Combat history Valentine tank

a valentine in north africa, carrying infantry scottish regiment.



soviet valentine mk ix during dnieper offensive, 1943

the valentine extensively used in north african campaign, earning reputation reliable , well-protected vehicle, replaced matilda tank. first valentines went in action 8th royal tank regiment in operation crusader. tank first served in operation crusader in north african desert, when began replace matilda tank. due lack of cruisers, issued armoured regiments in uk mid-1941. valentine better armed , faster cruiser mk ii. during pursuit el alamein in late 1942, tanks had driven more 3,000 miles (4,800 km) time eighth army reached tunisia.

the valentine shared common weakness of british tanks of period 2-pounder gun lacked high-explosive (anti-personnel) ammunition , became outdated anti-tank weapon. introduction of 6-pounder in british service delayed until loss of equipment @ dunkirk had been made good, 2-pounder retained longer. small size of turret , of turret ring meant producing mountings larger guns proved difficult task. although versions 6-pounder , ordnance qf 75 mm gun developed, time available in significant numbers, better tanks had reached battlefield. weakness small crew compartment , two-man turret. larger turret, loader position added, used in of 2-pounder versions position had removed again in variants larger guns. relatively low height advantage in battlefield little cover, allowing take hull-down position in convenient fold in ground .

by 1944, valentine had been replaced in front-line units of european theatre churchill tank (the infantry tank mark iv ) , us-made m4 sherman tank. few used special purposes or command vehicles units equipped archer self-propelled gun.

in war in pacific, 25 valentine mk iii , 9 valentine mk iiics tanks employed 3rd new zealand division in south-west pacific campaign. trials in new zealand had found locally developed 2 pounder shell lacked power, compared 18-pounder shell of 3-inch howitzer, 18 valentine mk iii converted valentine mk iiics standard having main armament replaced qf 3-inch howitzer taken matilda mk ivcs tanks, surplus new zealand requirements. other modifications 9 valentine mk iiics tanks deploying pacific, included infantry telephones (a means infantry talk tank commander). converted tanks carried 21 , 14 smoke shells. other 9 3-inch armed tanks , 16 normal valentines (with 2-pounder guns) remained in new zealand training, valentines being retired in 1960.

in soviet service, valentine used battle of moscow until end of war, in second line. although criticised low speed , weak gun, valentine liked due small size, reliability , armour protection. soviet supreme command asked production until end of war. last use of valentine in combat thought have occurred during cypriot intercommunal violence of early-1960s. turret-less valentine, had been used in quarry used greek militia, fitted improvised armoured casement, gunner fire bren gun. vehicle survives , owned cypriot national guard, intend place in proposed new military museum.