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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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Morning Colonel.
Things are starting to all come together at the store. Looks like we may get in to do our build out by the first week of November. Them we get really busy.
Morning Feather.
Always good to see you rolling in on Treadhead Tuesday.
Morning PE. Looks great!
We want a distance shot in daylight. ;-)
Recevied a little bit of rain yesterday. It's all moved North.
The black lab dog took advantage of a gate being left open in my Dad's garden. He made several trips and took a couple of hot peppers.
Dad, who turned 82 last Friday said to me he's going to build a bigger fence where he can't get in.
Dogs like to pull things like that at ten months.((LOL)):-D
How's it going, Snippy?
Hi Sam.
Good Morning, snippy. Evening time for me.
Hey buddy, how's it going? I'm just getting up here on the west coast. 1 week til election day. Pray hard.
Oh my, he will pay for that later if he ate them, poor thing. That black lab has about 8 months to go before he isn't a "puppy". LOL. They are so much fun to watch grow up.
Good song. Morning alfa6.
Well lookie who's here. Good morning Colonel. Hope this finds you well.
On This Day In History
Birthdates which occurred on October 26:
1466 Desiderius Erasmus Holland, scholar/author (In Praise of Folly)
1685 Domenico Scarlatti Naples Italy, composer/harpsichordist
1759 Georges Danton France, revolutionary leader
1800 Helmuth K B von Moltke Prussian general-fieldmarshal
1804 Lorenzo Thomas Bvt Major General (Union Army), died in 1875
1830 Stephen Elliott Jr Brig General (Confederate Army), died in 1866
1837 James Lawlor Kiernan Brig General (Union volunteers), died in 1869
1855 Charles Post who had a way with breakfast cereals
1861 Richard D Sears Boston, 1st to win US amateur national tennis match
1873 Thorvald Stauning Denmark, PM (1924-26, 1929-42)
1879 Leon Trotsky Russian revolutionary (pres of 1st Soviet)
1894 John S Knight WV, publisher (Knight-Rider)
1910 John Cardinal Krol former archbishop of Philadelphia
1911 Mahalia Jackson New Orleans, gospel singer (Whole World in his Hands)
1911 Sid Gillman NFL coach (LA, San Diego, Houston)
1914 Jackie Coogan LA Calif, actor (Uncle Fester-Addams Family)
1916 Francois Mitterand Jarnac France, President of France (1981-1995)
1917 Felix the Cat cartoon character
1919 Edward W Brooke 1st black senator in over 80 yrs (Sen-R-Mass)
1919 Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Aryamehr Shah of Iran (1941-79)
1939 John Arden England, novelist/playwright (Left Handed Liberty)
1940 Mario Orosco 1st victim of NYC's Zodiac killer (survives)
1942 Bob Hoskins Suffolk England, actor (Brazil, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?)
1945 Pat Conroy American writer (Great Santini, Prince of Tides)
1946 Pat Sajak Chicago, TV host (Wheel of Fortune, Pat Sajak Show)
1947 Jaclyn Smith Houston Tx, actress (Charlie's Angel, Nightkill)
1947 Hilary Rodham Clinton First Lady/smartest woman in the history of the world (1993-2001)
1950 Chuck Foreman NFL running back (Minnesota Vikings)
1951 Bootsy Collins Cin, rocker (Parliaments-We Got the Funk)
1954 Lauren Tewes Braddock PA, actress (Love Boat, Eyes of a Stranger)
1962 Cary Elwes actor (Glory, Princess Bride)
1963 Kerri Lynne Rosenberg Burlington Ia, Miss Iowa-America (1991-top 10)
1973 Brian Smith Cedar Rapids Iowa, speed skater (Olympics-1994)
Yes, it's merely me. How are you, snippy? Sam sounds excited about the store opening!
Thank you Mayor. Good morning.
Hi tankette feather. :-)
Yeah!!!! You're going to have to back up into the neighbors yard to get a full shot of that. It's beautiful.
bmp
Worth repeating.
Good morning shield.
Evening Cannoneer No. 4.
Good to hear from you.
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