During November 1917 preparations for the Battle of Cambrai were well underway. Each battalion of the Tank Corps recorded day to day events in War Diaries. …
Tank Corps War Diaries: 1 – 6 November 1917
During November 1917 preparations for the Battle of Cambrai were well underway. Each battalion of the Tank Corps recorded day to day events in their War Diary….
Tiger 131 Restoration: Part III The Turret
Part III. The repair of the turret, including removing the gun, removing rust, and painting the interior and exterior. …
The Driver’s Hatch of Tiger 131
The driver’s hatch on Tiger 131 was replaced in May 1943 by the British after capture. The result of this early repair was that Tiger 131 spent several years with an incorrect part fitted….
Using Petrol in First World War Tanks
For all their impressive power, tanks won’t work without fuel, which in the First World War meant petrol. This post takes a look at how this petrol was stored and used aboard British tanks….
Tiger 131 Restoration: Part II Hull and Suspension
Part II. After disassembly, restoring and reassembling the hull and suspension was the next step….
T1E1 Heavy Tank
Every effort has been made over the years to identify an Allied tank that was similar to the German Tiger. None have ever really been successful although a few tanks came close, notably the T1E1….
Victoria Cross: Cecil Sewell
One of the most moving stories of the WWI soldiers in The Tank Museum is that of Lieutenant Cecil Sewell, who gave his life to save those of another tank crew….
The Mystery of the Tiger Recovery Vehicle
These pictures have invariably been identified as an improvised Tiger recovery vehicle, photographed in Italy in 1944, but is it? Renowned tank historian David Fletcher examines the myth. …
The Cockcroft
In August 1917, the new Tank Corps had to prove their worth. This was done by the taking of Cockcroft – a German pillbox – during Third Ypres. …
North Africa Veteran Reg Hunt Remembers
In June 2017 North Africa veteran Reg Hunt, aged 101, visited The Tank Museum and spoke about his experiences as a soldier before and during the Second World War….
Tiger 131 Restoration: Part I Disassembly
Tiger 131’s restoration was a long and expensive project, but one that would make the vehicle the most infamous tank in the world….
The Battle of Passchendaele – Into Battle
Third Ypres, or Passchendaele, was a controversial battle at the time and has remained so ever since. Disagreement exists over whether it should have been fought at all, over the tactics used and over whether the casualties were worth the gains. …
The Battle of Passchendaele – Operation Hush
One of the reasons for launching the Third Battle of Ypres was a British desire to capture the Belgian coastline from the Germans….
The Battle of Passchendaele – Tanks at Third Ypres
Third Ypres was planned as an infantry and artillery attack, with tanks in a supporting role….
The Battle of Passchendaele – Background & Planning
The German invasion in August 1914 led to the conquest of almost all of Belgium. …
Tanks On Trains In The First World War
Tanks in the First World War were very slow. There were no tank transporters so tanks had to go by train and, as the war went on, they were getting bigger and heavier….
Prokhorovka and the Myth of the Largest Tank Battle
For decades the Battle of Kursk has been widely believed to be the largest tank battle in history….
Soviet Tanks at Kursk
The Soviet defenders in the Kursk salient had over 1.3 million men, 3500 tanks and 28,000 pieces of artillery and anti-tank guns plus more in reserve….
German Tanks at Kursk
The attacking German forces at Kursk amassed 777,000 men and around 2500 tanks and assault guns. This was about 70 per cent of all their tanks on the Eastern Front. …