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Posted on 10/25/2004 10:38:21 PM PDT by SAMWolf
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
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 Matilda I: In April 1934 the British General Staff discussed a proposal put forth by General Sir Hugh Elles of the Royal Tank Corps that covered the specs for an "Infantry" tank, well protected, with MG as armament and go as fast as infantry on foot. Sir John Carden led the design team. Prototypes were given to the army for trials in September 1936. Production order for 60 was placed in April 1937.  Matilda I, Mk I(A11) Matilda II: While the Matilda I was still in pre-production phases, it was decided an infantry tank would need to be able to withstand anti-tank fire from enemy guns and tanks. A tank that could carry more than just a MG was decided upon. The Matilda I couldn't have a larger turret installed so a new design was started in November 1936. The Design Department at Woolwich Arsenal was given the task. The Vulcan Foundry made wooden prototypes in April 1937. It was another year before a mock-steel prototype was produced.  Matilda, Mk II(A12) An order for 65 was placed in December 1937 and was shortly increased into 165. During trials improvements were made to the gearbox, suspension, and air cleaners. Initially produced by the Vulcan Foundry in Warrington, Lancashire. In June 1938 contracts for production were placed with Fowler, Ruston and Hornsby, and later LMS, Harland and Wolff and North British Locomotive Co. Matilda I: Costs were kept down by using a commercial Ford engine and transmission. The crew was limited to 2 because of severe cost restrictions, and thus there wasn't enough in the budget for 2 in the cast turret.  Matilda I The steering, brake and clutches were adapted from the Vickers light tanks. Named after a cartoon duck. Matilda I, Mk II: First production type with AEC engines.  Matilda I Mk2 Matilda II: The driver sat in the middle behind the nose armor plate. There was a cupola for the commander but it didn't have good visibility. The Frazer Nash Company developed the hydraulic power for the turret. First British tank to have diesel engines. It was difficult to mass produce due to the size and shape of the armor castings. The side skirts were one piece and cause production to slow down. The mud chutes were reduced from 6 to 5 to help speed up production. The Matilda couldn't be up-gunned as the turret ring was too small. Matilda II, Mk IIA: Besa MG replacing Vickers. Matilda III, Mk IIA:Used Leyland engines. Matilda III CS: 3" howitzer. Matilda IV, Mk IIA: Like Mk III but with improved Leyland engines. Matilda V: Improved gear box and gear shift. Matilda II CDL and Matilda V CDL: Canal Defense Light. Replaced turrets with searchlight. Used at Rhine crossing in 1945.  This drawing, from an official (and highly secret) report and despite the fact that the artist got the proportions all wrong, is virtually all the visual evidence that there is of the Matilda CDL. Baron I, II, III, IIIA: Mine clearing. Developed in Britain.  Matilda Baron Matilda Scorpion I: Mine clearing, developed in Middle East.  Matilda Scorpion Matilda Scorpion II: Used on October 23, 1942, at El Alamein to clear Afrika Korps minefields. Matilda with AMRA Mk Ia: Fowler rollers mine clearing device. Used in small numbers in Western Desert.  Matilda with AMRA Mk Ia Matilda with Carrot: 600lb HE demolition charge. Used for blowing gaps in obstacles.  Matilda Carrot Matilda Frog: Australian flame thrower version. 25 vehicles in late 1944. Used in New Guinea.  Matilda Frog Matilda Murray: Improved flame thrower. Produced in 1945. Matilda Dozer: Australian developed box shaped blade dozer.  Matilda Dozer in New Guinea Matilda with Inglis Bridge: Light bridge on a track pushed ahead of Matilda. Used only in training.  Matilda with Inglis Bridge Matilda with Trench Crossing Device: Device pushed ahead on tracked bogies for spanning gaps for infantry and light vehicles to cross.  Matilda with Trench Crossing Device Matilda I: Went with 4th and 7th Royal Tank Regiment, and 1st Army Tank Brigade to France in 1940 and took part in battle of Arras. After Dunkirk remaining vehicles used for training. The first models were delivered in 1938 to the 1st Army Tank Brigade.  Matilda II: At the outbreak of the war in September 1939 only 2 were in service. Used by the 4th and 7th Royal Tank Regiments in France 1940 at Battle of Arras.  Used in Africa and the Mediterranean. Fought the Italians at Sidi Barrani, Tobruck, Bardia, Keren (Eritrea). Its last battle was at Alamein in July 1942. Was used by the 42nd and 44th Royal Tank Regiments in Egypt and Cyrenaica. Half squadron of the 7th Royal Tank Regiment was lost on Crete.  By an odd quirk of fate the only CDL tank to survive is a Matilda which is displayed in the Tank Museum. While fighting in Libya in 1940 and 1941 it was nearly invulnerable to antitank fire. Became known as the Queen of the Battlefield. However, once the Germans brought 88 mm Flak guns this dominance was over. Only British tank to server throughout entire war.
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The Matilda filled an urgent need for a tank to operate in New Guinea. Approximately 140 tanks were provided by Britain in early 1942, and these vehicles subsequently proved suitable for jungle operations.
Many of the tanks were fitted with a variety of battle-field modifications, including wire mesh over the engine covers, spare track links on the hull and/or pierced steel planking (PSP) which was normally used in the construction of aircraft runways. It was also a common practice to festoon the exterior of vehicles with additional stores and personal items of equipment.
Although it was hit more than 50 times, the crew continued to fight the vehicle until its ammunition had been expended. They then managed to escape from the vehicle and return to it the following day. It was subsequently repaired and put back into action one day later.
www.lancers.org.au
www.battlefield.ru
mailer.fsu.edu
ww2photo.mimerswell.com
The Matilda Mark II tank was a development of the Matilda I Infantry Tank whose main armament consisted of no more than either a .303 or a .50 Vickers mg. Such was the thinking behind pre World War II tank development in many Countries (including Britain) that it was considered that the fitting of larger calibre weapons was not warranted. Matilda used in the defence of Malta The Matilda Mark II arose out of a need to provide a better armoured and armed vehicle, which could act in the role of an infantry support tank. For its time, the Matilda II was a heavily armoured vehicle and it was particularly successful in the early years of WW II at Arras, France 1940 and in the Western Desert during 1940-1941. Unfortunately, its performance was hindered by its small calibre gun and relatively slow cross country performance. (NB: See notes on the Centurion Tank to see how much British tank development changed during World War II). Despite its shortcomings, it was more than capable of being used aggressively. This was especially demonstrated in the Western Desert where it was virtually immune against anti-tank and tank guns of the day. In its early conflicts in the Western Desert, its value as a shock assault weapon was significant and it soon earned the title "Queen of the Battlefield". Unfortunately, it was soon outclassed by better enemy tanks and the German's 88mm gun. However, it found a renewed operational life in the Pacific. Although the design ideas were sound for their time, the Matilda could not be up-gunned as the turret ring was too small to accept a larger tank gun. However, it was found that a low velocity 3 in. howitzer could be fitted as a substitute for the tank gun. Such a weapon proved invaluable when operating against infantry, light skinned vehicles, bunkers and other fortifications. Mechanically, the Matilda possessed a hydraulic, power operated turret. Its twin engines were linked through an epicyclic gearbox, which in turn drove a pair of rear sprockets. The suspension consisted of sets of bogies which were linked together and worked against horizontal compression springs. |
Good Night Snippy.
Lots to get done and time is running short.
Good night Sam. I'll see you bright and early!
Good morning Snippy.
Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Freeper Foxhole.
HI manna
How about an RAF Phantom to go with a British Tank, eh
Well off to work I must go, dangnabit.
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
Read: Mark 10:17-27
Sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. —Mark 10:21
Bible In One Year: Jeremiah 9-11; 1 Timothy 6
Don takes walks on the city's railroad tracks and searches under freeway overpasses. He's not looking for lost treasure; he's looking for homeless people. Don met Jake, who lives in a makeshift underground shack and is mentally ill. He stops by to see Jake occasionally, making sure he's warm and has food. He tells Jake about Jesus because he wants him to find "treasure in heaven."
Jesus talked about this treasure with a rich young man who asked Him how to inherit eternal life. Jesus said, "Sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me" (Mark 10:21).
Jesus wasn't teaching that we must give up our wealth to be acceptable to Him. We can never earn eternal life by our works. He was showing this man his spiritual bankruptcy. His heart was set on wealth, not Jesus.
That rich young man and our homeless friend have more in common than we might think. In the eyes of God, both are spiritually bankrupt. We all are, unless we have Jesus.
No good deed can earn eternal life—not helping the homeless or giving away all our money. Jesus wants us to give Him our heart. Then we'll have real treasure—treasure in heaven—and we'll seek to help others. —Anne Cetas
Good morning, Foxhole! Another great Tuesday thread - thank you for the great read.
I hope you are doing well - and Sam, I love your tagline!
Morning Aeronaut.
Good morning, PE. Fantastic Old Glory is up!! Congratulations!!
Morning E.G.C.
Looks like rain again this morning. Surprise!!
Morning alfa6.
I liked the Phantom, it had really nice lines. It was always nice the see them flying overhead.
Salvation is given, not earned.
Never thought of it that way, we're always told we have to "earn" just about everything.
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