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| Cruiser Tank Mk VIII CROMWELL Jan Hyrman |
| Specifications: Cruiser Tank Mk VIII Cromwell Mk IV Crew: 5 Weight: 27,9 t Dimensions: length (incl. overhang) 6.42 metres; width 3.048 metres; height 2.51 metres Engine: 12-cylinder Rolls-Royce Meteor engine rated at 425 kW (570 HP) Performance: maximum speed on road 61 kilometres per hour; range on road 278 kilometres; fording 1.219 metres; vertical obstacle 0.914 metres; trench crossing 2.286 metres. |
| Cromwell cruiser tanks succeeded the Crusader in January 1943, when first Cromwells began leaving the production lines. The Cromwell was based on the 1941 specification, which increased the requirements on the thickness of armour and the efficiency of armament. Based on an older A27 design, two prototypes were made by two British manufacturers. While the A27L was equipped with a Liberty engine, the A27M received a 12-cylinder Rolls-Royce Meteor, a detuned version of the Merlin aircraft engine.  Cruiser Tank Centaur was later based on the A27L design, while the A27M later became Cruiser Tank Mk VIII Cromwell. |
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| The first three versions of Cromwell carried a 6pdr. cannon and one (Cromwell Mk II) or two Besa machine guns (Cromwell Mk I); Cromwell Mk III was a redesigned Centaur I. Already during 1943 it was decided to equip the tank with the new and more efficient 75mm cannon, which would allow ammunition interchangeability with U.S. Army sources; first Cromwells Mk IV came in October of the same year. Cromwell Mk VIII, equipped with a 95mm howitzer, was a Close Support (C.S.) vehicle. Also based on the Cromwell design, Armoured Observation Posts (A.O.P.) and Armoured Recovery Vehicles (A.R.V.) were built. The A.O.P. had only decoys of the gun barrel and two wireless sets, the gunner was replaced by an observation officer as a part of the crew; the A.R.V. was equipped with a crane, an oxyacetylene welder set, steel cables and anchors. The Cromwell, similarly to the Crusader (read more about this tank here), used the Christie type of suspension (a designe by the American inventor Walter Christie), which, however, had had to be extensively re-designed already for the predecessor of the Cromwell, so that the tanks could carry heavy armour and armament. The advantages of this type of suspension made the Cromwell one of the fastest and most maneuverable tanks on the battlefield, a factor which did much to compensate for its relatively poor armament. The Cromwell design laid foundations for the later design of the Comet, perhaps the best British tank of the Second World War. |
| The picture of the Cromwell tank was taken from a Czechoslovak publication 'Od Dunkirku az po den' (From Dunkirk to D-Day), published by the British Department of Information, London, 1945. |
| Sources: The Complete Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop (ed), Aerospace Publishing 1999 Gustav Svoboda, The Czechoslovak Independent Armoured Brigade Group in Great Britain Encyclopedia of World War II, John Keegan (ed), Bison Books Ltd., London 1994 |
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| The 'Hunter', a Royal Marines Centaur somewhere in northern France. The picture is courtesy of the Tank Museum in Bovington. |
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| Czechoslovak Cromwells lined-up for inspection. The picture is courtesy of Mr. Bulik. |
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| Dear readers, This is the oldest article published in the 'Nase noviny' some four or five years ago. As I now have much better sources, I am preparing an enhanced article dealing with this issue. Please check back often! |