Cruiser Tank Mk VIII Cromwell

 

In the United Kingdom the differential between 'Cruiser' and 'Infantry' tanks peristed almost until the end of the war despite the fact that most other nations had never entertained the notion. It persisted even after the unfortunate experiences of the early 'Cruiser' designs had highlighted the drawbacks of producing a lightly armed and armoured main battle tank, and continued even when when a replacement for the Crusader was being sought.

The need for more armour and a bigger gun was finally realized (and a more powerful  engine would be required) and in 1941 a new specification was issued. It was answered by two main entrants to the same basic A27 design, one the A27L with a Liberty engine (this was to become the Centaur) and the other the A27M with a Rolls-Royce Meteor that was to become the Cruiser Tank Mk VIII Cromwell.

The first Cromwells were produced in January 1943. The first three marks (Cromwell I with one 6-pdr and two Besa machine-guns, Cromwell II with wider tracks and only one machine-gun, and Cromwell III produced by re-engineering a Centaur I) all had as their main armament the 6-pdr (57-mm/2 244-in) gun, but by 1943 it had been decided that something heavier would be required and a new 75-mm (2.95-in) gun was demanded. For once things were able to move relatively swiftly on the production lines and the first 75-mm (2.95-in) Cromwell Mk IV tanks were issued to the armoured regiments in October 1943. Thereafter the 75-mm (2.95-in) gun remained the Cromwell's main gun until the Cromwell Mk VIII, which had a 95-mm (actually 94-mm/3.7 in) howitzer for close support.

  Perhaps the main value of the Cromwell to the British armoured regiments during 1943 was a training tank, for at last the troops had a match for its German counterparts. There was better armour (8.76 mm/0.315- 3in) on the Cromwell than any previous 'Cruiser' tank and the 75-mm (2.95 -in) gun, which shared many components with the smaller 6-pdr, at last provided the British tankies with a viable weapon.
But by the time they were ready for active service the Cromwells were in the process of being replaced by the readily-availible M4 Sherman for purposes of standardization and logistic safety. But the Cromwell did see service. Many were used by the 7th Armoured Division in the campaigns that followed from the Normandy landings. Here the excellent performance provided by the Meteor engine made the Cromwell a well-liked vehicle: it was fast and reliable and the gun proved easy to lay and fire.

The Cromwell was but a stepping stone to the later Comet tank which was to emerge as perhaps the best all-round British tank of the war years. But the Cromwell was an important vehicle, not just as a combat tank but for several other roles. Some were used as mobile artillery observation posts (Cromwell OP) with their main gun removed and with extra radios installed. Others had their turrets entirely removed and replaced by all the various bits and pieces required for the Cromwell to be used as the Cromwell AVR armoured recovery vehicle. The Cromwell was also used as the basis for a heavily armoured assault tank that became known as the A33 which was ready by May 1944 but never got into production.

Specifications
Cromwell IV
Crew 5
Weight. 27942kg (61,600lb)
Powerplant  one Rolls-Royce Meteor V-12 petrol engine developing 570bhp (425kW)
Dimensions length overall 6.42m (21ft 0.75 in); Width 3 948m (10ft); height 2.51m (8ft 3in).
Performance maximum speed 61km/h (38mph); road range 278km(173 miles); fording 1.219m (4ft); vertical obstacle 0.914m (3ft); trench 2.286m (7ft 6in).

 

Lee Enfield Rifle No.4 Mark I

 

Although the old Lee-Enfield No.1  Mark III rifle performed sterling service throughout World War I, it was an expensive and time consuming weapon to produce as every example had virtually to be made by hand. In the years after 1919, consideration was given to a version of the basic design that could be mass-produced, and in 1931 a trial series of rifles known as the No1 Mark VI was produced. These were accepted as suitable for service but at the time there ws no funds to launch production, so it was until November 1939 that the go-ahead was given for what was the redesigned rifle No.4 Mark I.

The No.4 Mark I w designed from the outset for mass production, and differed from the original No.1 Mark III in several aspects the No.4 Mark I had a much heavier barrel that improved overall accuracy, the muzzle protruded from the forestock by an easily recognisable amount and provided the No.4 Mark I with a definite recognition point; and the sights were moved back to a position over the receiver, which made them easier to use and also provide a longer sighting base, again an aid to accuracy. There were numerous other small changes most of them introduced to assist production, but for the soldier the biggest change was to the muzzle, where a different fitting was introduced for a new bayonet, which was light and a simple spike with no grip or anything like it, so depriving the soldier of one of his favorite front-line tools. The spike bayonet was not liked, but being simple and easy to produce it was retained in use for many years.

The first No.4 Mark Is were issued for service during the late 1940 and there after the type supplemented the old No.1 Mark IIIs. But III was never entirely replaced. This was not for lack of production effort for the No.4 Mark 1 was churned out in hundreds of thousands by numerous small arms production facilities all over the UK and even in the USA. These 'American ' rifles were produced at the Stevens-Savage plant at Long Branch and were known as the No.4 Mark I * as they differed in the manner in which the bolt could be removed for cleaning.
These American examples also differed in various other small details most of which were introduced to assist production using American methods.

In service the No.4 Mark I  proved itself an excellent weapon, to the extent that many now regard the design as one of the finest of all service rifles of the bolt-action era. It was capable of withstanding even the roughest of handling, and could deliver  accurate fire for prolonged periods.  It was relatively easy to strip  and keep clean using the 'pull-through' carried inside the butt strap along with the oil bottle and a few pieces of the famous 'four by two' cleaning rag.

Special sniper's version of the No.4 were also produced. These used various types of telescopic sight over the receiver along with a special butt plate. These rifles were usually selected from production examples and were virtually rebuilt and restocked before issue. They were designated Rifle No. 4 Mark I (T)

The No. 4 Mark I is still in widespread service around the world. Many current service examples have been rebarreled with new 7.62-mm (0.3-in) barrels and more have been converted to match or hunting rifles.

Specification
Rifle No. 4 Mark I
Caliber 0.303 in (7.7mm)
Length 1.129m (44.43 in)
Length of barrel  640mm (25.2 in)
Weight 4.14 kg.     (9.125lb)
Muzzle velocity 751m (2.465 ft)per second
Mag 10- round box

The No.4 Mk I  rifle dating from 1941 The No. 4 was simplified version of the No.1 or SMLE

David Niven, English Actor

 

James David Graham Niven (1 March 1910 – 29 July 1983)[was an English actor, memoirist and novelist. His many roles included Squadron Leader Peter Carter in A Matter of Life and Death
Though living in Hollywood when the war broke out, David Niven traveled home to Britain to re-join the army he had served in during the 1930s. Besides making films for the war effort, Niven took part in the Invasion of Normandy. He eventually advanced to the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
Born in London, Niven attended Heatherdown Preparatory School and Stowe School before gaining a place at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. After Sandhurst, he joined the British Army and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Highland Light Infantry


In 1928 Niven attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He graduated in 1930 with a commission as a second lieutenant in the British Army.

He did well at Sandhurst, which gave him the "officer and gentleman" bearing that was his trademark. He requested assignment to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders or the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), then jokingly wrote on the form, as his third choice, "anything but the Highland Light Infantry" (because that regiment wore tartan trews rather than kilts). He was assigned to the HLI. He served with the HLI for two years in Malta and then for a few months in Dover. In Malta, he became friends with Roy Urquhart, future commander of the British 1st Airborne Division.

Niven grew tired of the peacetime army. Though promoted to lieutenant on 1st January 1933, he saw no opportunity for further advancement. His ultimate decision to resign came after a lengthy lecture on machine guns, which was interfering with his plans for dinner with a particularly attractive young lady. At the end of the lecture, the speaker (a major general) asked if there were any questions. Showing the typical rebelliousness of his early years, Niven asked, "Could you tell me the time, sir? I have to catch a train."

After being placed under close-arrest for this act of insubordination, Niven finished a bottle of whisky with the officer who was guarding him: Rhoddy Rose (later Colonel R. L. C. Rose, DSO, MC). With Rose's assistance, Niven was allowed to escape from a first-floor window. He then headed for America. While crossing the Atlantic, Niven resigned his commission by telegram on 6 September 1933. Niven then moved to New York City, where he began an unsuccessful career in whisky sales, after which he had a stint in horse rodeo promotion in Atlantic City. After detours to Bermuda and Cuba, he arrived in Hollywood in 1934.