Cruiser Tank Mk VIII Cromwell (A27M)

Designation: Cruiser Tank Mk VIII Cromwell (A27M)
Classification Type: Main Battle Tank
Contractor: Nuffield Organisation - UK
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Initial Year of Service: 1943
Number Built: 4,333

The Cromwell was a major upgrade to previous Cruiser tank designs, finally giving British tank crews something on par to what the Germans were fielding.

The Cromwell (officially known as Tank, Cruiser, Mk VIII, Cromwell (A27M)) was one of two design proposals submitted to fulfill the British Army specification A27. The specification centered on a direct replacement for the army's Crusader series of tanks. While the other submitted design - becoming the Centaur (A27L) - was built around the inadequate Liberty engine, the Cromwell design (A27M) was built with the Rolls-Royce Meteor, this engine being a direct development of the same Rolls-Royce Merlin engine found in the spectacular Spitfire aircraft. While the Centaur's limitations kept it from fulfilling its true potential, the Cromwell was in many ways more of a success despite its eventual replacement by the American Sherman tanks arriving in the British inventory.

The Cromwell featured five road wheels to a side with no side skirts and some frontal protection. Design was such that it offered a lower profile when compared to the Sherman and armor protection was at least as much as offered on the American tank though the Cromwell's configuration was made up of flat faces - not offering much in the way of blast deflection from enemy rounds. In contrast, the Sherman featured sloping armor, adding to at least some additional degree of survivability when facing off with the potent German guns. The Cromwell's main gun was held in a boxy turret at the center of the hull, this component also with flat armor plates. The main gun (initially a 6-pdr but later upgraded to a 75mm) was complimented by two 7.92mm anti-infantry machine guns (most models), one mounted in the turret and the other in the bow of the hull.

The Cromwell appeared in three initial major marks (first tanks completed in January of 1943) known simply as Cromwell I, Cromwell II and Cromwell III - all featuring the 6-pdr (47mm) main gun. The Cromwell I had two BESA 7.92mm machine guns while the Cromwell II featured only one such machine gun but wider tracks for improved traction. The Cromwell IV then appeared as a "heavier" version and with the standard 75mm main gun - these were issued in October of 1943. The Cromwell VIII followed but these were fitted with the larger caliber 94mm main gun with the intention of using these systems in the close support role in conjunction with infantry offenses.

The Cromwell saw first action in the Invasion of Normandy with the 7th Armored Division and played a successful role in the event and the inland attacks to follow. Crew response was positive for the Cromwell and the system was noted as being reliable with good maneuverability. The main gun action proved equally well-liked by her crews for she was easy enough to bring to bear, load and fire. Performance proved exceptional as well no doubt thanks to the Meteor powerplant and Christie suspension.

Compared to earlier British tank designs, the Cromwell was something of a dream. The system finally allowed British tank crews a viable weapon capable of engaging German armor thanks to its improved main armament and better armor protection - two elements not readily apparent in any of the previous cruiser tanks fielded. The Cromwell definitely made a name for itself in multiple capacities before the end of the war as the chassis was the basis for further specialized variants.

Despite the inherent usefulness in the Cromwell system, the daily additions of the American M4 Sherman tanks (from the middle of 1944 onwards) to the British Army inventories was slowly overtaking the Cromwell's reach. For the sake of logistics, the Sherman was to become the main medium tank of the British army for the duration of the war and, as such, the Cromwell was fitted into more auxiliary and reserve roles as time wore on. The Cromwell went on to become a noted trainer of British tank crews as a result and her chassis was reused in other more useful battlefield roles.

Success in the Cromwell design led to the development of the Comet, probably Britain's most successful tank design of the Second World War. The Comet saw use in the Korean War. Though designed by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company, production was handled by the Nuffield Organisation. Rover Car Company handled production of the Rolls-Royce Meteor engines.