Pictures of Churchill Tanks.

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by von Poop, May 13, 2014.

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  1. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Triggered by some Twitter nonsense, I think it may be time for a slew of shots of that fine vehicle, The Churchill tank.

    Starting with some formal shots:
    Captions on click.

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    TANKS AND AFVS OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45. © IWM (KID 1265)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    BRITISH TANKS AND ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES 1939-45. © IWM (KID 811)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    BRITISH TANKS AND ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES 1939-45. © IWM (KID 810)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    BRITISH TANKS AND ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES 1939-45. © IWM (KID 809)IWM Non Commercial Licence


    And then some oddballs, you might even call them Funnies:

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1945. © IWM (NA 23920)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 35473)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 36593)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    TANKS AND AFVS OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45. © IWM (STT 8237)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    TANKS AND AFVS OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45. © IWM (STT 8246)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    TANKS AND AFVS OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45. © IWM (KID 898)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    TANKS AND ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45. © IWM (MH 14037)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    BRITISH TANKS AND ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES 1939-45. © IWM (KID 820)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 35790)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 35489)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    TANKS AND ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45. © IWM (MH 2202)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1944. © IWM (NA 20000)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    TANKS AND ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45. © IWM (MH 14011)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    TANKS AND AFVS OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45. © IWM (KID 2482)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 35809)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 31836)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 29358)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    FLAMETHROWERS IN ACTION, AUGUST 1944. © IWM (TR 2313)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45. © IWM (BU 860)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 37411)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 39914)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 37883)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 39906)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 37860)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45. © IWM (B 14582)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 37918)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1944. © IWM (NA 20861)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 29043)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 39912)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1945. © IWM (NA 23921)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1945. © IWM (NA 23553)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1945. © IWM (NA 23554)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    TANKS AND ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-45. © IWM (MH 9326)IWM Non Commercial Licence
     
    von Poop, May 13, 2014
    #1
    CL1 and Deacs like this.
  2. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    The North Irish Horse. (because I suspect Gerry & his site do more to maintain the memory of this machine and the men who served in it than just about anybody else. )

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1945. © IWM (NA 23276)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1945. © IWM (NA 23277)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1944. © IWM (NA 17144)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1945. © IWM (NA 23278)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1945. © IWM (NA 23556)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN TUNISIA 1943. © IWM (NA 2237)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1945. © IWM (NA 22739)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1944. © IWM (NA 17041)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1945. © IWM (NA 23274)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1945. © IWM (NA 23920)IWM Non Commercial Licence
     
    von Poop, May 13, 2014
    #2
  3. phylo_roadking

    phylo_roadking Very Senior Member

    Nice view of a MkI Canadian Ram....

    And some VERY nice close up views of the NA75!
     
    phylo_roadking, May 13, 2014
    #3
  4. Bernard85

    Bernard85 WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    good day von poop.yesterday,11:51pm.re:pictures of churchill tanks.a great selection of photos.did they use most those shown.or are they proto types.thanks for posting regards bernard85. :m9:
     
    Bernard85, May 13, 2014
    #4
  5. Deacs

    Deacs Well i am from Cumbria.

    Some great photos there Adam cheers for sharing.

    And Looking at the "Oddballs" as you say the thought that my granda maybe in one of them is exciting to me.

    Michael.
     
    Deacs, May 13, 2014
    #5
  6. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Adam
    As you are aware the Churchill Tank, as illustrated did many things - all of them well… I lost two of them, the second took many

    88mm's before surrendering……Gerry's NIH replaced us - the 145th Regt RAC when we were broken up for spares in the December of

    1944 after great losses during and after the Gothic line Battles plus we were a territorial unit and made way for the Regulars

    Cheers
     
    Tom Canning, May 13, 2014
    #6
  7. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    DaveB, May 13, 2014
    #7
  8. TTH

    TTH Senior Member

    Great pictures. I have always been fond of the Churchill.
     
    TTH, May 13, 2014
    #8
  9. Rerun 57

    Rerun 57 Junior Member

    It would be wonderful for someone to dig up a picture of the CDL Churchill.
     
    Rerun 57, May 13, 2014
    #9
  10. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    RErun 57
    Not too likely- more like on a Matilda / Valentine

    Cheers
     
    Tom Canning, May 14, 2014
    #10
  11. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    There's rumours and scant mentions of Churchill CDL, Tom - but that's about all so far - seems to be a small coterie digging for maybe one or two at Lowther Castle.

    Tried a dig for 145RAC on IWM, but your numbered mobs are much harder to rustle up pics of.

    I forgot to add possibly my favourite Churchill image, just because it's so odd:
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    (Explanation here in the Zimmerit thread)

    Churchill & Churchills:
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    WINSTON CHURCHILL DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. © IWM (H 11842)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 9922)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 9924)IWM Non Commercial Licence

    [​IMG]
    THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45. © IWM (H 18500)IWM Non Commercial Licence
     
    von Poop, May 14, 2014
    #11
  12. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Adam

    This last picture looks like 21st Tank Bde as the number 175 rings a bell before we got to Italy and used the gremlin around the

    diablo….only people who knew we were around were the 4th Paras - 26PZ's and 29 PG's - British media didn't know us …

    Cheers
     
    Tom Canning, May 14, 2014
    #12
  13. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Churchill Crocodile at Bayeux.

    Crocodile.jpg
     
    Jonathan Ball, May 14, 2014
    #13
  14. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Churchill AVRE fascine carrier '1 Charlie' at Graye-sur-Mer.

    1 Charlie.jpg
     
    Jonathan Ball, May 14, 2014
    #14
  15. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Churchill AVRE , Lion sur Mer Normandy.

    October 2005
    25 10 2005.jpg

    October 2010.
    26 10 2010.jpg 26 10 2010 front.jpg 26 10 2010 rear.jpg

    Churchill on Hill 112
    October 2005.
    26 10 2005 Hill 112.jpg
     
    Owen, May 14, 2014
    #15
  16. arnhem44

    arnhem44 Member

    Can someone explain me why one half of the tankdesigners in UK , France, Russia etc..for the tanks in and just before WW2 advocated having the tracks running over big sponsoons (+ protection for crew, + more space in hull, - easier shot on tracks = static, more difficult rotation of hull on standstill position, - poor visibility for driver) whereas others stayed clear of this antiquated design.

    What is it that made the churchill designers opt for these type of tracks ?
    I remember only the "ability to cross wide ditches without problems together with advancing infantry" as the main reason, but surely ..that can't be so important as to push away all the negative aspects (in performance and costs) ?

    Who can tell more about this ?
     
    arnhem44, May 14, 2014
    #16
  17. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    I don't think the 'round the sponsons' design was particularly archaic really, or exposed the tracks quite as badly as often cited (I'm sure I have a report somewhere that covers track exposure/vulnerability quite positively).
    If something is reminiscent of the previous generation, that doesn't necessarily mean it to be bad.
    Churchill's form was largely dictated by the A20 project from which it sprang, and by the fact that nothing that could be described as a 'conventional' AFV suspension layout had really been crystallised at that point.
    Each system had it's pros and cons, German interleaved wheels would fall by the wayside eventually, volute springs would beat helical & leaf, and torsion bars would eventually dominate, but if you look at modern excavators and back-hoe machines, there's still a variety of suspension types, many of them looking relatively 'archaic', and sometimes very reminiscent of Churchill.
    The track layout looks a little unusual, and perhaps involved a rather complex spring arrangement, but it does/did apparently give great grunt/traction over rough ground as it's a very good design for solidly pushing the track onto the ground - very little slack and shake in there. It also had that remarkable Merrit-Brown pushing it, which helped.
    Mobility/Protection/Firepower/Production - the compromises were always made, and still are even in the age of the massive MBT - you makes your pick and goes for it. Don't forget Churchill carried the thickest frontal armour of any WW2 machine (I think... my memory...), it was never going to be a sprinter, but as Longstop etc. proved, it could certainly climb to remarkable places (looking for a report of a German commander, possibly Longstop, and his incredulity at Churchills appearing where tanks should not be - on here or Gerry's site somewhere.)

    Caterpillar-Komatsu-Excavator-Bases-Track-Frames_56012.jpg

    The biggest curse of the sponsonless design was perhaps more in restricting future development, perhaps better discussed here: WW2Talk - Churchill Tanks - some pics of the A20 there too... perhaps that'd make a better discussion thread while this one revolves around pictures.


    Some unfortunate Churchills, just to show I'm not daft enough to see any tank as somehow perfect, despite a long-term championing of this somewhat 'unfashionable' machine:
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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH AFRICA 1942. © IWM (E 18830)IWM Non Commercial Licence

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    THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45. © IWM (BU 166)IWM Non Commercial Licence

    Rights reserved pic: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205224564
     
    von Poop, May 14, 2014
    #17
  18. TTH

    TTH Senior Member

    As far as the Churchill was concerned, I think you answered your own question. The designers were not out to create a true MBT or all-around medium tank with the manueverability to face a Panther, but an infantry tank that could support the foot soldiers in the assault role. A (semi) rhomboidal design offered more positives than negatives for an infantry tank, namely good trench-crossing and hill-climbing ability, and a large hull to support the weight of heavier armor. Obviously, the designers did indeed think that the sacrifice of other qualities was worthwhile. The Churchill's performance in its intended role justified the choice; it was the best British 'I' tank of the war. As a rhomboidal design, it was also more successful than the Char B and the Soviet T35 and T28. For a TRUE rhomboidal thowback to the First World War, look up the abortive British TOG design.
     
    TTH, May 14, 2014
    #18
  19. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Let's go, a little reluctantly, to Dieppe.
    An early outing, which perhaps helped with some of the easy damning of the Churchill, but again I'm not sure the critique stands fully, unless we'd judge the human participants as harshly for being given a near-impossible mission...
    The Interesting thing, mechanically, about Dieppe, is maybe that despite the complete destruction across the board of machinery, there was almost no other contemporary tracked vehicle that could have mounted that wall having crossed the beach as well as Churchill did. From memory, almost none of the knocked out Churchills were by enemy fire, and the crew survival was very good. Mechanical issues and the tactical situation appeared to have killed the machine and much of it's nascent reputation.
    The great 'Rework' scheme would look to the mechanical situation, and strategy/tactics of future Amphibious assaults would be vastly improved (some would say that was one of the rare positives of Dieppe - much was learnt...)


    dvsbvsgsg.jpg sdcscsddvs.jpg scsdc.jpg Early-Churchill-AVRE-with-TLC-Carpet-Laying-Device-at-Dieppe.jpg churchill-04.jpg
    20120313_23-42-08.jpg dieppe_churchill_2_272.jpg Dieppe42.jpg Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-362-2211-12,_Dieppe,_Landungsversuch,_englische_Panzer.jpg Backer.jpg
    c029878.jpg
     
    von Poop, May 14, 2014
    #19
  20. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    von Poop, May 14, 2014
    #20
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