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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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Afternoon w_over_w.
The Matilda's armor was heavy enough, early in the war, to make most German anti-tank guns (mainly the 37mm)ineffective, the guns didn't have the power to penetrate her armor. The Germans started using their 88mm Anti-aircraft gun against armored targets. That gun proved an ideal tank killer due to its high muzzle velocity and efficient heavy projectile.
What's ironic is that the British had an excellent 90mm anti-aircraft gun at the time just as effective. They wouldn't use in the anti-armor role though. (It just wasn't "cricket" to "misuse" it that way)
"After the battle at Halfaya Pass a member of Rommel's staff overheard a captured British tank driver under interrogation expressing his indignation: In my opinion said the Englishman, with an unfriendly glance at a near-by 88, it is unfair to use 'flak' against our tanks.
A German artilleryman who was sitting on his haunches near by, listening to the interpretation, interjected excitedly, Ja, and I think it most unfair of you to attack with tanks whose armour nothing but an 88 will penetrate."
Kerry would win handily if the people of the world were to elect the US president
That's because Kerry is running for President of the world, Bush is running for President of the sovereign country of the United States of America.
Evening Victoria.
LOL! Ain't that the truth!!
Hehe.
Hi Vic, SAM and snippy. Just checking in.
I like Victoria better ;-)
And forget the grey stuff. Gentlemen don't notice anyway ;)
They wouldn't use in the anti-armor role though. (It just wasn't "cricket" to "misuse" it that way).
Should I laugh? Or just say, "that's sooooo British!"? ;^)
Awww. You're sweet as always.
Sam and I have tickets to see Stolon Honor tonight put on by a local radio talk show host Lars Larson. And we sure can use the break!
We'll report in afterwards. See you all later.
It has been said of the F-4 Phantom that it looked like they got it half way out of the hanger and the door fell shut on it.
There is a bit truth to that with the drooped nose, the anhedral on the wing tips and the severe diherdral on the tail surfaces, or is it the other way around :-)
Have fun at Stolen Honor see y'all tomorrow
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
Oh that's a wonderful picture. Thank You.
I'd like to say something about Hilary Clinton at this time.
I'd really like too
No really
but I can't
Always good to see Kerry ridiculed in a political cartoon.
Hi Cholera Joe.
How you been?
Good point. With france playing the part of Russia. ;-)
Thanks Matt.
When we covered the t-72 we, mentioned the "Twardy". You didi a good job of upgrading the Soviet design.
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