The Vickers
Company began making the Valentine Tank in February,
1938. The British Army initially rejected
the tank because it believed its turret was too small. However, on
the outbreak of war the army was so desperate for new tanks that it
changed its mind about the suitability of the vehicle.
The first
Valentines were delivered in May 1940 and the following year they
were sent to take part in the Desert War.
During the Second World War there were eleven
versions of the tank. For example, the tank's armament changed from
a 6-pounder in 1938 to 75mm in 1944. However, the size of the turret
remained a problem and the crew constantly complained about a lack
of room.
During
the war 8,275 Valentines were built. Of these, 2,720 were sent to
the Red Army in the Soviet
Union. Valentines were also used by the New Zealand troops in
the South-West Pacific.
Valantine
Tank
Available from Amazon Books
(order below)
