词条 | Churchill tank |
释义 | Churchill tank ![]() From the time they entered service in mid-1942, the Mark I and II tended to be outgunned by German panzers (panzer) (tanks), but their ability to climb hills served them well in the closing phases of the North African campaign. Faced with the need to upgrade their tank's main armament, the British fitted the next model, the Mark III, with a six-pounder gun. Even this gun was barely adequate by 1943, when the Mark III entered service, so later versions of this model were fitted with a 75-mm gun. The Mark IV closely resembled the Mark III, but its turret was welded rather than cast. The Mark IV was perhaps the most prolific Churchill tank and probably saw the most combat of any model. It was armed with either a six-pounder or a 75-mm gun. The tank weighed 39 tons, had a top speed of 27 km (17 miles) per hour, and a range of 145 km (90 miles). It was served by a crew of five and mounted two 7.92-mm machine guns in addition to its main gun. Its successor, the Mark V, was fitted with a 95-mm howitzer, but the Mark VI and VII returned to the format of the 75-mm gun. These later Churchills were still outgunned by their German counterparts, but their thick protective armour partly compensated for the inadequacy of their firepower. Churchill tanks took part in the Normandy Invasion and the ensuing Allied campaign across northern France and Germany. Some were adapted to mount flame throwers (flame thrower), and the rugged Churchill chassis could also be fitted with equipment for mine sweeping, bridge laying, and other specialized tasks. A total of 5,640 Churchill tanks were manufactured, and some remained in service with the British army into the 1950s. |
随便看 |
|
百科全书收录100133条中英文百科知识,基本涵盖了大多数领域的百科知识,是一部内容开放、自由的电子版百科全书。