The British Tank Force in World War II: A Critical Examination
During World War II, the British tank force faced numerous challenges and had a mixed record, from the outbreak of the war to the end of the conflict. This article examines the performance of key British tanks, approaches to tank building, and the reasons behind their varying success.
The Pre-War and Early War Period
Before the war, Britain had a robust aircraft industry, but when the conflict broke out, the focus shifted to building tanks. Tank factories had to prioritize the production of these vehicles, which required specialized expertise. Utilizing aircraft factories and military components was a strategy to quickly meet the demand for military equipment.
Tank Performance and Capacity
At the outbreak of the war, the British Matilda II was one of the best tanks, capable of destroying enemy tanks and resisting German armaments from a distance. The Valentine was another excellent tank, which Russian forces requested until the war's end. The Churchill was an exceptional infantry support tank, featuring thicker armor than a Tiger. The Comet and Centurion tanks proved to be outstanding by the end of the war and during the early Cold War, respectively. However, the early years of the conflict saw many shortcomings in tank performance and production.
Challenges in Tank Building and Manufacturing
During the initial stages of the war, tank production faced significant challenges. British manufacturers had limited expertise in producing tanks, and the fragmented approach to tank building often led to poor results. For instance, the Vickers company was a leading player, but Nuffield, another major player, refused to build designs from other companies. This resulted in the Crusader tank, which was underpowered and unreliable.
The power-to-weight ratio was a critical factor in tank performance. The Matilda II, while an equal to any German tank, suffered from poor mobility due to its underpowered design. The Churchill, once it settled on a more powerful Bedford engine, showed respectable performance, but throughout much of the war, the balance between mobility and firepower remained a challenge.
Adoption of New Technologies
Post-war, the focus shifted to returning production facilities to peacetime uses. However, the reliance on underpowered engines and the reluctance of certain manufacturers to build certain components created ongoing issues. It was not until the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, modified and used as the Meteor in the Cromwell tank, that reliable and powerful engines were employed.
The Centurion and Learning from Experience
The Centurion, designed by the Department of Tank Design, was undoubtedly one of the best tanks to emerge from World War II. It demonstrated the potential for a well-designed and well-managed tank force. The earlier chaotic situation could have been avoided if the government had exercised greater control over the design and production process, similar to the governance of shipbuilding and aircraft manufacturing.
Conclusion
From the limited expertise in tank manufacturing to the fragmented approach to design and production, the British tank force in World War II faced numerous challenges. While some tanks excelled, others suffered from design flaws and production inefficiencies. The Centurion marked a significant improvement, highlighting the potential for a better-managed and more efficient tank force. For a more comprehensive analysis of this period, The Second World War Tank Crisis: The Fall and Rise of British Armour 1919 to 1945 by Dick Taylor is an invaluable resource.