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The FReeper Foxhole's TreadHead Tuesday - the British Cruiser Tanks - Dec. 21st, 2004
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| August, 2001
| LemaireSoft
Posted on 12/20/2004 10:24:46 PM PST by SAMWolf
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Crusader
The Crusader was by excellence the tank of the desert. It first saw fire in June of 1941 on the Libyan border and then made up the bulk of the armored forces of the British forces until the end of 1942, sharing the successes and the defeats. It was the tank best represented in Montgomery's army at the battle of El Alamein.
The availibility of American built tanks, able to fire antipersonnel as well as antitank shells meant that the Crusader left the frontline after the end of the campaign in North Africa. Some were converted to repair tank, command vehicle, etc....
Identification: The low and polygonal turret of the Crusader, along with its suspension with five big road-wheels, allow to contrast the Crusader from any other British tank.
Crusader I

Crusader I with the auxiliary turret in front of the hull.
Named Crusader I or A-15 or Cruiser Mark VI. It was an enlarged version of the A-13 Mark II and of the Convenanter, with a more powerful armor. Like many British tanks, it had mechanical teething troubles but they could be solved though before its first combat. The Crusader saw action for the first time during the disastrous operation "Battleaxe" on the Libyan border but played also a major part in the successful offensive "Crusader" at the end of 1941.
Identification: The first version of the Crusader had an auxiliary turret with two (later a single) MG. That auxiliary turret is absent on the next Crusader II.
Crusader II

Crusader II. The five road-wheels which differentiates the Crusaders from the Convenanters, are clearly visible on this picture.
The first combats against German panzers in Africa proved the need for a thicker armor. The second version of the Crusader had thus a front armor increased from 40 to 50 mm. It took part in the successful "Crusader" offensive but had to face Rommel's counter-offensive towards El Alamein the next year. The Crusader formed the bulk of Montgomery's armor force during the crucial battle of El Alamein.
Although slightly superiror to the German Panzer III, the Crusader was outclassed by the newly rearmed Panzer IV F2. Its 2-pounder gun, unable to fire high-explosive shells, was almost powerless in front an antitank gun.
Identification: Very similar to the Crusader I, except that it had no secondary turret.
Crusader III

A Crusader III destroyed during the battle of Teburba in Tunisia in December of 1942. The 6-pounder gun and the flat front plate of the turret distinguishes it from the previous model.
New version of the Crusader, rearmed with a 6-pounder gun in a new turret. It arrived on the front on June 1942 and took part in the battle of El Alamein and in the campaign in Tunisia.
Identification: The model III had a bigger gun and a turret with a flat front plate, which, for ther rest, is similar to the previous Crusader II
Cavalier

Cavalier, follower of the Crusader and forerunner of the Cromwell, which was very similar to it.
Named Cavalier or Cruiser Mark VII or A-24. Interim model between the Crusader and the Cromwell. It took over the Liberty engine of the Crusader but in a new turret, with straight sides. It is armed with the 6-pounder gun and is uparmored compared to the Crusader.
This tank was not used in combat, the Cromwell was prefered.
Identification: Almost impossible to differentiate externally from the Centaur and the first versions of the Cromwell. It has the same boxy hull and turret. Christie suspension with five road-wheels.
Centaur
Named Centaur or Cruiser Mark VIII or A-27 L. Direct forerunner of the Cromwell, from which it differs only with the engine (Liberty instead of Meteor). Most of them will stay confined to training, although many will be later converted to Cromwells by exchanging the engines.

Centaur IV, infantry support version with a short 9.5 cm howitzer during the operation "Overlord". Most of the Centaurs will be reconverted in Cromwell by replacing their engine.
Identification: Impossible to differentiate from the first models of Cromwells
1
posted on
12/20/2004 10:24:47 PM PST
by
SAMWolf
To: snippy_about_it; PhilDragoo; Johnny Gage; Victoria Delsoul; The Mayor; Darksheare; Valin; ...
Cromwell
Named Cromwell or Cruiser Mark VIII or A-27 M. The Cromwell was the most successful and most widely used British Cruiser Tank of World War II. Without being so powerful as the German panzers, it outshone them in mobility and proved its value during the exploitation phases of the campaign on the continent (France in the summer of 1944, Germany in the spring of 1945).
Cromwell I

Cromwell 1
The Cromwell resulted from the replacement in the Centaur of the original engine with an aircraft engine, the Meteor. The higher power/weight ratio gave the new tank its exceptional mobility.
Identification: The outlook of the Cromwell I is boxy, for the hull as well as for the turret. It impossible to differentiate from the Centaur. The Cromwell II had wider tracks than the original model.
Cromwell II

Cromwell 2
The second version of the Cromwell took over all the elements of the Cromwell I, except the tracks, widened up to 39 cm. It lost its hull MG to increase the internal stowage.

Cromwel 2 with VauxhallTurret
Cromwell III

Cromwell 3
The Cromwell III is a Centaur reengined with the Meteor, standard on the other versions of the Cromwell. It retained its 6-pounder gun.
Cromwell IV

Cromwell 4
With the first American made tanks they got, the British understood the value of a gun firing both anti-tank and anti-personal shells. They created their own version of a 7.5 cm gun by enlarging their 6-pounder gun.
The Cromwell IV is a Centaur rearmed with the 7.5 cm gun and reengined with a Meteor.
Cromwell V
After having adapted the new 7.5 cm gun on the Centaur, the British produced a series of Cromwells armed from the start on with that gun and mounted in a welded turret, replacing the riveted one.
Cromwell VI
Infantery support version of the Cromwell, with a shorter 9.5 cm howitzer in the turret instead of the 7.5 cm gun of the Cromwell V
Cromwell VII

Cromwell 7
Cromwell IV and Cromwell V refitted with added armor, wider tracks and another gearbox.
Cromwell VIII
Cromwell VI reworked along the same lines as the Cromwell VII, but retaining their 9.5 cm howitzer
A-33
Attempt to convert the Cromwell into a Infantry Tank by giving it a reinforced protection and wider tracks. The project is dropped after the second prototype.
Built by English Electric
Additional Sources: mailer.fsu.edu
www.lasecondaguerramondiale.it
users.swing.be/tanks. edito
2
posted on
12/20/2004 10:26:02 PM PST
by
SAMWolf
(I tried to get a life once, but they were out of stock.)
To: All
Comet
 Comet of the 11th Armourd Division in Holland at the end of 1944. Externally, the new tank has little in common with its predecessor, the Cromwell
Named Comet or A-34. The Comet was the second attempt to adapt a 17-pounder gun on the chassis of a Centaur/Cromwell. A new lightened version of the gun had appeared since the failure of the Challenger. With an enlarged chassis, a new running gear and a new turret, the design of the Comet was successful, combining the firepower of the new gun with the mobility of the original Cromwell.
The first examples reached the fontline in continental Europe at the end of 1944. Only the 11th Armoured Division used them during the war but they went on serving in the British Army until the sixties.
Identification: The return rollers above the road-wheels and the new design of the turret distinguish radically the Comet from its forerunner, the Cromwell.
Challenger
 British Challenger (do not mix up with today's tank of the same name). Note the high turret and the long 17-pounder gun. The excessive top weight severly impaired the performance of the vehicle, despite the enlargement of the Cromwell-like hull.
Named Challenger or A-30. To increase the antitank capability of their Cruiser Tank units, the British tried to adapt the powerful 17-pounder gun on the chassis of a Centaur/Cromwell. The result was disastrous.
First, it was necessary to enlarge the hull to fit in the turret planned for a heavy tank. Since the whole was too heavy, the armor thickness had to be reduced. The amount of embarked ammunition was insufficient and the hull MG had to be sacrificed to increase internal stowage capacity.
The Firefly which appeared in the meantime, took over the mission of the Challenger during the campaign in Europe and only a limited number of Challengers saw action.
Identification: The Challenger has six road-wheels vs. five for the Cromwell/Centaur. Its turret is much higher and its gun longer.
Centurion
 Original model of the Centurion, built but not used during World War II. The main gun is a 17-pounder, while the turret also contains a 2 cm gun.
Named A-41 or Centurion. Heavy cruiser tank, it was designed to confront the heavy German panzers. Built too late, none saw action during World War II (There were six in the 22th Armoured Brigade in May of 1945). It had in contrast a brilliant career after the war, notably in the Israelian army.
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3
posted on
12/20/2004 10:26:31 PM PST
by
SAMWolf
(I tried to get a life once, but they were out of stock.)
To: All

Veterans for Constitution Restoration is a non-profit, non-partisan educational and grassroots activist organization. The primary area of concern to all VetsCoR members is that our national and local educational systems fall short in teaching students and all American citizens the history and underlying principles on which our Constitutional republic-based system of self-government was founded. VetsCoR members are also very concerned that the Federal government long ago over-stepped its limited authority as clearly specified in the United States Constitution, as well as the Founding Fathers' supporting letters, essays, and other public documents.

Actively seeking volunteers to provide this valuable service to Veterans and their families.
UPDATED THROUGH APRIL 2004

The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul
Click on Hagar for
"The FReeper Foxhole Compiled List of Daily Threads"
4
posted on
12/20/2004 10:27:00 PM PST
by
SAMWolf
(I tried to get a life once, but they were out of stock.)
To: SAMWolf; snippy_about_it; All
Treadhead Tuesday Bump for the Freeper Foxhole form the last of the nite shift for two weeks, YEE HAW
This mornings Christmas Cartoon will be on the importance of wearing your seat belt!!!
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
5
posted on
12/20/2004 10:39:54 PM PST
by
alfa6
To: alfa6
Oooh. A teaser for our cartoon. Yeah!
6
posted on
12/20/2004 10:50:47 PM PST
by
snippy_about_it
(Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
To: SZonian; soldierette; shield; A Jovial Cad; Diva Betsy Ross; Americanwolf; CarolinaScout; ...

"FALL IN" to the FReeper Foxhole!

It's TreadHead Tuesday!

Good Morning Everyone
If you would like added to our ping list let us know.
If you'd like to drop us a note you can write to:
The Foxhole
19093 S. Beavercreek Rd. #188
Oregon City, OR 97045
7
posted on
12/20/2004 10:57:07 PM PST
by
snippy_about_it
(Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
To: mostly cajun; archy; Gringo1; Matthew James; Fred Mertz; Squantos; colorado tanker; The Shrew; ...
Free Republic Treadhead Ping


mostly cajun ;archy; Gringo1; Matthew James; Fred Mertz; Squantos; colorado tanker; The Shrew; SLB; Darksheare; BCR #226; IDontLikeToPayTaxes; Imacatfish; Tailback; DCBryan1; Eaker; Archangelsk; gatorbait; river rat; Lee'sGhost; Dionysius; BlueLancer; Frohickey; GregB; leadpenny; skepsel; Proud Legions; King Prout; Professional Engineer; alfa6; bluelancer; Cannoneer No.4; An Old Man; hookman; DMZFrank; in the Arena; Bethbg79; neverdem; NWU Army ROTC; ma bell; MoJo2001; The Sailor; dcwusmc; dts32041; spectr17; Rockpile; Theophilus;
************Snippy, I bequeath to you the FR TH PL.
148 posted on 08/24/2004 11:39:45 AM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4 (I've lost turret power; I have my nods and my .50. Hooah. I will stay until relieved. White 2 out.)
Good morning Cannoneer.
8
posted on
12/20/2004 10:58:09 PM PST
by
snippy_about_it
(Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
To: SAMWolf
Bump and thanx for a great article from a former DAT/Scout/FDC!
9
posted on
12/20/2004 11:13:28 PM PST
by
skepsel
To: snippy_about_it
The Centurion was probably superior to contempory American designs except in running gear (sometimes) and drivetrain.
Isreali Centurions:

With ERA (explosive reactive armor):

ERA here closer view. Notice big gun. Lycoming engine, General Motors Allison transmission.
10
posted on
12/21/2004 12:48:00 AM PST
by
Iris7
(.....to protect the Constitution from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Same bunch, anyway.)
To: Iris7
Sorry to post something so slow to load, but such great pictures!
Get sentimental over tanks. As long as they have the priorities in the right order, armor, gun, speed. None of that breakdown business, I will have none of that.
11
posted on
12/21/2004 12:52:55 AM PST
by
Iris7
(.....to protect the Constitution from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Same bunch, anyway.)
To: snippy_about_it
Good morning Snippy.
12
posted on
12/21/2004 2:02:42 AM PST
by
Aeronaut
(May all the feckless become fecked.)
To: SAMWolf; All
13
posted on
12/21/2004 2:57:04 AM PST
by
GailA
(Happy Birthday JESUS! Merry CHRISTmas FRiends.)
To: snippy_about_it
Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Foxhole.
14
posted on
12/21/2004 3:08:22 AM PST
by
E.G.C.
To: alfa6
Morning alfa6.
Those Christmas cartoons are gonna cost you some presents from Santa.
P.S. Keep em coming. ;-)
15
posted on
12/21/2004 3:17:35 AM PST
by
SAMWolf
(I tried to get a life once, but they were out of stock.)
To: snippy_about_it
16
posted on
12/21/2004 3:17:55 AM PST
by
SAMWolf
(I tried to get a life once, but they were out of stock.)
To: skepsel
You're welcome, skepsel. Thanks for the bump.
17
posted on
12/21/2004 3:19:05 AM PST
by
SAMWolf
(I tried to get a life once, but they were out of stock.)
To: Iris7
Growing up, the Centurion and the White halftrack epitomized the IDF armored units to me. I've always tended to think of Israel rather the Britain when thinking of the Centurion.

Israeli Centurion tanks counterattacking against Syrian forces during the "October War" of 1973.
18
posted on
12/21/2004 3:23:57 AM PST
by
SAMWolf
(I tried to get a life once, but they were out of stock.)
To: Iris7
Get sentimental over tanks.My kind of guy!
The Foxhole has always been a "graphic heavy" thread, IMHO, one of the things good about it. So post away.
19
posted on
12/21/2004 3:25:51 AM PST
by
SAMWolf
(I tried to get a life once, but they were out of stock.)
To: Aeronaut
20
posted on
12/21/2004 3:26:13 AM PST
by
SAMWolf
(I tried to get a life once, but they were out of stock.)
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