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6 6 5 5 1 1 Home Page Home Page T A N K Carro Armato M13/40 The M13/40 Medium Tank was the most important Italian tank of the Second World War, and due to the slow development of better designs had to bear the brunt of the fighting in North Africa, despite being under-gunned and under-armoured by early 1942. The M13/40 used the basic hull, suspension and engine as the M11/13, but the superstructure was modified to carry a large centrally mounted turret armed with a more powerful 47mm gun, the twin turret machine guns being moved to the front of the superstructure. Armour protection was also improved, the extra weight being reflected in the S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Weight: 13 tons Dimensions: Length 16 ft 2 ins, Width 7 ft 6 ins, Height 7 ft 11 ins Powerplant: 1 x SPA 140 hp diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 20 mph, Range 120 miles Armament: 1 x 47 mm gun, 4 x 8 mm machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 42 mm Crew: 4 change of designation from the eleven ton M11 to the thirteen ton M 13/40. The M13/40 was rushed into service during the summer of 1940, with three battalions being sent to Libya in October, but were all lost during Operation Compass, the first British offensive in the desert. The M13/40 was a good tank on its introduction, having a decent gun and armour protection, but was underpowered which gave it a poor performance over rough terrain. The M13/40 became the main Italian tank in North Africa throughout the campaign, but by the time of the Second Battle of El Alamein in 1942 they were obsolete. Country of Origin: Italy Number Built: 2,000+ T A N K Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf A On the outbreak of World War Two the Panzer III was the main battle tank of the German army, while the Panzer IV was built in fewer numbers as a close support vehicle armed with a short barrelled 7.5 cm howitzer firing high explosives to destroy soft skinned targets and anti-tank guns. Work on the Panzer IV began in 1934, the resulting Panzer IV Ausf A closely resembled the Panzer III, but had a larger turret ring that would later allow it to be upgraded to carry a larger gun than the Panzer III. The greatest change to the Panzer IV came in late in 1941 after the German invasion of Russia. None of the German tank guns S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 18.4 tons Dimensions: Length 18 ft 5 ins, Width 9 ft 6 ins, Height 8 ft 8 ins Powerplant: 1 x Maybach 250 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 19 mph, Range 93 miles Armament: 1 x 7.5 cm howitzer, 2 x 7.92 mm machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 15 mm Crew: 5 could easily penetrate the armour of the new Soviet KV-1 and T-34 tanks, and a desperate programme of upgrades was undertaken. The most successful was the development of a long-barrelled 75 mm tank gun. The Panzer IV Ausf F2 was the first to be armed with this weapon which entered service in mid 1942, the Panzer IV finally becoming a powerful main battle tank, the roles of Panzer III and Panzer IV then being reversed. The Panzer IV also had the distinction of being the only German tank to remain in production throughout World War Two, with over 8,500 of all marks being produced. Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 35 T A N K Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf D On the outbreak of World War Two the Panzer III was the main battle tank of the German army, while the Panzer IV was built in fewer numbers as a close support vehicle armed with a short barrelled 7.5 cm howitzer firing high explosives to destroy soft skinned targets and anti-tank guns. Work on the Panzer IV began in 1934, the resulting Panzer IV Ausf A closely resembled the Panzer III, but had a larger turret ring that would later allow it to be upgraded to carry a larger gun than the Panzer III. The greatest change to the Panzer IV came in late in 1941 after the German invasion of Russia. None of the German tank guns S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Weight: 20 tons Dimensions: Length 19 ft 5 ins, Width 9 ft 4 ins, Height 8 ft 11 ins Powerplant: 1 x Maybach 300 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 24 mph, Range 124 miles Armament: 1 x 7.5 cm howitzer, 2 x 7.92 mm MG34 machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 35 mm Crew: 5 could easily penetrate the armour of the new Soviet KV-1 and T-34 tanks, and a desperate programme of upgrades was undertaken. The most successful was the development of a long-barrelled 75 mm tank gun. The Panzer IV Ausf F2 was the first to be armed with this weapon which entered service in mid 1942, the Panzer IV finally becoming a powerful main battle tank, the roles of Panzer III and Panzer IV then being reversed. The Panzer IV also had the distinction of being the only German tank to remain in production throughout World War Two, with over 8,500 of all marks being produced. Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 229 T A N K Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf G On the outbreak of World War Two the Panzer III was the main battle tank of the German army, while the Panzer IV was built in fewer numbers as a close support vehicle armed with a short barrelled 7.5 cm howitzer firing high explosives to destroy soft skinned targets and anti-tank guns. Work on the Panzer IV began in 1934, the resulting Panzer IV Ausf A closely resembled the Panzer III, but had a larger turret ring that would later allow it to be upgraded to carry a larger gun than the Panzer III. The greatest change to the Panzer IV came in late in 1941 after the German invasion of Russia. None of the German tank guns S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 23.5 tons Dimensions: Length 21 ft 9 ins, Width 9 ft 5 ins, Height 8 ft 10 ins Powerplant: 1 x Maybach 300 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 24 mph, Range 125 miles Armament: 1 x 7.5 cm L/43 gun, 2 x 7.92 mm machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 50 mm Crew: 5 could easily penetrate the armour of the new Soviet KV-1 and T-34 tanks, and a desperate programme of upgrades was undertaken. The most successful was the development of a long-barrelled 75 mm tank gun. The Panzer IV Ausf F2 was the first to be armed with this weapon which entered service in mid 1942, the Panzer IV finally becoming a powerful main battle tank, the roles of Panzer III and Panzer IV then being reversed. The Panzer IV also had the distinction of being the only German tank to remain in production throughout World War Two, with over 8,500 of all marks being produced. Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 1,687 T A N K Infantry Tank Mk III ‘Valentine’ Mk II In 1938 Vickers were asked to design a new infantry tank based on the A10, and in early 1939 produced a prototype for trials. There were doubts over the tank, mainly over the small two man turret, but in mid 1939 they were urgently required, and the type was placed in production. Known as the Valentine Infantry Tank Mk III, they drew heavily on the design of the A10 but with better protection. By then most of the A10’s problems had been resolved and the Valentine proved to be relatively trouble free machines. The Valentine Mk II differed from the Mk I by being powered by a 131 hp diesel engine, as opposed to S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 16.2 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft 9 ins, Width 8 ft 7 ins, height 7 ft 5 ins Powerplant: 1 x AEC 131 hp diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 15 mph, Range 109 miles Armament: 1 x 2 pounder gun, 1 x 7.62 mm machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 65 mm Crew: 3 the petrol engine of the Mk I. Around 700 Mk IIs were built in 1940-41, and were first used in action during Operation Crusader in North Africa against Axis forces in November 1941. The Valentine tanks used in the desert were given sand shields and jettisonable external fuel tanks to increase their range. The Valentine was never a great tank, but it was one of the most important, being available in quantity for the British at a time when they were most needed. In total 8,275 were built through 11 marks in the UK and Canada, and of this total the Soviet Union received 3,784 through Lend-Lease. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 700 T A N K T A N K Infantry Tank Mk III ‘Valentine’ Mk IX Criticism of the Valentine’s two man turret led to a new design that could accommodate a third crew member which became the Mk V. The original Mk V retained the 2 pounder gun, but the new turret had enough space to fit the more potent 6 pounder (57 mm) anti-tank gun and was also capable of firing HE rounds. This came at the cost of losing the coaxial machine gun and the third crewman, while there was only enough space to carry 53 rounds. The Mk IX was first used by the 6th Armoured Division during Operation Torch, the invasion of French North Africa in November 1942. The Valentine XI was S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 17.7 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft 9 ins, Width 8 ft 7 ins, height 7 ft 5 ins Powerplant: 1 x AEC 165 hp diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 15 mph, Range 140 miles Armament: 1 x 6 pounder gun, 1 x 7.62 mm machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 65 mm Crew: 3 the last production version of the tank, and was armed with the new British 75mm tank gun. It was similar to the Mk X, which was the first version to be built from new with the 6 pounder anti-tank gun. The Mk XI entered service in early 1944 and were only used as a command tank. The Valentine was never a great tank, but it was one of the most important, being available in quantity for the British at a time when they were most needed. In total 6,855 were built in the UK and 1,420 in Canada, the Soviet Union receiving 3,784 through Lend-Lease who used them until the end of the World War Two. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 8,275 of all Mks Infantry Tank Mk III ‘Valentine’ Mk XI Criticism of the Valentine’s two man turret led to a new design that could accommodate a third crew member which became the Mk V. The original Mk V retained the 2 pounder gun, but the new turret had enough space to fit the more potent 6 pounder (57 mm) anti-tank gun and was also capable of firing HE rounds. This came at the cost of losing the coaxial machine gun and the third crewman, while there was only enough space to carry 53 rounds. The Mk IX was first used by the 6th Armoured Division during Operation Torch, the invasion of French North Africa in November 1942. The Valentine XI was S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 17.7 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft 9 ins, Width 8 ft 7 ins, height 7 ft 5 ins Powerplant: 1 x AEC 165 hp diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 15 mph, Range 140 miles Armament: 1 x 75 mm gun, 1 x 7.62 mm machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 65 mm Crew: 3 the last production version of the tank, and was armed with the new British 75mm tank gun. It was similar to the Mk X, which was the first version to be built from new with the 6 pounder anti-tank gun. The Mk XI entered service in early 1944 and were only used as a command tank. The Valentine was never a great tank, but it was one of the most important, being available in quantity for the British at a time when they were most needed. In total 6,855 were built in the UK and 1,420 in Canada, the Soviet Union receiving 3,784 through Lend-Lease who used them until the end of the World War Two. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 8,275 of all Mks T A N K 40M Turan I Medium Tank In December 1937 Škoda prepared a design of a medium tank based on the LT vz 35. The construction of two prototypes were started but they were incomplete by the time Germany annexed Czechoslovakia. Work on the prototypes was resumed under the new designation of T-21 and T-22, two of the latter being given to Hungary in 1941. The Hungarians decided to replace the 47 mm gun with their own 40 mm gun, the modifications being carried out by the Škoda factory. The frontal armour was also also increased by the addition of 20 mm thick plates. Experience on the Eastern Front soon showed S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 18.2 tons Dimensions: Length 18 ft 2 ins, Width 8 ft, Height 7 ft 10 ins Powerplant: 1 x Manfréd Weiss 260 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 29 mph, Range 102 miles Armament: 1 x 40 mm gun, 2 x 8 mm machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 50 mm Crew: 5 the ineffectiveness of the 40 mm gun, and a prototype was prepared armed with a 75 mm gun in early 1942. This version became the 41M Turán II, and were deployed by the 1st and 2nd Hungarian Armoured Divisions, as well as the 1st Cavalry Division on the Eastern Front in 1943 and 1944. It is believed 424 Turan I and Turan IIs were built, most of which were destroyed on the Eastern Front, while work on a replacement, the Turan III, never managed to get underway due to the lack of raw materials. The chassis of the Turan was also used as the basis of the 105 mm Zrínyi II assault gun. Country of Origin: Hungary Number Built: 200+ T A N K 40M Turan II Medium Tank In December 1937 Škoda prepared a design of a medium tank based on the LT vz 35. The construction of two prototypes were started but they were incomplete by the time Germany annexed Czechoslovakia. Work on the prototypes was resumed under the new designation of T-21 and T-22, two of the latter being given to Hungary in 1941. The Hungarians decided to replace the 47 mm gun with their own 40 mm gun, the modifications being carried out by the Škoda factory. The frontal armour was also also increased by the addition of 20 mm thick plates. Experience on the Eastern Front soon showed S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 18.2 tons Dimensions: Length 18 ft 2 ins, Width 8 ft, Height 7 ft 10 ins Powerplant: 1 x Manfréd Weiss 260 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 29 mph, Range 102 miles Armament: 1 x 75 mm gun, 2 x 8 mm machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 50 mm Crew: 5 the ineffectiveness of the 40 mm gun, and a prototype was prepared armed with a 75 mm gun in early 1942. This version became the 41M Turán II, and were deployed by the 1st and 2nd Hungarian Armoured Divisions, as well as the 1st Cavalry Division on the Eastern Front in 1943 and 1944. It is believed 424 Turan I and Turan IIs were built, most of which were destroyed on the Eastern Front, while work on a replacement, the Turan III, never managed to get underway due to the lack of raw materials. The chassis of the Turan was also used as the basis of the 105 mm Zrínyi II assault gun. Country of Origin: Hungary Number Built: 200+ T A N K T34/76 Medium Tank (model 1940) Design of the T34 tank started in 1938 as a replacement for the BT7 which was the standard Soviet battle tank at the time. For its day the BT-7 was a good machine, but it was realised that its thin armour and main 45 mm gun would become ineffective. Like the BT series, the T34 used the Christie suspension system developed by the Soviets, but had five main road wheels instead of four. The hull armour was increased to a maximum of 47 mm, which was further enhanced by sloping the sides of the vehicle which had the effect of either deflecting any armour piercing shells, or increasing the effectiveness of the armour. A S P E C I F I C A T I O N : (Model 1941) Vehicle Weight: 26.5 tons Dimensions: Length 21 ft 11 ins, Width 9 ft 10 ins, Height 8 ft Powerplant: 1 x 500 hp V12 diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 33 mph, Range 250 miles Armament: 1 x 76.2 mm gun + 2 x 7.62 mm machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 60 mm Crew: 4 powerful 500 hp V12 diesel engine was fitted which avoided bursting into flames too easily when hit, while wide tracks were fitted which could cope with the mud and snow so often encountered in the Soviet Union. The simple design of the T34 made it easy to manufacture by unskilled hands and easy to repair, and would become the most numerous tank ever built, with over 84,000 being produced through several different types by six different factories deep inside the U.S.S.R. They were first used in action by the Russians in the Autumn of 1941 and came as a nasty shock to the advancing German army. Country of Origin: Russia Number Built: 29,000+ of all Mks T A N K T34/76 Medium Tank (model 1941) Design of the T34 tank started in 1938 as a replacement for the BT7 which was the standard Soviet battle tank at the time. For its day the BT-7 was a good machine, but it was realised that its thin armour and main 45 mm gun would become ineffective. Like the BT series, the T34 used the Christie suspension system developed by the Soviets, but had five main road wheels instead of four. The hull armour was increased to a maximum of 47 mm, which was further enhanced by sloping the sides of the vehicle which had the effect of either deflecting any armour piercing shells, or increasing the effectiveness of the armour. A S P E C I F I C A T I O N : (Model 1941) Vehicle Weight: 26.5 tons Dimensions: Length 21 ft 11 ins, Width 9 ft 10 ins, Height 8 ft Powerplant: 1 x 500 hp V12 diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 33 mph, Range 250 miles Armament: 1 x 76.2 mm gun + 2 x 7.62 mm machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 60 mm Crew: 4 powerful 500 hp V12 diesel engine was fitted which avoided bursting into flames too easily when hit, while wide tracks were fitted which could cope with the mud and snow so often encountered in the Soviet Union. The simple design of the T34 made it easy to manufacture by unskilled hands and easy to repair, and would become the most numerous tank ever built, with over 84,000 being produced through several different types by six different factories deep inside the U.S.S.R. They were first used in action by the Russians in the Autumn of 1941 and came as a nasty shock to the advancing German army. Country of Origin: Russia Number Built: 29,000+ of all Mks T A N K T34/76 Medium Tank (model 1942) Design of the T34 tank started in 1938 as a replacement for the BT7 which was the standard Soviet battle tank at the time. For its day the BT-7 was a good machine, but it was realised that its thin armour and main 45 mm gun would become ineffective. Like the BT series, the T34 used the Christie suspension system developed by the Soviets, but had five main road wheels instead of four. The hull armour was increased to a maximum of 47 mm, which was further enhanced by sloping the sides of the vehicle which had the effect of either deflecting any armour piercing shells, or increasing the effectiveness of the armour. A S P E C I F I C A T I O N : (Model 1941) Vehicle Weight: 26.5 tons Dimensions: Length 21 ft 11 ins, Width 9 ft 10 ins, Height 8 ft Powerplant: 1 x 500 hp V12 diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 33 mph, Range 250 miles Armament: 1 x 76.2 mm gun + 2 x 7.62 mm machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 60 mm Crew: 4 powerful 500 hp V12 diesel engine was fitted which avoided bursting into flames too easily when hit, while wide tracks were fitted which could cope with the mud and snow so often encountered in the Soviet Union. The simple design of the T34 made it easy to manufacture by unskilled hands and easy to repair, and would become the most numerous tank ever built, with over 84,000 being produced through several different types by six different factories deep inside the U.S.S.R. They were first used in action by the Russians in the Autumn of 1941 and came as a nasty shock to the advancing German army. Country of Origin: Russia Number Built: 29,000+ of all Mks T A N K T A N K T34/76 Medium Tank (model 1943 Design of the T34 tank started in 1938 as a replacement for the BT7 which was the standard Soviet battle tank at the time. For its day the BT-7 was a good machine, but it was realised that its thin armour and main 45 mm gun would become ineffective. Like the BT series, the T34 used the Christie suspension system developed by the Soviets, but had five main roadwheels instead of four. The hull armour was increased to a maximum of 47 mm, which was further enhanced by sloping the sides of the vehicle which had the effect of either deflecting any armour piercing shells, or increasing the effectiveness of the armour. A S P E C I F I C A T I O N : (Model 1941) Vehicle Weight: 26.5 tons Dimensions: Length 21 ft 11 ins, Width 9 ft 10 ins, Height 8 ft Powerplant: 1 x 500 hp V12 diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 33 mph, Range 250 miles Armament: 1 x 76.2 mm gun + 2 x 7.62 mm machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 60 mm Crew: 4 powerful 500 hp V12 diesel engine was fitted which avoided bursting into flames too easily when hit, while wide tracks were fitted which could cope with the mud and snow so often encountered in the Soviet Union. The simple design of the T34 made it easy to manufacture by unskilled hands and easy to repair, and would become the most numerous tank ever built, with over 84,000 being produced through several different types by six different factories deep inside the U.S.S.R. They were first used in action by the Russians in the Autumn of 1941 and came as a nasty shock to the advancing German army. Country of Origin: Russia Number Built: 29,000+ of all Mks T A N K T34/85 Medium Tank After the Battle of Kursk in the Summer of 1943, the limitations of the 76.2 mm gun became apparent, so a way of making the tank more potent were urgently sought. A new weapon was found in the form of the ZiS 85 mm anti-aircraft gun which was fitted into a new turret originally designed for the KV85 tank. The turret was more spacious and allowed a fifth crew member to be carried, freeing the commander of any other tasks apart from command. In service the T34 was considered to be a noisy tank, and could easily be heard from a distance of 500 yards, giving early warning as to their whereabouts, but with S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 32 tons Dimensions: Length 26 ft 10 ins, Width 9 ft 10 ins, Height 8 ft 6 ins Powerplant: 1 x 500 hp V12 diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 26 mph, Range 200 miles Armament: 1 x 85 mm gun + 2 x 7.62 mm machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 80 mm Crew: 5 the new gun the T34/85 could take on the latest German tanks, and remained the backbone of Soviet armoured forces until the end of the war. Apart from the most numerous, the T-34 was also one of the longest serving tanks ever built, T34/85s equipping the armies of many Eastern European countries under the Russian sphere of influence. During the Korean War, T34/85s spearheaded the North Korean invasion of the South in June 1950. Development of the T34 produced the T44 in 1944, before a major revision of the design resulted in the T54 armed with a 100 mm gun in 1947. Country of Origin: USSR Number Built: 55,000+ T A N K Infantry Tank Mk IV ‘Churchill Mk I’ Derived from a specification issued in September 1939 for a heavily armoured infantry support tank, the Churchill was designed with the prospect of a return to trench warfare as experienced in the First World War. The prototype was ready within five months, and had a crew of seven and armed with two 2 pounder guns and two machine guns. Trials soon revealed the machine was excessive in weight and the design was scaled down with the armament being halved along with many other detail changes. After the B.E.F. had been evacuated from France in May/June 1940, the Churchill was rushed into S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 40 tons Dimensions: Length 24 ft 5 ins, Width 8 ft 2 ins, Height 10 ft 8 ins Powerplant: 1 x Bedford 350 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 15½ mph, Range 90 miles Armament: 1 x 2 pdr gun, 1 x 3 in howitzer, 1 x 7.62 mm mg Armour: Maximum thickness 102 mm Crew: 5 production with many problems still to be resolved. These early tanks were unreliable and frequently broke down, an bad start for what would be one of the British Army’s most important tanks of World War Two. After the initial mechanical problems had been resolved the Churchill became a reliable machine, and were first used in action during the raid on Dieppe in 1942. The Churchill was progressively upgraded during its career, the Mark VII of 1944 being protected by a maximum of 152 mm of armour and armed with a 75 mm gun. The Churchill was the last infantry tank in the British army and finally retired in 1952. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 303 Derived from a specification issued in September 1939 for a heavily armoured infantry support tank, the Churchill was designed with the prospect of a return to trench warfare as experienced in the First World War. The prototype was ready within five months, and had a crew of seven and armed with two 2 pounder guns and two machine guns. Trials soon revealed the machine was excessive in weight and the design was scaled down with the armament being halved along with many other detail changes. After the B.E.F. had been evacuated from France in May/June 1940, the Churchill was rushed into production with many problems still to be resolved. These early tanks were unreliable and frequently broke down, an bad start for what would be one of the British Army’s most important tanks of World War Two. After the initial mechanical problems had been resolved the Churchill became a reliable machine, and were first used in action during the raid on Dieppe in 1942. The Churchill was progressively upgraded during its career, the Mark VII of 1944 being protected by a maximum of 152 mm of armour and armed with a 75 mm gun. The Churchill was the last infantry tank in the British army and finally retired in 1952. T A N K Infantry Tank Mk IV ‘Churchill Mk II’ Derived from a specification issued in September 1939 for a heavily armoured infantry support tank, the Churchill was designed with the prospect of a return to trench warfare as experienced in the First World War. The prototype was ready within five months, and had a crew of seven and armed with two 2 pounder guns and two machine guns. Trials soon revealed the machine was excessive in weight and the design was scaled down with the armament being halved along with many other detail changes. After the B.E.F. had been evacuated from France in May/June 1940, the Churchill was rushed into S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 40 tons Dimensions: Length 24 ft 5 ins, Width 8 ft 2 ins, Height 10 ft 8 ins Powerplant: 1 x Bedford 350 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 15½ mph, Range 90 miles Armament: 1 x 2 pounder gun, 2 x 7.62 mm Besa machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 102 mm Crew: 5 production with many problems still to be resolved. These early tanks were unreliable and frequently broke down, an bad start for what would be one of the British Army’s most important tanks of World War Two. After the initial mechanical problems had been resolved the Churchill became a reliable machine, and were first used in action during the raid on Dieppe in 1942. The Churchill was progressively upgraded during its career, the Mark VII of 1944 being protected by a maximum of 152 mm of armour and armed with a 75 mm gun. The Churchill was the last infantry tank in the British army and finally retired in 1952. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 1,127 T A N K Infantry Tank Mk IV ‘Churchill Mk III’ Derived from a specification issued in September 1939 for a heavily armoured infantry support tank, the Churchill was designed with the prospect of a return to trench warfare as experienced in the First World War. The prototype was ready within five months, and had a crew of seven and armed with two 2 pounder guns and two machine guns. Trials soon revealed the machine was excessive in weight and the design was scaled down with the armament being halved along with many other detail changes. After the B.E.F. had been evacuated from France in May/June 1940, the Churchill was rushed into S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 40 tons Dimensions: Length 24 ft 5 ins, Width 9 ft, Height 10 ft 8 ins Powerplant: 1 x Bedford 350 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 15½ mph, Range 90 miles Armament: 1 x 6 pounder gun, 2 x 7.62 mm Besa machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 102 mm Crew: 5 production with many problems still to be resolved. These early tanks were unreliable and frequently broke down, an bad start for what would be one of the British Army’s most important tanks of World War Two. After the initial mechanical problems had been resolved the Churchill became a reliable machine, and were first used in action during the raid on Dieppe in 1942. The Churchill was progressively upgraded during its career, the Mark VII of 1944 being protected by a maximum of 152 mm of armour and armed with a 75 mm gun. The Churchill was the last infantry tank in the British army and finally retired in 1952. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 675 Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 24,429 A R M O U R E D C A R T A N K Infantry Tank Mk IV ‘Churchill Mk VII’ Derived from a specification issued in September 1939 for a heavily armoured infantry support tank, the Churchill was designed with the prospect of a return to trench warfare as experienced in the First World War. The prototype was ready within five months, and had a crew of seven and armed with two 2 pounder guns and two machine guns. Trials soon revealed the machine was excessive in weight and the design was scaled down with the armament being halved along with many other detail changes. After the B.E.F. had been evacuated from France in May/June 1940, the Churchill was rushed into S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 40 tons Dimensions: Length 24 ft 5 ins, Width 8 ft, Height 8 ft 2 ins Powerplant: 1 x Bedford 350 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 12½ mph, max range 90 miles Armament: 1 x 75 mm gun, 1 x 7.62 mm Besa machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 152 mm Crew: 5 production with many problems still to be resolved. These early tanks were unreliable and frequently broke down, an bad start for what would be one of the British Army’s most important tanks of World War Two. After the initial mechanical problems had been resolved the Churchill became a reliable machine, and were first used in action during the raid on Dieppe in 1942. The Churchill was progressively upgraded during its career, the Mark VII of 1944 being protected by a maximum of 152 mm of armour and armed with a 75 mm gun. The Churchill was the last infantry tank in the British army and finally retired in 1952. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 1,600 Infantry Tank Mk II ‘Matilda II’ (A12) Design work began on a successor to the Matilda I began in 1936 which was designated the A12 Infantry Tank Mk II. They would be armed with a 2 pounder gun with a coaxial machine gun that were housed in a cast turret with a power traverse system. The hull was also cast and fitted with armoured side skirts that protected the tracks, mud chutes being provided to keep the tracks clear. Production of the A12 began in 1938, but because the turret and hull were cast they were difficult to produce, with only two being in service in September 1939. They were first used in France during the German Blitzkrieg in S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 26.5 tons Dimensions: Length 18 ft 5 ins, Width 8 ft 6 ins, Height 8 ft 3 ins Powerplant: 2 x AEC 87 hp diesel engines Performance: Maximum speed 8 mph, Range 160 miles Armament: 1 x 2 pounder gun,1 x 7.92 mm machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 78 mm Crew: 4 May 1940, at which time the 2 pounder gun was an effective weapon, while the Matilda IIs armour made it virtually immune to most German tank and anti-tank guns. The Matilda II played an important role during the early campaigns in North Africa. Here again they were virtually immune to Italian gunfire, and it was only when the Germans used their 8.8 cm flak guns in the anti-tank role that its armour was defeated. The Matilda II could not be upgunned with the new 6 pounder gun due to the size of its turret ring, which resulted in the importance of the tank dwindling on the battlefield, production ending in 1943. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 2,987 T A N K Infantry Tank Mk II ‘Matilda II’ (A12) Design work began on a successor to the Matilda I began in 1936 which was designated the A12 Infantry Tank Mk II. They would be armed with a 2 pounder gun with a coaxial machine gun that were housed in a cast turret with a power traverse system. The hull was also cast and fitted with armoured side skirts that protected the tracks, mud chutes being provided to keep the tracks clear. Production of the A12 began in 1938, but because the turret and hull were cast they were difficult to produce, with only two being in service in September 1939. They were first used in France during the German Blitzkrieg in S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 26.5 tons Dimensions: Length 18 ft 5 ins, Width 8 ft 6 ins, Height 8 ft 3 ins Powerplant: 2 x AEC 87 hp diesel engines Performance: Maximum speed 8 mph, Range 160 miles Armament: 1 x 2 pounder gun,1 x 7.92 mm machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 78 mm Crew: 4 May 1940, at which time the 2 pounder gun was an effective weapon, while the Matilda IIs armour made it virtually immune to most German tank and anti-tank guns. The Matilda II played an important role during the early campaigns in North Africa. Here again they were virtually immune to Italian gunfire, and it was only when the Germans used their 8.8 cm flak guns in the anti-tank role that its armour was defeated. The Matilda II could not be upgunned with the new 6 pounder gun due to the size of its turret ring, which resulted in the importance of the tank dwindling on the battlefield, production ending in 1943. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 2,987 T A N K T A N K Cruiser Tank Mk IVA (A13 Mk IIA) In 1936 the British government agreed to the purchase of a Christie design by the Nuffield Organisation in order to develop a new tank. The General Staff drew up a specification for the design which was designated the A13. Successful trials of a prototype in 1937 led to an order for 65 tanks, with production beginning in early 1939. Modifications to the design led to the A13 Mk II Cruiser Tank Mk IV which had extra armour, this being mainly on the nose, glacis and turret front, and despite the extra 1,200 lbs there was only a small drop in performance. The Mk IVA differed in having a 7.92 mm Besa instead of the S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 14.8 tons Dimensions: Length 19 ft 9 ins, Width; 8 ft 4 ins, Height; 8 ft 6 ins Powerplant: 1 x 340 hp V12 Liberty engine Performance: Maximum speed 30 mph, Range 90 miles Armament: 1 x 2 pounder gun, 1 x 7.92 Besa machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 30 mm Crew: 4 0.303 Vickers machine gun, and a new gun mantlet. The A13 was sent to France with units of the 1st Armoured Division of the B.E.F., where most were lost, but in the desert they faired better against the Italians, although reliability was a problem. With the arrival of the Panzer III and Panzer IV in the desert in late 1941 they proved to be under-gunned and under-armoured, the surviving tanks being withdrawn in early 1942 and used as training vehicles. Similar to the A9 and A10, the A13 had a close support version armed with a 3.7 inch howitzer due to the deficiencies of the 2 pounder gun. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 665 T A N K Cruiser Tank Mk V (A13 Mk III) The A13 ‘Covenanter’ was designed by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company as a replacement for the A13 Mk II. The design looked purposeful with most surfaces sloped giving it a sleek appearance, while the three man turret was a new design with V shaped sides giving it a diamond profile from the front. The Covenanter was placed in production before a prototype had been built, and problems with the design soon emerged, mainly the Meadows Flat 12 engine chosen to power the vehicle. The engine was good in its own right, but because it was flat it was also wide, which meant the cooling radiators S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 18 tons Dimensions: Length, 19 ft, Width 8 ft 7 ins, Height 7 ft 4 ins Powerplant: 1 x 340 hp Meadows petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 30 mph, Range 100 miles Armament: 1 x 2 pounder gun, 1 x 7.62 mm Besa machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 40 mm Crew: 4 would not fit at the rear of the tank, and were installed at the front instead. This resulted in the driver being positioned at the front right and the radiators to his left, and resulted in cooling issues and reliability which were to plague the design. The tank was kept in production after the loss of most of the B.E.F.’s equipment in France as it was deemed better than nothing. A few vehicles did find their way to Egypt for service trials but they were mainly used in the U.K. for training before being declared obsolete in late 1943, with most of the 1,771 tanks that were built going straight to the scrapyard. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 1,771 T A N K M2 Medium Tank In 1937 Rock Island Arsenal started design work on a medium tank which was an enlarged version of the M2 Light Tank. Designated the T5, the tank had a high superstructure with a sponson mounted machine gun in each corner, with a further two fixed in the glacis plate that could be fired by the driver. The main armament was a 37 mm gun that was mounted in a small turret which was supplemented by a coaxial machine gun. After trials with the prototype an order for a limited production run was placed. these being redesignated the M2 Medium Tank in 1939, with eighteen being supplied to the S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 21 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft 6 ins, Width 8 ft 6 ins, Height 9 ft 3 ins Powerplant: 1 x Wright 400 hp radial petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 26 mph, Range 130 miles Armament: 1 x 37 mm gun, 9 x 0.30 inch machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 32 mm Crew: 6 army for evaluation. From their experience a revised design emerged which was designated the M2A1 which was placed in production after the U.S. Government issued a contract in August 1940 for 1,000 vehicles. By then it was clear that the 37 mm gun was obsolete for a medium tank, and the contract was modified before production began, with a new contract for 1,000 M3 Grant tanks based on the M2 instead, once a design with a 75 mm gun had been worked out. Production of the M2 was given then given to the Rock Island Arsenal who had built 94 M2A1s by August 1941 when production was halted. Country of Origin: USA Number Built: 112 T A N K 38M ‘Toldi I’ Light Tank In 1937 the Swedish L60 Landsverk light tank was trialled against the Hungarian V4 amphibious light tank built by Mann. The L60 was the winner, but before it would be accepted for service a number of design changes were issued before being put into production under licence. It was originally planned they would be armed with a 25 mm Bofors gun, but this had to be abandoned and was replaced with a standard 36M 20 mm infantry gun which required the turret to be redesigned. The tank was named the 38M Toldi I, and in early 1939 an order for 80 was placed with the first vehicles being delivered in April S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 8.5 tons Dimensions: Length 15 ft 7 ins, Width 7 ft, Height 6 ft 2 ins Powerplant: 1 x Bussing-Nag 155 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 29 mph, Range 120 miles Armament: 1 x 20 mm cannon, 1 x 8 mm machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 20 mm Crew: 3 1940. During the early phase of the summer campaign against the Soviet Union, the Toldi showed good qualities, but when it later came up against the Russian T34 and KV1 tanks they were hopelessly under-gunned and under-armoured. This resulted in the Toldi II with increased frontal armour and a 40 mm anti-tank gun, but even then they were outclassed. The inability to up-gun the Toldi with a meaningful gun led to many being modified in a similar way to German practice by removing the turret and mounting a more powerful gun on the hull, the gun crew being protected by light armoured shields. Country of Origin: Hungary Number Built: 202 T A N K 38M ‘Toldi II’ Light Tank In 1937 the Swedish L60 Landsverk light tank was trialled against the Hungarian V4 amphibious light tank built by Mann. The L60 was the winner, but before it would be accepted for service a number of design changes were issued before being put into production under licence. It was originally planned they would be armed with a 25 mm Bofors gun, but this had to be abandoned and was replaced with a standard 36M 20 mm infantry gun which required the turret to be redesigned. The tank was named the 38M Toldi I, and in early 1939 an order for 80 was placed with the first vehicles being delivered in April S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 8.5 tons Dimensions: Length 15 ft 7 ins, Width 7 ft, Height 6 ft 2 ins Powerplant: 1 x Bussing-Nag 155 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 29 mph, Range 120 miles Armament: 1 x 40 mm cannon, 1 x 8 mm machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 35 mm Crew: 3 1940. During the early phase of the summer campaign against the Soviet Union, the Toldi showed good qualities, but when it later came up against the Russian T34 and KV1 tanks they were hopelessly under-gunned and under-armoured. This resulted in the Toldi II with increased frontal armour and a 40 mm anti-tank gun, but even then they were outclassed. The inability to up-gun the Toldi with a meaningful gun led to many being modified in a similar way to German practice by removing the turret and mounting a more powerful gun on the hull, the gun crew being protected by light armoured shields. Country of Origin: Hungary Number Built: 110 T A N K Carro Armato L6/40 Light Tank The Carro Armato L6/40 light tank was developed from the Fiat-Ansoldo Canone and based on the chassis of the L3 tankette. The first prototype was armed with twin machine guns or a 37 mm gun in the turret, with a further machine gun mounted in a sponson in the hull. The tank was operated by a two man crew, the driver being seated at the front right and the commander behind in the manually operated turret, who was also responsible for operating the gun and radio. Originally designed for the export market, the L6/40 came to the attention of the Italian military who placed orders for the S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 6.8 tons Dimensions: Length 12 ft 5 ins, Width 6 ft 4 ins, Height 6 ft 8 ins Powerplant: 1 x SPA 70 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 26 mph, Range 125 miles Armament: 1 x 20 mm cannon, 1 x 8 mm machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 30 mm Crew: 2 machine in 1939. The production version was armed with a 20 mm Breda cannon in the turret and an 8 mm machine gun in the hull, and when they were introduced the L6/40 was roughly equivalent to the German Panzer II. A total of 283 vehicles were built, and used by reconnaissance units and cavalry divisions. They were first used in combat in North Africa against the British where their armament was mainly ineffective against most armoured vehicles, and even less so on the Russian front. The L6/40 continued in service with the military in post-war Italy, finally being phased out of service in the early 1950s. Country of Origin: Italy Number Built: 285 T A N K Cruiser Tank Mk III (A13 Mk I) In 1936 the British government agreed to the purchase of a Christie design by the Nuffield Organisation in order to develop a new tank. The General Staff drew up a specification for the design which was designated the A13. Successful trials of a prototype in 1937 led to an order for 65 tanks, with production beginning in early 1939. Modifications to the design led to the A13 Mk II Cruiser Tank Mk IV which had extra armour, this being mainly on the nose, glacis and turret front, and despite the extra 1,200 lbs there was only a small drop in performance. The Mk IVA differed in having a 7.92 mm Besa instead of the S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 14 tons Dimensions: Length 19 ft 9 ins, Width; 8 ft 4 ins, Height; 8 ft 6 ins Powerplant: 1 x 340 hp V12 Liberty engine Performance: Maximum speed 32 mph, Range 90 miles Armament: 1 x 2 pounder gun, 1 x 0.303 inch machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 14 mm Crew: 4 0.303 Vickers machine gun, and a new gun mantlet. The A13 was sent to France with units of the 1st Armoured Division of the B.E.F., where most were lost, but in the desert they faired better against the Italians, although reliability was a problem. With the arrival of the Panzer III and Panzer IV in the desert in late 1941 they proved to be under-gunned and under-armoured, the surviving tanks being withdrawn in early 1942 and used as training vehicles. Similar to the A9 and A10, the A13 had a close support version armed with a 3.7 inch howitzer due to the deficiencies of the 2 pounder gun. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 65 T A N K