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Churchill AVRE Mat Layer

The Churchill AVRE came about after the lessons of the Dieppe Raid in August 1942 on the French coast had been learnt. They were designed to be used by the Royal Engineers of Assault Battalions in overcoming beach obstacles and fortifications, and were first used on a large scale during the Normandy landings in June 1944, where they proved to be very effective in demolishing structures such as pillboxes, bunkers and buildings. Many others were also adapted to carry all manner of special equipment. The Mat Layer was a Churchill AVRE fitted with a large bobbin at the front, and as the tank went up the

S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 38.5 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, Range 90 miles Armament: 1 x 290 mm Spigot Mortar, 1 x 7.62 mm machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 102 mm Crew: 4

beach a reinforced canvas mat was unrolled, which provided a good surface for vehicles to travel over. Once unrolled the equipment could then be discarded and the tank could then be operate as a normal AVRE. Another version was fitted to carry fascines. These had been used in World War One, and were bundles of wooden poles or brushwood that could be released to fill a ditch or form a step to overcome beach obstacles. The Churchill AVRE remained in service with the British Army until the mid 1950s when they were replaced by versions using the Centurion Tank, and today by the Challenger II.

Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 754

Valentine Bridge Layer

During the early part of World War Two the Scissor Bridge No 1 was developed by the Experimental Bridging Establishment and a prototype built on the chassis of a light tank. The bridge itself was carried folded in two on top of the tank with a large hinge joining the two halves. The bridge had a maximum tracked load of 24 tons (Class 24), and when deployed could span a 30 ft gap. The mechanism that unfolded the bridge was a long threaded screw inside a tube which was driven from the engine, the launching cycle taking just 2½ minutes. The design was accepted for production and initially the bridge vehicle was

S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 19.6 tons Dimensions: Length 23 ft 7 ins, Width 9 ft 6 ins, height 11 ft 3 ins Powerplant: 1 x AEC 131 hp diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 15 mph, Range 90 miles Armour: Maximum thickness 65 mm • Crew: 2/3 Scissor Bridge No 1: Maximum obstacle span:30 ft, Maximum load 30 tons, Deployment time 1½ minutes

the Covenantor tank, but after about 80 had been converted the equipment was upgraded to Class 30 (30 tons) and all further vehicles used the Valentine tank. Conversions of the Valentine tank were carried out at the Southern Railway's Eastleigh Works in Hampshire, and involved removing the turret which were then used on the AEC Mark I armoured cars. Six bridgelayers were issued to each armoured brigade that were equipped with cruiser or medium tanks, and were deployed in the Italy, North-Western Europe and in Burma by British and Commonwealth forces.

Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 192

Panzer IV Munitionsschlepper In March 1936 Rheinmetall made a proposal for a super heavy howitzer to attack the Maginot Line. The design they decided on was a self-propelled weapon, and during 1938- 39 extensive trials took place to investigate the ground pressure and steering of such an enormous vehicle. Firing trials of the 60 cm mortar took place in 1930 with trials of the prototype being carried out in May 1940. Known as the Karl-Gerät Mörser seven were built, and to support these with ammunition a vehicle was required that could cope with the heavy shells, the largest being the heavy concrete piercing shell which weighed over 2 tons each. The vehicle chosen for modification was the Panzer IV, and a design was prepared for the purpose. The turret was removed and the superstructure remodelled so they could carry four 3,700 lb shells, while a 3.5 ton crane was installed to load and transfer the ammunition. Depending on their mission, each Karl required two or three of these support vehicles to carry their applicable heavy munitions. The Karls were mainly deployed on the Eastern Front, most notably during the siege of Sevastopol in 1942 and the Warsaw uprising in 1944.

S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 25 tons Dimensions: Length 18 ft 5 ins, Width 9 ft 6 ins, Height 8 ft 8 ins Powerplant: 1 x Maybach 300 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 19 mph, Range 93 miles Armament: None Armour: Maximum thickness 15 mm Crew: 4

Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 21

A27L Centaur Dozer

In 1942 fears that there would be a shortage of the newly developed Rolls-Royce Meteor engine for the new A27 Cruiser Tank led to 1,000 tanks being powered by the Nuffield 395 hp Liberty engine, and to distinguish the two types the Meteor engined tanks became the A27(M) Cromwell, and those with the Liberty engine the A27(L) Centaur. The first Centaur was competed in July 1942, but trials showed that the overworked Liberty engine had an even shorter lifespan and was even less reliable than it had been in the Crusader. Several attempts were made to solve the problems, but the real problem was

S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 19.5 tons Dimensions: Length 20 ft 10 ins, Width 9 ft, Height 9 ft 4 ins Powerplant: 1 x Nuffield 395 hp Liberty petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 26 mph, Range 164 miles Armament: 1 x 7.92 mm Besa machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 76 mm Crew: 2

that the Liberty wasn't powerful enough for the weight of the tank which put an enormous strain on the engine. Despite this large scale production of the tank went ahead, although most were used for training or later re-engined with the Meteor and became Cromwells. A small number of Centaurs however were used in action. About 80 were rearmed with a 95 mm howitzer which were used on D-Day by the Royal Marines to provide fire support for the Commandos. Other specialised conversions of the Centaur included an armoured bulldozer, an armoured recovery vehicle and an observation post.

Country of Origin: UK Number Produced: Unknown

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M30 Cargo Carrier

Limited space aboard the M12 Gun Motor Carriage meant that only 10 shells and propellant could be carried, and to alleviate the situation a support vehicle was produced. This was known as the M30 Cargo Carrier which was specifically designed to support the M12, and in service they would operate in tandem. The M30 was a modified M12 designed to carry the main part of the gun crew and an additional 40 rounds of ammunition and other supplies. For defence they were armed with a 0.50 inch Browning machine gun on a ring mount. The final M12 was completed in March 1943, but the Artillery Branch showed

S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 20.67 tons Dimensions: Length 22 ft 1 ins, Width 8 ft 10 ins, Height 7 ft 3 ins Powerplant: 1 x 420 hp Continental petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 21 mph, Range 86 miles Armament: 1 x 0.5 inch Browning machine gun Armour: Maximum 51 mm Crew: 2 + 6 gun crew

little interest in the M12, and for most of 1943 they were either mothballed or used in training. This thinking however changed for the planned invasion of Europe, where M12s and M30s were deployed throughout the campaign after the D-Day landings in North-West Europe until the end of the war. Production of the M12 only amounted to 100 vehicles and a corresponding number of M30s but after the end of the war in Europe the M12 was declared obsolete and replaced in service by the M40 155 Gun Motor Carriage, the M12s being scrapped alongside the M30 Cargo Carriers.

Country of Origin: USA Number Built: 100

ST-26 Bridge Laying Tank

The ST-26 Bridge Laying tank was based on the twin turreted T-26 model 1931 chassis. The ST-26 had only one shortened turret which was located in the middle of the hull which was armed with a DT 7.62 mm machine gun. The bridge was metal tracked and just over 24 ft (7.35 m) long and weighed just over 1 ton (2,400 lbs). The supports for the bridge consisted of a front frame with two forks and two guiding rollers, lower forks with a hoisting mechanism and a roller, a rear frame with mounts and two rollers, and a cable winch which was located inside the vehicle. The ST-26 bridge was capable of crossing

S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 9 tons Dimensions: Length 15 ft 3 ins, Width 8 ft, Height 7 ft 4 ins Powerplant: 1 x 90 hp GAZ petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 18 mph, Range 124 miles Armament: 1 x 7.62 mm machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 15 mm Crew: 3

trenches and streams up to 20ft (6 m) wide and barriers up to 6 ft (2 m) high, and had a maximum load rating of 14 tons which was capable of supporting the T-26 and BT series of tanks. The bridge could be laid with the help of the cable winch in 30 - 40 seconds which did not require the crew to exit the vehicle, while raising the bridge took 2 - 3 minutes did require the commander to come out of the vehicle in order to oversee the operation. The ST-26 with its cable system was trialled in the summer of 1932 and accepted for service, and in total around 70 were built.

Country of Origin: USSR Number Built: 70+

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Churchill Bridge Layer

The British had already experimented with bridge laying tanks shortly after the start of World War Two, with the Valentine and Covenanter being produced with the Scissors Bridge No 1. In 1942 work began on another major system which was the Tank Bridge No 2 for heavier loads, and was a Class 60 for tracked loads (60 tons) and a Class 40 for wheeled loads (40 tons). The bridge was a one piece structure that could cross a 30 ft gap, and was mounted on top of a turretless Churchill tank. The method of deploying the bridge was radically different to the Scissors Bridge. A launching arm was attached by a pivoting

S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 38.5 tons Dimensions: Length 36 ft 6 ins, Width 8 ft 2 ins, Height 12 ft 9 ins Powerplant: 1 x Bedford 350 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 15½ mph, Range 90 miles Armour: Maximum thickness 102 mm • Crew: 2/3 Tank Bridge No 2: Maximum obstacle span:30 ft, Maximum load: 60 tons, Deployment time 1½ minutes

arm mechanism with rollers to the front of the tank, the other end of the arm being attached to the centre of the bridge. The bridge remained horizontal as it was raised and then lowered by the pivot arm across the gap, and could be deployed in just 1½ minutes. They began to enter service in 1943 and were used during the Italy and North West Europe, and remained in service with the British Army well into the 1950s. Various other bridges could also be deployed by the Churchill, which included the ‘‘Mobile Bailey’ which was a complete bridge on unpowered track units that was moved into place by two tanks.

Country of Origin: UK Number Built: Around 200

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Churchill AVRE

One of the lessons learned during the Dieppe raid in 1942 was the Canadian engineers were unable to proceed with obstacle demolitions and beach clearing without sustaining heavy casualties. A Canadian engineer officer put forward the idea of using a tank converted for the use of engineers which would carry them and the demolition charges to the target. The idea was accepted, and after deliberation the Churchill tank was selected as the most suitable vehicle for conversion. The interior was stripped out and the main armament removed, allowing the storage of specialised demolition equipment and

S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 38.5 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, Range 90 miles Armament: 1 x 290 mm Spigot Mortar, 1 x 7.62 mm machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 102 mm Crew: 4

the ability to carry a demolition squad. The main turret was retained, but in place of the main gun a Petard spigot mortar was fitted which threw a 40 lb ‘Flying dustbin’ bomb a distance of 150 yards. Known as the Churchill AVRE (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers), they quickly became the standard equipment used by the engineers attached to formations such as the 79th Armoured Division and other assault brigades. The Churchill AVRE was first used on a large scale during the Normandy landings in June 1944, and proved effective in demolishing structures such as pillboxes, bunkers and buildings.

Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 754

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Churchill ‘Crocodile’

After the Petroleum Warfare Department was established in 1940 in response to the invasion scare, a design was prepared of a projector that used compressed gas to propel a flame jet. The first Churchill flamethrower tanks were the idea of Major Oke who positioned the flame projector in the hull machine gunner's position, and three of thes tanks took part in the Dieppe Raid in 1942 but could not get off the beach and were destroyed. Work on the idea was also being carried out by the Petroleum Warfare Department and AEC who began to use the Churchill for further development. In 1943 General Percy

S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 39 tons Dimensions: Length 25 ft 1 in,Wwidth 8 ft, Height 8 ft 2 ins Powerplant: 1 x Bedford 350 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 12½ mph, Range 90 miles Armament: 1 x flamethrower (maximum range 120 yds), 1 × 75 mm gun, 1 × 7.62 mm Besa machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 152 mm • Crew: 5

Hobart saw a demonstration of the flamethrower tank which he immediately added to the equipment needed for the 79th Division. The equipment for the flamethrower was produced as a kit that REME workshops could fit in the field and convert any available Churchill Mk VII. The conversion kit consisted of the trailer, an armoured pipe fitted along the underside of the tank, and the projector, which replaced the hull mounted Besa machine gun. This allowed the tank to retain its main gun and operate as a normal gun tank if necessary. They remained in service with the British Army until the early 1960s.

Country of Origin: UK Number Converted: 800

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M6 High Speed Tractor

To tow the heavier American 8 inch (203 mm) and 240 mm howitzers during World War Two, a larger version of the M4 High Speed Tractor was produced. This was the M6 HST which was longer and wider with two extra running wheels added to each side with complete with suspension units and powered by two engines. The M6 began to enter service in 1944, and by the time production ended in 1945, 1,235 had been built. The M6, along with the and M4 HST, were mainly deployed in Italy and North Western Europe by U.S. forces during World War Two. During the Korean War in the early 1950s only the M4 was

S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 34.5 tons Dimensions: Length 21 ft 6 ins, Width 10 ft, Height 8 ft 8 ins Powerplant: 2 x 190 hp Waukesha petrol engines Performance: Maximum speed 21 mph, Range 110 miles Armament: 1 x 0.5 inch M2 Browning machine gun Armour: None Crew: 1 + 10 gun crew

deployed by U.S. forces, mainly due to the withdrawal of most of the heavy artillery. After World War Two and into the 1950s, many surplus M4 and M6s were supplied to Brazil, Greece, Holland, Japan, Yugoslavia, Israel and Pakistan under the Mutual Defence Assistance Programme, while in the U.S. the last M6 was withdrawn in 1959 and the M4 in 1960, by which time the decision had been made to adopt more self-propelled guns. Further surplus vehicles were then sold and converted for civilian use, where they were primarily used in the logging and road construction industry.

Country of Origin: USA Number Built: 1,235

A R T I L L E R Y T R A C T O R

Shielder VLSMS

In the early 1990s the British Army became aware of the need for a system that could lay a defensive anti-tank mine barrier quickly. A flatbed version of the Alvis Stormer was chosen as the delivery vehicle and two systems were trialled, the French Minotaur Scatterable minelaying system and the American Volcano mine system, but after trials the U.S. Vocano system was chosen. The system consist of up to 40 dispensers that contain 6 mines each which are mounted on the flatbed. The mines are launched to the sides and rear of the vehicle as it moves across the terrain, quickly creating a mine barrier. Each

S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Weight: 10 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft 4 ins, Width 7 ft 10 ins, Height 7 ft 3 ins Powerplant: 1 x Perkins 250 hp diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 50 mph, Range 400 miles Armament: 40 mine dispensers and 240 mines Armour: Not available Crew: 2

mine has a programmable life of 4 hours, 48 hours or 15 days, after which they self-destruct, a control unit providing the fire signals, testing and arming of the self-destruct mechanism. The new weapons system was named Shielder VLSMS and was ordered in 1995, the first units being deployed in 1999. It is reported that twenty-nine Shielder systems were in service with the British Army in 2009, but were removed from active service during 1913/14. Other roles for the Alvis Stormer include an ambulance, air defence, recovery, and as a command vehicle, along with its original role of an armoured personnel carrier.

Country of Origin: UK Number Produced: 30+

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Landwirtschaftlicher Schlepper (LaS)

After the National Socialists came to power in Germany during 1933, their first priority was to expand and rearm the army after the limitations imposed on the country by the Treaty of Versaille in 1919. The Panzer I can be traced back to 1932 and the Landwirtschaftlicher Schlepper (LaS), which was classified as an agricultural tractor. The LaS was the Panzer I without any super-structure or turret, the interior being open with seating to carry troops or supplies. 15 were built by five different companies in order for them to gain knowledge in tank construction, the vehicles then being used to train German

S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 3.5 tons Dimensions: Length 13 ft 2 ins, Width 6 ft 8 ins, Height 5 ft 6 ins Powerplant: 1 x Krupp M 305 59 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 23 mph, Range 90 miles Armament: None Armour: Maximum thickness 13 mm Crew: 2

Panzer troops in the use of tracked vehicles. By the end of 1941 the Panzer I Ausf A had been withdrawn from service and converted for other uses. One of the many conversions carried out on the Panzer I was the Munitionsschlepper (ammunition tractor). These had the turret removed and the aperture fitted with a two piece armoured cover plate, to load and access the ammunition which was carried inside. Later an armoured box was fitted on top of the vehicle which allowed for easier and quicker transfer of shells. These vehicles served with regular Panzer formations during the Polish and French campaigns.

Country of Origin: Germany Number Produced: 15

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Munitionsschlepper Ausf A

After the National Socialists came to power in Germany during 1933, their first priority was to expand and rearm the army after the limitations imposed on the country by the Treaty of Versaille in 1919. The Panzer I can be traced back to 1932 and the Landwirtschaftlicher Schlepper (LaS), which was classified as an agricultural tractor. The LaS was the Panzer I without any super-structure or turret, the interior being open with seating to carry troops or supplies. 15 were built by five different companies in order for them to gain knowledge in tank construction, the vehicles then being used to train German

S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 5 tons Dimensions: Length 13 ft 2 ins, Width 6 ft 8 ins, Height 5 ft 6 ins Powerplant: 1 x Krupp M 305 59 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 23 mph, Range 90 miles Armament: None Armour: Maximum thickness 13 mm Crew: 2

Panzer troops in the use of tracked vehicles. By the end of 1941 the Panzer I Ausf A had been withdrawn from service and converted for other uses. One of the many conversions carried out on the Panzer I was the Munitions-schlepper (ammunition tractor). These had the turret removed and the aperture fitted with a two piece armoured cover plate, to load and access the ammunition which was carried inside. Later an armoured box was fitted on top of the vehicle which allowed for easier and quicker transfer of shells. These vehicles served with regular Panzer formations during the Polish and French campaigns.

Country of Origin: Germany Number Produced: 51

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Krankenpanzerwagen Ausf A

After the National Socialists came to power in Germany during 1933, their first priority was to expand and rearm the army after the limitations imposed on the country by the Treaty of Versaille in 1919. The Panzer I can be traced back to 1932 and the Landwirtschaftlicher Schlepper (LaS), which was classified as an agricultural tractor. The LaS was the Panzer I without any super-structure or turret, the interior being open with seating to carry troops or supplies. 15 were built by five different companies in order for them to gain knowledge in tank construction, the vehicles then being used to train German

S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 4.7 tons Dimensions: Length 13 ft 2 ins, Width 6 ft 8 ins, Height 5 ft 6 ins Powerplant: 1 x Krupp M 305 59 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 23 mph, Range 90 miles Armament: None Armour: Maximum thickness 13 mm Crew: 2

Panzer troops in the use of tracked vehicles. By the end of 1941 the Panzer I Ausf A had been withdrawn from service and converted for other uses. One of the many conversions carried out on the Panzer I was the Munitions-schlepper (ammunition tractor). These had the turret removed and the aperture fitted with a two piece armoured cover plate, to load and access the ammunition which was carried inside. Later an armoured box was fitted on top of the vehicle which allowed for easier and quicker transfer of shells. These vehicles served with regular Panzer formations during the Polish and French campaigns.

Country of Origin: Germany Number Produced: Unknown

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Sherman ‘Crab’

The American M4 Sherman was used for a variety of roles during World War Two, especially by the British who developed several types specifically for the D-Day landings in 1944. Various ideas clearing a path through a minefield had been investigated, but the idea of using chain flails to detonate mines ahead of a tank had been proven in North Africa during 1942 with the Matilda ‘Scorpion’. Development continued and a new device followed which was known as the Crab. The Crab had 43 chains mounted on a drum that was powered by the main engine, while screens were fitted to shield the front of the

S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 33.9 tons Dimensions: Length 24 ft 8 ins, Width 8 ft 9½ ins, Height 11 ft 3 ins Powerplant: 1 x Chrysler 445 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 20 mph, Range 100 miles Armament: 1 x 75 mm gun, 1x 0.5 inch, 2 x 0.3 inch machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 50 mm Crew: 5

tank from flying dust and debris, and later a device allowed the flails to follow contours of the ground. The Crab was usually fitted to a Sherman tank and unlike the Matilda ‘Scorpion’, the Sherman ‘Crab’ was a more effective as it retained its turret and main gun so they could fight if required. The Sherman ‘Crab’ was first used in action by the British 79th Armoured Division before the U.S. Army received their initial examples, with the type becoming the most widely used mine flail tank of World War Two, and were deployed during the Allied advances of 1944-1945 in Western Europe.

Country of Origin: UK Number Produced: Unknown

DD Sherman

In 1941 Britain began to develop an amphibious tank which utilised a collapsible fabric screen. This contained rubber air tubes, which when inflated raised the screen and locked in position. The tank could then be driven into the water and would float with about 3 ft of freeboard, drive being provided by two screw propellers. Trials were carried out using the Tetrarch and Valentine tank, although the water speed low and any sea state over 5 was risky. In 1943 the M4 was chosen for conversion, and when waterproofed and fitted with the system were known as the DD (Duplex Drive) Sherman. On D-Day they

S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 32.7 tons Dimensions: Length 24 ft 8 ins, Width 8 ft 9½ ins, Height 11 ft 3 ins Powerplant: 1 x Ford 450 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 29 mph, 4 knots in water Armament: 1 x 75 mm gun, 2 x 0.3 inch machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 62 mm Crew: 5

proved an asset for the British, although a number were lost by being swamped. Once they neared the beach the screen could be collapsed and the main armament could be engaged, providing valuable fire support for the troops on the beaches. Another vehicle was the Sherman BARV (Beach Armoured Recovery Vehicle). This was designed to remove vehicles that became stranded in the surf, blocking access to the beaches. The tank was waterproofed and the turret replaced by a tall armoured superstructure. They were able to operate in 9 feet of water and first used during D-Day landings in 1944.

Country of Origin: UK Number Produced: Unknown

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Sherman BARV

The Sherman BARV (Beach Armoured Recovery Vehicle) was was designed by the REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) to remove vehicles that became stranded in the water and blocked access to the beaches during amphibious landings. The tank was waterproofed and the turret replaced by a tall armoured superstructure. They were operated by a crew of 5 or 6 and able to operate in 9 feet of water. They were first used during the D-Day landings in June 1944, followed by the landings in the south of France in August. In the 1950s the Centurion BARV was produced, which has now been replaced

S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 30.3 tons Dimensions: Length 19 ft 2 ins, Width 8 ft 7 ins, Height 9 ft Powerplant: 1 x General Motors 375 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 30 mph, Range 100 miles Armament: None Armour: Maximum thickness 62 mm Crew: 5/6

by the Hippo BARV. Another vehicle was DD Sherman which was an amphibious tank that utilised a collapsible fabric screen. This contained rubber air tubes, which when inflated raised the screen and locked in position. The tank could then be driven into the water and would float with about 3 ft of freeboard, drive being provided by two screw propellers. On D-Day they proved an asset for the British, although a number were lost by being swamped. Once they neared the beach the screen could be collapsed and the main armament could be engaged, providing valuable fire support for the troops on the beaches.

Country of Origin: UK Number Produced: 60+

S P E C I A L I S E D A R M O U R E D V E H I C L E