The Churchill was undoubtedly one of the most successful British tanks of the Second World War. Although it suffered from being underarmed, a defect common to most British armoured vehicles of the period, it was nevertheless loved by its crews: its cross-country ability was unrivalled and it was less inclined to 'brew-up' from a direct hit than the Sherman. It was also adaptable. Modified Churchill's played a crucial part in the initial D-Day landings and in the subsequent advance through France.
Early Marks used a howitzer as well as the 2 pdr because at that point, the 2 pdr didn't have an HE round.
Early 6 pdr guns also didn't have the HE round available to them either, although this was rectified by the time the Churchill entered the Italian campaign.
By the time of the Italian campaign though, HE rounds were available for the 6 pdr guns, as were several other types of ammunition, such as APC.
Churchills in Russian Use:
Some early Marks of the Churchill were sent to Russia as part of the lend-lease agreement. These were Marks I, II and II models. However the Russians had no use for the 2 and 6 pdr guns, so they tended to replace them with their own superior 76.2mm L30 gun. Some Mark IVs and Crocodiles were also sent, some 35 Churchills being employed by the 5th Guard Tank Army at Kursk.
In 1942, with the war in North Africa at a critical stage, Winston Churchill - then serving as prime minister and minister of defense - delivered a historic speech before the House of Commons. Facing a motion of censure, Churchill delivered a ninety-minute oration, during which an MP asked about a certain 'Churchill' tank fiasco. "This tank," Churchill candidly explained, "was ordered off the drawing board and large numbers went into production very quickly. As might be expected, it had many defects and teething troubles, and when these became apparent, the tank was appropriately rechristened the 'Churchill.'
"These defects have now been largely overcome," he added. "I have no doubt that this tank will prove, in the end, a powerful, massive, and serviceable weapon of war."
[This self-deprecating joke was met with delighted laughter throughout the House; in the ensuing vote the motion was defeated by a majority - of 475 to 25.] |
