 38 m 7 ft 9! .n
LENGTH .90 m 19 ft 4. in LENGTH 5. 93 m f9 ft 5! in
WIDTH 2.4001 7ft fOI in WIDTH 240 m 7 ft IOJin
ENGI NE Liberty ne ro Il-eyl. ENGINE M 5 nero 12-cyl.
petrol devefoping 34} hp petrol de veloping )50 hp
SPEE D Road IIOkmh 08.4onph SPE.ED RoruJ IIOkmh 68.4mph
Cross-;counlry 50 kmh :t I mph r O'i 5- cQlIntry 50 kmh )! mph
ROA D RA Df U 3m km 186.4 miles ROAD RA OJ US ,00km 186.4 miles
ARMAMENT Two 7. 62-mm rn gs Of ARMAMENT One 45-mm gun and one
37-0101 M 19)0 ,,'IJn 7.62&mm I1I g
RO NDSCARR I ED 4, OOOx7.62mm ROU NDS CARRIED 72-1 15 x 45 mm
96 x 37 mm mm
j\ RMOlJRTIfICKNESS Mux 13mm .,\ 1in ARMOUR THI KNESS Max /3 mm .51 in
Min 6 mm .24 in Min 6 mm .24in
Mudd O'f -7 Model BT-7M
CREW j CREW 3
WEIGHT 13,800 kg /J. 6 Ions WEIC HT 14.4 IOns
H ' IGHT m Xn ) in HEIGHT 2,46 m R It OJ in
LE ' GTH 1,. 11 rn 20 fl Qtin LHNGTH 6. II 01 20 (t 0+ In
WI OH 1 2.62 m 8 ft 7 in WI DTH 2.62 m 8 [[ 7 in
E. GlNE M- In Il -oyl. petrol IlN , INE V-l /2.cyl. diesel
de veloping 450 hp dcvelopi og 500 hp
SP . - D Road 741unh 46 mph SPEFD Road 6 kmh 53.4 mph
Cru, -COuntry 50 kmh 31 mph Cross-coun tr y 50krnh 31 mph
ROAD RAOi 500 km 31 1 mib ROAD RADI US 700 krn 435 miles
One 45-mm gun and one AH M lENT One 76.2-m m gun and
7. 62-mm mg: two 7.62-m01 mgs
RO UN DS CARRIE D I 2- I8l< x 45 mm ROUNDS CARRIED 40x 76.2 mm
1.394 ;.< 7. 62 rnm 2,)94 x 7.62 mm
j\RMOURTHICK 'JESS Max22mm .nin ARMOUR THIC K ESS Max 22 mm .87 in
Min 6 mill .24 in Min 6 mm .24 in
34
Fast Tank BT-2 with 37-mm gun A ... Fast Tank BT-5
Fast Tank BT-5U Commanders' model
Fast Tank BT-7
Sredny Tank T-28 (Medium Tank T -28)
In 1932 the Leningrad Kirov Tank Plant built a new prototype medium tank based
on the general design of the British A-6EI 16-ton tank. The first Soviet
specification for a multi-turreted 16-ton medium tank, intended for breaking
through strongly-fortified defensive zones and for exploitation by mechanised
units, was issued to the Kirov plant in 1931. After trials with the prototype heavi er
armour and more powerful armament were requested, the original 45-mm gun
being replaced by a 76_2-mm gun . A specification was then drafted for a 28-ton
medium tank, designated T-28 . The final model was accepted for adoption by the
Red Army on II August 1933. In later production models a turret stabilisation
system was utilised. During 1938 this tank was subjected to extensive modifica-
tion, resulting in the T-28 Ob. 1938. The existing 16.5 calibre gun was replaced b
the L-IO gun of 26 calibres. During the Russo-Finnish War ( 1939-40) it wa,
di scovered that the armour was inadequate and so the vehicle was up-armoured
by the use of 'screened armour ' . The turret and hull front plates were increased
from 50 to 80-mm, the sides and rear to 40-mm. The weight of the new tank rose to
32 tons.
DATA
CREW 6 Cross-country 20 kmh 11.4 mph
WEIGHT 28.000kg 27.6 IOns ROAD RADIUS 220km 137 mile,
HEIGHT 2.82 m 9 f! 3 in ARMAMENT One 76. 2-mm gun and three 7.62-mrn
LENGTH 7. 44 m 24 ft 5 in OTmgs
WIDTH 2.81m 9h 2lin ROUNDS CARRIED 70><76.2 mm
ENGINE M-I7L I ~ c y l . water-cooled petrol 7. 938x7.62 mm
developing 500 hp ARMOUR THI CKNESS Max 80 mm 3.15 in
SPEED Road 37 kmh 23 mph Min 20mm .79 in
Medium Tank T-28
T-28 late productivn model
Sredny Tank T-34 (Medium Tank T-34 series)
At the beginni ng of 1937 the Komintern Factory in Khar'kov was assigned the
task f developing a new medium tank wi th shell-proof armour. Several
exp rimental vehicle ' were designed and built under the guidance of Chief
Designer M.1. Kos hkin, whi ch were essentiall y outgrowths of the BT (Christie)
\ heel/track series. These culminated in a fi nal wheel/ track model designated
T - 32. In the meant ime, Koshkin had proposed that a new mediu m tank be
develop which ran on tracks only, and this was sancti ned . The two prototypes
(the tracked variant being called T -34) were subjected to rigorous trials , and the T-
34 model fi nally accepted as the tandard medium tank for the R d Army on 19
December. 1939. Towards the end of 1940 the fi rst production model s of the T -34 .
de. ignated T -34 Ob.1940 (often referred to as T-34A), were rel ea,' ed from the
Komin tern Fact ory , During 1940 115 T -34<; were produced, and ' ome of these
were de. patched to Finland for combat tests but arrived too late to parti ci pate in
ope alions . By 22 June 1941-when the ermans attacked-a lot'l l of 1,225 had
been produced . By the lime of the Battle of Moscow (December 5t h, 1941) 1,8:' 3
llad been delivered to the Red Army, but of course many of these had since been
destroyed . The T -34 made its debut on 22 June 1941 in the vicinity of Grodno
(Belorussi a). It was a complete surprise to the German High Command, who
learned to treat this tank with the greatest respect. There were many design a
production changes made to the T-34 during its production but there is obviou
insufficient room here to go into detail. The first fundamental change was to
arm the tank with the longer-barrelled Model 40 F-34 gun (in pl ace of the ori gi
L-II gun) . Only modification to the armour and automotive layout ensued u
autumn 1943. when the 85-mm gun was fitted in a new, enlarged turret. Thi s fi n
model was designated T-34-85. The T-34-85 was approved for adoption by the R
Army on December 15th 1943. Over 40,OOOT-34s were manufactured until the e
of the war.
Medium Tank T-34 1940 model
T-34 with cast turret that also appeared in
194]
T-34 1941 model.
T-]4 194] model .
T-34/85
DATA ~ ~
Model T-340b.l940
CREW
WEIGHT 26,300kg 25.910n5
HEIGHT 2.45 m 8 fI OJ in
LENGTH 5.92m 19f1S,in
WIDTH 3.00m 9fllOin
ENGINE V-2-34 12-cyl. waler-cooleddieseldeveloping500hp
SPEED Road54kmh 34 mph
Cross-counITy 40kmh 25 mph
ARMAMENT One76.2-mmL-IIgunand
two7.62-mm DTmgs
ROUNDSCARRIED 77x76.2 mm
4,725x7.62mm
ARMOURTHICKNESS Max45 mm 1.77in
Min 16 mm .63in
Model T-34-850b.1943
CREW 5
WEIGHT 3I,500kg 3IIOns
HEIGHT 2.56m 8fl5in
LENGTH 8.07m 26 fl5iin (lncl. gun)
5.92m 19fl5,innessgun)
WIDTH 3.21 m 10fl6iin
SPEED 50kmh 31 mph
Cross-counlry 35 kmh 21. 8mph
ARMAMENT One85-mmZISS-53gunandtw
7.62-mrn DTmgs
2,394x7.62mm
ARMOURTHICKNESS Max60mm 2.36in
Minl8mm .7lin
Sredny Tank T-43 (Medium Tank T -43)
During 1943 a small number of T-34 tank' were produ ed wi th much thicker
armour. These weredesignated T-43 . Since they sti ll retai ned the original 76.2-
mm gun, however, they were not very successful and were soon replaced in
servi ce by the T -34-85 tank wi th the powerful 85- mm gun .
DATA
CREW 4
WEIGHT 31, l)OO kg 30.5 lon, ROADRADIUS 4(XI km 248.6 miles
IIEIGHT 2.79m 9fl2in ARMAMeNT One76.2-mmgunand (wo 7.62-mm
!. >NGTH 7.38m 24fl 2l in DTmg,
WIDTH 3.21m IOf16ji"n ROLI NDSCARRIED 77 x 76.2 mm
ENGLNE V-2-J4 I2-cYI. di eseldeveloping500hp 2.394 x 7.62 mm
SPEED Road50kmh JImph ARMOURTHICKNESS Max 110mm 4.33 in
Cros.-counlry40kmh 25mph Min 22 mm .87in
40
Medium Tank T-43
DATA
CREW 4
WEIGHT 3l ,900kg 3 1.4 t on5
HEIGHT 257 m
LENGTH 8.23 m 27ftOi n
WIDTH 3.34 m lOft II! in
ENGfNE V-2-44 12-cyl. water-cooled di esel
de veJoping 5 12 hp
ROAD RADIUS 300km 186.4 miles
ARM AM ENT One 85-mm ZlS S-53 gun and three
7.62-mm DT mgs
ROUNDS CARRIED 58 x 85 mm 1. 890x 7.o2 mm
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 120 m Ol 4.72 in
Min 15 mm .59i n
Medium Tank
Sredny Tank T-44 (Medium Tank T-44)
Du ring 1944 a new medium tank was bui ll on the basis of the T-34-85, and
designated T-44. Due to the hurried de e lopmenl work thi. ehicle was not very
successful. The firs t production mod I m un ted an 85-mm gun and saw limited
action in early 1945. Technol gi cal ly. there v. as subs tanti al changes in compari-
son with the T -34 model , parti cularly the trans versely mounted engine and the use
of torsion-bar suspension . .
Tyazho/y Tank T-35 (Heavy Tank T-35 series)
At the beginning of the the Red Army Staff envi aged vehi cles of the heavy,
mulli-wrreted type for opera ting as a shock-force when breaking through enemy
uefensive positions. Based on the g neral philo ophy of the British A- r
'Independent ' Tank (a specimen was never actually purchased). the 37-lOn
protot ype of the T- 35 was bui lt. The vehicle had five turret.s--a main one
mounting a 76.2-mm gun two diagonally-placed ubsidiary turret each mounti ng
De 37-mm gun (front and rear of the mai n turret), and two fur ther smal l turrets
each with one 7.fi2-mm machine-gun . Sub equent production vehicles dispen, ed
with of these turrets, and a few had 45-mm guns in place of the 37-mm typ .
The fi nal model had sloping welded arm ur. Even though the T-35 was outmoded
41
DATA
CREW II (when all turrets fitted)
WEIGHT 50.000kg 49.2 tons
HEIGHT 3.43 m II ft 3 in
LENGTH 9.72m 31 ft lOin
ENGINE M-ITf 12cyl.water-cooledpetrol
devdoping 500 hp
SPEED Road)O kmh 18,6 mph
ROAD RADIUS 150km 9J .lmiles
ARMAMENT One 76,2-mm gun. two 45-mm guns.
six, DT machine-guns, one P-40 AA
machin\!-gun (some later models had
SOme of the subsidiary weapons
removed)
ROUNDS CARRIED 9 O x 7 ~ 2 mm 226x 45
mm 10,OOOx7. 62 mm
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max30 mm 1.18 in
Min 10mm ,)9in
Hem',\' Tallk T-35
Heat',\' Tank T-.1_ Oll ihis l'ehid/! Iht' right
auxiliary fIIrret i . am led wilh a 45-1/1/11 glln
K V- ls fill e up in forest ready to advance ..
by the beginning of the Russo-German War, it was retained in service until its final
action during the Battle for Moscow (December 194 I). The T-35 appeared in
several varian ts and abou t 60 were produced and issued to the tank bri gades of the
High Command Reserve .
Tyazho/y Tank KV (Heavy Tank 'KJim Voroshilov' series)
t t h outbreak of World War II the Soviet Army was practi cally the only armed
force in the Worl d t be equipped with production heavy tanks . The fir t of these,
the K V- 1(' Kli m V roshilov') was designed by the group of efll,>1nee rs at the Kirov
Fact ry in Leningrad, under the dir ction of Zh. Kotin. Work on the new tank
b gan in Februar 1939 and the State Defence Committee approved a mock-up in
April. The completed lank was demonstrated to the Red Army Staff in September.
It was accepted as standard at the same time as the T-34 medium, on 19 December
1939. Produ ti n began in February 1940 and 243 vehicles were produced by the
42
DATA
Model KV-I
CREW
HEIGHT 2.87 m 9 ft 5Hn
LENGTH 7.41 m 24 ft 3* in
WIDTH 3.49m II ft 51 in
ENGINE V-2K 12-cyl. water-cooled
diesel developing 550 hp
ARMAMENT One 76.2- mm M 1938/39 gun
and three 7.62-mm mgs
ROUNDS CARRIED IIl x76.2 mm
3,024 x7.62 mm
Min 30 mm 1.18in
DATA
Model KV-Is
CREW 5
HEIGHT 3.2 1 m
LENGTH 7.25 m 23ft 9l in
WIDTH J .5 1m
ENGINE V-2K-s 12-cyl. water-cooled
diesel developing 600 hp
Cros,,"country 25 kmh 15.5 mph
ROAD RADIUS 250 km 155.3 miles
ARMAMENT One 76.2-mm MI940gun
and three 7.62mm mgs
ROUNDS CARlUED l02 x76.2 mm
3,042x 7.62 mm
ARMOUR THICKNESS MD X Rl mm J.23 in
Min 30mm 1.18 in
end of the year. A platoon of KYs was sent to Finland for combat tests , and in
February 1940 they took part in the break-through of the Finnish positions.
Despite innumerable hits from Finnish anti-tank guns , not one of the vehicles was
put out of action. Subsequent production was undertaken at the Chelyabinsk
Tractor Factory. By 22 June 1941 a total of 636 had been built, and by the time of
the Battle for Moscow-I ,364. Throughout the war some 13 ,500 vehicles (tanks
and self-propelled guns) were turned out on the KY chassis. Alongside the KY-I
(76.2-mm gun) , a special artillery fire-support version was adopted mounting a
152-mm howitzer in a rotating turret. This was designated KY-2, but due to poor
performance the vehicle was removed from production_ As in the case of the T-
34, several models of the KY were developed, but the two most significant were
the KY-Is and the KY-85. The KY- Is was a lightened version with less
armour-enabling it to move faster. It was not long, however, before the Soviets
returned to the up-armoured version. Towards the end of its life , in autumn 1943,
work was being carried out on the new [S heavy tank and the origi nal
turret-mounting - an 85-mm gun-was retrofi tted to the KY chassis as an
expedient pending final introduction of the new tank. This final KY model was
designated KY-85.
Model KV-2 Model -85
CREW 6 CRFW 4
WEIGHT 53,000 kg 52.2 tons WEI HT 46.00.1kg 45.3 tons
HEIGHT 3.93 m 12 fl II in HElGHT .3. 1I m IOft2lin
LENGTH 7.31 m 23 ftillin LEN , 13 m 29flll!in
WIDTH 3.58 m II ft9 in .... lOTH . j{) m II ft 51in
ENGINE V-2K 12-cyl. water-cooled E GINE V-lKs 12-cyl. walercooled
di esel developing 550 hp diesel developing hOO hp
SPEED Road 26 kmh 16.2 mph , PEED Road 35 kmh mph
Cross-country 15 kmh 9.3 mph Cross- cQuntry 20 kmh 12.4 mph
ROAD RADIUS 160km 99.4 miles ROAD RADIUS 225 km 140 miles
ARMAMENT One 152mmMI 938/40 ARMAMENT One 85-mm M 1943 gun and
howilzerand two mgs three 7.62-mm mgs
ROUNDS CARRIED 36x 152 mm ROUNDS CARRIED 71 x85 mm
3,078x7.62mm 3.276x7.62 mm
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 110 mm 4. J in ARMOUR THICKN ESS Max llOmm 4.33 in
Min 35 mm 1.38 in Min 30 mm 1.18 in
K V- J showing rhe massil'e tllrret lI lld
15:'-11 1111 g Ull
Hem'Y Tank KV-I
View of K V-.? with gun pointing to the rear
KV-85
Tyazho/y Tank IS (Heavy Tank 'Iosef Stalin' series)
In August 1942' the Soviet High Command requested the development of a new
heavy tank that would prove capable of defeating any future types likely to be
introduced by the enemy. Work on the new project was undertaken by a special
design group, called the 'IS Bureau' , under the leadership of Zh. Kotin. Based on
experiments with prototype KV models (KV-3 and KV-I3) in 1943 the design
bureau investigated a new project designated IS ('Iosef Stalin'). Early in autumn
1943 the first three prototypes f the IS-I (also called IS-85 due to its 85-mm
armament) were completed, tested and finally approved. Directions to begin
mass-production were issued in October 1943. Soon after the start of production,
the need arose for more powerful armament , and a few prototypes were tested
with a new IOO-mm gun (IS-100) . A design group under Genera'l Petrov, however ,
conceived a scheme for mounting a 122-mm gun, which was accepted . On 3 I
October 1943 the new model, designated [S-2 (IS-122), was accepted as standard;
by the end of the year the Kirov Factory had produced 102 of this new mode'l. The
1S tank was used for the first time during Febmary 1944 at Korsun Shevcherkov.
After producing several more experimental vehicles of this type, work on further
improvement to the armour layout led to the IS-3 model towards the end of 1944.
Wit h its greatly contoured armour this new heavy tank caused a sensation
throughout the world which lasted weI] into the 1950s.
45
DATA
Model IS-I Model IS-2 Model IS-3
CREW 4 CREW 4 CREW 4
WEIGHT 44,000 kg 43.3 tons WEIGHT 45.000 kg 44.3 ton> WEIGHT 45.800 kg 45 tons
HEIGHT 2.92 m 9ft63in HEIGHT 2.92 m 9 ft 63 in HEIGHT 2.92 m 9ft6lin
LENGlli 8.95m 29ft4in LENGTH JO.J3m 33ft IOjin LENGTH 10.74 m 35ft 3 in
WIDTH 3.36 m II ft WIDTH 3.36 m 11 ft WIDTH 3.44 m II ft 3\ in
ENGINE V-2-IS (V-2K) 12-cyl. water-cooled diesel developing 513 hp
SPEED Road 37 kmh 23 mph SPEED Road 37 km/J 23 mph .SPEED Road 37 kmh 23 mph
Cross-country 24 kmh 1.5 mph Cross-country 24 kmh 15 mph Cross-country 24 kmh 15 mph
ROAD RADIUS 24Dkm 149 miles ROAD RADIUS 24Dkm 149 miles ROAD RADruS 208 km 129.3 miles
ARMAMENT One 85-mm M 194) !,'Un and ARMAMENT One I 22-mm MI943gun, one 12.7-mm ARMAMENT One 122-mm MI943 gun, one 12.7-mm
three 7.62mm mgs AA . and three 7.62-mm mgs AA, and one/two 7.62- mm mgs
ROUNDS CARRIED 71 x ~ mm ROUNDS CARRIED 28 x 122 mm ROUNDS CARRIED 28x 122 mm
I ,330x7.62 mm 2,)30x7.62 mm l,ooo x7.62mm
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 120mm 4.72in ARMOUR THICKNESS /.fa., 120 mm 4.72 in ARMOUR THICKNESS M x 230 mm 9.06 in
MLn 25 mOl .98 in Min 25 mm .98 in Min 25 mm .98 in
IS-2 carrying infalltrymell on the outskirts of
Berlin
46
IS- 2 advance in East Prussia 18-3 showil1R the itll/Jf(}ved armour layout T
47
DATA
CREW 4
WEIGHT 11,480 kg 1I.J IOns
LENGTH 4.42 m 14 ft 6 in
WIDTH 2.47 m 8 fI H in
ENGINE Continenlal W-6iOdev<loping 250 hp
Cross-CQuntry 29 kmh IH mph
ROAD RADIUS 209 km 1)(1 miles
ARMAMENT One 37-mm gun and five .30 0<11
(7.62-mm) Browning mgs
ROUNDS CARRlED 1(J)(37mm 7. 185x7. 62mm
ARMOUR THICKN ESS M.. 25 mm . Q!j in
tin 6 mm .24 in
Light Tank M2A4 of the Marille Corps ill
actioll 011 Glladalcanallsland
U N ITED STATES
Introduction
American tank development between the two world war was almost moribund in
compari son wi th other major nati ons. An adequate stock of tanks bui lt in 19 19-::!O
was avail able but the Tank Corps had been abolished in 1920 leaving tanks as an
infantry commi tment. J . Walter Chri tie, an ingenious but sometimes erratic
engi neer, produced some brilliant and advanced fast tank de. igns , though few
intere ted the US Army or saw service. When General MacArthur became Army
Chief of Staff in I 32 he instituted a mechanisation programme which led to the
design of a simple but sturdy light tank (the T2) whi ch was developed as a light
tank for the infantry and a combat car for the cavalry. The basic design of these
vehicle- was foUowed by the whole series of M3 and M5 light tanks which
appeared in World War U. In th area of medium tanks. a new standard design.
the T5, was produced by Rock L land Arsenal in 1938 and this wa developed int
the M2 and M2A I medi um tank of 1939-40. In the meanti me the war had begun in
Europe and it was apparent that the US Army was woefull y under-equipped for
waging war. In 1940 a new Armored Force command was set up. It had been
r ali sed earlier that government ar enals could not po ibly build tanks in
quantities envisaged fo r a nation at war . Conti ngency plans were made to place
production orders with heavy engineering plllnts, but in the event it was the
automobile industry which was harnessed to turn out tank in the quanti ties the
army needed. Such firms as Chrysler, Fi sher , General Motors and Ford, working
in conjuncti on wit h the Ordnance Dept, bui lt the bulk of American AFVs in the
1940-45 peri od wi th remarkaol efficiency and peed. Observi ng the results of the
early months of th war in Europe the anny was able to get into production a
medium tank (M ) with 75-mm gun, closely followed by th superior M4
(Shennan) with same basi c armament. This tank formed the backbone of t he
armoured forces from 1942 to 1945. It proved so reliable tha t the US Army
del yed get ting ht:a ier tank, into servic unti l it was almost too late . However,
an efficient , if not brilliant heavy tank, M26 (Pershing), wi th ~ gun was in
service in the losing months of the war as an answer to heavy German type. like
the 'Ti ger' and 'Royal Ti ger ' which had superi or firepower to all other US tanks .
In general Amencan tanks were very effective in World War II. They carried big
guns and wer big enough t be upgunned . They were mechanically reliable.
rugged and simple to mai ntain . And above all, they were avai lable in hug
numbers, sufficient to give America and her Allies complete domi nation of any
battlefield in the la t two years of the wa r.
Light Tank M2A4
At the opening of World War n the standard light tank of the United States Army
was the M2A4_ Standardised in 1939, thi s vehicle went into production in June
1940, and was the culmination of light tank development begun in 1935. Armed
with a 37-mm gun and a co-axial .30 cal. Browning machine-gun, it also carried
four additional .30 cal mgs, mounted two in side sponsons, one in the hull front
and one in a anti-aircraft mount outside the turret. The M2A4 saw service in the
early Pacific campaigns, but most of them were lIsed for training. A small bat ch of
these tank were delivered to the Briti sh in 1941, but these also were used only for
training.
DATA
CREW 4
WEIGHT 13,680kg 13.46 Ions
HEIGHT 2.51 m 8 fI J in
LENGTH 4.54m 14f' ~ i n
ENGINE Continental W-670 devdoping 250 hp
ARMAMENT One 37-mm gun and five .30cal
(J .62-mm) Browning mgs
ROUNDS CARRIED l03x37 mm 8,270x7.62 mm
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 51 mm 2.00i n
Min IOmm .39in
MJ light tanks with welded turrets in service
with the British Army in the desert. (St uart Is)
DATA
WEIGHT 14, 220 kg 14 tons
HEIGHT 2.30 m 7 fl 61 in
ROUNDS CARRIED 116 x 37 mm
6.400 x 7.62 mm
Olher dala as for Ugh! Tank MJ .
Light Tank M3
Based on the Light Tank M2A4 and equipped wit h the same armament, the M3
was fi tted with heavier ar mour and incorporated various improvements. Standar-
dised in July 1940, this vehicle went into production in March 1941 and was
supplied t the Allies, under Lend-Lease, as well as to the American Forces
through 194/ and 1942. Designated General Stuart (Stuart I) by the British Army
and ni cknamed 'Honey' by the British troops, these tanks won high praise during
the Libyan Campaign .
Numerous improvements were made throughout the production period, so that
the final M3s were vastly different to the first versions. The early models were
entirely riveted with a seven-sided turret. Later a welded seven-sided turret was
used, 'and still later, a rounded, welded homogeneous turret was installed. The
final model s were entirely welded. A gyrostabiliser to permi t accurate firing of the
37-mm gun while the tank was in motion, was incorporated in late 1941. As a
result of battle experience in North Africa, additional fuel capacity was provided
by two jettison fuel tanks. 500 Light Tank M3s were fitted with the Guiberson
T.1020 Diesel engine; this variant was known to the British as the Stuart II.
Light Tank M3Al
Thi s was a further improved model that was s tandardised in August 1941. The
turret was similar to tha t of the final version of the Light Tank M3, but the cupola
was eliminated to reduce the overall height. The fighting compartment was now
integrated with the turret , and was rota ted with it, either by a hydraulic
mechanism or by hand . An improved gun mount for the turret had a periscope
sight, and an addi tional periscope was provided in the turret ro f. Other
armament was the same as that on the Light Tank M3, except that the s p o n ~ o n
machine-guns were Qmitted. This version saw service in China, Burma, and India.
Briti h de 'ignation for thi s version was Stuart Ill.
M II I light lank of Marine Corps moving
ashore on Ihe lapani', e-held islalld of
m;flllI in the Bismarck Archipelago
D T
CREW 4
WEIGHT 15.830kg 15.59(ons
HEIGHT 2.30m 7f( 61 in
LENGTH 5.03 m 16 fl6in
WLDTH 2.S I m 8fI 3in
ARMAMENT One37-mmgun and(hree .30cal
(7.62-mm) mg'
ROUNDSCARRIED 174 x37mm
7.,iOO x 7.62mm
Otherdawasforu l!hl TankM3.
MJAJ light tank II/ anned hy Chinese crew
Oflemtin# in Northern BlIrma 1944
OAT,\
CREW 4
WEIGHT 16. 470 kg 16.2 1IOns
HEIGHT 2.30m 7 in
I.F.N(;TH 4.3401 14f( 2!.in
WIDTH 2.14m 7ft 4!.in
ENGINE TwinCadill ac dcvdoping210 hp
SPEED Road58kmh 36mph
JR.b kmh 24 mph
ROf\DRADIUS 161 km IOOmilcs
ARMAMENT One37-mm gunand(WO .30cal
(7 Browningmgs
ROUNDSCARRIFn 133 x.17O1m
6,150:.: ;.02m ITt
ARMO R nlI KNESS Ma.\ 07 mm 2.64in
Min !2mm .47in
Light Tank M3A3
This was the fin alproduction variant and wa .tandardised in August 1942
modificati on of Light TankM3AI The driver' s omparlment was enlarged.
hatches being moved to the lOp plate; thesponsons wereredesigned.eliminat
of the sponson guns pr viding space for two additional fuel tank , engine
cleaners and more room fOf ammunition stowage.
The turretwa redesigned with a bulge at the reartoprovide space for a rn
Set. Sand .melds were fitted over the suspension. Britis hdesignation was Stu
V. In action in North Africa, the Soviet Union and Burma .
Light Tank MS
This vehicle was designed to use twi n Cadillac engines wi th Hydromati
transmi ssion, providing automatic gear shifti ng. The hull wa ' fabri cated of
welded homogeneoll armour plate, wit h rei nforced fron t plate and extende
sponson .Elimination ofb Its and rivets reduced the dangerof thesepart. b inf-
driven inside t he vehicle if the tank recei ved a hit. This streamlined effect wa
subsequently adopted for the Light Tank M3A3. To accommodate the twi
Cadillac engines, the rear engi ne cOVe rs were stepped-up. The welded , power-
operated turretand integrated turretbasket wa simi lar to thatofthe LightTank
M3A3, and a gyrostabil iser was 'fitted fot the 37-mm gun . if!
February 1942,thisvehiclesawactioninTuni siawit htheUSForces ,in Italywi th
the British Forces, Normandy 1944-45 and on the Eastern Front 1944-45.Briti.
designation, Stuart VI.
M5 Light Tanks. jlJl/owed hy American
infalZtrymen move through the jungle forest s
of the Arawe Peninsula in New Britain
DATA
CREW 4
WEIGHT 16.920kg 16.65 'ons
HEIGHT 2.17m 7f'IO; in
LENGTH 4.84 m 15 ft 10l in
WIDTH 2.29 m 7ft 6 in
ROUNDS CARRIED 147 x 37 mm
6. 500 x 7.62 mm
Light Tank MJA I of the US 12th Armored
Di l'isiun m(II'ing through the German lOwn
of Neustadt
DATA
CREW 3
WEIGHT 8,180 kg 8.05 ton,
HEIGHT 1.85m 6ftlin
LENGTH 3.94 m 12 ft II in
WIDTH 2.16 m 7 f' I in
ENGINE Lycoming0-435Tdtveloping 101 hp
SPEED Road 64.4 kmh 40 mph
410; .3 kmh 10 mph
ROAD RADIUS 217km IJj.mile>
ARMAMENT One 37-mm and one .3()-caJ mg
ROUNDS CARRIED 50 x 37mm
2..100 x 7.62 mm
ARMOUR THI CKNESS Max 25 mm .98 in
Min 9 rom .J5 in
Light Tank MSAI
Standardised in September 1942, this vehi cle replaced Light Tank M5 in
production. Pri ncipal change was in the use of an improved turret with a radio
bulge at the rear, similar to the turret of the Light Tank M3A3. The improved
turret provided more room for the turret crew; a radio antenna bracket was
mounted above the bulge. The anti-ai rcraft mount was relocated, and larger
escape hatches were provided . Fi rst used in action during the Casablanca landings
in 1942; also saw servi e in Western Europe.
Light Tank M22 (Airborne)
Light Tank M22 was designed ro pr vide support firepower in a ve hicle light
enough to be carried by airplan Four bnt kets , located above and to the rear of
the bogie suspension, were provided for attaching the tank between the landing
gear of a C-54 transport plane the fighting compartment and turret being
removable for thi' purpose_ Armament consisted of one 37-mm gun nd a co-axi I
.30-cal machine-gun. Because of weigh t limi tati ons, no power-traverse, gyro-
stabili ser or hull machine-gun were fi tted. Production of the M22 was begun in
March 1943, but this tank was never used by American troops in combat. A
number were supplied to the Bri tish under Lend-Lease for airborne operations.
Known as the Locust, about 15 were carried inside Hamilcar gliders during the
Rhi ne crossi ng by t he Britis b 6th Airborne Division on 24 March 1945
Light airborne tank 'Locust ' of the British
Airborne Dil'ision leaving Hamilcarglider
Light Tank M24 General Chaffe
DATA
CREW 4
WEIGHT 19. 330 kg 19.m Ions
HEIGHT 2.46 m 8 fl I in
LENGTH 4.95 m 16 fl3 in
WIDTH 2.84 m 9 f l i ~
ENGINE T",in CadiUac V -8 developing 220 np
SPEED Road 56 krnh 35 mph
ARMAMENT One 75-0101 gun. Ihree 0.30-cal
(7.62-nun) and onc O.5().cal (12. 7-nun)
mgs
ROUNDS CARRIED 48 x 75mm
#Ox 12.7 mm
3.750x7.62 mill
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 25 OIm .98 in
Min 9 mm .35 in
Light Tallk M24 General Chaffe
I>ATA
CREW 6
WEIGHT 29.930kg 29.46lons
HEIGHT 3.12 m 10 fl J in
LENGTH 5.64 m 18 fl6 in
WIDTH 2.72m 8fl Hin
ENGINE Continental R-975 EC2 developing 340 hp
Cross-country 25.8 kmh 16 mph
ARMAMENT One 75-mm gun and Ihree or four
0.3(). cal (7.62-mm) mg.
ROUNDS CARRIED 46x 75 mm
178 x37 mm
9.200x7.62 mm
ARMOUR THICKNESS M x 37 mm 1.46 in
Min 12mm .47 in
Standardised in July 1944, the M24 was the last American light tank t0
produced in World War II. This vehicle was developed to provide a light tank \\
improved flotation, mobility and increased firepower. Incorporating it 75-n:
m

gun with concentric recoil mechanism, an Ordnance refinement of an alrCfl
cannon, the M24 was also equipped with improved fire control in the form of gtJ
elevation stabiliser and a power-operated turret. There was no turret basket ; se<
for the turret crew were suspended from the base ring. A .50-cal machine-gun \\
pintle-mounted at the rear of the turret for anti-aircraft protection, and two .30-
machine-guns were carried, one in the hull front, and one as a co-axial with the _.
mm gun . A 2-inch mortar was mounted in the right front turret. Torsion b
suspension employed in conjunction with large rubber tyred wheels resulted I
greater mobility. Wherever possible, unit assemblies were made so that the
could be easily removed and rapidly replaced in the field.
Power was supplied by two 8-cylinder V-type liquid-cooled Cadillac engi ne
through two Hydromatic transmissions .
The General Chaife was used operationally in Europe and the Pacific.
Medium Tank M3 General Grant (General Lee)
The medium tank in service with the American Army at the outbreak of the war
was the M2A I , armed with a 37-mm gun and weighing 23 tons (23,370 kg) .
Although recently standardised, European battle experience was soon to sho\\
that this vehicle was tactically and technically obsolete. At a meeting in August
1940, the characteristics of a new medium tank were agreed upon. Basically, it
was to be a vehicle with heavier armour and mounting a 75-mm gun. It was
proposed and agreed that the 75-mm gun would be turret-mounted, but as
i n ufficient development work had been done on the problem of mounting a gun of
this weight , and the design of such a gun mount would require time, it was decided
that the projected medium tank would mount the 75-mm gun in the ri ght sponson .
Experimental work on this type of gun mount had been done in 1938; the turret
mounting of the gun would follow later.
By August 1941 , full-scale production of the resulting vehicle, the M3, had
started. The new tank was armed with the 75-mm M2 gun (M3 in later models) in
the right sponson one 37-mm gun and one .30-cal in the turret, one .30-cal
machi ne-gun in the turret cupol a and a .30-cal machine-gun in the hull front. The
turret and sponson were cast and the hull of ri veted construction. This was tbe
firs t of the Ameri can tanks to mpJoy gyrostabilisers and power- tra ver ed turrets
with integral fighti ng compartments. Combat experi ence in Africa and the Soviet
Union suggested improvements, some of which were inlr duced during produc-
rion; most of these improvements however, were incorporated in the desi gn of
fhe Medium Tank M4. The Briti h pUrchasing mi ssion di d not want the turret of
the o ri gi nal M3 and through Lend- Lease had a speci I turret made that had space
for a radio . Vehicle equipped with the Briti h-desi gned turret were known as the
General Grant. 200 of these tanks were shipped to tbe Middle E t in time for the
battle of Gazala and the retreat to EI AJamein. In the summer of 1942, at the
urgent Briti ' h request for more tanks , the origi nal M3' were withdrawn from US
Armored Division' and sent to Egypt; th se were called General Lee tanks by the
52
M3 Medium Tank General L ee ill service
with the British A rmy in the We stern Desert
M3 Medium Tank General Grallt ill llctioll ill
th e Western Desert
M3A f Medium T a l l ~ cast hull Ilnd M2
75- mm gun with counter weight
Briti sh. The M3 serie. of medium tanks saw servi ce in the Middle East , North
Afri ca, the Sovi et Uni on and Burma.
Medium Tank M3Al (Lee Il)
Thi s was simil ar to Medium Tank M3 (Lee I), but had a cast upper hull. Side doors
were later eliminated to strengthen the structure and an escape door placed in hull
Roc,r.
M3A4 Medium Tanks, with side doors
eliminated and M3 75-ml11 gill!
Medium Tank M3A2 (Lee ill)
This was mechanically identical to the M3 but had an all-welded hull.
Medium Tank M3A3 (Lee V)
All-welded hull as M3A2, but was fitted with twin General Motors 6-71 Die ~
engines of 375 hp. Weight now increased to 30.94 tons; top speed 46 kmh (24
mph). Side doors welded up or eliminated on late production models . Lee J\
designation given by the Bri ti sh to the M3A3 vehicles fitted with the Continen tal
engine.
Medium Tank M3A4 (Lee VI)
Identical to M3, but now fitted with a Chrys ler A-57 mul ti-bank 370 hp engine.
This was made qp of 5 automobile engi nes coupled together on a common r i v ~
haf t. Weight was increased to 31 .43 ton, and the hull lengthened by 0.38 m t
6.45 m overall to accomm date the longer engine. Side doors were eliminat ed.
Medium Tank M3AS (Grant II)
As for M3A3, but with riveted instead of wel ded hul l. Side doors welded-up or
eliminated on late production vehicles of thi s series. All late production vehi cles.
irrespective of model , had the longer 75-mm M3 gun.
Medium Tank M4 General Sherman
With the M3 Medium Tank design completed in March 1941 , the Ordnance
Department began work on its replacement. By April. fi ve provi sional schemes
were shown to the Armored Board who selected the simplest for development.
54
Designated Medium Tank T6 after variou' modifications, this was standardised as
the Medium Tank M4 in October 1941 and plans were made to put the M4 into
production in early 1942 with a phased replacement of the M3 eri vehicl es on
Ul e various assembly lines then in operation. The M4 introduced a number of
improvemenlS over the M3 series. which they repl aced in production. The
ilhouet te was lowered by eli mina tion of th cupola; this also res ulted in a lower
cenlre of gravity. making the M4 more stable. The 75-mm M3 gun with a co-axial
.30-cal Br wning machine-gun was located in a turret providing 360
0
traverse and
greater el e vati on and depression than was pos ible in the Medium Tank M3. Other
armament included a .30-cal machi ne-gun in the bow. a .50-caj machi ne-gun
mounted on top of the turret for anti -aircraft defence, and a 2-inch smoke mortar.
Indirect vision was provided for each member of the crew by means of
peri scopes . The vehicl e was also equipped with a two-way radio and an
interphone syste m.
A number of changes were made during production. with the resul t that later
vehicles differed somewhat from those produced earlier.
The lower f ront plate of the hull on early models consi. ted of three pieces
bolted together . Late r production vehicles used a one-piece plate . Late produc-
tion vehicles were filted with Comhination Gu n Mount M34A I; this mount
protected the co-axial machine-gun and telescope, as well as the 75-01 01 gun (the
earl y Combination Gun Mount M34 had a front s hield that protected the 75-mm
gun only). Some vehicle' had a track-supporting roller dire tly over the
suspension bracket , others had the roll er off et to the rear of the bracket. The M4
Medium Tank series was the most widely produced. most widely used, and the
most important of all tanks in service with the Bri tish. American and Alli ed
Forces in World War JI . From [ate 1944. M4 vehicl es in production were fi tted
with the new horizontal vol ute spring Sll. pension in plac.e of the vertical volute
type . The HVSS was designed to give improvt:d fl otation and simpler mainte-
nance; track width of the new suspension wa i erea. ed from the original 6 ~ in
(0.42 m) to 23 in (0.58 m). Vehicles equipped \vith the new suspension were known
a M4A3 (76-mm) HVSS, M4A2 (7 mOl) HVSS and M4A I 76-0101) HVSS. A
small number of thes.e [an.ks were taken into British ser vice and r ceived the ."uffix
Y (She rman nAY, Sherman rnAY) . The M4 first 'aw action with the British at EI
Ak,mei n and thereafter served in nearly all theatres of war. including the Eastern
Front.
Medium Tank M4
Thi s was the original de ign with Conti nt:ntal engi ne, but wi th a simplified all-
welded hull instead of the cast hull initi all y devised . Early vehicle had a three-
piece bolted nose and the narrow M34 gun mounl. Laler vehicles had a ont: -piece
cast nose and the wide MJ4 I gun mount. This was the third of the s ries to go
into production. British designati on for the M4 was Sherman I.
Medium Tank M4
55
Medium Tank M4. Late production model
with one-piece cast nose on the Philippine
Is/alld of Leyte
M4A / medillm tanks (Sherman II) moving
forward to the Alamein line before the start
of the offensive
D-I.TA
REW :;
WEIGHT 31.ISOkg non IOns
HEIGHT 2.74m 9flOin
l.ENGTH .1.89 In (M4) 19 fl4 in
5.84 m (M4A I) 19 f' 2 in
WIDTH 2.62 m 8 f' 7 in
Medium Tank M4Al
Standardi ed in December 1941, this was similar to th Medium M4, but had' caM
hull which was curved to pre ent less opportunity for a direct hit. Thi ' was thl!
firs t of the M4 eries to go into production. Very early models had Medium Tanf...
M3 type bogie units, 75-mm M2 gun with counter weights and twin fixed machine-
guns in t he hull front ; 'orne of t hese vehicles arrived in England in 1942. Th
t hree-piece bol ted front was later changed 10 a one-piece ca t front. The Briti h
designation for thi . model was Sh rman IT. It wa . first used operationally in North
Africa at EI Al amein . .
J'.NGIN C"nlincn'al R975C 1de veloping 353 hp ROUNDS CARRIED 97 x 75 mm (M4)
SPEED Rood 38.6 kmh 24 mph 90 x 75 mm (M4A I)
Cross oounlry .N-3:! kmh 1520 mph 600 x 12, 7 mm
ROAD RADI US 19) km 120 miles 4,750 x 7.62 mm
ARM AME NT One 75-mm b'lln, 'wo O.J().cal ARMOUR THICKNESS : Mox 7.1 mm 2.95in
(7.62'001) BrowningC1nd one O.SO-cal Min 12 mOl 0.47 in
(12.7-mm) Browning mgs
56
Medium Tank M4A I with one-piece cast
front. in Northern New Guinea
M4A2 medium tanks in action with the
Soviet f orces
Medium Tank M4A2
The British desi gnation for this version wa herman ill . It was generall y : imilar
to the Meliium M4, cxc pt tha t it was powered \ y twin General Motors 6-71
Diesel engines ; either engine could be operated independen tly. The. ec nd type to
go into production, thi s version was supplied to the Soviets and to the British, fi rst
being used by the latter at the Bailie of EI la mein . Late model f the M4A2 had
47 degree front armour pl ate, the lii ff erential hou ' ing was the ca!';t one-piece
round-nose type.
Medium Tank M4A2 on Peleliu Islalld
Medium Tank M4A3
Standardi ed in Januar 1942, thi vehicl wa also ' imilar to the M4, except that
it wa powered by a 500-hp Ford engine . Trus W:JS an 8-cyli nder li quid-cooled
V-t ype engi.le that had een . pecifi '.lI ly de igned for lank . Early production
models were equipped wi th th M34 gun mount and a ast one-piece round-nose
differenti al ha ll ing. Lute production model of the M4 3 were equipped with the
75-mm gun in the M34A I gun mount an wer fi tted with H cast one- piece sharp-
nosed differential hall ing. This was the fift h ver ion of the M4 series to go into
production l'lnd was the model mo!-> t favoured by the US Army, Onl y a f w M4A3
w re suppli ed to other nati ons; tbose received by the British were known as
Sherman IV. .
Early productioll l1lodel of Mediun! Tank
M4A3 ill ser vice with the B ritiIh A rill }'.
(Shermall IV)
58
Medium Tank M4A4 of US Army m ovillf{
through German. town. of Weisweiler
Shermull \Is of the Calladiall Army ill
Hollalld. Note sectiolls of tUllk tracks pluced
Jur extra protectio/l
Medium Tank M4A4
Thi was the fourth version to go into production, and was generally imilar to the
M4, but was powered by the Chry I r 5-line water-cooled tank engine. To insta.!1
thi s engine it was necessary to lengt hen the rear hull to gi ve an ver' !I length of
19 ft O ~ in (6.06 m) . The 370- h unit gave lhe vehi cle a top speed of 25 mph (40
kmh). A longer track with 83 -hoes was required, as compared t the 79 shoes
fitted to the other models. Early M4A4 production types mounted the 75-mm gun
in an M34 gun mount but thi wa repl a d on late production vehicles with the
M34A I mount. The three-piece b !ted differential housing was retai ned on all
versions of the M4A4. This tank wa lhe major type supplied [0 the British Army
and was designated Sherman V.
Medium Tank M4 (76 mm) Series
Toimprove the firepower of the M4 series to compete more effectively wit h the
superior German tank guns, t he M4 was equipped with t he 76-mm MIAI high
vel city gun. The 76-mm gun was ins tall ed in a large cylindrical turret that had
been developed fortheT23MediumTank. I mprovementsin thegundevelopment
resulted in the MIAIe and MIA2 whi ch were virtua lly identical to the rigi nal
MI AI except for the fi tting of a muzzle brake. The 76-mm gun installation was
s tandardised and introduced on production li ne from Febmary 1944, and
vehi cles so fitted were available in time f r t he Normandy landi ngs and
subsequentcombat inNWEurope.Thefo llowingM4variantswerefi lledwitht he
7(rmm gun:
Medium Tank M4AI (76 mm) herman fI. c
Medi um Tank M4A2 (76 mm) Sherman Ul .
Medium Tank M4A3 (7f) mm) herman IV.
Shermansarmed with t he 76-mm gun tha twer takenint servi cewiththeBri ti sh
Anny were giv n t he suffix A (Sherman IlA, Sherman lIlA and Sherman IVA).
Mediul/1 Tallks M4A2 armed with 76-mm
guns
MediulIl Tallk M4A2 with 76- lIIm gun M /A2
lind horizonta/ vo/ute spring suspensioll
Medium Tanks M4 (lOS-mm howitzer) and M4A3 (IOS-mm
howitzer)
This modi fi cation of Medium Tanks M4 andM4A3 wasdesigned to combine the
firepower of the IOS-mm howitzer with the performance of a medium tank and
were intended to replace the 7S-mm Howitzer Motor Carriages, MS, in Medium
Tank Battalion Headquarter Comp<lnies.
The IOS-mm M4 howitzer was mounted in a Combination Gun Mount, MS2,
with a co-axial .3D-cal Browning machine-gun. Other armaments were as in the
M4 and M4A3. Both vehicles were fitted wi t h the cast one-piece sharp-nose
differential housing. Late production models of both versions had the vertical
volute springsuspensionchanged to thewidetrackhorizontalvolutetype. British
designation for M4 (IOS-mm How) was Sherman IB and for the M4A3 (IOS-mm
How) Sherman IVB.. A few M4 (I0S-mm) vehicles with HVSS were taken into
British service for trials; these were know as Sherman IBY.
6 1
DATA
CREW S
WEIGHT 33,180kg (M4) 32.66lon,
34.180kg (M4A3) 33.64 ton,
HEIGHT 2.82m 9f. 3in
LENGTH S.89 m (M4) 19 f.4in
5.90m (M4AJ) 19f14}in
WIDTH 2.61m 8fl7i"
ENGINE Contine",alR975CI (M4)
FordGAA (M4A3)
SPEED Road38.6kmh (M4) 24 mph
42kmh (M4A3) 26 mph
Crosscountry24 to32kmh IS to20mph
ROADRADIUS 193km 120mile,
ARMAMENT One 10S-mm M4 howil2er, Iwo
0.30-cal(7.62mm)andoneO.SO-cal
(I2.7-mm) mgs
ROUNDSCARRIED 66x105mm 300x12. 7mm
4,OOOx7.62mm
ARMOURTHICKNESS Max75 mm 2. 95in
Min 12 mm 0.47 in
EarlyproductionmodelofM4 with 105-mm
howit zer
MediI/ill TankM4AJEl Oil theoutskirt.l oI
Mel :
Sherman II Me.diul/1 Tall k M4A4 with T
17-pdrgUII
Shermal/ Ie. Pictllre sho\V.\ the late
productioll model of the M4 with rolled Gnd
('{1st frollt hull and armed with the 17-pdr
/:111/
Medium Tank M4A3E2
Thi. was a compromise design proposed in early 1944 to fill the requirement for an
assau lt vehicl e for close support of infantr y in the European Theatre f
The basic vehicle was the Medium Tank M4A3 with more armour
added to all hull surfaces giving a maximum thickness of 100 mm (3.94 in). A new
heavy turret was designed with frontal armour of J50 mm (5.9 1 in) . Because of the
vehicles ' increased weight , extended end connectors were used on the outsides of
the track to improve the ride.
DATA
CREW 5
ROAD RADIUS 161 km 100 mdes
WEIGHT 41 ,9 10kg 41.25tons ARMAM ENT One 75-mm gun, two O.30-cal
HEIGHT 3.43 m I I It 2; in (7.62-mm) and one 0.50-cal (I2.7-mm)
mgs
LENGTH 6.27 m 20 It 7 in
ROUNDS CARRI ED l06 x 75 mm 600x 12.7 mm
WroTH 2. 83 m 9 ft J' in
ENGINE Ford GAA developing 450 hp 6,250x 7.62 mm
SPE Rond 35.4 kmh 22 mph ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 100 mOl 3.94 in
Cross-country 24 to 12 kmh 15 10 20rnph Min 12mm 0.47in
Sherman 17-pdr FireOy
The major development of the M4 in Bri ti sh service was the fitting of the 17-pdr
gun to a proportion of hermans to provide the most powerfull y armed Britis h
tank of the war. To achieve the turr thad (0 be sli ght ly modi fied and the gun
wa. mounted n it side and adapted for left-hand I ading. The al terati on to the
turret were kept to a mini mum and it w' .- pos ible to use the existi ng trunnions
toget her wit h a new gun mounting, recoil and elevating " ar. The wireless se t was
tmn.sferred from in ' ide the turre t to ,m rm ured bo wel ded to the ou tside renr of
the turret.
These up-gunned herman.. were ready in 1944 in time to take part in the
invasion of Normand . Se v ral marks of the Bri ti . h herman tanks were used for
the 17-pdr conver: i ns and these received the suffix C; the most numerous of
these the Sherman VC kno" n a. Firefly .
Sherman DD Tanks
Sherll/(/n Df) lank cross ing ;he Rhine
The DO (Duplex Drive) equipment was a flotation devi ce invented by engineer
Nicholas Straus, ler as a means of converting a ,tandard tank into a temporary
amphibious vehicle for river or sea crossing. The equipment wa, first tested in
June 1941 on a Tetrmch light tank and producti on was started duri ng 1942 on DD
equipment for its adaptation to the Valentine tank. These vehicles, however, were
onl y utilised in a trai ning role, alt hough a few Val enti ne DO tanks were used in
Ital y during 1945. By April 1943 the DD equi pment had been developed for
attachment to the Sherman tank.
This consisted of waterproofing the tank and fi tting a coll apsible canvas screen
with rubber air tubes . This assembl y was attached to a boat-shaped platform that
was welded round the hull of the tank . The rubber tubes were fi lled wi th
compressed air from two cyl inders carried in the hull of the tank . On being
infl ated, the tubes raised the can vas cre n which was locked into position by
struts . When entering the water, the air-filled screen acted as a flotation device .
Two small screw prop llers, driven from the bevel drive of the vehicle , propelled
the tank at approximatel y 4 knots. Steering was accomplished by swivelli ng the
propellers to left or right. On reaching the shore, the air tubes were deflated
cau 'ing the screen to collapse, and the vehicle re erted to its normal combat role.
The twin screws were retractable for running on land .
'herman DO tanks were used in the Normnndy landings, for the Rhine crossi ng
and in nonhern Ital y in 1945 .
Basic Sherman vehicles u 'ed for thi conver ion were th Sherman III (Medium
M4A2) and Sherman V (Medi um M4A4).
M..JA / MediulIl 7illlli, Iho'l"/l "'ili! /Jeep
Water Fording d/:Tice. It "'liS used lu
ill crell se Ihe j im/ill !] deflth of tanlis Ufl to six
feel ill surf British used a sillliillrdcrice
r
DATA
CREW 5
WEIGHT 45,900kg 45.18 Ions
HEIGHT 2.75m ft Iin
LENGTH 8.79m 28ft lOin
WIDTH J.51m IIfl6in
ENGINE FordGAFV-8developing.lOOhp
Cross-counlry 8.4kmh 5.2mph
ROADRADIUS 148km 92miles
ARMAMENT One</(}.mm MJgun,IwO 0.30-0al
(7. 62-mm)andone0.50-cal (1 2.7-mm)
mgs
S()()( 12.7mm
5.000)(7. 62mm
ARMOURTHICKNESS Max 102 mm 4.02in
Min 13 mOl .51 in
HeavyTank M76GeneralPersh;lIg.ofthe
l!thArmoredD;I';s;ollcross;lIgMuhlr;ver
ill Austr;a
.:
"
Heavy Tank M26 General Pershing
The development of the HeavyTank M26 resulted from the ev,')lution oftheT20
series of medium tanks that were intended to supplant the Medium M4. The
constant insistences of the Ordnance Department upon increase of fire powerin
these vehicles resulted in thedevelopmentofthe HeavyTanksT25EIandT26EI.
Heavy Tank T26E3 was the production model of T26EI . incorporating many
Twenty of these vehicles were committed to combat in Europe
before January 1945, and standardised as M26in May 1945. Thesuspension
of the individually sprung torsion bar type, the armour was placed at varying
angles to provide the greatest possible protection against projectiles . Armament
consisted of a 90-mm M3 gun, mounted co-axially with a .30-cal machine-gun in
the turret; the 90-mm gun was equipped with a muzzle brake. A .30-cal machine-
gun was located in the bow, and a .50-cal machine-gun for anti-aircraft defence
was mountedon the turret. Periscopes for all crewmembersanda two-wayradio
were provided. Used operationally in Europe and the Pacific (Okinawa).
Phot o Credits
P.Chamberlain
H,L Doyle
ColonelR.J.Tck
ImperialWarMuseum
US. Ofhci a i
64
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