British Tank Recognition.............

[bigjarofwasps]

Ladies/Gents,

Can anyone tell me what type of tank this is?

[Jerry B]

Cruiser MKVI Crusader?

[bigjarofwasps]

Many thanks Jerry!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusader_tank

[SimonLMoore]

Specifically a Crusader III with 6 pounder main gun.

[bigjarofwasps]

Many thanks Guys, for your assistance, the above picture was supposed to have been taken during the 1941 campaign in Iraq, however, wiki has the below which suggests that perhaps my photo wasn't taken in '41 at all? Crusader III

Crusader Mk III

Due to delays with the Cruiser Mark VII Cavalier and the need for cruiser tanks, the Crusader was up-gunned with the 6-pounder, the first British tank to mount this gun. Design work for a new turret started in March 1941 but Nuffield was not involved until late in the year when they adapted the existing turret with a new mantlet and hatch. The turret also received an extractor fan to clear fumes from the firing of the gun. The larger gun restricted turret space so the crew was reduced to three, with the commander acting also as gun loader—the loader was already the wireless operator. The auxiliary turret space was given over to ammunition stowage. The Crusader III first saw action, with about 100 participating at the Second Battle of El Alamein in October 1942.^[12]

[bigjarofwasps]

Full photo and text....

[peter monahan]

Nope, the caption is wrong, as you suggest. Pretty typical of "We need a photo, with a tank in it..." by editors who aren't subject specialist. Just leafed through the Smithsonian's new book on WWI and found 3 errors on a single page, all in photo captions. And I wasn't even looking. One was similar - page on 1915 showing gear not issued till 1917.

[bigjarofwasps]

Many thanks Peter, I thought that might be the case. I've checked various sources since posting this thread and can find no evidence of the British having any armour in Iraq, except for the RAF armoured cars. I assume that this picture is from North Africa?