Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms By Flag By Year By Tag

Cruiser Tank Mk VIII Cromwell (A27M)

1943 ARAB-ISRAELI WAR COLD WAR KOREAN WAR SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY WORLD WAR 2

History of the cruiser tank Mk VIII Cromwell (A27M)

The Cromwell (formally Tank, Cruiser, Mk VIII, Cromwell (A27M)) was one of two designs submitted to the British Army's A27 specification. This specification focuses on a direct replacement for the Army's line of Crusader tanks. Another design submitted - to be the Centaur (A27L) - was built around the underperforming Liberty engine, while the Cromwell design (A27M) was built using a Rolls-Royce Meteor, the same Rolls-Royce engine The direct development of Merlin -Motors in the spectacular Spitfire.

While the Centaur's limitations prevented it from realizing its true potential, the Cromwell was more successful in many ways, although it was eventually replaced by American Sherman tanks that entered British stockpiles.

The Cromwell has five wheels on one side, no side skirts and some front protection. Compared to the Sherman tank, the design offered a lower profile with armor protection at least as high as the US tank, although the Cromwell configuration consisted of planes - didn't offer much in terms of blast deflection from the enemy's turn . The Sherman, by contrast, featured sloping armor and at least some degree of survivability against powerful German artillery. The Cromwell's main gun was mounted in a box-shaped turret in the center of the hull, which also had flat armor plates.

The main gun (initially a 6-pdr, but later upgraded to 75mm) was complemented by two 7.92mm infantry machine guns (most models), one in the turret and the other in the front of the hull.

Cromwell appeared in three original major brands (the first tanks were completed in January 1943), referred to simply as Cromwell I, Cromwell II and Cromwell III - all Equipped with 6-pdr (47mm) main gun. The Cromwell I had two BESA 7.92mm machine guns, while the Cromwell II had only one such machine gun, but had wider tracks for improved traction.

The Cromwell IV followed in a "heavier" version with standard 75mm guns - these were released in October 1943. The Cromwell VIII was a close second, but they were equipped with larger caliber 94mm guns to allow for the use of these systems in close support in infantry offensives.

Cromwell first acted with the 7th Armoured Division at the Battle of Normandy and played a successful role in the incident and subsequent inland raids. Crew response to the Cromwell was positive, the system was described as reliable and with good maneuverability. The main gun operation proved equally popular among their crews as it was easy to carry, load and fire.

Performance has undoubtedly proven to be extraordinary, thanks in part to the Meteor powerplant and Christie suspension.

Compared to previous British tank designs, the Cromwell was a dream. Ultimately, the system provided British tank crews with a viable weapon capable of engaging German tanks thanks to improved primary armament and better armor protectionboth elements not evident in any cruiser tank previously deployed.

Cromwell certainly made a name for itself in more ways than it did before the war, as the chassis was the basis for other professional variants.

Despite the inherent utility of the Cromwell system, the daily addition of American M4 Sherman tanks (from mid-1944) to the British Army's inventory was slowly surpassing Cromwell's range. For logistical reasons, the Sherman would be the main medium tank of the British Army during the war, so the Cromwell was installed in more support and reserve roles over time.

As a result, Cromwell became a well-known instructor of British tank crews, and her chassis was repurposed for other, more useful roles on the battlefield.

The success of the Cromwell design led to the development of the Comet, possibly the most successful British tank design of WWII. Comets were used in the Korean War. Although designed by Birmingham Rail Transport and Wagons, production was handled by the Nuffield organisation.

Rover Motors takes over production of the Rolls-Royce Meteor engine.