Daily History Picture: Cruiser Tank October 30, 2017
Author: Beach Combing | in : Historical Pictures , trackback
1941 (in England?)
Stephen D. 31 Oct 2017 writes: Re your tank picture: these are, I think, the infamous Covenanter tanks (Cruiser Mk V; A13 MkIII), ordered in 1939, declared obsolete in 1944 after no combat use, and after over 1,700 had been built. They were designed for whatever reason by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, who had no more experience of armoured fighting vehicles than could be expected; that is, none. God only knows how the UK avoided losing the war. Their most remarkable fault was that a flat 12-cylinder engine was used, which left no room for radiators in the rear engine compartment. Radiators were therefore placed in front of the crew’s compartment, with piping going through the latter. After initial problems, an oil cooler was added, beside the radiators, with piping to match. Not surprisingly, Covenanters were never sent to the already-hot North African campaign, but used only for training in the UK. A more usual fault was their thin armour, which did not prevent them being above the designed weight. From the inn sign and the generously proportioned inn, it is unlikely the photo represents a training exercise in Wales, and even more unlikely Northern Ireland. From the large and abundant trees, unlikely to be Scotland. Therefore, most likely England.
NH writes, 30 Nov 2017: This pinterest pages says: Cruiser IVA tanks from 1 Armoured Division crossing a stream near Hindhead in Surrey. The landscape looks consistent with that. I’ve had a quick search for the pub – no luck so far, but it may no longer be there.
