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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.

Morning, SAM and Snippy,

Four things.

Matilda shows that the most important thing for a tank is good protection. The crew has to feel and believe that they have a fighting chance for survival. They have to have faith in the armor. During the pre-gunpowder days it was said that "armor makes men brave." Nothing changes in the human heart.

Matilda had seven horse power per ton. So did the Marder. Believe it or not, this is enough in most situations. Makes much heavier armor practical.

Matilda's small size allowed good protection while allowing it to be transported by truck and to cross most bridges. This is the reason the Russian tanks are so small, of course.

The American designs historically have been poorly protected mostly because they were so roomy inside, being designed by men who did not have to fight in tanks.

Creighton Abrams did a lot of fighting with the old M4 Sherman and Abrams is responsible for the adequately protected (although only in the frontal arc) Abrams tank. There are superior designs in production in other countries, designed for "close ground", particularly for built up areas.

The Canal Defense Light (CDL) is interesting. The machine had nothing to do with canal defense, canals, or even defense. The name was designed to hide it's purpose.

There was a powerful searchlight in the turret set up to flicker at a speed that messed up the brain rhythms, probably about 5 times per second. It was made for night attacks, where the light was focused on the enemy's defenses. The enemy could not see anything but the light, which when looked into nearly paralyzed the mind. Friendly infantry then advanced while not looking into the light, which was tolerable but darned hard, but better than being shot at effectively by the enemy.

General J.F.C. Fuller, the very noted military historian and designer of Plan 1919 (worth a Foxhole), said that the CDL could have saved thousands of Allied lives had it been used. I suspect that the CDL was very hard indeed to tolerate even when you did not have to look directly into it, and so unpopular. It was also so secret that no one had any idea that it existed much less what it could do.

1967 MC CAIN JOHN S MISSING ~ Released 3/14/73 ~ Yet where the traitoranus Jean Binhladen is concerned, no repeat no protest whatsoever.

Response to poll question re Kerry.

Sherman M4 CDL Shop Tractor T10 ~ 497 produced

MATILDA INFANTRY TANK

Leyland engines from excellent Matilda site above.

Recovery and restoration of "Ace"

Inspired by the smashing column by Larry Kudlow today: