Churchill Tanks

Gerry Chester · 25-04-2005, 12:15 AM

Admittedly I am biased, however, here's what the Prime Minister had to say about "his" tank:

"In 1942, with the war in North Africa at a critical stage, Winston Churchill - then serving as prime minister and minister of defense - delivered a historic speech before the House of Commons. Facing a motion of censure, Churchill delivered a ninety-minute oration, during which an MP asked about a certain 'Churchill' tank fiasco.

'This tank,'Churchill candidly explained, 'was ordered off the drawing board and large numbers went into production very quickly. As might be expected, it had many defects and teething troubles, and when these became apparent, the tank was appropriately rechristened the 'Churchill.'

'These defects have now been largely overcome,' he added. 'I have no doubt that this tank will prove, in the end, a powerful, massive, and serviceable weapon of war.'

[This self-deprecating joke was met with delighted laughter throughout the House; in the ensuing vote the motion was defeated by a majority - of 475 to 25.]

Kiwiwriter · 25-04-2005, 03:31 PM

The Churchill achieved its height as an infantry support weapon, especially the "Crocodile" variety with its flamethrower. Andrew Wilson's book "Flame Thrower," is a gripping account of the tank in action. "Tank Tracks," a history of 9th RTR, is also good.

chollie · 26-04-2005, 12:30 AM

The Petard armed Churchill was also succesfull in it's limited support role. If memory serves it initially served with Hobarts funnies.

GUMALANGI · 26-04-2005, 10:20 PM

Hi there

Noted also, so called 'super' churchill tank or black prince, it has a long gun ,.
looks fearsome, it is said the tank never actually went into action.
and it was equipped with 17 pdr gun..

untill this very moment i really cannot converse millimetres to pounder
as to inch,.. i dont have problem with that...

Cheers.

Gumalangi

chollie · 26-04-2005, 11:06 PM

Black Prince, not a good pic i'm afraid but the parentage of this tank is clear in the photo.

25-04-2005, 03:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kiwiwriter Very Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Newark, NJ, and Christchurch, NZ Posts: 2,443	The Churchill achieved its height as an infantry support weapon, especially the "Crocodile" variety with its flamethrower. Andrew Wilson's book "Flame Thrower," is a gripping account of the tank in action. "Tank Tracks," a history of 9th RTR, is also good. __________________ "My intensity is intense." -- Roger Clemens "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender." -- Winston Churchill. "I am not a hero. The heroes are all dead. I am a survivor." -- Sgt. William Guarnere, Easy Company, 506th Parachute Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. Check out my little contributions to World War II history at my web pages: World War II Plus 55 or http://davidhlippman.wildbillguarnere.com

26-04-2005, 10:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
GUMALANGI Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 318	Hi there Noted also, so called 'super' churchill tank or black prince, it has a long gun ,. looks fearsome, it is said the tank never actually went into action. and it was equipped with 17 pdr gun.. untill this very moment i really cannot converse millimetres to pounder as to inch,.. i dont have problem with that... Cheers. Gumalangi __________________

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25-04-2005, 12:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
Gerry Chester WW2 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Originally Wallasey, Cheshire - Now a world-wide wanderer Posts: 834	Admittedly I am biased, however, here's what the Prime Minister had to say about "his" tank: "In 1942, with the war in North Africa at a critical stage, Winston Churchill - then serving as prime minister and minister of defense - delivered a historic speech before the House of Commons. Facing a motion of censure, Churchill delivered a ninety-minute oration, during which an MP asked about a certain 'Churchill' tank fiasco. 'This tank,'Churchill candidly explained, 'was ordered off the drawing board and large numbers went into production very quickly. As might be expected, it had many defects and teething troubles, and when these became apparent, the tank was appropriately rechristened the 'Churchill.' 'These defects have now been largely overcome,' he added. 'I have no doubt that this tank will prove, in the end, a powerful, massive, and serviceable weapon of war.' [This self-deprecating joke was met with delighted laughter throughout the House; in the ensuing vote the motion was defeated by a majority - of 475 to 25.]

26-04-2005, 12:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
chollie Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3	The Petard armed Churchill was also succesfull in it's limited support role. If memory serves it initially served with Hobarts funnies.

26-04-2005, 11:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
chollie Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3	Black Prince, not a good pic i'm afraid but the parentage of this tank is clear in the photo.

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