Cromwell VII is a British Tank unit, exclusive to the Guards Amoured division. It is available from phase B onwards and improves on earlier Cromwell versions by having more frontal armour, on par with a sherman tank.
Overview[ | ]
One of the cruiser tanks developed and employed by Great Britain, named after Oliver Cromwell, the A27M Cruiser entered service in 1944. The result of a long and complicated development history starting in 1940, the Cromwell was intended to be a replacement for the then-new Crusader as the A24 Cromwell. By 1942, different design ideas by the major British tank designers culminated in three different variants: The Nuffield A24 Cromwell I (eventually renamed Cavalier), Leyland A27L Cromwell II (Centaur), and the BRC&W A27M Cromwell III.
The Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon eventually became the Cromwell tank as it came to be known. Changing production circumstances and tactical requirements burther modified the design, leading to the inclusion of dual-purpose 75mm tank guns based on the performance of Lend-Lease M4 Shermans. Further improvements and modifications of the Cromwell until the first production variant, Cromwell IV, entered service. The distinguishing feature was the 600 HP Rolls-Royse Meteor aircraft engine, which gave the Cromwell an excellent power-to-weight ratio and made it the fastest tank in British service.
Upgrade to Cromwell IV, V, and VI armed with the RQOF 75 mm gun and two BESA 7.92mm machine guns. Some hulls were upgraded with features from later hull types. Wider (15.5 inch) tracks, and upgraded suspension (where not fitted earlier in the production programme). These were introduced very late in the war and did not see much in the way of combat. ~ 1,500 produced, Some saw combat in the Korean War and many were later converted to FV4101 Tank, Medium Gun, Charioteer.
Finally the British forces possessed a medium tank that could measure up to other medium tanks of the period, though it was still outclassed by the later German tanks, such as the Panther, by the time it arrived. Its significance was also diminished because large quantities of the similarly performing Sherman tanks had become available thanks to US industrial might, and for reasons of logistical simplicity the British chose the Sherman over the Cromwell tank. Nonetheless, the Cromwell would see much action in Normandy and its chassis would serve as the basis for the Challenger tank and the Comet tank.
Various Cromwell variants were produced:
Cromwell V
Cromwell built to Final Specification and armed with the 75 mm gun.
Cromwell VI
Cromwell built to Final Specification and armed with 95 mm howitzer. 341 produced.
Cromwell VII
Upgrade to Cromwell IV, V, and VI armed with the 75 mm gun. Some hulls were upgraded with features from later hull types. Wider (15.5 inch) tracks, and upgraded suspension (where not fitted earlier in the production programme). These were introduced very late in the war and did not see much in the way of combat. ~ 1,500 produced, Some saw combat in the Korean War and many were later converted to FV4101 Tank, Medium Gun, Charioteer.
22nd Armored Brigade of the 7th Armoured had all of the Regiments equipped with Cromwell Tanks.
In the Guards Armoured Cromwell were used by 2nd Battalion, Welsh Guards who served as the Armored Reconnaissance Regiment for the Division. With concept of the Armored Reconnaissance Regiment not being successful in the Normandy Campaign, 2nd Battalion, Welsh Guards served as the fourth Armored Regiment of the Guards Armoured. 2nd Household Cavalry a Armored Car Regiment replaced the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Guards as the reconnaissance element of the Guard Armored Division.
Strategy[ | ]
The Cromwell VII is quite similar to the Sherman V, the biggest difference being the cost and improvements in driving speed. Available in phase B, the Cromwell VII is a typical medium tank able to deal with a variety with threats that the Guards Armoured division will face.
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