Old Dilapidated WWII Churchill Tank

I stopped off at a place called Mucklebourgh in Norfolk, where there was a collection of many old military vehicles - a sort of private collection of anything from various nations over different periods of time. Of course, WWII paraphernalia was most common. I always enjoy wandering about such places and was thrilled to see a sad looking WWII Churchill Tank in a dilapidated looking state, yet awaiting attention in a yard full of derelict items. I presume that once such wrecks are restored, they go on display on the main site where visitors get to see them close up. 

The tanks were used in North Africa, Italy and North West Europe. They underwent many adaptations throughout the war. Their production was somewhat hurried when France fell and British allied forces retreated home to the Isles. Most of the military vehicles were lost on the roads too, and the sands of Dunkirk. The prospect of a German invasion was imminent and therefore tanks were needed desperately.

The Churchill tank came into existence out of desperation and because of its hurried development, the tank was plagued with a number of problems. Fortunately, Britain was not invaded, but other theatres of war saw the Churchill as underpowered, and unreliable when up against the more pristine German tanks. It had weak armament at first too. So many problems had to be overcome and at one point production was almost scrapped. However, a reprieve was won and gradually the tank began to be fitted with more modifications. By the time of the Normandy invasion and with other types of military support, the Churchill performed adequately enough.

It was grand to see such a tank upon entering the Marlborough collection, but the Churchill vehicle will obviously need to be renovated before going on display. I like the tank because of it's vulnerabilities during the induction phase. These things I find interesting. However, I would not like to have been one of the poor blighters inside, when confronting one of the more superior German tanks of the day.

Some of them were sent to the Soviet Union, and Australia took some for the war in the Pacific with Japan. However, the war ended before Australia could put them to use. How the Churchill fared in Russia is another matter. They would obviously become outdated by the big Soviet tanks of that conflict and replaced.

Churchill tanks were also used during the Korean war and more were sold to the Irish Army. What mark of design the above Churchill tank is; I cannot say, but I presume it is one of the latter developments.

British Tank - Challenger II

The UK's main battle tank is the Challenger II. It has been modernised with newer technology from the Challenger I. These improvements are in firepower, crew protection and mobility, which equips the tank better for various terrains and climates of modern day warfare. This tank ranks high among various good world designs.

 

The British Challenger has been proved in combat conditions and proved well in combat conditions, although the quality of the enemy opposition could be questioned. However, the Challenger performance in the harsh desert environment did exceed 90% which is bordering outstanding. The accuracy of the tank's heavy firepower was devastating to the enemy and proved the Challengers worth in battle. These tanks destroyed around 300 enemy tanks without loss.

 

The Challenger II was revised from the Challenger I because in competitions the British tank had not performed well up against other nation's advanced tanks. The British pulled out of the competitions and began to focus upon modernising the tank for better performances. This is generally agreed to have been a great step forward for the Challenger tank with many arguing that the tank is better equipped for battle conditions as opposed to what competition might show.

 

Although no Challenger tank has been lost in combat yet, two have been hit by insurgent attacks with RPG's. One British soldier inside a Challenger was injured. His foot was blown off when the armoured shielding was pierced. The fact that the vehicles were not destroyed is testament to the durability of the tank still, yet it did cause some ripples of decent, which seems strange. The tank did resist attacks by RPG and these are sophisticated weapons designed to destroys tanks. 

 

 

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