British tanks: an inside view

Introducing the video cycle “Inside tank"From the creators of the famous game World of Tanks. The project is dedicated to the review of combat vehicles, and Richard Cutland, a representative of the British tank forces, will talk about the steel monsters. This time, the British tanks Churchill and Cromwell were in the center of his attention.

The Churchill tank was created in 1941 and named after British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. It was a very sturdy car. For example, in the Churchill VII modification, the armor was thicker than that of the German Tigers. However, this had to be paid for with modest indicators of dynamics and maneuverability. The motor developed a power of 350 hp, but the speed did not exceed 24 km / h.

Another distinctive feature of the tank is the chassis, which has no analogues among the combat vehicles of the Second World War. It consists of 44 rollers, placed on separate carts, attached to the tank hull. Each of the bogies has a lubrication neck through which the chassis was serviced.

The crew consisted of 5 people who were comfortable enough inside the car. The main armament of the Churchill was a 75 mm gun, to the right of which was one of the two installed machine guns. Meanwhile, in the "Crocodile" modification, instead of a machine gun, a flamethrower was installed in the frontal sheet of the hull.

What else is remarkable about the car and what is inside the famous "Churchill", see the video from Wargaming.

The British Cromwell medium cruiser tank was in service from 1942 to 1952. At one time, it was the main combat vehicle of the 7th Panzer Division, nicknamed "Desert Rats". Its mass reached 27,5 tons, and the thickness of the armor was about 70 mm, which was not bad for a cruising tank of that time.

Despite the fact that the crew of the "Cromwell" consisted of 5 people, the dimensions of the tank are small. The main armament of early releases was the 57 mm Mk III cannon, which was later replaced by a 75 mm cannon. In addition, there was one machine gun in the tower and in the hull.

In addition to the cannon, there are two hatches outside the vehicle - the loader's hatch and the commander's hatch, on either side of which there are periscopes. You can also see a simple exhaust fan for removing powder gases after firing.
In the engine compartment there is a 12-cylinder carburetor engine with 27 liters and 600 hp. In fact, this is the same engine that was installed on the Supermarine Spitfire, but with a reduced number of revolutions.
The chassis is quite simple. The car is equipped with a Christie type suspension - 5 road wheels on each side. The drive wheel is located at the rear of the tank.

All design features and internal structure of the famous "Cromwell" watch in the video from Wargaming.

Comments

[svp67]

At one time, it was the main combat vehicle of the 7th Panzer Division, nicknamed "Desert Rats".

Yes "Jerboas" they are, JERBOES

[Paragraph Epitafievich Y.]

Quote: svp67

Yes "Jerboas" they are, JERBOES

why are you minus?
Is it difficult for people to part with stamps?

here is the sleeve patch for tommy from the 7th btd:

[Catfish]

Regarding the tank named after him, Churchill himself said that "this tank has more flaws than myself."

[Vovk]

Tank for breaking through the defense - was highly valued by Soviet tankers for its convenience and quality of booking. In the battles near Moscow, he saved the lives of many crews. The Memoirs indicated the standard for British tanks (including Matilda and Valentine) drawback in the battle of Moscow - the absence of high-explosive shells in the ammunition load.

[mat-vey]

Quote: Vovk

In the battles near Moscow, he saved the lives of many crews.

... were sent to the Soviet Union as part of the Lend-Lease program. In total, 344 combat vehicles were sent, of which only 253 units reached their destination. The first 10 tanks arrived in the USSR in July 1942.
Battle for Moscow (Battle of Moscow, Battle of Moscow, September 30, 1941 - April 20, 1942)

[YOUR]

Neither the Churchill tank nor the Cromwell took part in the battles near Moscow. The participation of Matilda tanks is also questionable, as the first 49 tanks arrived in the USSR only in November 1941. Here Valentine took part in the defense of Moscow, all nine tanks. The first battle is November 10. Three weeks later, one battalion was equipped with them.
The main drawback was not the absence of high-explosive fragmentation shells, but the tracks, which did not have hooks, slid over snow and ice, turned over on the slopes. In terms of its armor and armament, this tank was located between our BT and T-70

[Vovk]

Both Matilda and Churchill took part in the battle of Moscow. And that was in the winter of 1941, in the spring of 1942. I recommend that the unbelievers read the memoirs of the tankers there, it is well described, about the shortcomings and advantages of Churchill is taken from there. I understand, to officially admit that Great Britain provided the necessary assistance in the form of tanks at the right time ... therefore, everywhere there are postscripts that the tanks came after the battle for Moscow. Yes, there were few of them, but they were received practically at the level of smuggling before the official request from the USSR. Everything that could be thrown into the Battle of Moscow.

[Vovk]

By the way, about the Battle of Moscow, I immediately remembered the memories of a certain Zhukov (not the future Marshal of Victory). So, he was a career military man - a signalman. Near Moscow, he was plowed to escort the BT-7 battalion as an escort. So, having arrived at the place of escorting the tanks, he reported to the future Marshal of Victory Zhukov (he did not know to whom he reported) and wanted to dump him to his place of service. I memorized the phrase of the future Marshal Zhukov, after the report, literally !!! - Well, since you brought the tanks, you will command them ... The people around and the signalman himself were crazy ...
The battles were described as "wonderful", as battles of local importance, when infantry + 4 tanks were sent to the positions fortified by the Germans, which were commanded by a signalman. The Germans were then knocked out, but ours lost 70% of the infantry and 2 tanks with crews ... as they fought on the defensive near Moscow, they "took care" of people and equipment ...

[Torins]

You have perverted ideas about war.

[Paragraph Epitafievich Y.]

Quote: Vovk

I memorized the phrase of the future Marshal Zhukov, after the report, literally !!! - Well, since you brought the tanks, you will command them ... The people around you and the signalman himself went nuts ...

I do not believe. Nonsense. Passion for memoirs in general, as I noticed, leads to some deformations in the idea of ​​war.

[Vovk]

Quote: Paragraph Epitafievich Y.

Quote: Vovk
I memorized the phrase of the future Marshal Zhukov, after the report, literally !!! - Well, since you brought the tanks, you will command them ... The people around you and the signalman himself went nuts ...
I do not believe. Nonsense. Passion for memoirs in general, as I noticed, leads to some deformations in the idea of ​​war.

Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of the book of memoirs.
The surname of the author is Zhukov. He was appointed to command the BT-7 battalion, then he fought on the Matilda, then on the Churchells. After being wounded, he went on reconnaissance to the breakthrough regiment on the IS-2. The book was published during the Soviet era. I would be grateful if they could suggest the title of the book.

[Paragraph Epitafievich Y.]

Quote: Vovk

Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of the book of memoirs.
The surname of the author is Zhukov. He was appointed to command the BT-7 battalion, then he fought on the Matilda, then on the Churchells. After being wounded, he went on reconnaissance to the breakthrough regiment on the IS-2.

That is, you 'remember' the details from the book, but do not remember its title?

Quote: Vovk

After being wounded, he went on reconnaissance to the breakthrough regiment on the IS-2.

And this is generally a pearl.

[Vovk]

Quote: Paragraph Epitafievich Y.

That is, you 'remember' the details from the book, but do not remember its title?

I read this book back in Soviet times, when I was a schoolboy. Remember the title of a book read once out of 1 read in childhood?

Quote: Vovk
After being wounded, he went on reconnaissance to the breakthrough regiment on the IS-2.
And this is generally a pearl.

Well, I have to retell part of the book.
After recovering, Zhukov was sent with a promotion to the formed Guards Breakthrough Tank Regiment. When he arrived at the duty station, it turned out that the "warm" place in the regiment had already been taken. He was offered a similar position in the formed rifle unit, he refused (he turned on the "fool" - remembering the set-up of his namesake), he asked all the same to join the tank troops. The only "vacant" post in the regiment according to his rank was the commander of the scouts. In this position, at the beginning of his career as a reconnaissance commander, he managed to place the entire regiment on an anti-tank minefield for an evening stand without blowing up anyone. In the morning, having received a star from his superiors, he managed to avoid a military tribunal - with the help of sappers, without blowing up a single tank, he led a tank regiment on a march to break through the German defense at the set time.

[Paragraph Epitafievich Y.]

Quote: Vovk

He was offered a similar position in the formed rifle unit, he refused (he turned on the "fool" - remembering the set-up of his namesake), he asked all the same to join the tank troops. The only "vacant" post in the regiment according to his rank was the commander of the scouts. In this position, at the beginning of his career as a reconnaissance commander, he managed to place the entire regiment on an anti-tank minefield for an evening stand without blowing up anyone. In the morning, having received a star from his superiors, he managed to avoid a military tribunal - with the help of sappers, without blowing up a single tank, he led a tank regiment on a march to break through the German defense at the set time.

Delightful story. Everything about her is beautiful. Just for kids.

[Omskgasmyas]

"Nobody lies as lie in their memoirs."

[Paragraph Epitafievich Y.]

Quote: Vovk

Both Matilda and Churchill took part in the battle of Moscow.

There were no Churchills near Moscow. The question of their delivery to the USSR was not raised at all until the spring of 1942. In January 42, the Soviet commission only visited Birmingham at the plant and Churchill tests. The first Ch. Went to the USSR in June 42 on the very same PQ-17. Of the 25 five cars, only 10 arrived in Arkhangelsk.

[bolt]

Quote: Vovk

Both Matilda and Churchill took part in the battle of Moscow ...

For the first time Churchill participated in a battle January 21 1943 years... As part of the 48th Guards Tank Regiment of the Don Front. Near Stalingrad.

... Yes, there were few of them, but they were received practically at the level of smuggling (???) ...

Thirty-eight-ton tanks ... With ammunition and spare parts ... With English fuel and lubricants ... With documentation in English ... And (what is it, shit - shit so!) With British crews ... "Contraband" ... Apparently, in the diplomatic baggage ... They, hey, saved Moscow too?

[Saxahorse]

Quote: YOUR

In terms of its armor and armament, this tank was located between our BT and T-70

However, in terms of its armor, Valentine, formally light in weight, found itself between the T-34 and the KV, which earned the sincere love of Soviet tankers. The forehead and side of 60 mm in the fall of 1941, the Germans had nothing to punch through. In general, it turned out to be a surprisingly useful machine. It is no coincidence that half of the Valentines were bought by the USSR using a lend-lens.

[bubalik]

Here Valentine took part in the defense of Moscow, all nine tanks.

,,, why only nine?

[Alex013]

His armor is at the T-34 level. And in terms of armament, the T-70 and BT were inferior to the Vali-Tani.

[yehat2]

the convenience there was relative - the comfort of living - yes, but there were not so many conveniences in battle.
As for the armor, it was radically different in that the forehead was well protected and very often survived after being hit by a mechanized drive - and this is a valuable crew member, but the tower was not better protected than the T-34 nut, but at the same time it was larger, i.e. e. the inhabitants of the tower died more often. But the main advantage was that when knocked out, the devastation began much less often, and even if it did, the crew had more opportunities to extinguish and escape. Churchill was good for inexperienced units and commanders who climbed head-on. For more skilled and experienced t34, and then t34-85 and kv-1 were preferable.

[iouris]

Normal tanks are Shermans. British tanks are something special. They were created for British tactics. However, the Russians had to apply this too.

[Snail N9]

British tanks were pretty good. Unfortunately, in Soviet historiography and memoir literature, it was customary for ideological reasons to speak contemptuously about them. Only now a lot of historical material has appeared, showing the real state of affairs in terms of both foreign and Soviet military equipment of the WWII times. Read, for example, the memoirs: "Tankman on a Foreign Car." In addition, there are many videos on YouTube both about specific types of tanks and how they were used in battles, with stories of people who fought on them, for example, a series of great films "Great Tank Battles". British tanks were used en masse on the southern front and in the battle for the Caucasus. Moreover, their number in the troops exceeded the number of Soviet vehicles, and in some units there were only Lendleigh vehicles. Soviet tankers, when ideological frameworks do not weigh on them, speak flatteringly about British armored vehicles, noting good, viscous armor, internal comfort and communication devices, excellent sights and observation devices, strong cannons (for their caliber), quiet tracks, reliability of the engine, transmission and undercarriage when properly maintained. And also the presence of excellent documentation describing the maintenance of each unit of the tank. Our tankers explain the failure of British vehicles not by poor quality of equipment or poor design, but by incorrect and untimely maintenance and the use of surrogate fuel and lubricants.

[Barberry25]

at the same time, when they themselves poorly serviced the Soviet vehicles, they said that the blame for everything was the terrible quality of the tanks, and not the manuscript of the tankers, and they did everything perfectly ... these pearls had already passed

[REZMovec]

That is why to direct the shadow on the fence? British and American tanks had a lot of shortcomings. And M3 Li was called a mass grave, and not for the sake of Soviet propaganda. Those Churchillies had a lot of problems in the chassis in muddy roads and in cold weather, and all British tanks together had a shitty small-caliber cannon without HE shells. Tanks fought against tanks not as often as is commonly thought. Tracks without grousers were also a weak point, however, like the Shermans. Until the Americans came up with spurs. And there are enough of such problems. If the topic is rather weak, there is no need to post anti-Soviet libels.

[REZMovec]

Quote: YOUR

Neither the Churchill tank nor the Cromwell took part in the battles near Moscow. The participation of Matilda tanks is also questionable, as the first 49 tanks arrived in the USSR only in November 1941. Here Valentine took part in the defense of Moscow, all nine tanks. The first battle is November 10. Three weeks later, one battalion was equipped with them.
The main drawback was not the absence of high-explosive fragmentation shells, but the tracks, which did not have hooks, slid over snow and ice, turned over on the slopes. In terms of its armor and armament, this tank was located between our BT and T-70

What do you mean was between the BT and the T-70 for booking? Valentine had 70mm in his forehead ...