- For the Steel Division II unit see SD2:Churchill IV
Churchill IV is a British Tank unit. The infantry tank is exclusively available to the 15th infantry and provides standard medium tank support in phase B. While the Churchill IVs have no stars, they come in two packs of five and are thus available in numbers.
The player can opt to choose between the Churchill IV (130 points) or the Churchill VI (140 points) depending on his preference. Both tanks are available in phase B and can be deployed in numbers.
Overview[ | ]
The ultimate incarnation of the infantry tank concept, the first version of the tank was designed with the expectation that fighting in Europe would be similar to the trench warfare of World War I. The A20, as it was designated, was quickly retired after the Dunkirk Evacuation, with the new specifications for an A22 infantry tank given to Vauxhall in June 1940. Fearing a Nazi invasion, the War Office specified that the design enter production within a year. And it did: The first Churchills rolled off the production line in July 1941.
The rapid pace of development resulted in many flaws and shortcomings, primarily caused by an underpowered engine and a weak 2-pounder gun mounted in the turret, somewhat compensated by a 3-inch howitzer mounted in the hull. Further iterations on the design eliminated many of them, with the Churchill Mk III finally proving itself in combat at the second Battle of El Alamein in October 1942. Subsequent versions became the basis for several specialized variants and an indispensable part of Allied combat units, as they combined protection with maneuverability: The Churchill wasn't fast, but its suspension and all-around tracks allowed it to climb slopes other tanks could not.
Churchill series of tanks were used by 6th Guards Tank Brigade along with 31st Tank Brigade. These Tank Brigade with their 2 to three Infantry Tank Battalions or Regiments, served as Corps troops, to work alongside the Infantry divisions and break into the enemy defensive positions. Churchill IV remained in the Tank Squadron to provide some anti-tank protection since the 6 pdr armour-penetration performance exceeds the 75mm equiped Churchills VI.
Strategy[ | ]
The Churchill IV is a standard Allied medium tank, similar to the Cromwell and the Sherman. It is reasonably armoured and its gun is good enough to take on a wide variety of enemy vehicles.
Churchill IV vs Churchill VIs
Its main drawback is its lack of HE shells, making it largely incapable of providing fire support against soft targets. This is compensated by its respectable rate of fire, one shell every 7.5 seconds. In contrast, the Churchill VI fires one shell every 10 seconds. The Churchill IV is thus reasonably equipped to deal with enemy fighting vehicles, but only vehicles.
For ten points more, the Churchill VI offers improved frontal armour (+1) and the addition of HE shells. It however loses some of its rate of fire. The Churchill VI is therefore a good general-purpose tank, but fires slightly less fast.
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