|
Posted on 11/08/2004 11:34:58 PM PST by SAMWolf
|
|
 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
|
| 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.
|
 After the First World War many military minds considered the problem of avoiding another trench stalemate. One proposed solution was for every infantryman to have his own bullet-proof personal cross country vehicle. In 1925 Major (later Lt.Gen) Le Q Martel built such a machine at his own expense and offered it to the War Deparment. The War Dept was sufficiently interested to commision Morris Motors to build four more such vehicles, one of them a two-seater. Interest in the Morris-Martel tankettes also drew attention to a similar one man vehicle built by Carden-Loyd Tractors.  Carden-Loyd Mark II One Man Tankette Trials soon established that the one man designs were not particularly practical, since most crewmen could not effectively shoot and drive at the same time. Eight two-man prototypes of both makes of tankette were attached to the Experimental Mechanised Force, with the intention of testing them as Scout vehicles. The Two-man Carden-Loyd Mk VI was adopted for service in 1928. Intended tactical role had once again changed, and the vehicle was now intended to be a machine gun carrier.  Carden-Loyd Two Man Tankette The Carden-Loyd Tankette was one of the great success stories of the interwar years. It weighed less than 2 tons and was reasonably relieable. More importantly, it was very cheap to produce, and important consideration in the lean financial climate of the 20s and 30s. Many other nations brought Carden-Loyd tankettes, and some were used as the basis for various light tank designs. In British service it was mainly intended to carry machine guns or mortars, and it was soon realised that the combat capability of these tiny vehicles was rather modest.  Carden-Loyd Mark V Two Man Tankette As a result most vehicles were used more and more in a utility role. The increasing mechanization of the British army and diversification of vehicle applications meant that a more versatile and more capable vehicle than the tankette was needed. Vickers-Armstrong Ltd had absorbed Carden-Loyd prior to the adoption of the Mk VI so offered the VA D50 as a replacement in 1934. This vehicle was intended to act as an anti-tank or field gun tractor or a machine gun carrier. Fold down seating in the rear allowed a gun crew or dismount machine gun team to be carried in addition to the two man vehicle crew.  Carden-Loyd Mark IV Two Man Tankette The VA D50 underwent various modifications and name changes, including the adoption of the new Bren Gun in place of the Vickers MMG. In 1938 it was adopted for service in three variants, a fourth being added in 1939. The idea was never put to the test and so the inter-war years were that of "what will happen next?". Some ideas were good, much was fantasy - as was this idea.  Morris-Martel One Man Tankette A theory was put forward by the great French tank enthusiast General Estienne, who helped design France's first tank and a proponent of the light tank, of the idea of skirmishers armed with light tanks rushing an enemy position. The idea was that the massive onslaught by a high speed, protected group of soldiers would be unstoppable in action. Col. (Later Major General) J.F.C. Fuller revived the idea after WW1 and a debate began. Major (later Lt. General) Sir Gifford Le. Q. Martel undertook the idea and in 1925 built the tankette shown above in his garage. The engine came from a Maxwell and the axel came from a Ford truck. The tracks came from the Roadless Traction Company. The body was made from wood. After a demonstration to the War Office, authorization was obtained for Morris Commercial Motors to build 4 test models. The first was delivered in 1926. In 1927 eight more machines were ordered and were to be used as scout machines of a new experimental force being formed. The idea was dropped shortly after that period as it was found that a single man had difficulty operating these machines and firing a weapon at the same time. One machine was tested with a single rear tire for steering.  Morris-Martel Two Man Tankette More of the same here! This was an idea to squeeze all the possibilities out of the design. Basically this was better than the first unit as far as human (ergonomics) conditions go. Here, Crossley gets in on the idea. During 1927 the Martel idea was tried at Crossley with a few orginal ideas. A Citroen-Kegresse was fitted as was rubber tracks.  Carden-Loyd One Man Tankette Publicity caused the Carden-Loyd Tractors LTD firm to get involved. This vehicle, built at Kensington in 1925 was presented to the War Office. The War Office then ordered one test vehicle built. Although it is not properly speaking a tank of World War II, the tankettes Carden-Loyd must be evoked, because they had a major influence on the design of light tanks between both World Wars and their descendants were the most numerous machines in the armored forces of most nations in 1939.  Carden-Loyd Mark I, Mark I* (Star) One Man Tankette It all started in 1925 when Major Martel, of the British Army, built and exhibited a one-man tankette. Made of cheap commercial components, it was fast and many could be procured for the price of a single tank. Heartened by the publicity received by this prototype, the "Carden-Loyd Tractor Company" proposed to the War Office its own version of a one-man tankette, which was accepted. One of the most famous vehicles in the history of armor, and the father of an entire generation of armor worldwide. Purchased throughout the world, reproduced, copied, studied, this vehicle gave spawn to a host of ideas, and a false sense of safety and power to many nations who relied on these vehicles in WW2. Great Britain was one of the few nations to more properly see the role of this light vehicle. Nations that used, copied, and varied on this design (with and without license) were: France (UE series), Italy (CV series), USSR (T27), Poland (TK series), Czechoslovakia (MU4). Dozens more nations simply had Carden-Loyd manufacture the vehicle to their own specifications.  Carden-Loyd Mark VI Two Man Tankette The version Mark VI is the most successful of the Carden-Lyod tankettes. In the British army itself, it was the forbear of most light tanks built before the war. The fact that these descendants did not bear the name "Carden-Lyod" had all to do with the taking over of that company by Vickers-Armstrong.
|
The FReeper Foxhole's TreadHead Tuesday - The 7TP/7-Tonowy Polski Light Tank - June 1st, 2004
That was the one I remembered. I couldn't find it when I searched. I did find the one about the invasion of Poland, and quoted from it in my response up about # 54.
You mentioned the tankettes in the June thread, as I recall, and that is what I was searching for. Thanks for your hard work on these threads.
We can't remember guys like this often enough.
Perhaps that was your intent, but I went back up the thread, and there was no way to tell which of the photos to which you were referring.
Your post was number 15, responding to number 10, which contained no photos. There is nothing in the caption of the photo you now id which indicates that they were going after armor rather than more suitable infantry targets.
The Germans had a 28mm squeeze bore that would start off as one caliber and actually be squeezed down in size in the tube. It had a tremendous muzzle velocity and was used for their airborne units. It would stop a light or medium tank but could not penetrate the heavy tanks of the Russians.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
