Rent British Tanks of the Second World War (2010)
2.5 of 5 from 2 ratings
2h 7min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
'British Tanks of the Second World War' is the definitive archive film documentary tracing the development of British Tanks from the Tog 1 at the outset of war to the Comet at the end of hostilities. It details a never ending cycle of improvements to meet the joint challenges of firepower, manoeuvrability and crew protection. The Germans started World War Two with the deadly advantage of having developed a formidable Panzer Force both in terms of their tanks' mechanical superiority and the integrated Panzer Divisions preparations for their deployment. The British tanks by contrast were basic - unimaginative throwbacks to the crude designs of the Great War. Tanks were needed to smash through defences and enemy lines, to destroy gun positions and to isolate and paralyse the enemy in minimal time. As the war progressed relentlessly across Northern Europe, British Tanks met the challenge of the heavier German Tanks by successfully mating the 17 Pdr Gun to the Sherman Tank creating the tank-destroying Firefly. Other adaptations to tanks included the ability to 'swim' and lay bridges - helping to maintain the flow of armour into the heart of the Reich. 'British Tanks of the Second World War' is the fascinating story of the design triumphs and adaptations that turned around the mismanagement, underproduction and technical inferiority of British tanks at the beginning of the war into a fearsome strike force that outfought the Panzer divisions to pave the way for Victory!
Beach Obstacles
(1943, 31 minutes) - A fascinating silent film illustrating the many ways adapted tanks can be employed to overcome passive beach defences - walls, gullies, concrete 'egg' obstacles, steel tubes etc. Includes images of Churchill tanks with 'Carpet' laying equipment enabling troops to cross areas of densely packed barbed wire and customised Convenanter and Matilda tanks with a variety of explosive charges.- Aka:
- World War II Documentary: British Tanks of the Second World War 1939-1945
- Studio:
- Sfe
- Genres:
- Documentary, Special Interest
