Centaur C.S. MK.IV, British Cruiser Tank MK.VIII A27L 95mm Howitzer The Rolls Royce Meteor engine that the Cromwell was designed around wasn’t yet available so Liberty engines were installed and the tank became a Centaur. This engine was so poorly made that with any speed it shook itself apart so it was kept for training. Still not a Meteor but upgraded engines were placed in about 80 Centaurs and used very successfully by the Royal Marines Armored Support Group on D-Day. Their 95mm Howitzer was used to destroy beach obstacles and pillboxes.
Centaur C.S. MK.IV, British Cruiser Tank MK.VIII, A27L 95mm Howitzer On D-day while in landing craft the Royal Marines Armored Support Group 1st Armored Support Regiment, 2nd Battery, H Troop Centaurs fired at beach obstacles and bunkers and ashore provided infantry fire support. The white degree markings around the turret made it possible for shipboard spotters using binoculars to align the 95mm Howitzer with a target even if it was obscured by dense smoke. Disregarding orders to remain on the beaches the RMASG moved inland to support troops. Several weeks later with beaches secured the Centaurs were withdrawn to England.
Specifications
Vehicle Type: Centaur C.S. (Close Support) MK.IV, British Cruiser Tank MK.VIII, A27L 95mm Howitzer WD # T185363
Manufacturer: WD # : T185363 – T186510 Centaur C.S. MK.IV (CS tanks by John Fowler & Co.)
Production: English-Electric – 156 Harland & Wolff - 125 John Fowler & Co. – 529 with 80 being 95mm Leyland Motors – 643 LMS Railway Co. – 45 Morris Motors – 138 Nuffield M&A – 150 Ruston-Bucyrus – 35 Total 1821
Crew: 5
Weight: 28 tons
Length: 6.4 m / 21 ft
Width: 2.91 m / 9 ft 6 in
Height: 2.44 m / 8 ft
Armor: Turret – front 15 cm / 5.9 in, side 12 cm / 4.7 in, rear 12 cm / 4.7 in Hull – front 18 cm / 7 in, side 8 cm / 3.1 in, rear 6 cm / 2.36 in
Armament: 1 x 95mm Mark I Howitzer (51 rounds) 1 x 7.92mm Besa Mk.II Machine Guns (Besa Mk 2 coaxial) - 4,950 rounds
Powerplant: Nuffield Liberty 395 hp
Fuel: Gasoline – 530 liters / 140 US gal