Tanks: periodical returns of production figures (UK), Jan 1944 - April 1945

TNA Catalogue Reference: CAB 120/356

Cabinet Office: Minister of Defence Secretariat: Records, Weapons and Munitions

Scope and content: Tanks: periodical returns of production figures

Covering dates 1944 Jan - 1945 Apr



Courtesy of Drew

 

INDEX

1943/44
Week Ending 1/1/44


1944
Week Ending 8/1/44
*
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December


1945
January
February
March
April

*Statistics ceased to be reported on weekly basis and were requested to be presented as per calendar month.

 

Stats placed in Table for ease of reference.

 

Copy to Minister of Supply.

SECRET.

PRIME MINISTER.

I attach the weekly tank and armoured car production figures furnished by the Ministry of Supply.

(Signed) E.I.C. JACOB


6th January, 1944.



[Hand-written]: Brigadier Jacob


SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

Week Ending 1st January, 1944


Harry Hopkins - 1

Cavalier - 6

Centaur - 16

Cromwell - 24

Valentine - 9

Churchill
- Standard - 10
- Heavy - 2

Armoured Cars - 9



Christmas holidays


Cen. Stats. 5219

5.1.44



A.F.V. PRODUCTION

Week Ending 1st January, 1944

Tanks


Harry Hopkins - 1

Cavalier - 6

Centaur - 16

Cromwell 24

Valentine 9

Churchill
- Standard - 10
- Heavy - 2

Total = 59


For Russia
Valentine - 9


Armoured Cars - 9


NOTE. This period covers the Christmas holidays.
.

 

11th January, 1944.


Dear Tippetts,

You provide us with a weekly statement of the United Kingdom A.F.V. production for submission to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has now agreed that this statement should be rendered monthly in future. In order that the figures should be more or less comparable I think it would be best if you could do this calendar months starting with return of January production as early as possible in February. Will you please let me know if this is agreeable to you.


Yours Sincerely

(Sgd.) ? R Norman



R.B. TIPPETTS, Esq., Ministry of Supply.

 

[Hand-written]: Brigadier Jacob


SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

Week Ending 8th January, 1944


Harry Hopkins - 2

Cavalier - 4

Centaur - 21

Cromwell 38

Valentine 28

Churchill
- Standard - 18
- Heavy - 2

Armoured Cars - 44



Cen. Stats. 5474

12.1.44
.

 

SHELL MAX HOUSE
LONDON, W.C.2.


12th January, 1944.

Dear Norman,

Thank you for your letter of the 11th January addressed to Tippetts about the statement of U.K. tank production which we have been giving you weekly.

My Minister is quite agreeable to our rendering this statement monthly in future, and we will begin this procedure with a return of January production, which we will send you as soon as possibly in February.

Yours sincerely,

T. C??



M.R. Norman, Esq.,
Offices of the War Cabinet,
Great George Street,
S.W.1.

 

[Hand-written]: Prime Minister has seen.
P. K??? 15/2/44


SECRET.

PRIME MINSTER.

I attach the monthly tank and armoured car production figures furnished by the Ministry of Supply.

(Signed) E.I.C. Jacob


14th February, 1944.



[Hand-written]: Brigadier Jacob


SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

January, 1944 (Calendar figures)


Harry Hopkins - 6

Cavalier - 33

Centaur - 112

Cromwell 167

Valentine (including D.D. hulls) 96

Churchill
- Standard - 85
- Heavy - 12

Armoured Cars - 134

17 pounder Sherman conversions - 20

D.D. Valentine - 80



Cen. Stats. 6548

10.2.44


[2 separate notes handwritten]

Check Valentines - are they the same? If not can M/Supply suggest another description.


? Foster will ring Brig. Jacob about this.



A.F.V. PRODUCTION

January, 1944

Tanks


Harry Hopkins - 6

Cavalier - 33

Centaur - 112

Cromwell 167

Valentine 96

Churchill
- Standard - 85
- Heavy - 12

In addition, the following conversions were completed during the period:-

Valentines to D.D. Valentines - 80
Shermans to 17-pounder Shermans - 20


For Russia
Valentine - 9


Armoured Cars - 9
.

 

SECRET.

PRIME MINISTER.

I attach the monthly tank and armoured car production figures furnished by the Ministry of Supply.

(Signed) E.I.G. Jacob


13th March, 1944.



[Hand-written]: Brig. Jacob


MOST SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

February, 1944 (Calendar figures)


Harry Hopkins - 4

Cavalier - 30

Centaur - 75

Cromwell - 175

Valentine - 91

Churchill
- Standard - 58
- Heavy - 22

Armoured Cars - 135


Conversions

17-pounder Sherman - 36

D.D. Valentine - 70



Cen. Stats. 385

March, 1944



A.F.V. PRODUCTION

February, 1944

Tanks


Harry Hopkins - 4

Cavalier - 30

Centaur - 75

Cromwell 175

Valentine 91

Churchill
- Standard - 58
- Heavy - 22

TOTAL TANKS - 455

Armoured Cars - 135

In addition, the following conversions were completed during the period:-

Valentines to D.D. Valentines - 70
Shermans to 17-pounder Shermans - 36
.

 

Copy sent to Minister of Supply


SECRET.

PRIME MINISTER.

I attach the monthly tank and armoured car production figures furnished by the Ministry of Supply.

(Signed) E.I.G. Jacob


9th April, 1944.



[Hand-written]: Brig. Jacob


MOST SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

March, 1944 (Calendar figures)


Harry Hopkins - 2

Cavalier - 26

Centaur - 30

Cromwell - 217

Challenger - 8

Valentine - 52

Churchill
- Standard - 68
- Heavy - 31

Armoured Cars - 180


Conversions

17-pounder Sherman - 54

D.D. Valentine - 45


The Challenger, which commenced during the month, is the 17-pounder A.30 tank.


Cen. Stats. 1522

6.4.44



A.F.V. PRODUCTION

MARCH, 1944

Tanks


Harry Hopkins - 2

Cavalier - 26

Centaur - 30

Cromwell - 217

Challenger - 8

Valentine - 52

Churchill
- Standard - 68
- Heavy - 31

TOTAL TANKS - 434

Armoured Cars - 180


Conversions.

To D.D. Valentines - 42
To D.D. Shermans - 45
To 17-pounder Shermans - 54


The Challenger, which commenced during the month, is the 17-pounder A.30 tank.
.

 

SECRET.

PRIME MINISTER.

I attach the monthly tank and armoured car production figures furnished by the Ministry of Supply.

(Signed) E.I.G. Jacob


9th May, 1944.


[Handwritten note]: Seen by the Prime Minister, no comment

[Signed] ?
12.5



[Hand-written]: Brig. Jacob


TOP SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

April, 1944 (Calendar figures)


Harry Hopkins - 2

Cavalier - 16

Centaur - 57

Cromwell - 153

Challenger - 12

Valentine - 33

Churchill
- Standard - 62
- Heavy - 37

Armoured Cars - 126


Conversions

17-pounder Sherman - 93

D.D. Valentine - 21

D.D. Sherman - 175


Cen. Stats. 2761

8.5.44



A.F.V. PRODUCTION

April, 1944

Tanks


Harry Hopkins - 2

Cavalier - 16

Centaur - 57

Cromwell - 153

Challenger - 12

Valentine - 33

Churchill
- Standard - 62
- Heavy - 37

TOTAL TANKS - 372


Conversions

To D.D. Valentines - 21
To D.D. Shermans - 175
To 17-pounder Shermans - 93


Armoured Cars - 126
.

 

[Handwritten note]: Prime Minister has seen.
PF K???
16.6.44


SECRET.

PRIME MINISTER.

I attach the monthly tank and armoured car production figures furnished by the Ministry of Supply.

(Signed) E.I.G. Jacob


8th June, 1944.



[Hand-written]: Brig. Jacob


TOP SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

May, 1944 (Calendar figures)


Harry Hopkins - 5

Cavalier - 6

Centaur (Hulls for A.A.) - 51

Cromwell - 187

Challenger - 11

Valentine (including 26 S.P's) - 34

Churchill
- Standard - 68
- Heavy - 29

Armoured Cars - 113


Conversions

17-pounder Sherman - 139

17-pounder M.10 - 98

D.D. Valentine - 17

D.D. Sherman - 111



Cen. Stats. 3837

7.6.44



SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

May, 1944

New Vehicles


Harry Hopkins - 5

Cavalier - 6

Centaur (Hulls for A.A.) - 51

Cromwell - 187

Challenger - 11

Valentine (including 26 S.P's) - 34

Churchill
- Standard - 68
- Heavy - 29

TOTAL - 391


Conversions

17-pounder Sherman - 139

17-pounder M.10 - 98

D.D. Valentine - 17

D.D. Sherman - 111


Armoured Cars - 113
.

 

SECRET.

PRIME MINISTER.

I attach the monthly tank and armoured car production figures furnished by the Ministry of Supply.

(Signed) E.I.G. Jacob


11th July, 1944.


[Handwritten note]: Seen by the Prime Minister, no comment.
Signed ???
13.7.44



[Hand-written]: Brig. Jacob


TOP SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

June, 1944 (Calendar figures)


Harry Hopkins - 6

Cavalier - 8

Centaur - 23

Cromwell - 134

Challenger - 3

Valentine S.P. 44

Churchill
- Standard - 64
- Heavy - 29

Armoured Cars - 90


Conversions

17-pounder Sherman - 176

17-pounder M.10 - 81

D.D. Valentine - 4

D.D. Sherman - 96


Cen. Stats. 5923

10.7.44



SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

June, 1944

New Vehiclse


Harry Hopkins - 6

Cavalier O.P.'s - 8

Centaur (Hulls for A.A.) - 23

Cromwell - 134

Challenger - 3

Valentine S.P. - 44

Churchill
- Standard - 64
- Heavy - 29

TOTAL - 311


Conversions

17-pounder Sherman - 176

17-pounder M.10 - 81

D.D. Valentine - 4

D.D. Sherman - 96


Armoured Cars - 90
.

 

9th June, 1944

I.S.4.,
War Office.

Tank Availability State
21 Army Group

It has been decided that it is no longer necessary to circulate the above return, and we shall therefore be grateful if you will discontinue sending this to Brigadier Jacob each month.

signed for Brig. E.I.C. Jacob

 

Copy sent to Minister of Supply


SECRET.

PRIME MINISTER.

I attach the monthly tank and armoured car production figures furnished by the Ministry of Supply.

(Signed) ? R. Price


25th August, 1944.



[Hand-written]: Brig. Jacob


TOP SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

July, 1944 (Calendar figures)

New Vehicles


Harry Hopkins - 5

Cavalier O.P.'s - 3

Centaur (for A.A. tanks) - 27

Cromwell - 125

Challenger - 12

Valentine S.P. - 19

Churchill
- Standard - 55
- Heavy - 37


Conversions

17-pounder Sherman - 181

17-pounder M.10 - 69

D.D. Valentine - 11

D.D. Sherman - 89

Armoured Cars - 60


Cen. Stats. 6245

16.8.44



SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

July, 1944

New Vehicles


Harry Hopkins - 5

Cavalier - 3

Centaur (for A.A. tanks) - 27

Cromwell - 125

Challenger - 12

Valentine S.P. - 19

Churchill
- Standard - 55
- Heavy - 37

TOTAL - 283

Armoured Cars - 60


Conversions

17-pounder Sherman - 181

17-pounder M.10 - 69

D.D. Valentine - 11

D.D. Sherman - 89
.

 

[Handwritten note]: Prime Minister has seen.
P.F. K???
28/9


SECRET.

PRIME MINISTER.

I attach the monthly tank and armoured car production figures furnished by the Ministry of Supply.

(Signed) E.I.G. Jacob


19th September, 1944.



[Hand-written]: Brig. Jacob


TOP SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

August 1944 (Calendar figures)

New Vehicles


Harry Hopkins - 3

Centaur (A.A. tanks) - 18

Cromwell - 223

Challenger - 22

Valentine S.P. - 51

Churchill
- Standard - 23
- Heavy - 45

Armoured Cars - 92


Conversions

17-pounder Sherman - 205

17-pounder M.10 - 70

D.D. Valentine - 2

D.D. Sherman - 75



Cen. Stats. 7288

18.9.44



SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

August, 1944

New Vehicles


Harry Hopkins - 3

Centaur (for A.A. tanks) - 18

Cromwell - 223

Challenger - 22

Valentine S.P. - 51

Churchill
- Standard - 23
- Heavy - 45

TOTAL - 385

Armoured Cars - 92

Conversions

To 17-pounder Sherman - 205

To 17-pounder M.10 - 70

To D.D. Valentine - 2

To D.D. Sherman - 75
.

 

Copy sent to Minister of Supply


SECRET.

PRIME MINISTER.

I attach the monthly tank and armoured car production figures furnished by the Ministry of Supply.

(Signed) L.G. Hollis


17th October, 1944.



[Hand-written]: Brig. Jacob


TOP SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

September, 1944 (Calendar figures)


New Vehicles

Harry Hopkins - 5

Cavalier (A.A. tanks) - 30

Cromwell - 186

Challenger - 22

Comet - 8

Valentine S.P. - 63

Churchill
- Standard - 12
- Heavy - 67

Armoured Cars - 48


Conversions

17-pounder Sherman - 268

17-pounder M.10 - 112

D.D. Sherman - 37


The Comet, of which first deliveries are noted above, carries a 77 mm. gun and is the successor to the Cromwell.



Cen. Stats. 7866

9.10.44



A.F.V. PRODUCTION

September, 1944


New Vehicles

Harry Hopkins - 5

Centaur (A.A. tanks) - 30

Cromwell - 186

Comet - 8

Valentine S.P. - 63

Churchill
- Standard - 12
- Heavy - 67

TOTAL - 393


Conversions

To 17-pounder Sherman - 268

To 17-pounder M.10 - 112

To D.D. Sherman - 37


Armoured Cars - 48


The Comet, of which first deliveries are noted above, carries a 77 mm. gun and is the successor to Cromwell.
.

 

[Handwritten note]: The Prime Minister has seen and ticked.
D.M.
14/11/44


SECRET.

PRIME MINISTER.

I attach the monthly tank and armoured car production figures furnished by the Ministry of Supply.

Do you wish this monthly return to be continued

(Signed) E.I.G. Jacob


10th November, 1944.



[Hand-written]: Brig. Jacob


TOP SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

October, 1944 (Calendar figures)


New Vehicles

Harry Hopkins - 8

Centaur - 17

Cromwell - 158

Challenger - 19

Comet - 17

Valentine S.P. - 60

Churchill
- Standard - nil
- Heavy - 89

Armoured Cars - 62


Conversions

17-pounder Sherman - 264

17-pounder M.10 - 126

D.D. Sherman - 27



Cen. Stats. 8826

9.11.44



SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

October, 1944


New Vehicles

Harry Hopkins - 8

Centaur - 17

Cromwell - 158

Challenger - 19

Comet - 17

Valentine S.P. - 60

Churchill
- Standard - Nil
- Heavy - 89

TOTAL TANKS - 368


Conversions

To 17-pounder Sherman - 264

To 17-pounder M.10 - 126

To D.D. Sherman - 27


Armoured Cars - 62
.

 

[Stamped in red]:

RETURN TO DEFENCE OFFICE
PRIME MINISTER'S
PERSONAL MINUTE
Serial No. M.1229/4.


[Handwritten note]:
General Ismay
General Jacob
File



COPY

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL


MR. SANDYS

This looks quite good. What do you think about it?

W.S.C.
19.12.44


Ref: Tank and armoured car production figures for November, 1944.

 

SECRET.

PRIME MINISTER.

I attach the monthly tank and armoured car production figures furnished by the Ministry of Supply.

(Signed) E.I.G. Jacob


12th December, 1944.

[Handwritten]: Copy sent to Ministry of Supply



[Hand-written]: Brig. Jacob


TOP SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

November, 1944 (Calendar figures)


New Vehicles

Harry Hopkins - 6

Centaur - 29

Cromwell - 121

Challenger - 20

Comet - 39

Valentine S.P. - 50

Churchill (all Heavy) - 89

Armoured Cars - 90


Conversions

17-pounder Sherman - 183

17-pounder M.10 - 152

D.D. Valentine - 24



Cen. Stats. 51

11.12.44



SECRET

A.F.V. PRODUCTION

November, 1944


New Vehicles

Harry Hopkins - 6

Centaur - 29

Cromwell - 121

Challenger - 20

Comet - 39

Valentine S.P. - 50

Churchill (all Heavy) - 89

TOTAL - 354


Conversions

To 17-pounder Sherman - 183

To 17-pounder M.10 - 152

To D.D. Sherman - 24


Armoured Cars - 90
.