A11 tanks and crews from 4th Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment in France during the ‘Phoney War’ (Sept 1939 – May 1940).
In the foreground, two troopers check over maps and documents. Beyond them, other crewmen inspect their vehicles. All are dressed in black overalls with the regimental beret.
Designed as an ‘infantry tank’, the A11 ‘Matilda’ was small and armed only with a machine gun. But its armour proved to be very durable against German anti-tank guns when hostilities broke out in May 1940. By this time, 4th RTR was reinforced by 7th RTR to form the 1st Army Tank Brigade.
By Ibrahim Zamir
Empire of History 