churchill tanks in Norh Africa

[methos]

Does anyone know a sight with any photos or information on churchill tanks in north africa
I know they were used their but I have little other information and no pictures

Not many wargamers seem to add them to their armys and i thought it couls be fun

regards Methos

[Jubilation T Cornpone]

Hi,

Initially, 6 mark III Churchills were sent to the western desert in time for the second battle of Alamein to prove or disprove its usefulness in desert warfare. The six were known as 'Kingforce' and were meant to support 7th Motor Brigade but in the confusion ended up fighting under direct command of 1st Armoured Div. They saw action twice at Kidney Ridge on 27th Oct 1942 and at Tel el Aqqaqir on 3rd November 1942. One tank was burned out and two immobilized. They in turn claimed 5 enemy tanks and 3 AT guns. The consequence of this was then to dispatch 2 Churchill tank brigades to Tunisia (thank goodness!). A nice conversion project for Tunisia is to convert Churchill IV's to the Churchill IV (NA75). 120 of these Churchills were fitted with M3 75mm guns and mantlets by the brigade workshops of 1st Army. They went on to see action on Sicilly and in Italy. Plenty of scope there!

[Steve J]

Hi Methos,
some info below that should be of use.

First link is about the battle for Longstop hill in which Churchills were used to good effect.
http://www.flamesofwar.com/Default.aspx?tabid=53&art_id=1559

Second is an overall view of the tank with some useful links at the bottom of the article.
http://www.flamesofwar.com/Default.aspx?tabid=53&art_id=395

Third has some info on the camo scheme used by the Kingforce Churchills at Alamein. It is also a brilliant site for all sorts of British camo schemes throughout the war
http://www.armouredacorn.com/Refs-%20Thumbprints%20&%20Images/NCVM/NCVM%20Part%2026%20%28Late%20Desert%29.pdf

I also typed in "Churchills in Tunisia" into Google images and lots of pics came up, which hopefully will be of use to you.

Steve J.

[methos]

Thank you both for your replys heaps of good info and links

enough to convince me to add the odd Churchill to my next order
must have been an eye opener for the german gunners firing at a tank with that much armour :-)

thanks Richard

[NTM]

Another good one here

http://northirishhorse.net/