- For the Steel Division II unit see SD2:Churchill OP (140mm)
Churchill OP is a British Artillery unit. It is a Churchill tank converted into an Observation Post, directing BL 5.5-inch Medium artillery guns onto German troop concentrations. This is the same calibre gun also employed by the Sherman V OP and the Cromwell IV OP. While these field artillery guns do not pack the biggest punch, they provide rapid and reasonable artillery power by units that are reasonably well-protected for an artillery observer. The Churchill OP is fielded by the 15th infantry, augmenting its artillery capacities.
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.
- Use
The Churchill OP is a Churchill converted to an observation post, directing off-map BL 5.5-inch Medium Gun Artillery to a given location. BL 5.5-inch Medium Gun were organized into Medium Regiments each with 8 guns. These Medium Regiments were organized into Army Group Royal Artillery.
Strategy[]
The Churchill OP might not provide the most powerful artillery, but it is still capable of decimating and pinning down infantry and other soft targets, especially considering the high rate of fire of the artillery strikes.
The Churchill itself is still somewhat useful after depleting its strikes, as it is armed with machine guns and has enough armour to withstand some punishment. In destruction mode, though, the player should be cautious in committing the Churchill OP to the front lines, as its destruction will still result in a costly 120 points to the enemy.
A fire-for-effect barrage directed by the Churchill OP (140mm)
As with all artillery observers, only three barrages (emergence - fire-for-effect - precision) can be directed. Once exhausted, the artillery observer unit can no longer order artillery strikes and this cannot be replenished.
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